01x09 - Episode 9

[bunniefuu]

My older sister
died in Kujo Development's fire.

She was Mariko Ohara, the CEO's secretary.

We have appointed a new CEO.
We have decided upon Natsu Imai.

Who stood to benefit
the most from that fire?

What even was the point in making you CEO?

The factory where the fire
broke out had security cameras.

There's something on there.

You helped Ken'ichi.

You left her to die.

I dare not think it,

but did you start the fire?

And if I did?

Mitsuko.

Thank you for making me CEO.

But from now on,

I want you to stay out
of Kujo Development's business.

Get out.

Ms. Motomiya.

Excuse me, Ms. Imai?

What's wrong?

You fired her?

Ms. Motomiya was hindering our work,

and so I asked her to keep out
of Kujo Development's business.

I also asked her to refrain
from entering the premises.

Ms. Motomiya?

But, Mom...

That will be all. Thank you.

Natsu sure is something.

They were partners. She got her to CEO.
To think she'd just cast her aside.

Then again, I guess it's best
for a CEO to have a heart of ice.

I wonder what happened between them.

Who knows?

All I know is I owe Natsu,
so I'll do whatever she says.

But I guess it's complicated for you.

Complicated?

Not particularly.

"Not particularly."

Not very bright, are you?

Why's that?

Hello?

Sure, I'll be right there.

Bye-bye, Little Haruto.

Mitsuko Motomiya?

Hello.

What do you mean, "hello"?

What are you doing here?

Isn't it obvious?

I'm investigating the fire.

I'm looking for clues.

You need to leave.

Natsu says you're not allowed
on company premises.

I can't go against her...

Sorry, but I'm calling security.

It was Natsu.

She k*lled my sister.

She really was.

Mariko really was crying out for help.

But Natsu turned her back on her.

She chose Ken'ichi instead.

She knew Dad was CEO of Kujo Development,
and she did it so he'd owe her one?

That can't be right.

That's not all.

Natsu could have even been
the one who started the fire.

Natsu? But why?

That's what I want to find out.

So...

I get it.

But still,

someone who has no business here
can't just expect to hang around.

I understand.

But I am in a bind here.

It's this room.

It's still covered in the trash
you brought in from before.

I'd love some help cleaning it all up.

If only I had someone.

Leave it with me.

What's going on?

You're only CEO because of Mitsuko, right?

Why would you...

We don't see eye to eye.

-I'm being serious here.
-Ms. Motomiya and I,

our goals are misaligned.

That's why.

So what now?

You can't investigate anything
without the CEO's permission,

nor can the police help.

You can't do anything while Natsu is CEO.

So what you're saying

is that we just need
to get rid of Natsu's title?

Wait, you don't mean...

I will take Natsu's title away.

You really are terrifying.

You spent all that effort
getting Natsu to CEO,

and now you're just going
to take it away from her.

We don't see eye to eye.

The whole reason I made her CEO

was to find out the truth
about my sister's death.

If it turns out she's the one
who actually k*lled her,

I will show no mercy.

What?

Nothing.

But you and I both know

that Ms. Imai is the hero
of Kujo Development right now.

You may want to dethrone her,

but she's popular,
and she's squeaky clean.

Don't be so sure of that.

In this day and age, a hero is only one
scandal away from becoming the villain.

The scandal doesn't even have to be true.

-Good to see you again, Mr. Kujo.
-You?

This is your reporter, is it not?

I would also like to use his skills.

This article states that Ms. Imai is using
her position of power to commit fraud.

Please circulate it online.

Will do. See you.

You're making things up about her?

This is our fire.

All it takes is one little spark

for everything to go up in flames.

Hello, Ms. Imai.

You wanted to see me?

I'd like you to do something for me.

I UPLOADED THE ARTICLE

PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING LINK

I just heard from the reporter.
They couldn't run the article.

Why not?

They received a warning.

Kujo Development will sue
if they run false articles.

The warning applies to all media.

So you want to stop any articles
before they have a chance to circulate?

Yes. I asked Reika to handle it for me.

I did it because I don't think
Ms. Motomiya will go quietly.

So you're beating her to the punch?

There's no smoke without fire,

so we cannot let
even the slightest spark slide.

Mitsuko and Mom are fighting?

It's a total free-for-all
under the surface.

Mitsuko's going all out,

but so is Natsu.

They're like two demons
fighting to the death.

She was so bland and unremarkable
when she was just Dad's carer.

To think she's changed so much.

And you're the one who changed her.

She completely fooled me.

Behind that kind facade

was a cold and callous woman.

Let's change tactics.

The afternoon meeting has been canceled.

Just keep following up
on the interview request.

-Okay.
-Okay.

How confident you've become.

Ms. Head Secretary.

You!

Quiet.

Come. We need to talk.

So you really did try
to stir up a fake scandal?

Why would you want to dethrone her?

I know I'm putting
my neck on the line here,

but I cannot let this fire
simply get swept under the rug.

We want to know what Natsu's planning.

Won't you help us?

Please, Chiaki.

Wait here.

Just give me a minute.

I knew she wouldn't be able to help.

This can't be true...

Mitsuko Motomiya and my Haruto
are working together?

Two crushes working together?

What a perfect couple!

This is perfect! Can't get any better!

Thank you, God!

Chiaki?

What do you say? Is it too hard?

I think I can be of use.

I'd love to help, if you'll have me.

-Thank you.
-Great.

It doesn't get any better than this...

What?

No, nothing.

So, about Natsu...

She's invited some government officials

for a briefing on the project
early next week.

If all goes well,
the project will have the go-ahead.

Which means the site of the fire
will become a construction site.

We can't let that happen.

I'd like to help, but I'm busy
with another matter at the moment.

Another matter?

It's something top secret...

Is it the secret accounts?

Secret accounts?

Haruto, have you seen this before?

They're records of secret accounts
found on my sister's laptop.

We're currently crunching the numbers,

but these S fees...

S FEES - SEVEN MILLION YEN

...are still unaccounted for.

S fees...

Mariko found it?

She found it somewhere.

The one pulling the strings
must have been Mom.

The police are questioning her,
but I might have a chat with her as well.

We have to stop Natsu, and fast.

I knew it.

There's only so much
you can do on your own.

I knew you'd reach out
to someone eventually.

But I never expected him, of all people.

-Excuse me?
-I'm right, aren't I?

Not only did he get away
with things scot-free,

he even wormed his way
onto Mom's project team.

Could you leave us?
I have something to tell Mitsuko.

I'm sorry, Tomo.

I'm the one who asked for his help.

I'm the one to blame...

Here.

This is the photo I took before.

The one of you and Mom.

You two have been best friends
up until now.

How did it come to this?

Neither of you will tell me
what's going on.

You know, Mitsuko.

I can help you.

What?

I don't know why,

but you want Mom
to step down as CEO, don't you?

I know her weakness.

It's her family.

She might come around
if Aya and I can convince her.

Why would you do that?

Because

I don't want you fighting anymore.

And...

Thank you for the offer.

But I don't want your help on this one.

I just can't get you involved in this.

You're really nice, Tomo.

You're always coming to my rescue.

Even when I'm in danger.

That was...

I'm always grateful.

I want to help you

because I like you.

You made me into a better person.

I'm tougher than I was before,

and now I take pride in myself.

I am so grateful to you.

So I want to be the one
to come to your aid this time.

I really like you.

I knew

you were a nice person.

Which is why I...

I'm not...

as nice as you think.

If you do ever need my help,
please don't hesitate.

I promise I'll come
to your rescue this time.

"This" time?

So, I...

I told her.

Will you?

You sure you don't want his help?

This is my problem to solve.

I can't get Tomo involved.

As if! You really turned him down?

At least until I know my next steps.

And the way he said it,
isn't that a confession of his feelings?

What feelings?

Never mind.

I see.

There's a Mitsuko-Tomo route as well.

Now that's a ship I could get behind!

Who do I choose?

What's wrong?

Nothing. Just talking to myself.

Hey, I'm glad you got the diary back.

And it's all mostly intact.

Yes.

But not completely intact.

There's one page still missing.

A very important page.

Where is it?

CHANGE YOURSELF
AND YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD

How are you feeling?

I hear you're still dealing
with the police.

You're worried about me. Thank you.

There's something I'd like to ask you.

Do you remember
seeing these notes anywhere?

They're a secret set
of corporate accounts.

We don't know what this "S fees" is for.

-Do you have any idea?
-Haruto.

Have you been eating?

How's your work?

Just you wait.

I'll make you the next CEO.

-Mom.
-Yes?

I don't want to be CEO.

Ms. Imai's got everything under control.

There's been some issues, but...

I'll be going now.

-Haruto.
-I'll be back.

Let me know if you remember anything.

You're still here?

Yes.

We haven't finished tidying up.

How did it go with your mom?

She wouldn't tell me anything.

She must still be in shock.

I see.

We're running out of time,
and we're all out of options.

We've got no one to go up against Natsu.

No. There is one.

There is still one person
who can stand against Natsu.

Kumi, what does our afternoon look like?

Good morning, Ms. Isuzu.

We need to have a chat.

I see.

We're in big trouble if Ms. Imai
is the one who started the fire.

Furthermore, Ms. Imai is trying
to sweep everything under the rug.

We cannot let this slide.

Won't you lend us your power as chair?

I'm afraid

all of my chair powers
have been transferred to the CEO.

There is nothing I can do for you.

There is. You have a means
to seize back power from the CEO.

You can demand her dismissal
by holding a coup d'état.

A coup d'état?

You can use your position as chair
to inspire agreement from the directors.

But also,

you owe me one, don't you?

Do I?

I suppose you're right.

You did save Kujo Development from...

And so... we need your help.

Yes, well...

I'm very sorry, Mitsuko.

Ms. Imai?

I asked Ms. Isuzu to do me a favor.

I thought you might approach her for help,

so I told her to beware.

Ms. Isuzu?

I do owe you one, Mitsuko.

But then,

Kujo Development does need
Ms. Imai right now.

Mitsuko.

You lose.

Haruto. You disappoint me.

I hope you know what you're doing.

And Ms. Motomiya.

I did warn you.

You need to stay out of our business.

Did you k*ll her?

Did you k*ll my sister?

Tell me, Natsu!

Tell me.

Tell me now!

Goodbye.

Ms. Motomiya.

-Let go.
-Stop.

Let me go!

You're in shock. You need to realize that.

-You need to calm down.
-I am calm!

I need to know the truth about my sister.

If it turns out it was Natsu,
I will never forgive her!

Do you really believe that?

Everything I've done,
I've done for my sister!

So...

That's not true.

You're in shock
over more than just your sister.

You've been so focused
on getting revenge for her.

But at some point,

I think you let somebody else
into your heart.

They became very important to you.

But they didn't feel the same way...

and now you're hurting.

It's love.

You love Natsu.

How do you...

Because I too...

have come to know
what it's like to love someone.

You went looking for this
last night, didn't you?

When you said you were still
tidying things up.

You've changed.

The old you is gone.

You changed yourself,

and so you changed your world.

That's not a bad thing.

Change isn't always bad.

There you are, Mom.

Or should I say, Mom the CEO?

You really did it, didn't you?

But you know what?

I kind of liked things
how they were before.

When we'd eat shaved ice together
and hang around and chat.

We may have been poor,

but I liked it that way.

Do you think

it's too late to go back
to that with Mitsuko?

I think so.

Right.

This is for you.

Tomo gave me one too.

I really like this photo.

See you.

Tomo?

I heard.

Mom figured out what you were up to.

Now Haruto's been suspended.

I should not have done this to Haruto.

This was my fault.

I'm only guessing,
but I'm sure he'd tell you not to worry.

I think he'd actually be happy
that he was able to help you out.

I would have liked to help you too.

There's something I should tell you.

Back then,
in that life-or-death situation,

I wasn't the one who saved you.

What?

There's more.

Back when I was working
with Kujo Development on-site,

your sister was about to be crushed
by some building materials.

I was too scared to move,
and so I didn't do anything.

But somebody did step up,
and they rushed in to save her.

Tomo.

Who saved my sister?

I'll leave you with him.

Instead of telling you,
I've called him for you.

Haruto?

Sorry.

I've actually got to get back to work.

But you're still free, right?

What are you...

I know I can count on you.

Who calls someone out only to ditch them?

Would you like some shaved ice?

Sure.

I'll have lemon flavor.

I've been to this place before.

Mariko said it was one of her favorites.

We talked about all sorts of things.

We also argued over the project.

She was really harsh on me.

You're only sticking so strongly
with this project for yourself.

You just want to prove to your father
you can be useful.

Do you really think someone like you
is fit to be CEO?

Change yourself,

and you can change your world.

That was the last thing
she ever said to me.

Somehow, it struck a chord with me.

And then,

you showed up.

Change yourself,

and you can change your world.

You two are always telling me off.

I...

I had you all wrong.

You did?

I thought you started the fire
that k*lled my sister.

I thought you were a blight on society
whose only concern was his money.

I see...

But...

that's not who you are.

A change of view

changed my opinion of you.

I see.

So, what about Natsu?

What if instead of viewing her
as an enemy,

you viewed her as the friend
she was to you before?

Things might look different.

Hey.

What if your sister crying for help

wasn't intended for herself?

What if she's saying
to help Dad instead of her?

As for the next step,

we are about to commence demolishing works
on the factory where the fire happened.

Are you all right?

I can move. Please, help him first.

But...

Help!

Here.

I'll come back for you!

Ms. Imai?

Sorry.

Demolishing the factory will...

If that's the case,
Natsu didn't turn her back on her.

She did what Mariko asked
and saved Ken'ichi first.

Why not just say so?

Why act like the bad guy?

Natsu seems like she doesn't want you
probing any further into the fire.

If we change our view of this...

Then Natsu isn't doing this
to protect herself.

She's doing it to protect you.

You again?

And Haruto?

You two aren't allowed on the premises.

-We know.
-What are you doing?

Something must have happened to Natsu.

-Something to make her want to protect me.
-What?

Can you think of anything, Chiaki?

Anything or anyone out of the ordinary
since she became CEO?

Out of the ordinary?

Well, after the diary went missing,
we found on Natsu's desk...

A red envelope?

It was very strange.

There was no addressee,
and it could have been left by anyone.

Where is it now?

I don't know anything else...

Come on. What if you get caught?

We'd like to double up the research
by investigating fixtures and decorations.

Where is Chiaki?

Yes, I need her too,
but she's not picking up.

She must be very busy.

Can we take a quick break?

Sure.

What is it?

What are you doing?

Sorry, Mr. Oginome. What's up?

Ms. Imai's looking for you.

She's coming back to her office.

Natsu's coming!

Stop! She's coming!

Quickly.

This is bad, this is bad...

What do we do? She's nearly here!

Hurry up!

Mom?

Can I borrow you?

I need you to do something for me.

It'll be quick. Please?

What? She's not coming?

What is it?

I need you to go through this list for me.

Does this really have to be done now?

Sorry, and thank you.

Thank God for whatever that was.

What did you find?

There! That's what I saw.

CHANGE YOURSELF
AND YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD

What is it?

It's the first page in my sister's diary.

I've been looking for it
ever since the diary was stolen.

So does this mean Natsu stole the diary?

LOOK INTO THE FIRE
AND I'LL k*ll YOU

"Look into the fire and I'll k*ll you..."

It's a photo of you.

And a photo of...

Takeharu Imai. Natsu's husband.

It's a warning from the culprit.

"Look into the fire and I'll k*ll you."

So Natsu's husband actually died
because he was a witness to the fire.

So whoever k*lled Takeharu sent this note?

Most likely.

If you keep investigating this fire,
you'll be next, Mitsuko.

That's what they're saying.

That's why Natsu's been trying
to keep you away from the investigation.

I'LL k*ll YOU

The culprit could have eyes anywhere,

so she wasn't able to say.

Natsu...

PLEASE CHECK THROUGH THIS LIST

AND GET BACK TO ME BEFORE
THE MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 17

I'm coming in, Mom.

You're not eating well, are you?

You may not like what I have, but...

Mom?

REIKA

Reika? What's up?

Mom's gone.

Where are you?

Natsu's in danger.

Natsu is?

NATSU IMAI

The person you are trying to reach
is not available.

Hi, Tomo. About that list you gave me.

We need to talk right away.

-We need to be quick.
-Yes.

LIST OF POTENTIAL
MEDICAL FACILITIES

NATSU IMAI

Natsu? Where are you?

Where do you think?

You people took everything from me.

And in return,

I will...

k*ll Natsu.

Can you let us speak
just this one last time?