01x07 - Prescribed Poison

[bunniefuu]

19TH NOVEMBER

(TUESDAY) 18:20

[clock ticking]

THIS ANIME IS A WORK

OF FICTION AND HAS NO

RELATION TO ANY ACTUAL

PERSON OR ORGANIZATION.

THE MEDICAL PROCEDURES

AND EQUIPMEN

USED IN THE SHOW

MAY VARY FROM WHA

IS USED TO TREA

INDIVIDUAL SYMPTOMS.

The time's come.

Now, let's vote.

[clock ticking]

All for abolishing

the Department

of Investigative Pathology,

raise your hand.

AMEKU M.D.:

DOCTOR DETECTIVE

18TH NOVEMBER

(MONDAY) 08:35

[TAKAO]

What's this all about?

[Owashi sighs]

[OWASHI]

Maybe you should've reflected

on your own actions more.

[AGENDA] POSSIBLE

ABOLISHMENT OF THE

DEPARTMENT OF

INVESTIGATIVE PATHOLOGY.

You give patients your diagnosis

even when you aren't asked.

You examine them without

the attending

physician's permission.

And a fire shuts down the ER,

which, unsurprisingly,

I find out somehow

leads back to you.

But in comparison,

none of those problems

come remotely close

to this one.

Which is?

You're being sued.

Congratulations.

[gasps]

We've received

a formal complaint

from Soichiro Suzuhara's

family.

A misdiagnosis

apparently made by you.

[scoffs]

Do I seem like the type

to make a mistake?

[OWASHI] It doesn't matter

if there was actual

malpractice or not.

Fact is, any lawsuit

filed against us

affects our credibility.

Yes, but

As you know,

we're a core hospital

supporting medical care

in this region.

We have no choice

but to take

appropriate

disciplinary action.

♪

Dr. Takao, isn't this

Soichiro Suzuhara

that boy?

Yeah, the one admitted

to the emergency room

back in August.

He has Hypervitaminosis A.

Stop giving him the vitamins

and he'll recover quickly.

[gasps]

BLUEBERRIES

[TAKAO] [sighs]

Good grief.

It's hard to believe

a parent could even make

-their kid that sick.

-[elevator dinging]

Seems he lost consciousness

at home last week.

He's currently in pediatrics.

[YU]

Wait, he passed out?

[KUMAKAWA]

After looking at his chart,

I don't think

Hypervitaminosis A

was a misdiagnosis.

TENIKAI GENERAL

HOSPITAL

PEDIATRIC DEPARTMEN

DIRECTOR KUMAGAWA DAIJIRO

When the supplements stopped,

his vitamin A levels returned

to a normal level.

The swelling in his

extremities went down,

and his pains

and headaches subsided.

But nausea

and vertigo got worse.

Typically, his energy

isn't affected,

but every few days,

he suffers from dizziness

for about 12 hours.

[MAI]

The poor kid vomits repeatedly

and even loses the ability

to walk properly.

During really bad episodes,

his mental awareness plummets.

Right, seems like

an amplified side effect

caused by the carbamazepine

he takes to prevent seizures.

But there's no change

in his blood concentration.

We had our suspicions.

An endocrine

or nervous system disorder.

We ordered an MRI

and ultrasound.

Even did a psych test.

Basically, any test

we could think of,

and all came back the same.

There's absolutely nothing

abnormal about the patient.

Strange.

How's the family holding up

with everything going on?

Well, his mother is always

bedside during visiting hours,

but, you see

-Go on.

-Hmm?

[MAI] She's pretty

overprotective is all.

[YU]

How so?

His mother Momoka is

Let's just say she likes

giving the hospital staff

a bunch of detailed demands.

Apparently, it's because

she's an active nurse herself.

-[YU] Really?

-Huh?

[KUMAKAWA] Well,

I'm sure she's just worried

about her child

like any parent would be.

I believe

she's raised him alone.

[chuckles]

[door slides open]

Huh?

[door slides close]

[MOMOKA] [gasps]

Not you!

What are you doing here?

I'm here to examine your son.

Huh?

You do realize

your misdiagnosis

is the whole reason

my boy's in this condition?

-Get out!

-I refuse.

[MOMOKA]

Have you lost your mind?

In case you've forgotten,

I'm currently suing you

for malpractice!

-Hold on, you're being sued?

-Momma?

[MOMOKA]

Sorry, was mom being too loud?

-What's wrong?

-Um-hm.

Don't come anywhere near him!

Listen, what's more

important to you,

your kid getting better

or your lawsuit against me?

[gasps]

I'm his mom.

His health will always

be my one primary concern.

Then start acting like it.

The fastest way

he's going to get better

is if I can examine him

and find out

exactly what's going on.

Don't you get it?

I don't trust you!

[TAKAO] Look, I don't care

whether or not you sue me.

Doesn't matter.

I'm still going to conduct

a thorough examination

of your son

and give my diagnosis.

Know why?

Because it's my job.

[groans]

Hm.

You ready for me to begin?

Hm.

♪

[TAKAO]

Hmm?

♪

Hm.

[groans]

[KUMAKAWA]

Figure anything out?

I have.

A good deal.

[all gasp]

-He seems fine to me.

-Oh, I see!

You admit you have

no idea what's wrong!

I meant there's nothing's

abnormal about his health

whenever he isn't

experiencing a flare-up.

That's helpful.

And it narrows things down.

In cases like these,

the reason for illness

is usually

[all gasp]

Taka, please!

Hey, why're you

digging in there?

Did you bring this juice

into the hospital with you?

[MOMOKA]

Yes, that's right.

I have him drink one every day.

But I've gotten permission

from the hospital.

Hmm.

Pupil.

Confiscate all of this juice.

[GROUP]

Hm?

Hurry up.

-I think you own me

an explanation! -[YU] Oh. Okay.

[TAKAO] We'll get

the university's forensic lab

to examine the contents.

Ah?

[TAKAO] While his physical exam

and test data

show no irregularities,

he still gets

regular flare-ups.

In short, most likely

some substance

he's exposed to

is poisoning him.

What?

Ah?

Are you implying that I've been

feeding my own child poison?

You care deeply about your son.

No one doubts that.

Kuma did all the tests

he could think of,

eliminating every possible

disease and disorder.

The only scenario remaining

is that he's being poisoned.

The food consumed

at the hospital

is highly controlled.

It's impossible

for something eaten here

to be contaminated

in regular intervals.

Meaning it had to have been

brought in from outside.

Something in this juice

is causing a toxic reaction.

I'm looking at the ingredients.

It doesn't seem like

anything listed here

would end up poisoning him.

There's no guarantee

the contents match

what's on the box.

So, we'll get forensics

to take a closer look.

♪

19TH NOVEMBER

(TUESDAY) 09:15

-[MOMOKA] Wake up! Baby!

-[MAI] Fetch the emesis basin.

-Can you hear me?

-What's wrong? -Right.

-Hang in there! -Are you

having problems breathing?

-Don't let him die!

-I have the suction prepared.

-I'm begging you!

-Get the oxygen, just in case.

-Hold on! Baby!

-Yes. Should we put in a line?

-Please.

-I'm right here! - Ma'am,

-please calm down. -Please

do something to save him!

[TAKAO] I see.

Is he stable now?

[KUMAKAWA]

Yeah, thankfully.

Also, it looks like he drank

some more of that juice.

[TAKAO]

What?

We grabbed all of them,

so where the heck

did he get a box from?

[KUMAKAWA] His mother

brought it in this morning.

She wanted him to drink it

with his breakfast,

no matter what.

[sighs]

There's no question, then.

The juice has to be

what's causing it.

-[phone chiming]

-Ah?

Finally.

Hold on one second.

♪

[gasps]

Um?

You find something?

[TAKAO]

That's just it.

The juice

there's nothing wrong with it.

Hm.

Ah?

Thanks, you read my mind.

[MAI]

This whole thing is screwed up!

I can't believe Dr. Takao

is being sued

and Investigative Pathology

is in threat

of being shut down!

There are a ton of cases

that only Dr. Takao can solve.

The hospital should know that!

My uncle's more interested

in using me as a pawn

that he can manipulate.

[gasps]

[TAKAO] He's trying

to take away my department

where I'm free

to examine patients

so I can be a turnkey, working

for all the other units.

And what'll end up

happening to you, Dr. Kotori?

Considering how I'm originally

from the university hospital

I'll have to go back, I guess.

[MAI]

No, are you serious?

[TAKAO] [groans]

What in the world's going on?

It's poison!

What other

explanation is there?

The only thing

that makes sense

is the juice having

an ingredient harmful to him.

I don't care what it is.

List off anything

you've noticed

about Soichiro Suzuhara!

-Ah?

-Um?

Well, um

There's a chance

that he has an allergy

we didn't pick up on.

We checked,

and there's no food

he'd have a reaction to.

He did say he doesn't like

fruit very much.

Kuma'd miss

something that obvious,

so stop being stupid

and actually use

your brain for once!

Whoa!

You are way out of line.

I'm trying to help out, here!

Then give me

some plausible ideas!

Are you completely useless

without me holding your hand?

-[trembling]

-Uh, let's all calm down!

Okay?

[door opens]

Takao, it's almost time

for the meeting.

Give me ten minutes.

I just need

a little longer to--

[MAZURU]

I can't.

You have to attend

or the Investigative

Pathology Department

will be shut down.

[sighs]

Let's go.

The only option you have

is to apologize to her.

Are you joking?

[MAZURU] We have to hope

that's enough for her

to withdraw the complaint.

[Takao sighs]

[TAKAO] There's no way

I'm saying sorry.

Nothing about this make sense.

I should've been able

to find the answer.

♪

I've never been good

at reading feelings,

whether it's others'

or the mood in a room.

But I've tried to make up

for it using logic.

If I abandon the system

I've relied on

it's like I'm betraying myself.

[sighs]

I'm sorry.

You're right,

Takao, but still

Thankssis.

♪

[Takao sighs]

I'm off.

♪

-Uh?

-Ah?

[TAKAO]

Uh, fruit?

[YU]

Um? Dr. Takao?

-Mai.

-Yes, I'm here.

Did Soichiro Suzuhara

ever tell you

why he didn't enjoy the fruit?

Yes, um

he said sometimes

it would taste really bitter.

Bitter?

♪

[indistinct chatter]

He said sometimes

it would taste really bitter.

♪

Soichiro Suzuhara's life

is in grave danger.

[both gasp]

♪

This mystery's solved.

I'm ready to deliver

my official diagnosis.

AMEKU M.D.:

DOCTOR DETECTIVE

19TH NOVEMBER

(TUESDAY) 18:18

Tenikai General has a duty

to show we strive to provide

the best care

and will be held accountable

when we don't.

[clock ticking]

The time's come for us to vote.

[EMERGENCY DEPARTMEN

DIRECTORS MEETING]

NOV 19TH, 2024 18:00 AGENDA:

"ABOLISHING THE

DEPARTMENT OF

INVESTIGATIVE PATHOLOGY"

All for abolishing

the Department

of Investigative Pathology,

raise your hand.

-You sure that's wise?

-[OWASHI] Hm?

If we do shut down

the Investigative

Pathology Department,

I wonder what the public's

reaction will be.

A, they'll be glad we got rid

of a problematic department

and cleaned house.

Or B, they'll see us as fools

who buckled

under a baseless lawsuit.

You see this lawsuit

as unjustified?

Absolutely.

I would never give a patient

a wrong diagnosis,

seeing how

I'm a genius and all.

[groans]

[MALE MEMBER 7A]

She never changes.

[MALE MEMBER 7B]

The absolute unmitigated ga--

[thuds]

[panting]

Ah?

[MOMOKA] [panting]

I said give those back!

Huh?

Oh?

[hands clapping]

Ten-out-of-ten entrance.

Well done.

Well, Takao,

what's the meaning of this?

[TAKAO] I asked them to bring

evidence to clear my name.

Juice.

[gasps]

[KUMAKAWA]

From the boy's room.

Even though I didn't expect

them to bring her along

to this meeting,

please let me introduce you.

This woman is Momoka Suzuhara.

AKA, the party

that's currently suing me.

[all gasp]

Now observe how I will get her

to retract her complaint.

You must be joking

if you really think

I'm letting you get away

with malpractice!

I will begin by explaining

exactly what's happening

inside your son's body.

[gasps]

[TAKAO]

Not a bad deal, is it?

If I'm successful,

your son will get better.

And if I fail,

I'll fall to my knees

and beg you for forgiveness.

[snorts]

♪

Colleagues,

you're in for a real show!

The key to solving this case

is the juice

I've placed before you.

Soichiro Suzuhara is being

treated in our pediatric ward,

which means

the only food he ingests

is provided by the hospital

and this juice.

And yet, despite this,

he shows signs and symptoms

of being poisoned

at regular intervals.

Naturally,

we looked into the juice.

But, when we ran tests,

they showed there weren't

any harmful ingredients inside.

However

♪

Kotori,

try the pineapple juice,

if you wouldn't mind.

[YU]

Huh?

♪

[coughs]

Ah, it's bitter.

[MAI]

That's weird.

[YU]

This isn't pineapple juice.

[Takao chuckles]

What does it taste like?

Grapefruit, perhaps?

Yeah, that's exactly

what it is!

But wait,

the packaging says

If it's grapefruit

[both gasp]

Ah!

That's right.

CARBAMAZEPINE

Soichiro Suzuhara is currently

taking carbamazepine

to prevent his seizures.

Doesn't matter

if you're a nurse or a doctor.

Both should know

the flavonoids in grapefruit

inhibit the CYP3A4 enzyme,

which is used to metabolize

carbamazepine

for several hours.

Due to this, the body can't

properly process the medicine,

sharply but temporarily

increasing his

blood concentration

and manifesting symptoms

of a drug overdose.

Do you mind if we back up

for a second?

Even though that does

wrap up the mystery

behind Soichiro's condition--

Why does that carton

have grapefruit juice in it

in the first place?

Good point.

That question leads us

to a bigger mystery.

-Look.

-Ah?

What do see near

the folded area at the top?

[sighs]

-Ah?

-Huh?

[YU]

There's a small puncture mark.

[TAKAO]

Bingo.

A hole made by a syringe.

The culprit swapped out

the carton's contents.

[all gasp]

The "culprit?"

[sighs]

[YU]

But who in the world--

Soichiro Suzuhara

was experiencing

signs of poisoning.

But they always appeared

in the morning,

and the medicine

was administered by staff.

Are you telling me

one of the nurses did it?

Not them.

I've already checked

the shift records.

There wasn't anyone on duty

the days when

the symptoms manifested.

Plus, the symptoms started

before he was hospitalized,

so it's highly unlikely

to be anyone working here.

Whoever is responsible,

though, knew the following.

The side effects

of carbamazepine

and when Soichiro Suzuhara

took his medicine.

The guilty party

is standing there.

♪

Momoka Suzuhara.

[gasps]

[indistinct chatter]

Not his own mother.

Explain yourself, now!

I've had all

I can take from you!

You think I would intentionally

hurt my own child?

It turns out you're the one

with a serious illness.

It may not have

any obvious symptoms,

but it threatens

your son's life.

What in the world

are you even talking about?

What, so now,

I'm the one who's sick?

It has a name.

Does Munchausen Syndrome

by Proxy ring a bell?

[gasps]

[TAKAO] Patients

with this mental disorder

abuse their children,

whether it's by physically

harming them or by poison.

All to fabricate

a serious illness.

Later, they put on the act

of the tragic heroine.

[SOICHIRO]

Mommy.

[TAKAO]

You loved playing the role

of a courageous mother.

A concerned parent

diligently caring

for her darling son.

No, you're wrong!

I'm not--

And the Hypervitaminosis A?

Turns out

you caused that as well.

You got upset when I found out

and sued me out of revenge.

♪

[scoffs]

[TAKAO]

No wonder we couldn't find

any traces of poison

in his body.

It was only juice, after all.

But for someone like

Soichiro Suzuhara,

this was just a toxic c*ck.

You don't have

a shred of proof.

WellI'm sure we will

after we conduct a thorough

search of your residence.

[gasps]

Something tells me

we'll find a syringe

with traces of grapefruit.

[whimpering]

Kotori?

Phone the police.

-[YU] Uh, right.

-[MOMOKA] Wait.

[MOMOKA]

We can discuss this!

Please leave

the police out of it!

If I retracted the lawsuit,

that would make this go away,

-right?

-What's wrong with you?

What you did was child abuse,

plain and simple.

You misused your knowledge

as a healthcare worker

to carry out a meticulous

and malevolent plan.

You're a criminal.

[whimpering]

[Momoka sobbing]

[Takao sighs]

[EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS

MEETING] NOV 19TH, 2024 18:00 AGENDA:

"ABOLISHING THE DEPARTMENT OF

INVESTIGATIVE PATHOLOGY"

[TAKAO]

Now then, Uncle.

What's the Department of

Investigative Pathology's fate?

It's like you said.

The lawsuit has no legitimacy.

Therefore, the motion

should be rejected.

-[members groan]

-Huh! -[chuckles]

Takao!

[OWASHI]

Of course, this meeting

no longer holds

any meaning, either.

[both chuckle]

Investigative Pathology

will remain operational.

[MAI] Here's to successfully

solving another case!

-[MAI] Cheers!

-[YU] Cheers!

[MAI] You were super cool

under pressure, Dr. Takao,

like always.

Yes, naturally.

[MAI] And now that

Investigative Pathology is safe

Dr. Kotori

doesn't have to go back

to the university hospital.

Huh?

What did I say?

[YU]

Nothing.

I'm wondering

how Soichiro's doing.

His parents are divorced,

but I heard his father

will have custody from now on.

Good.

If we'd left things

the way they were,

there's an excellent chance

he wouldn't have lived

much longer.

We did all we could as doctors.

You should be proud

of that fact.

Very true.

YOU HAVE A NEW MESSAGE

Hm?

Oh, yeah, by the way,

so when are you going

to buy me a new motorcycle?

[YU] Ah, if I have

to buy you a bike,

along with a new car for me--

[MAI]

You do.

[YU] I'll have

to take out two loans.

[MAI]

You will.

[YU] Wait.

Dr. Takao destroyed yours.

Shouldn't she be

buying you a bike?

[MAI] No, Dr. Takao destroyed

my bike saving you.

MIKI KENTA:

8 YEARS OLD

[TAKAO]

Kenta.