01x19 - Lies and Falsehoods

[bunniefuu]

[♪ upbeat rock theme music playing]

The Fable

Lies and Falsehoods

[scoffs]

[Isaki] Huh?

-[door slides closed]
-Are you going out?

I'm going to the women's club meeting.

What is it this time?

They want to install rubber mats
underneath the safety swings.

What a joke, huh?

[scoffs]

They say kids are so protected
from injury nowadays,

that not only
do they trip and fall easily,

they injure their faces.

Are you kidding me?

[Utsubo]
They say they have no sense of balance.

That's probably because
they always play video games inside.

So they end up
with no strength in their arms.

[gulping]

When they fall,
their arms can't hold their weight.

But that can be solved
by building muscle, right?

Yes, they can build muscles.

But what about a spirit and mind
raised in an overprotective environment?

Those can't be strengthened quickly
like muscles.

That's what we take advantage of.

I'm back.

Welcome back.

Sato, come here for a minute.

Yes?

Say, you know Santa Claus, right?

No, I'm not an acquaintance.

I've never met him either.

That's okay. I haven't either.

Christmas is coming up soon, right?

I was thinking of having you do
the illustrations for a Christmas flyer.

A Christmas flyer?

That's right.

Remember the pictures you drew
for that animal petting event?

The person running that,

they said they want the same kind of art

on the flyer
for the Christmas event they're having.

You can draw whatever you like,
like Santa or reindeer.

Reindeer? I've never seen those.

Don't worry about that kind of thing.

Just try it, Sato.

It's Christmas, you know.

You looked forward to it as a kid, right?

You'd get a present by your bed
when you woke up in the morning, right?

Mm...

-No? Oh, right. Of course not.
-[Misaki's boss grunts awkwardly]

Don't worry about it.

[Misaki's boss] That's right.
Each family is different.

[chuckles awkwardly]

If you want my drawings,
then I'd be glad to do it.

[happy gasp]

Okay, Prez. Tell him.

All right! If this goes well,
I'll give you a 100-yen-an-hour raise.

So, up to 1,000 yen?

-That's right.
-1,000 yen an hour! Here, have a seat.

[Kainuma scoffs] That moron, Sato.

The art for a Christmas flyer?

He doesn't deserve that!

First, I'd like to see pictures of Santa.

That makes sense. Just do a search.

-[mouse clicking]
-[Kainuma] Tonight, on your way home,

I'll use my Kenpo
to put you in the hospital.

With you gone,
I can start peeping on Misaki again.

I can steal her key too.

Can you take care of this, Misaki?

It's an order we got by fax.

Looks like a business card
for a talent agency or something.

[Misaki] Oh. Okay. I'll put together
three styles to choose from.

[Misaki's boss] Good, thanks.

So, this guy's Santa, huh?

[Akira] Red, white, and black.

A Brazilian coral snake, huh?

[Kainuma] That idiot Sato, he passes
through this park on his way home.

There's hardly anyone around
at this time. It's perfect.

I bought MMA gloves

so I don't hurt my hands
when I punch him as hard as I can.

I changed clothes
and put on a hat and mask,

so he'll never know it's me.

It'll just be a random beating.

[Kainuma gasps]

He's here!

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

[♪ music intensifies]

[♪ music stops]

-Did you catch a cold, Kainuma?
-[Kainuma gasps]

[gasps in shock, whimpers]

[Akira] Hmm... [sighs]

This is tough.

[Akira] Every year,
on the night of Christ's birthday,

this old guy has a deer
with a shiny nose pull his sled

as he voluntarily goes around
handing out presents to kids.

But why? What's up with that?

[chirps]

Is that young man
still working with you, Prez?

Yeah.

[Misaki's boss] At first, I wanted to see
if he had the will to do it,

so I had him clean the office and stuff.

But he never once made a sour face.

In fact, he seemed to be enjoying himself.

That's great.

Now, I've got him doing illustrations.

He's not any good,
but his drawings have character.

They're like a child's drawings.

They're so innocent and pure.

And they're heartwarming too.

Really? I'd like to see one.

Actually, I've got one.
I carry it in my wallet.

[Misaki's boss] Here.

[exclaims] That's Shozo Hamanoya.

He said it took him all night
to draw that.

He said,
"Before I knew it, it was morning."

[Misaki's boss] Before I knew it,
it was morning...

[stifled laugh]

Right?

I bet that boy
is really enjoying himself now.

Huh? Why do you say that?

[Mama] Look at this.

See this smile?

Hamanoya wasn't smiling
on the cover of his album.

My memories of Santa?

Yeah. I'd like to know
about that old guy Santa.

[Yoko] What for?

Um...

Did this Santa guy come to your house?

[chuckles] He sure did, every year.

When I woke up in the morning,
there'd be a present by my bed.

It would say, "From Santa Claus."

But to tell the truth,

by the time I was five years old,
I knew who Santa really was.

Since I had a good memory,
I was pretty smart too.

But I still pretended to believe in Santa.

I'm pretty sure my mom realized
that I was pretending though.

But we spent Christmas
both pretending not to know.

What did you get as presents?

When I was 10, for my last Christmas,
I got a teddy bear.

I was an only child, after all.

Apparently, I would go to bed holding it.

But it was burnt in the fire too.

[Akira exhales softly]

Hey, what'd you make me
remember my parents for?

I've already got a good memory,
so why did you make me do that?

All I did was ask you about Santa.

What about you?
What are your memories of Santa?

I don't even remember
what my parents looked like.

When I was aware of myself,
Boss was raising me.

I only learned about Christmas
and Santa after I was a lot older.

[Yoko grunts softly]

In fact, I believed
Santa was some kind of strange old man.

That's rough too.

When you found a present
by your bed in the morning,

did that make you happy?

Of course it made me happy.

-Even though I knew it was my parents.
-[♪ soft music playing]

I'd think, "I wonder
if Santa will come again this year."

[Yoko] Parents pretend to be Santa
to grant their kids' wishes.

Kids pretend to believe in Santa
to grant their parents' wishes.

It's such a fairytale family game.

[Yoko sniffles, sobs]

[Yoko in shaky voice]
I loved my mom and dad.

Why you!
Who said you could leave, you jerk!

I just thought I should go.

You made me remember!
What good does that do me?

Drink!

Drink with me!

[Akira] Then I'll have soda water.

There isn't any! Drink alcohol!

Octopus

[Misaki's boss exhales deeply]

[Misaki's boss] I can't really tell
the difference between the two.

Well, there does seem to be
a little difference between them.

Did these... uh...
take you a long time to draw again?

Yeah. I didn't sleep a wink.

[both grunt]

[Akira] I didn't sleep a wink.

I didn't sleep a wink.

-[both chuckle quietly]
-[Misaki] Why... Why did you ask him that?

[Misaki's boss chuckles shakily]
I was... just curious.

[Misaki's boss] Say, Sato.

Why don't you

relax a little more
and have fun drawing these?

"Have fun"?

That's right.

That's what makes your drawings
so appealing.

All right.

I'll be off now to make a quick delivery.

Take care.

I'm counting on you.

[Akira] "Have fun"...

[imitates Akira's voice]
"I didn't sleep a wink."

[stifled chuckle] Prez!

-"I didn't sleep a wink."
-[Misaki chuckles] Oh, cut it out.

[bicycle squeaking]

[brake squeals]

Taihei Detective Agency

[doorbell rings]

[Utsubo] Yes?

[Akira] I'm from Octopus.

I have delivery of business cards.

Please check the name and address
on the business cards.

Huh?

[Hina exclaims]

[Utsubo] Hmm?

Do you know him?

Kind of.

[Akira] Not exactly.

So you're the one
who was kicked by Hina's brother.

Yes.

[Utsubo] Hina, get him some coffee.

[sighs]

The name and address are fine.

You sure do work fast.

I got these made for a friend.

By the way,

I heard you tried
to help her with her legs.

When I noticed
her shaky but persistent attempts,

I couldn't keep myself
from trying to help.

-Here.
-[Akira] Thank you.

You should try doing it
from the bar lower than that one.

Nobody asked for your advice.

You fell though.

Leave me alone.

No wonder you're called a perv.

When someone reaches out
to help someone who's about to get hurt,

does that make them a perv?

[blowing air]

Good point.

I understand your reasoning,
but that's how it is nowadays.

Even if you have good intentions,

others may think
you have ulterior motives.

It's the totally useless people

who ridicule
and make fun of capable people.

Especially on the internet.

But that's just fine.

Only the truly capable people

will carry out deeds
no matter what anyone says.

-[shouts dramatically] Hot! That's hot!
-[banging on table]

[scoffs]

[Akira choking, groaning]

[Akira] Thank you for the coffee.

[Utsubo] No problem.
We'll do business again sometime.

Even though we're the ones
setting the trap, this is interesting.

That guy just now, he's a nice guy, Hina.

[Utsubo] He's got a few loose screws,
but he's unique.

Kainuma and Misaki,
two employees of Octopus...

If they both...

suddenly disappeared,

I wonder what that guy would think.

[chuckles]

Brother, you really do come
only at these times.

[annoyed sigh]

Listen, if you want to eat dinner,
then at least call me.

Hot pot, huh?

That would warm me up.

Fine! I get it!

About that incident four years ago
that Hinako Saba was at.

I had three targets,

but one of them went missing.

[Yoko sighs]

Today, I met him.

[♪ suspenseful music playing]

You met him?

He runs a detective agency in this town
using the name Utsubo.

It's Hinako Saba, Utsubo who was missing,

and the guy who kicked me
who calls himself Hinako's brother.

That's an odd assortment.

Don't you dare!
That was called off long ago, right?

Forget about it. Don't get involved.
That's what Boss said, right?

And don't cause trouble?

That's right.
I'm bringing the pot over. Watch out.

-[Yoko grunts]
-[exclaims]

[bubbling]

It's bubbling.

Blow on it yourself.

I'm going to make my own now.

Who'd have thought the guy I kicked
was working with Kainuma at Octopus?

Yeah, all these coincidences
are a good thing.

But when things go oddly well,
that's when you need to be most careful.

The unexpected can happen,
both good and bad things.

It's like Murphy's law.

You find what you want
when you quit looking.

How come you know the nickname Fable?

I've been in the underworld a long time.

Fable's an urban legend
even in the underworld.

If they're after you, it's over.

They'll always get you.

[Utsubo] Not always.

Some have survived.

I'm one of them.

Four or five years ago,
I built a prostitution ring.

I provided underage girls to pedophiles.

It was mainly runaway girls.

But we'd kidnap when necessary.

The business made me a lot of enemies.

June 10, four years ago...

I'll never forget it.

[Utsubo] First,
one of the leaders was taken out.

He had pulled his g*n,
but there was no sign he'd shot it.

[puffs]

His throat was slit.

[Utsubo] I took his g*n and scrammed.

Another got k*lled 10 days later.

After his throat was slit the same way,
he dove off a parking structure.

Hina was in the passenger seat.

So her legs ended up like that
from that accident, huh?

Hina was a runaway

and this Kawahira guy
threatened her into prostitution.

So Hina got a look at that hitman?

After the accident...

about a year later,
I went to see her at the hospital.

I posed as someone
from a detective agency.

[Utsubo] I probed her

for what she knew about the hitman
and the prostitution ring.

Hina insisted she didn't know anything

and told the cops the same.

She must have been so shocked,
she didn't remember a thing.

No, that wasn't it.

She was scared of the hitman.

Huh?

Soon after that accident,
I m*rder*d Hina's parents.

No wonder she was terrified.

I'm drunk.

I flapped my gums too much.

[Suzuki] Yeah.

[Utsubo] Oh, yeah. About that hitman.

My gut tells me that was Fable.

[♪ dramatic sting]

[Utsubo] My name is Utsubo.
I'm calling from Taihei Detective Agency.

I'd like to talk with you
about your son Etsuji.

Well, it's a very concerning problem.

I think it's better to talk in person
than over the phone.

I can only speak with you,
his mother, about this.

This problem concerns Etsuji's future.

-[♪ dramatic sting]
-[phone beeps]

That sure was easy.

Wasn't it? But there's a trick to it.

You need to say it's serious,
but you're on their side.

No wonder phone scams never go away.

I don't take advantage of the elderly
like impersonation scammers do.

The people we're targeting
are overprotected rich brats.

[Utsubo grunts]

And that's the beauty of it.

[puffs]

When people like that go missing,
they have no friends who'll look for them.

That alone
greatly reduces the risk for us.

Friends, huh?

[trembling breathing]

[effort grunt]

[heavy breathing]

[Hina] That guy...

[trembling breathing]

[deep exhale]

[birds chirping]

[grunts]

Hmph. What's with him?

[Kainuma] I told you,
I can't think of what it might be.

They must have the wrong person.

Maybe so, but I'm still worried.

You sure this isn't a scam?

Can you really trust
a call out of the blue like that?

[Kainuma's mom] If it weren't true,
would they call me to their office?

[Kainuma] Never mind that. Can you give me
another 100,000 this month?

The boss is so stingy,
my pay is really low.

But I'm so committed to my work,
I couldn't quit even if I wanted to.

[Kainuma's mom] This may be some mistake.

Just behave yourself
while I talk with them.

[grunts]

Uh...

[angry breath]

[annoyed grunt]

Get over here. That makes it even weirder!

[Kainuma's mom] Here it is.

[doorbell rings]

[Utsubo] Yes?

Thank you for coming all this way.

[Utsubo] So we can meet
on fair and equal terms in the future,

I'll be recording this conversation.

I hope you understand.

[Kainuma's mom] All right.

[Utsubo] Another will be joining us,
but he's running a little late.

Let's get through
as much as we can before then.

So, uh, what exactly is it
that's going on with my son?

First, I have a few questions
for your son.

Please answer honestly.

Okay.

You are Etsuji Kainuma, age 23, right?

You live alone, correct?

Uh, yeah.

Are you dating a woman now,
or have you ever dated a woman?

No, I haven't.

Are you currently attracted
to any woman in particular?

Take your time now, and answer clearly.

No, I'm not.

What's this all about?

Do you know Ms. Misaki Shimizu?

-[nervous gasp]
-[♪ suspenseful music playing]

I see you do.

Y-Yes.

[♪ upbeat closing theme music playing]

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