01x03 - Episode 3

[bunniefuu]

This apartment is our target's home.

I want to park the truck here,

but it can't be there for too long.

So I'm eyeing this park instead.

Shinoda, I want you and Suzaki to pretend

to be a flirty couple.

What?!

A guy by himself invites suspicion

and may get questioned.

He could always refuse to answer.

But then he draws even more suspicion.

Have you been questioned?

No, I haven't.

The officer checks your ID.

Yeah, I do know that.

Are we about to do something ill*gal?

Nothing that bad.

Just taking some sneak shots.

Sneak shots?

A different team was on this story.

Yutaka Takagi and Kirari.

- What?

- Who?

You know them?

Kirari is a former idol turned influencer.

Her video streams are famous.

I see.

Her channel's subscriber amount is…

- Three thousand?

- That's it?

She's an influencer, right?

A budding influencer.

I've never heard of that.

"Influencer" means they have influence,

what influence does a bud have?

That's like saying there's an experienced

newcomer or new building with history.

- So picky.

- Sorry.

And Yutaka Takagi is a former Blue Ranger.

No, Yellow.

No, Blue. Right?

- I think it was Green.

- Definitely not Green.

Don't look it up!

Let's bet on it!

I think it's blue. You, Shinoda?

It's definitely Yellow.

Look, who cares.

- Get back on topic.

- Right. Sorry.

We got word that Yutaka Takagi

and Kirari both have the day off.

We might catch them sleeping over.

This would be so much easier to get

from a car.

Maybe they're not that careful,

they're not big celebrities.

That's a good point.

The story's tiny,

but it could be good experience.

Nice.

Your first step as a journalist.

Don't look so worried.

You got this.

What's your cover?

- A normal couple.

- You snuck out of a party.

That's a good one.

Maybe a jacket for Suzaki.

And a gaudy Hawaiian shirt.

That's weird.

Shinoda will be in

a go-getter party dress.

It'd be like this.

A skirt with a fancy blouse.

Go buy that now.

It'll be covered.

Nice, you're getting free clothes.

Okay, meeting adjourned.

You guys know your jobs.

- Got it.

- Yes, sir.

Wait.

Just don't look like a journalist.

It's a tiny article, so no worries.

An outfit to trick an up-and-coming

influencer and the Blue Ranger.

Yellow!

Blue!

- I think it's Green.

- Definitely not Green.

- Look it up, you're wrong.

- What?

Look it up.

I don't care.

Tiny.

Tiny?

I found myself in the park

before I was mentally prepared.

Let's go.

Urged I could do it

because it was a tiny story,

I was made to wear this outfit,

and got caught in the momentum.

I'm just hoping I don't get too drunk.

- Shinoda.

- Yes?

Try not to drink.

Huh?

It's just for blending it.

I can't help it, since it's in my hand,

You can't get drunk.

Also,

can you act more like

you're having a fun time?

Sorry.

- So that's how it works.

- Don't peek.

Who knows who's watching.

Sorry.

What do you usually talk about

during these times?

I'm usually on my own,

so I don't have to chat.

I see.

I should probably use the swing.

You don't need to.

You don't need to do anything special,

just act natural.

Okay.

I should've brought a deck of cards

or something.

But maybe not.

What's your favorite equipment?

What?

For playgrounds. I like slides.

Never thought about it.

That makes sense.

It's a pretty big place for Takagi

to live alone.

Maybe they already live together.

Maybe.

I wonder how much rent is here.

Don't you wonder

what the purchase price is?

Is there a supermarket nearby?

Could you be talking?

I thought I was annoying you.

You can't be too loud,

but it's weird if you're silent.

You're right.

What's your hobby?

How do you feel?

About what?

Your pictures could ruin someone's life.

It's the chief's decision

to publish it or not.

Yamabuki said the same thing.

I'm not doing this because I want to.

I can't be picky if I want to eat.

You're right.

You're supposed to give me some

words of encouragement here!

You're my client in this.

I am?

I'm exclusive, but a freelancer.

But you're a Sengokusha employee.

I work for the Sengoku Weekly

editing department.

That's true.

No point in asking my opinion

about taking secret pictures,

or worrying about what we do.

Your job is to support me and make sure

the local residents or the police

don't find me suspicious.

I'm sorry.

They're here.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Did you get it?

Got the money shot.

It's them all right.

Good work.

- Now then.

- Time to go home.

This is where it begins.

Huh?

We catch them coming out.

Time is important.

If she leaves right away,

it's not much of a scandal.

Okay, we're in this for the long game.

My heart's still racing.

What is this feeling?

Is it the scoop?

Or the alcohol?

No.

Is it because of the hug?

That can't be it.

Yes, I can't remember

the last time I was hugged,

but it must be my anxiety over

a potential police questioning.

Crap, one really showed up.

Why this timing?

We locked eyes.

I looked away!

Why did I do that?

Yup, he's coming.

This sucks.

What do I do? Hold on.

I have no idea what to do

about the questioning.

If I mess this up…

Mr. Suzaki.

Come back from the bathroom!

You there.

It's over.

Can we talk?

What do I do? Oh, crap!

You know who I am, right?

You're the Blue Ranger.

I'm Yellow.

What're you doing here?

Well, I mean…

I slipped out of a party with a guy.

Stop lying.

I'm not lying.

You were hugging under the tree.

Yes, we were.

You didn't hug him back.

Your hands were out like a frog.

Taking pictures?

Does the guy have the camera?

What are you talking about?

How long were you here?

A while, right?

Which tabloid?

- Huh?

- Don't play dumb.

You make a living on others' misery.

Is doing that fun for you?

It's a violation of privacy.

That's how you make a living.

You're the worst.

Was that Yutaka Takagi?

Crap, we're busted.

Did you get any info?

- Huh?

- What?

Really?

You made contact with the target!

What did he say?

That I hugged poorly.

Say what?

What else?

That's all.

Where's the recording

of this conversation? Any pictures?

Anyway, we stuck around until

the afternoon, but they never came out.

I see.

The tip's solid?

Yeah.

Yutaka and Kirari were on set by morning.

They slipped out.

There's no back exit,

so maybe they got help

from the building's janitor to get out.

I see.

I guess I gotta k*ll it.

What, really?

Getting caught going into

the same apartment can be a scandal,

but I doubt the chief is gonna give

the green light for C-list celebrities.

I think so too.

I'm sorry!

I mean, this was just a tiny scoop.

No big deal, it happens.

Yes.

Moving on.

Daisuke, you got something

that can fill half a page?

Let's see.

I've got a few in stock.

Great, thanks.

Anyway, good job.

Come in.

Can I have a moment?

Thank you.

Ms. Shinoda?

Yes?

I have a favor.

I want you to support Akutsu

on his stakeout.

Can you go take a nap now

and come back after?

Okay.

Thanks.

I can't sleep.

I can't sleep!

If I only recorded that conversation

with Yutaka Takagi.

If I only took a single picture

on my phone.

If I only hugged Mr. Suzaki harder then!

Are you okay?

Ms. Shinoda?

An all-night stakeout?

That sounds tough.

It's nothing compared to

what you did, Kuwabara.

I heard from Asuka.

You got stuck with a brutal story

as soon as you joined.

You got it wrong.

I was doing research for it,

but I was really just a lowly grunt.

It was the kind of job I felt lucky

to get even a sentence published.

I mean, I was being treated like

everyone's servant,

doing things anyone could do.

I just diligently carried out

trivial tasks.

Something anyone could do?

Like buying stuff

at the convenience store?

Yeah.

Then how did you get burnt out in a year?

If it wasn't the trivial tasks,

did you get treated that badly?

That's not it.

I couldn't push the doorbell anymore.

Doorbell?

I pushed the doorbell, mentioned I was

from Sengokusha, and stated my business.

Most would say they didn't know anything,

or had no idea.

Get out of my way!

It was fine.

It was my job to go ask around.

It wasn't pointless.

I was sent to do it

because it was necessary.

Sorry.

Leave me alone!

I knew it.

I didn't get jaded from being made

to do boring work either.

I understood.

But one day…

I couldn't push the doorbell.

I thought pushing the doorbell

and being ignored,

or getting blasted with insults

or sprayed with water was nothing.

I HATE SENGOKU WEEKLY

I shouldn't let it get to me.

I knew it in my head.

I thought I was

a stronger person than this.

I learned how weak I was.

Everyone has their

strengths and weaknesses.

I left because I couldn't cut it.

But you might be able to

keep your head down and push through.

Besides, it's not like failing

means your life is over.

I mean, I've started over

at a different department.

Ms. Shinoda, I'm rooting for you!

Kuwabara.

I have to go to a meeting now.

- Sure. Thank you.

- My pleasure.

Good luck!

I'll try.

So sweet!

SENGOKU WEEKLY EDITING DEPARTMEN

Good work today.

Shinoda.

I heard you're supporting Akutsu.

Yes, I'm heading there soon.

Okay. Good luck to you.

Mr. Murai, what happened with that story?

Which?

The teenage girl.

We tried to meet this girl to talk to her,

but somehow, she's gone missing.

Her name is Madoka Hashimoto.

Haven't received

any good information since.

I see.

Hey, Ms. Shinoda, did you get any sleep?

Let's go to the meeting room.

Excuse me.

About Akutsu's stakeout, is it…

You heard?

It's a cemetery.

I'll send the address.

Cemetery.

A cemetery at night?

TO BE CONTINUED

I'm scared.

This is way too scary.

She's an evil woman who tricked a man

to spend embezzled company money.

There's a chance of getting caught up

in something and pursued by tabloids.