01x02 - Episode 2

[bunniefuu]

TEITO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY-

AFFILIATED HIGH SCHOOL 2024

ENTRANCE EXAM RESULTS

You passed!

You did well, Haruto!

Thank you.

Some people call the residents

of Sky Castle the "winners in life."

A toast to Haruto for passing the exam.

Cheers!

-Cheers!

-Congratulations.

But even among victors,

there are battles to be fought

and tragedies to be experienced.

Haruto's diary?

I WANT TO LIVE MORE FREELY

I'M JEALOUS OF THOSE AROUND ME

My dad beats me when my grades go down.

He would tell me to go k*ll myself.

My mom pretends not to see it

and just forces me to study.

This house is hellish.

My parents should just die.

That tragedy was linked to our reality.

Could it be

You should bring this with you

for your trip to Egypt.

I need to look up information

on Dodger Stadium.

Is it okay if I borrow that tablet?

-Go ahead.

-Thanks.

to let his mom see it during her trip,

he wrote a diary in this tablet?

The only person

who was concerned about me when I suffered

was the housekeeper, Sakura.

Without her, I don't know

what would have become of me.

SIX MONTHS EARLIER

Haruto

Ms. Sakura

What are you doing with my son?

I'm sorry!

But madam

Please do not push Haruto too hard.

A woman like you, so uneducated

stay away from my son!

Leave!

I will not tolerate

the words of that woman

who dismissed

our uneducated housekeeper like trash.

When I confided in Ms. Kujo,

she kindly listened

and gave me a lot of advice.

And I decided

that I would run away from home,

that I would quit school and live a life

where education doesn't matter.

I will raise Ms. Sakura's kids

and live with her.

SAKURA AKIGAWA

Sorry, could you drive me

to a different location instead?

Haruto!

Haruto! Are you there?

Are you pregnant?

Haruto is still in middle school.

Don't you know that!

Can you prove the child is his?

Some guy impregnated you,

and you're tricking Haruto, aren't you?

Am I right! Tell me!

I'm your mom

and yet you slap me?

I never viewed you as my mom.

All my life

I have lived only for you!

Just so you can rob my freedom

with all your nagging?

-And that's how you were able to pass!

-I never wished for that!

It was for your future!

I already rejected

the high school's offer.

In any case

Let's go home, okay? Let's go home.

I am never going back to that hell!

Wait! Haruto! Please wait

Get away from me!

Wait!

Haruto

I AM NEVER GOING BACK TO THAT HELL

Mrs. Kaori who saw this

did not go for her trip

-So, you were here.

-Welcome back.

Is that Haruto's diary?

-What?

-I heard from Director Saejima.

The one who k*lled my wife is

Haruto.

It seems Director Saejima had seen it too.

The time we devoted to Haruto

was a waste.

Then, a few hours later, Mrs. Kaori

They seemed so happy.

Just where did they go wrong?

When I confided in Ms. Kujo,

she kindly listened

and gave me a lot of advice.

We talked a lot about entrance exams,

but I am not aware of her family issues.

AYAKA KUJO

What about this?

You said you were not aware

of their family issues.

But in Haruto's diary,

he mentioned confiding in you.

What happened to Haruto?

I'm not obliged

to answer questions other than those

relating to your daughter's exams.

My duty is to make sure my student passes.

And he did as promised.

But Mrs. Kaori

committed suicide.

That is their family issue,

and it is none of my concern.

Do you not feel anything?

Why would I?

A person is dead, and yet

you are speaking like a robot

with no emotions.

I'm glad I'm able to see

your human nature.

In your eyes,

your students and their parents

are nothing more than tools

that generate income for you.

It's very unfortunate,

but I'll have to terminate

the contract between us.

Very well.

Please email me your bank account number.

We will refund the fees.

Why did you dismiss the tutor

whose students have a 100% success rate?

She is a bit inhumane.

I have no issues with her!

She makes things so clear for me,

and she helps motivate me.

I like Ms. Kujo!

There is no use crying

over spilt milk now.

You don't care if I fail the exam?

Don't worry.

I will find an even better tutor.

Come on.

You can't be late for the new semester.

Maju too! Wake up!

You're in middle school now.

Get your act together!

-Why is he here?

-Sis.

Could it be that you live here, Aoba?

-Yeah, we moved here.

-No way! I live just across the street.

Is she your friend?

Yes. I am Ruri Asami.

You must have guts since you moved here.

-Why do you say that?

-You don't know what happened?

Maju! Don't say any more.

Let's go, Aoba.

-I'll be heading off then.

-See you.

MINAMISAWA FAMILY

Thanks for the other day.

-Um

-Yes?

About our home's previous owner

KYOKO NIKAIDO

You heard something, didn't you?

Could you tell me more about it?

Mrs. Kaori, the mistress of the house,

jumped from that building.

Her husband had

a bright future ahead of him.

Her son was accepted

into Teito Medical's affiliate.

She should have been at her happiest.

Such a tragedy occurred

in such a lovely residential area?

Because this is a place

where "elites" gather,

the residents here are adept

at concealing their misfortunes.

They may be desperate to make themselves

look as good as possible.

That goes for me too.

CRAM SCHOOL

Don't you have any better tutors?

I need a tutor who can guarantee

that my child will pass.

If you can't even guarantee that,

don't call yourselves first-rate.

PARKING VIOLATION

Governor Hasuike's test results are in.

OUTPATIENT CLINIC C

A craniotomy will be required.

As the tumor is at the cranial base,

this will be a quite tricky operation.

This is an operation that will garner

a lot of public attention. We must do it.

This will surely

affect your future, Mr. Asami.

If you succeed,

your reputation will improve.

If that happens, the director must make

you chief of the neurosurgery department.

WATARU NIKAIDO

I'm so sorry

that I won't be able to be

by your side for that big operation.

Rest assured.

I will definitely make it a success.

That's right.

Show that Minamisawa, that outsider,

the incredible skills

of our Teito Hospita Ah!

Good morning.

Good morning.

KOHEI MINAMISAWA

I'm talking about the family that

lived in this house until just recently.

The mistress committed suicide,

and her husband and son fled

as if they were running away.

That could be why we were able to buy

this house at such a cheap price.

I heard from the director today too.

The husband, who had been offered

the position of center director,

resigned from Teito Hospital,

so I was invited to fill that vacancy.

It kind of breaks my heart.

Let's work hard to make up for that.

I feel a strange sense of destiny

after moving into this house.

Destiny?

KOYO GAKUEN JUNIOR HIGH

Good day.

I'm so envious of you, Mrs. Asami.

You have such an excellent daughter.

Could you introduce me

to any good tutors for my son, Yuma?

I'm struggling to find one as well.

If it can be resolved with money,

let me know the amount.

-Ruri!

-I heard that!

Hurry up and find me a new tutor!

I can't focus on my studies like this!

-Just be patient.

-I'm tired of hearing that already!

If my grades drop, it's all your fault!

-Mrs. Misaki!

-Oh, Mrs. Sae.

The tutor you found for Kensaku

at the educational seminar the other day,

-how is he?

-About that,

we hit the jackpot!

He is good at teaching and encouraging!

I've never seen Kensaku study

so optimistically.

Do you think he could take in Ruri too?

But I thought you contracted

another tutor?

She was Haruto's tutor,

but our wavelengths did not really match,

so I dismissed her.

I see. I'll see what I can do.

-Thank you!

-Don't mention it.

-Well then.

-See you.

Why can't you get

such a simple practice question right?

I will try harder.

SHO NIKAIDO

When you get frustrated,

Sho shrivels up too.

If you want to improve his grades,

maybe we could take a different approach.

If it is about the window,

you can save your breath.

It's about the exam tutor.

The competent tutor who helped Haruto,

who was in Class B, pass the exam

I heard Mrs. Sae dismissed her.

The tutor whose students

have a 100% success rate?

This could be our chance.

-Contact her immediately.

-But if we enter into a contract with her,

you will be asked

to not be involved in Sho's education.

APRIL'S SCHOLASTIC TEST RESULTS

Yes! I've gone from bottom to 20th!

NUMBER 20 - KENSAKU NATSUME - 451 POINTS

I've dropped to 17th.

I'll probably get scolded again.

Sorry.

Next time.

NUMBER 3 - RURI ASAMI

Aoba, you're number one. That's amazing.

You're amazing too, Miku.

You're number two.

I worked hard because of you.

So you owe me a favor?

I worked hard,

so accompany me to the hospital.

-Yeah.

-Thank you.

NUMBER 3 - RURI ASAMI - 489 POINTS

This is my first time ranking third!

How humiliating!

This is all your fault

for dismissing Ms. Kujo!

When will I get a new tutor?

Don't worry. Kensaku's tutor

is willing to take you in.

The same tutor as Kensaku,

who's always at the bottom?

He's an excellent tutor,

and Kensaku's grades went up.

Will he provide me with mock tests?

Will he suggest the right school

and volunteer activities?

You promised to find me a better tutor!

No one can compare with Ms. Kujo!

Bring Ms. Kujo back!

Otherwise, I don't know

if I will be able to pass the exam

Considering his study method

and current academic ability,

I believe if he puts in the effort,

passing Teito Medical University's

affiliate examination is well possible.

I am glad to hear that.

Ms. Kujo, this is my husband.

Please take good care of Sho for me.

Sir.

About leaving your son's education

solely in my hands

and under no circumstances interfering

with the way I teach,

are you really okay with that?

For the sake of Sho's success,

I'll leave everything

in your hands, Ms. Kujo.

Speaking of which

There are no windows in this room.

I blocked all the windows

in order for Sho to focus on his studies.

-Did you say "block"?

-I reconstructed it

to prevent a loss of concentration

and learning efficiency,

and it's also soundproofed

to prevent distraction.

Sir. It seems

you have not been raising a son

but a pet.

-A pet, you say?

-This room only intimidates

and shrinks the mind and brain.

Your son will not improve.

This is a soundproof room after all.

Why don't you let your son

learn to play the drums?

Are you mocking me?

-Dear

-Just who do you think you are?!

Oh?

Ruri was that attached to Ms. Kujo?

Comparing the other tutors to her,

they all do seem inferior to her

in some way or another.

I wonder if I was too rash.

Ms. Kujo!

Would you please reconsider? Please.

But your husband

It's precisely because of that

that I need you, Ms. Kujo.

Let me think about it.

I look forward to your favorable reply.

To think you would

make a move on Ms. Kujo.

You sure have guts, Mrs. Kyoko.

But Mrs. Sae,

you dismissed her, didn't you?

Even so, I think it's only right for you

to notify me about it.

I apologize for not thinking of that.

I was just looking for the three of you.

-Mrs. Izumi!

-As new neighbors,

I was thinking

of inviting you all to my house.

If you'd like,

can I invite you to lunch tomorrow?

-Are you sure?

-I'd like to know more about Sky Castle,

and Mrs. Asami, you have something

you wanted to ask me, right?

I'd love to consult you

regarding education.

Then, it's decided.

I'm looking forward to tomorrow.

Hey, do you remember me?

I'm Izumi Kubota from Wakanaen.

You're

Yoko Maba, aren't you?

We spent time together in Wakanaen

when we were young

Wakanaen?

I also mentioned it the other day,

but you've mistaken me for someone else.

She's right. Her name is Sae, not Yoko.

Her parents are surgeons in the US,

and she graduated from Harvard University.

She's from a distinguished family.

Please pardon me

as she looked very familiar

See you all tomorrow.

She's strange.

Dad!

Wait!

WAKANAEN 1995

BEST FRIENDS - IZUMI AND YOKO

SKY CASTLE

Yoko, are you okay?

Let's eat this together.

Thank you, Izumi.

I always see you reading this book.

I'm going to live here one day.

But you can't live in a fantasy world.

Relax.

I am Sae Asami.

No matter the adversities,

I will overcome them.

As another parent living in Sky Castle

and whose child

will be taking the exam soon,

it's a pleasure to be your neighbor.

This soup is delicious!

I grow the vegetables and herbs myself.

Wow

Speaking of which

What did you want to ask me, Mrs. Sae?

Her biggest rival is Aoba Minamisawa,

who's vying for the top spot.

I am very interested to know what kind

of education he is receiving at his home.

Can you tell me how you educate your son?

I'm also interested!

How can my son be the top scorer?

I don't do anything.

He just studies on his own.

If he ranked first just like that,

then us sending

our children to cram school and

hiring a tutor seems like an idiotic move.

He's been that way

since I came into the family.

What do you mean by that?

Aoba is my husband

and his late wife's child.

I married into their family

when Aoba was nine.

That is something

rarely heard of here in Sky Castle.

What does your husband do?

He's a neurosurgeon.

He joined Teito Hospital this spring.

Oh, then he works with our husbands.

Oh, is that right?

Then the director's favorite

must be referring to

I don't know

if he's the director's favorite,

but the director invited him.

Mrs. Izumi, about the place

Wakanaen that you mentioned yesterday

I grew up

in a children's home called Wakanaen.

So your parents passed early?

Oh, no. My parents run the institution.

You have an interesting background.

When I'm not so busy with work,

I go and help out too.

Is that so? What do you do for a living?

I write novels.

Oh my! You're a novelist?

-That's wonderful!

-I haven't written in ages though.

But ever since I moved here,

I've been inspired.

I'm thinking of starting a new series.

What kind of inspiration?

A woman who was ecstatic when her child

was admitted into a difficult school

mysteriously died, and then,

I moved into her house.

I feel like it's some kind of fate.

Don't tell me you want to write

a novel about Mrs. Kaori?

To prevent such tragedies

from happening again,

I want to tackle this in my own way.

Was what she attained true happiness?

Or

was it a false happiness

that continued to masquerade

in the elite area called Sky Castle?

I'd love to hear your stories as well.

What I hate most

are hypocrites like you.

In the end,

you're just trying to use her death

to make money off your novels.

You just want to write a novel

about an exciting subject, don't you?

Could you not

cause unnecessary discord

in our neighborhood?

Do not publicize this scandal!

I'm sorry, I'll take my leave as well.

Thank you for having us.

I think it's better

if we stay away from her.

Writing about Mrs. Kaori

just because it's exciting for her

means she might write about us too.

And her husband is interfering

with our husbands' careers.

We should think

about how to deal with that family.

You agree with us, don't you? Mrs. Kyoko.

Well, yes.

-What's this?

-It's from Ruri Asami's mother.

Please pardon

my rude behavior the other day.

In your eyes,

your students and their parents

are nothing more than tools

that generate income for you.

I am truly ashamed of myself

for being so shaken

by my friend's suicide.

As you said, that is a family issue,

and it has nothing to do

with test-taking guidance.

If you forgive me,

I would once again like to request

your guidance for my daughter's exam.

Mr. Asami!

Director Okochi is asking for you.

And the instructions

for Governor Hasuike's operation are out.

Thank you.

Good luck.

The above is

Governor Hasuike's current condition.

The pressure on his brainstem is intense.

-Let's not waste any more time.

-Yes.

-Please come in.

-Director,

-you called for me?

-Yes. The governor's craniotomy

-will be performed tomorrow.

-I'm fully prepared.

Please expect a flawless operation.

No, I have requested Dr. Minamisawa

for the operation.

-What?

-Why?

But Asami and I are

in charge of the patient.

This is the governor's wish.

Dr. Minamisawa's

humanitarian aid activities in Nepal

and his winning the award

at the neurosurgical conference

Governor Hasuike, who highly values

welfare and education,

seems to be very fond of him.

-Please come in.

-Excuse me.

Minamisawa, sorry for the sudden notice.

I'm counting on you.

-Understood.

-For more details,

please approach Asami.

Let's work together, Asami.

The residents here are adept

at concealing their misfortunes.

They may be desperate to make

themselves look as good as possible.

Mrs. Kyoko, the other day

Oh, is that so?

That is so concerning.

-Yes.

-Mrs. Misaki.

Sorry about the other day.

-I seem to have made you upset

-Shall we go then?

What is the meaning of this?

-What are you talking about?

-Everyone is avoiding me.

Anyone would want

to keep their distance from someone

who writes about people's misfortunes.

What's your real reason for trying

to ostracize me like that?

You really don't want them

to know about your past, huh?

That is enough.

I already told you

I'm not the person you mentioned.

A different person, huh?

If your family members were

to commit a crime,

you get to change your name.

When you left Wakanaen in the sixth grade

and were taken in by relatives,

you assumed the identity of Sae Okura.

No way! Is that you, Yoko?

You live here?

See? I told you.

She said her parents

are working as doctors in the US,

but that was a lie, wasn't it?

Even liars get angry?

-Let's cool her down, shall we?

-Okay!

Have you cooled down?

What are you girls doing?

Yoko lied to us.

So?

Her dad was arrested, and

she's trying her best to live her life.

Arrested?

Could it be

she's the daughter of a criminal?

A criminal?

A criminal

Yoko, let's go home today.

What I hate most are hypocrites like you.

"My parents are working

as doctors in the US."

It's a little amusing you're still using

that same story as when you were a kid.

Sorry.

But you're amazing.

To think you really made it to Sky Castle.

Is it like how it was written in the book?

You know how I spent my childhood.

You know what it took for me

to get to Sky Castle.

You must know what I went through.

That's why I'm happy for you.

I want to congratulate you

for making your dream come true.

If that is so

don't bring that up ever again.

I am

Sae Asami.

If you say anything unnecessary next time,

I don't know what I'll do to you.

Oh, it's Ms. Kujo's

I am coming right away.

Welcome.

-Come in.

-No, that will not be needed.

I came to return this.

I'll take my leave.

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL AREA

Ms. Kujo!

-I would like to have a word with you.

-I have nothing to say.

Please wait.

I have not received a reply

to the letter I sent the other day.

Our business relationship has ended.

I am now looking into signing

a contract with another family.

If it's the Nikaido family,

I can get them to pull back.

Given the husband's position at work,

they can't go against me.

That's quite a brute way

of obstructing my business.

I'll get what I want,

even if I have to push people away.

You initially chose me

because I'm that kind of person, right?

No matter what it takes,

I need your helping hand.

Ruri she needs you.

She wants only you, Ms. Kujo!

"Students and their parents are

just tools to generate income for me."

Even if I really do think so,

do you still want to hire me?

I deeply apologize.

I went too far that day.

You said I speak like

a robot with no emotions.

Please pardon my rudeness.

That day, I was

-shaken by my friend's death.

-Do you expect me

to accept your mealy-mouthed apology?

No one can compare with Ms. Kujo!

Bring Ms. Kujo back!

I'm begging you! Please get Ruri admitted

into Teito Medical University's affiliate!

Please!

For a prideful person like you,

this is pretty desperate.

If it's for my daughter, I'll do anything!

That is what a mother should do.

I think we'll have

a good relationship from now on.

Thank you very much.

You seem worried about it,

so I'll tell you this.

When Haruto asked me for advice

on how to escape

from his parents and his studies,

I simply advised him

to find his own way to have fun.

If that's the case, then the rest

is indeed as you said,

the Saejima's family issues.

-Is that true, Mom?

-Yes.

Ms. Kujo is going to teach you again.

You have to catch up!

Thanks, Mom!

If it's for you, I can do anything.

Thanks. I love you!

I love you too!

Thank you.

The victors of Sky Castle

seek to reach even greater heights.

Why are you tutoring Ms. Ruri again?

That highly ambitious parent and child

need me.

I look forward to the results.

STUDY ROOM 2

Haruto

Why don't you pick up my calls?

Aren't you misunderstanding something?

The moment you passed the entrance exam

marked the end of our relationship.

But my mom

What am I supposed to do?

What are you talking about now?

Isn't that what you wanted?

It is the result of your own decisions

and your own actions.

It has nothing to do with me.

With the victims left behind,

the clash continues.

There is no end to the battle of those

who seek to keep winning

and there is no end

to the chain of tragedies.

Who k*lled the mistress?

WHO k*lled THE MISTRESS?

Parents' expectations

are suffocating their children.

If I don't take action,

nothing will change.

You will always get what you want,

even if you have to push people away.

You said so yourself.

What is this?!

Let's be able to help each other.