01x07 - Episode 7

[bunniefuu]

I want Mariko to smile.

That's all.

She's in the way.

She's just like her mother.

NOZAWA CONSTRUCTION

It was you, wasn't it?

You're the one who k*lled Tateiwa.

I wonder how everyone would feel
if they found out who you really are.

I wonder what Mariko would think too.

TAISUKE SAKURA

Is this you?

You've been following
my social media for years,

before we even met?

What? What does this mean?

Well…

Up until now…

I just thought you were someone
who happened to share my interests.

Visiting cafes is one of my hobbies.

I'm a huge Marvel fan.

You somehow

always appear when I want you to.

You say things like
you've known me forever.

I always thought
you were a strange person.

But…

So none of that was a coincidence?

You were looking into me ahead of time?

Hey, say something!

I'm sorry.

You're sorry…

Mariko, please wait.

Mariko.

I'm sorry.

Yukimura.

An incident has occurred,

and someone who looked like you
was caught on the dashcam

of a car parked near the scene.

We would like to ask you some questions.

Could you please
accompany us to the station?

What kind of incident?

Step over here.

Sayuri Nose…

has been found dead.

FATHER

This

shows you and Sayuri Nose
entering the alley.

And this one

shows the person who first discovered
the scene entering the alley.

During this gap, Sayuri Nose was m*rder*d.

The circumstantial evidence is complete.

-Why…
-Hm?

No, I mean,
why does it line up so perfectly?

You were present at the scene

of two murders,
Tateiwa's and Sayuri Nose's.

I don't believe those can be seen
as mere coincidences.

Is the world…

really so full of coincidences?

Much like your relationship
with Mariko Nose.

What are you talking about?

You and Mariko

went to the same middle school,

high school,

university,

and now are working at the same company.

Yes.

You say this is all a coincidence?

Does this have anything to do
with Sayuri being m*rder*d?

It is an important piece
in proving your motive.

To answer your previous question,
I don't think so.

Coincidences don't just happen
that easily.

Everything that seems like a coincidence
usually has some intent behind it.

Sometimes, people wish
it was a coincidence,

or people fail to see the hidden reason

and assume something happened
just because.

The fact that I was present
at two m*rder scenes…

I think it was also due

to someone's intention,

someone pulling the strings.

Really?

Who could it be?

I'd like to know that myself.

Um, uh,

so in other words, you did
what you did to protect Mariko,

-Tateiwa, and Sayuri, right?
-Yes.

You dug up dirt on those two
and threatened them.

Yes. I swear to God, that's all I did.

Man, that's already problematic enough.

-I'm sorry.
-Why are you apologizing to me?

Sorry…

There's too much stuff to think about.

First off,

Mariko found out
about your account, right?

I guess it freaked her out?

Hm, probably…

And during that,

the police took you in for questioning,
right in front of her.

No, no, it's fine!

If you explain it, she'll understand.

It's impossible. I can't explain it.

But you have to.

You don't want to lose
your 25-year love, do you?

But it's impossible.

Why were you following her?

What?

You could have used a different account
or just lurked without following.

You didn't have to go,
"Oh, a new post! Like!"

I knew about Mariko's social media account
right when she created it.

But I thought it'd be bad to follow her
right away, so I waited for a few months.

At first, I was afraid
that if a stranger followed her,

she'd be creeped out.

But getting to hear
Mariko's inner thoughts,

which I never could have known before,
expressed directly by her,

it was an unbelievable experience.

And being able to reply with a "like"…

Mariko seeing my "like"…

It was just incredible.

And before I knew it, I was liking

every single post she made…

I'm sorry.

I told you, don't apologize to me.

Well, whatever.

More importantly, the issue now is--

Is Mariko okay?

Huh? Even at a time like this,
that's what you're worried about?

Those two were clearly
showing hostility toward her.

What was the reason they were k*lled?

What if the k*ller's target is Mariko?

LEARN MORE ABOUT SLEEP

-Oh…
-Here.

Thank you.

Keito.

Father.

Earlier today around six a.m.,

a woman was reported lying prone
on the riverbank

under an elevated structure
in Setagaya Ward.

The deceased has been identified
as Sayuri Nose,

wife of Ginjiro Nose,
president of major cosmetics firm

Nose Cosmetics.

Marks suggesting strangulation
were found on Sayuri's neck,

and police are investigating
the case as a homicide.

Regarding Nose Cosmetics, one month ago…

So that's why Mariko was absent yesterday.

Isn't this insane? Like, seriously scary.

-Good morning.
-Mariko…

I'm sorry for causing
everyone such concern.

And for taking a sudden day off yesterday.

-Mariko, you don't need to apologize.
-I mean,

-what's the situation actually like?
-Stop.

Ah, it's fine.

But honestly, we haven't been told
much more than what's on the news either.

Mariko, you can take today off too.

I can't do that.

Besides, the internal company presentation
is soon. We need to hurry and prepare.

-Yes.
-Yes.

Thank you all.

-Thank you.
-Thank you.

Hashimoto, for the 3 p.m.
promotional strategy meeting…

Eleven through three are promising,

-but with 11…
-Uh, regarding number six…

There could be 1.58 million…

-Thank you.
-Thank you.

Mariko.

Um, about what happened
the day before yesterday…

Sorry, but…

too much has been happening.

My mind is a mess right now.

I don't want to think about anything.

I'm sorry.

My 32 years of life

were short, but fulfilling.

Mariko.

Please stay well.

Walk over my fallen body
and find happiness.

The higher-ups said it was suicide.

We can't do anything after that.

No, I can't die yet.

Even if I am to die,

it'll be after I've ensured
Mariko's safety and happiness.

Um, excuse me.

Why did you put those flowers there?

A long time ago, a regular customer
of my shop had an accident here.

Your shop…

I run a flower shop nearby.

It's a white flower about this big!

Is it this one?

No, not that. A white one, about this big…

FUSAIDO FLOWER SHOP

You know who the culprit might be?

Yes.

My daughter Mariko was the victim

of an attempted kidnapping
when she was little.

The Satoru Hatano case, right?

I was still a university student
back then, but I remember the case well.

I suspect that both Tateiwa and my wife

were k*lled by this man, Hatano.

Actually, I haven't been able to contact
my secretary, Asai, for a while.

I've been receiving emails
from him, though.

His mother back home is doing fine.

Asai hasn't returned there.

Also, this was left on his desk.

It seems to belong
to the editor of this article.

Hatano must be involved
in Asai's disappearance.

I understand the situation.

I will take action on my end.

Thank you very much.

Please stop.

SETAGAYA CASE

You must also be worried
about Mariko's safety.

Leave it to me.

I don't know anything about that.

You've been a secretary
at that company for 25 years.

There's no way you don't know.

No, I really don't.

Useless.

No point in keeping you alive then.

What are you planning to do?

Well, you see, I want to meet him.

You can't just alter someone's life
and never meet them face to face, right?

If it wasn't for that kid,

I wouldn't have been caught.

I need to give a proper
token of appreciation

to that brave young boy
who saved the little princess.

Hello? Yes, that's right.

I'll pay the money.

Yukimura, I need to talk to you.

Yes?

Yukimura, you are

that boy who saved Mariko
back then, right?

Years ago, on behalf of the president,

I visited your parents
to express our gratitude.

Could you keep this a secret?

I don't want Mariko to find out.

Please.

SETAGAYA KIDNAPPING CASE DETAILS

MARIKO NOSE - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT

ALMOST TAKEN AWAY BY A STRANGER

SHE SCREAMED FOR SOMEONE TO HELP

COLOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS BLACK

SOTA YUKIMURA - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENT

Excuse me. Here's this month's sales data.

-Please check it.
-Okay.

-Sorry.
-I'm sorry.

Please check this.

Okay.

Which type of plastic
would be best for this?

For that, recycled PET would be best.

Recycled PET?

Well, biomass plastic
is also an attractive choice,

but it might be more difficult to manage.

I think recycled PET, which has
a proven record, would be best,

considering our schedule.

I see.

Well, it looks good for sustainability.

It doesn't really give off a luxury feel.

Okay then, for example,
instead of 100% recycled PET,

-we could use 30%.
-Yeah, I see.

Mariko.

I want to talk about
what happened the other day.

Do you have time after this?

What are you doing here? What happened?

Are you finished with work?

Yes.

I'll give you a ride.

What?

I'll explain the details later. Come on.

Asai is missing?

It hasn't been definitively
confirmed yet, but…

Is it the same person
who got Tateiwa and Sayuri?

We can't rule out the possibility.

However, though I cannot share details,

the police hold a different view.

Mariko.

When we went to the art museum
together recently,

Yukimura was there too.

Is Yukimura stalking you?

Is there anything that comes to mind?

Ah, good morning.

Would you like
to walk to the station together?

Mariko…

There is, right?

It's okay.

I will protect you, Mariko.

-Goodbye.
-Good day.

I found a nice Italian place
the other day.

-Would you like to go sometime?
-Let's see…

Thank you, everyone.

-Thank you.
-Thank you.

Isn't that detective
mixing business with pleasure?

He's been by Mariko's side
non-stop these past few days.

Well, it's not a normal situation,
so I get wanting to be cautious, but…

Thank you, everyone.

-Thank you.
-Thank you.

You should be the one
walking her home, Yukimura.

What are you doing?

Seriously, why are you just zoning out?

No, I didn't say anything.

It's totally obvious. Right?

Yes. It's super easy to see.

What's gotten into you lately?

She hates me now…

-That's what happened.
-What?

Sorry.

Lately, a lot of skincare products
for men have been coming out.

Thanks to your influence, Mariko,

I've started noticing those things too.

-Back when I was young--
-Sakura.

Yes?

You don't need to accompany me
to work anymore.

About what we talked about the other day…

I agree with you that Yukimura

has been acting a bit strangely.

I feel a sense of discomfort,
wondering what on earth he's doing.

But…

he wouldn't k*ll anyone.

He's not that kind of person.

Is that so?

MARIKO NOSE - DAUGHTER

Sakura.

Here are the tracking results
for Asai's smartphone that you asked for.

Thank you.

SOTA YUKIMURA

FUNERAL OF SAYURI NOSE

Here, O Sariputra, form is emptiness
And the very emptiness is form

Emptiness does not differ from form
Form does not differ from emptiness

Whatever is emptiness, that is form

Same is true of feelings, perceptions
Impulses, and consciousness

Here, O Sariputra
All dharmas are marked with emptiness

They are not produced or stopped

Not defiled or immaculate
Not deficient or complete

Therefore, O Sariputra
In emptiness there is no form nor feeling

Nor perception, nor impulse
Nor consciousness…

I wonder why Yukimura didn't make it.

RECEPTION

Does Mariko not like him that much?

I wonder what he did.

-Ah…
-Ah, Izumi.

What's up?

Well, I figured this must be tough,
so take these if you'd like.

Thank you.

-Also, sorry to ask…
-Hm?

-Could I use the toilet here?
-Yes.

-That way, on the right.
-Thank you.

Keito. Why don't you go
get something to eat?

Sis…

Hm?

I accidentally overheard something.

A while before the incident,

Mom and Dad were talking at home.

The one who will succeed me is Mariko.

You haven't forgotten, have you?

That you and I share the same secret.

The same secret?

Were they doing something bad?

Is that why this happened?

FUNERAL

Yukimura.

Could you please

stop approaching Mariko?

Why is a detective saying that?

Because I have to protect her from you.

I could arrest you.

What you are doing is stalking.

Normally, it requires that

the other party be aware
they are being followed,

but if the conduct is judged objectively
to cause anxiety,

it can fall under "stalking",

even if the other party is unaware.

In other words,

regardless of what Mariko thinks,

you can be punished.

Since what age?

You have been continually committing
criminal acts all this time.

Am I wrong?

-I…
-Hm?

You didn't intend to?

Most people who commit crimes
probably didn't intend to,

either.

A life ruined by a brief impulse.

Other than that,
it was a completely stainless life.

If only you hadn't loved her…

you wouldn't have ended up a criminal.

What's with that detective?
Calling you a stalker.

It's not like
you forced yourself on Mariko.

But it was something
I shouldn't have done.

Besides, you've been protecting
Mariko all this time, right?

Which is why you ended up a suspect.

It's fine.

It's what I chose to do.

Besides, from Mariko's perspective,
I really am creepy.

So this situation
is just an effect of that.

-But still…
-It's fine.

Yes, you're okay.

Don't fall asleep! Take off your shoes.

-Take them off.
-Do it yourself.

-You're fine like that?
-Yes, cover me, please.

-Okay.
-Thanks.

You know you can't hold your liquor…

PICTURE DIARY

The President has decided
to delay the launch event.

Then it won't
make it in time for the release.

I won't let everyone's
hard work go to waste.

I will protect it.

All right, let's do it!

-Let's do it, shall we?
-Yes.

Thank you.

Hello.

I told them that, but will
we really be able to release it?

What if we can't…

It's rare for you to be like this.

I thought I had a pretty lucky life.

But maybe I was wrong?



No way, I beat Nose!

-Yay!
-Yay!

Look, look. I got 873.

Amazing.

-That's nuts.
-You worked hard.

It's a good product, so if we
launch it, customers will follow.

Yukimura.

It's got to be now, for the sake
of the company's turnaround.

-You're causing trouble…
-I understand how you feel,

but now is not the time.

There's meaning in us
pioneering and deploying this

before other companies
release similar products.

Please.

Hey.

-What are you doing?
-Manager…

Come here.

Uh, Mariko…

What are you doing?

Seriously,

what is going on? What is your intention?

I'm sorry.

Have you always been sneaking around
doing things behind my back like this?

Doing things on your own

without my knowledge,
claiming it was for me?

I always thought it was strange.

The four-leaf clover left for me…

The adhesive bandage
during the summer festival.

Was that what it was?

Whenever things weren't going well for me,

or when bad things happened,

assuming I might be feeling down
and acting ahead of time…

-Was that what you were doing?
-No…

That's just creepy!

All of it is creepy!

Your excessive kindness,

your consideration,
all of it is out of line!

When did I ever ask you to protect me?

Don't you decide

what's for my sake
or what my happiness is!

I'm sorry.

I won't forgive you.

If you leave my side,
I will never forgive you!

I will never…

forgive you.

From Mariko's perspective,
I really am creepy.

So this situation
is just an effect of that.

-But still…
-It's fine.

I just want Mariko to smile and be happy.

I kept thinking about
what I could do for her…

but me disappearing
is what's best for Mariko.

That's how I can protect
Mariko's happiness.

Here you go.

Thank you!

Mom!

Oh, Mariko, welcome back!

Here.

Thank you!

-You got these for me?
-Yes!

So pretty.

Wanna go home?

Did you walk here alone?

-Yes, that's right.
-Wow, that's amazing.

You b*stard.

You take advantage
when people try to be nice to you!

If you don't know anything,

there's no point in keeping you alive.

Yukimura!

Sota Yukimura.

-Huh?
-The boy you're looking for…

is at our company.

His name is Sota Yukimura.

Yukimura, why?

NEXT TIME…