01x04 - Episode 4

[bunniefuu]

I'm your total coordinator.

Mitsuko Motomiya at your service.

The outside affects the inside.

Is that me?

You might see a difference

if you just take that first step.

I want to help Mom.

Change yourself,

and you can change your world.

This laptop belonged

to Ken'ichi's old secretary.

I heard she's the one

who came up with Ken'ichi's project.

I'm writing a novel.

It's a story about a girl

who was bullied by mean people.

He saved her life,

but she never learned

his name or his whereabouts.

You said that was my father's wish.

What is your motive?

Who are you?

Is everything going

according to your plan, Mitsuko?

I don't know what you mean, Ms. Isuzu.

Who are you?

Ken'ichi had asked me

to look after the Imai family.

I'm Mitsuko Motomiya.

I'm a total coordinator.

Ken'ichi was a man of integrity.

He made it a point to be open and honest.

Ken'ichi left behind

a detailed record

of every penny he spent.

You?

There's not a single record

that suggests he paid

for your services.

Who

are you?

Ken'ichi had asked me

to look after the Imai family.

I'm Mitsuko Motomiya.

I'm a total coordinator.

You won't even put on an act.

Of course not.

If I was going to use records

to kick you out,

I would've done so forever ago.

You are of no concern.

I'll turn a blind eye for now.

I summoned you

to ask about Natsu Imai.

The future leader of Kujo Development

must not have secrets or scandals.

No need to worry.

You see, Natsu is

open and principled, just like Ken'ichi.

Remember those words,

all right?

Of course.

Mitsuko.

Don't disappoint me.

No need to be proper.

Ah, yes.

Pardon my intrusion.

Mr. Oginome.

I am truly sorry.

You're in a tough spot,

all because you support me.

Raise your head, please.

I voted for you because

This is the sign of betrayal.

Forget it. It's quite all right.

I've had enough of the Kujo family.

Ms. Imai, I'll be with you

through thick and thin.

Thank you very much.

To tell you the truth,

a number of the directors

have become sympathetic to my standing.

Chiaki.

Any news on Mitsuko Motomiya's background?

Yes, sir.

I did find one thing.

Tell me.

There's a picture

of the former CEO at the hospital

where Mitsuko is dressed

as a medical staff member.

Show it to me.

Mitsuko deleted my copy.

-What?

-Please forgive me.

She took my phone. I fought back, but

I've heard enough.

Chiaki, got any plans for tomorrow?

Tomorrow? I have a budgeting

meeting with Finance.

Don't bother attending.

-I come first.

-What?

And wear casual attire, not a suit.

Was I

asked out on a date?

Really?

I'm relieved.

I was able to clear the air with him.

None of this would've been

possible without you.

No, this is all you.

-Hands off!

-Please quiet down.

Calm down, please.

What's the matter?

It's that I left something at the office.

I need to go fetch it. See you later.

Certainly.

Get outta my way.

-Get off my case!

-You're a disturbance.

Don't get worked up.

I'm sorry. He's harmless.

The thing is, he is

my husband.

Why are you here?

Frankly speaking,

I came to ask for a favor.

-You want money?

-I'm in a lot of debt.

You've always owed money.

Why come to me now?

I quit drinking.

I know I'm crying over spilled milk,

but after I sobered up,

my gears started turnin'.

If only I had quit sooner,

then maybe,

I could've lived a different life

with you and the kiddos, you know?

I keep thinking about it.

Stop being selfish.

I know.

Sorry I came out of the blue.

I won't come here again.

Good luck with your work.

Wait.

-You sure about this?

-Just take it.

I'll pay you back. I promise.

What a heartthrob.

He's so dashing.

A total stud.

Sorry, did I make you wait?

No, I arrived just now.

What're you doing?

You want the back seat?

Yes, I need to look up something.

I'll expose her true colors.

"Her"?

I mean Mitsuko Motomiya.

Like I said yesterday,

we'll leave no stone unturned.

We're investigating Mitsuko Motomiya.

Get rolling.

Sure.

Buckle up.

Hey, Mom.

Hello?

You good? You're spacing out.

Sorry, I was lost in thought.

What's on your mind?

Just the election.

It's around the bend.

Will you have time to greet the directors?

Yes. Tomorrow, Mr. Oginome

will help me network with them.

Good.

Not gonna get that?

Right.

Give me a minute.

TAKEHARU

SLIDE TO ANSWER

Good morning.

Good morning, Mitsuko.

-Aren't you answering it?

-What?

The call. Why not pick up the call?

It's a cold sales call.

I've been receiving more of these lately.

The caller was Takeharu Imai,

am I correct?

He came to the office yesterday.

Your husband.

-How'd you know?

-I looked into it.

I thought I saw you handing money to him.

Ms. Isuzu warned me.

She said the future CEO

must be free of secrets and scandals.

A candid person, transparent as glass.

Your divorce is yet to be finalized.

When he left, we had no contact.

I couldn't do it alone.

As for the money,

I gave it to him only because

he said he's struggling to pay his debt.

Please keep this a secret

from Tomo and Aya.

So, Mitsuko Motomiya.

The only info on the Internet

is about her coordination gig in the US.

Birthplace, when she relocated to the US,

the absence of this much

information is unnatural.

Maybe her résumé itself is fabricated.

That, or she went around

eliminating information.

She seems capable of doing just that.

It seems to me

like you hold her in high regard.

As if.

There's nothing online,

and we can't find any dirt on her

from company records either.

That leaves us with

No choice but to give up the chase.

There's nothing more that amateurs like us

can bring to light, even if we tried.

You are right.

You read my mind.

We're starting to think alike.

Yes, I agree.

I absolutely do.

We're already here.

Why not make it an outing?

-He's a journalist I trust.

-Hello.

I agree with you, Chiaki.

Time to have the pro take the reins.

Look into this woman.

Comb through every database

you have access to.

Search every newspaper article,

magazine submissions and local news.

Another unreasonable request?

I'm counting on you.

Any scandals?

Not me. Do I look like the type?

-You are kinda sus, Tomo.

-How so?

Anyhow, please be on your toes.

This affects your credibility.

No, it's true.

I'm married to Natsu. Natsu Imai.

-Dad?

-Please

Natsu.

Tell them off.

They blow me off no matter what I say.

It's been ages, Tomo and Aya.

Why are you here?

I'm here to talk to Mom

about yesterday's money.

You left us to fend for ourselves.

What do you want from us now?

Come on. Don't be a stranger.

Tomo.

Wait.

What did you say?

What's that?

"Yesterday's money"?

Oh, yeah. I got money fronted.

-From who?

-Who do you think?

Mom, obviously.

-You got it wrong.

-Mom.

What will it take for you to learn?

Please listen to Dad.

This man is not my father.

Tomo

In any case,

it's inappropriate to discuss this here.

-Who is she?

-I will give you a call.

Please depart for now.

Shall we get going?

Why'd you give him money?

-Because

-Don't make excuses.

You were always soft

when he came begging for money.

Mom, he used to beat you.

Tomo, Aya. Will you allow us some privacy?

-What?

-Please allow us privacy.

I'm so sorry.

No. I expected him to visit you again.

Yesterday, after you

fronted him some cash,

he went straight to a pachinko parlor.

The notice on his front door states

that the rent is overdue by two months.

-How do you know this?

-I want to help you.

He may have been out of the picture

for years, but he's still your family.

Will you tell me about Takeharu?

He's an earnest man,

if only he never drank.

Every day, he was swamped by work,

so much so that he began to lose sleep.

That's how he first turned to alcohol.

He then became violent.

But he said he's sober now.

He is my children's father

regardless of the kind of man he is.

Mitsuko.

Won't you please

help Takeharu?

Then the first step

is to arrange a meeting

and look for ways to lend help.

Thank you.

Leave it to me.

He gathered all articles relating

to Kujo Development from recent years.

Besides my father's obituary

FIRE AND SMOKE EMERGING

FROM STEEL PLAN

there's only the article on the fire.

Speaking of, Mitsuko

hasn't stopped messing around

with the laptop of the secretary

that died in the fire.

She is Mariko Ohara.

ONE WOMAN HAS DIED

MARIKO OHARA

She was a nag.

Shall I look into her?

No, it's fine.

We'll revisit this later.

Natsu told me about your situation.

I hear you are debt-ridden?

I'm ashamed.

I can refer an excellent lawyer if you

are considering financial restructuring.

I also know of facilities that treat

alcoholism or gambling addictions

if these issues are the root cause.

Yes, that will be a great help.

I'm happy for you.

Leave everything to Mitsuko.

She can take care of it.

But I do have a question.

Who told you that Natsu

is at Kujo Development?

You'll keep your silence?

Your mistake was coming

to the office to beg for money.

And all those calls.

I took a peek at Natsu's phone

on the way here,

and I saw numerous missed calls.

Mitsuko, please.

Waiting, showing up uninvited,

calling incessantly,

and causing a scene at the head office

We can charge you

for obstruction of business.

-Charge me?

-Obstruction of business.

Don't you know?

This will be considered a criminal case.

The sentence is up to three years

in prison or a fine.

No, I only meant to

Don't come near Natsu ever again.

This is what's best for the both of you.

You have things to do

besides dragging Natsu down.

Perhaps you ought to reflect

on your own deplorable life?

Let's leave, Natsu.

I don't understand.

If I didn't trick you,

you wouldn't let me meet with Takeharu.

-You said you'd help him.

-You're the one I want to help.

It may have seemed cruel,

but you can't change who he is.

Don't ever see him again.

My guess is that

the Kujos nudged him to mess with you.

Even still, he's my family.

Please, one more

Family?

That's a word people use

to shackle one's heart.

We had an agreement.

You were supposed to undermine her.

They said they'd press charges.

We will shoulder the debt for you.

It's not a sum that's easy to cough up.

We need to see a little more effort.

Mr. Bando, please.

I sympathize with you.

You're not the only one

who's fed up with Mitsuko Motomiya.

But Natsu Imai is the one

pulling Mitsuko's strings.

I don't believe it.

Natsu uses money

to control her obedient pet, Mitsuko.

That meeting was a trap

to get you to cut ties.

Natsu Imai planned all that.

You are a kind man who can't doubt others.

You blame yourself

for abandoning your family.

But it wasn't you.

They abandoned you.

You are far too kind.

At times, this kindness backfires on you.

Keep going like this,

and nothing will change.

Come now.

Take just one step forward.

By doing so, that woman's world

will completely change.

Will you continue to let her slide

after all the disrespect she's given you?

If you do, then people will think

that you're a loser.

But you aren't a loser,

are you?

That woman's fate

rests with you.

She made a fool out of me.

Is that Mitsuko?

What're you doing here?

Where's Mom?

By the way, Mitsuko.

Are you hungry?

Would you like some?

Are those bread crusts?

I ate them when I was little.

Especially on days when Dad got violent.

How could I forget?

Mom took us to the park

because it was too scary to be at home.

The three of us ate crusts.

We were little children,

and Mom always protected us.

To say that it's the taste of home

is a bit over-the-top.

Mitsuko, what is your

taste of home?

Home? As if

No, pardon me.

Mitsuko.

How may I help you?

About yesterday

Your meeting with Mr. Oginome is soon.

It's me, Haruto.

I'm calling in regards to your request.

I've looked across all sorts of databases,

but nothing turned up

for "Mitsuko Motomiya."

Got it. I see.

But there was

one result for the name "Mitsuko."

This article is from 15 years ago or so.

It's an uncommon name,

and the age fits the bill.

What's it about?

I've heard enough.

Give me the address from the article.

-Mr. Kujo.

-You stay put.

Mr. Tomokawa, the managing director.

He is keen on casting a vote for you

in the upcoming election.

A new structure

is what this company needs right now.

I have faith in you, Ms. Imai.

I'll endeavor to meet your expectations

Natsu!

My life's a mess, and it's all your fault!

You looked down on me.

Have you gone mad, Dad?

Tomo!

Stop belittling me!

Hey! This is all your fault.

Don't!

-Dad, stop!

-What's this commotion?

-You jerk!

-Over this way.

Mom, are you okay?

It's a search notice for a runaway child.

The girl's name is Mitsuko.

MISSING GIRL IN CUSTODY

I hear she found her way

to a shelter on her own.

That's the only article I found.

But it details some serious abuse

by the parents.

They won't call the police.

They asked him a few questions

and let him off the hook.

Let's go to the nurses' station.

Wait. Where is Mitsuko?

You'll catch a cold out here.

SUNFLOWER

CHILDREN'S HOME

No one from those days is still around.

-Nobody?

-No.

The principal might have some idea,

but he can't always

hold down a conversation.

Open wide.

Are you okay?

The injury isn't serious.

Where is Mitsuko?

She hasn't come back.

I warned you, didn't I?

I told you to stay away from Natsu.

It's a pointless struggle.

No one will come.

No one comes by at this hour.

Now, what shall I do with you?

Even if I drag you to the police,

Natsu will withdraw the police report.

It'll be a public service

to commit m*rder.

What would you like done to you?

Did a child named

Mitsuko Motomiya ever stay here?

She must've been around eight back then.

Mitsuko Motomiya.

Tell me.

I need to know.

Sorry to intrude this late.

Mitsy had

a dangerous look about her.

I know how to make a person untraceable

and how to commit a perfect m*rder.

No one will care to search

for the dregs of society

who is drowning in debt.

Do you want your misery to end?

I'll do it.

You can't move freely

while the drug is in your system.

I enabled GPS on your phone

so you can be tracked.

There won't be a next time.

Get near the Imai family once more, and

I will k*ll you.

You don't have the nerve to k*ll.

I'm talkin' about your eyes.

It brings back memories.

Tomo and Aya had the same look.

Those are the eyes of a child in terror.

Once you are broken as a child,

you will never get rid of those eyes.

You'll spend the rest of your life

cowering in fear.

Your life is marked by

nothing but defeats.

You can't save anyone.

Look, you can't even save yourself.

Run.

Mitsy, run.

No way in hell I'd allow Natsu

to be happy without me.

I gotta go teach that woman

her place in life.

Don't forget, I've marked you too.

You're belittling me too.

Run.

-I'll make your life a living hell.

-Run.

Don't think you can run from me.

Don't think you can run from me.

If you try

-If you try

-Run, Mitsy.

-I will

-I will

-k*ll this brat.

-k*ll her.

Save me, Mitsy.

Please, I need to know more.

She had a dangerous look.

When Mitsy first arrived here,

she must have

really meant to k*ll her parents.

Who can blame her?

Her older sister was about to get k*lled.

Older sister?

They may have been physically safe here,

but the deep scar in their souls

never healed.

This older sister.

Mitsuko Ohara's older sister.

Mariko Ohara is her name.

ONE WOMAN HAS DIED

MARIKO OHARA

What are you doing?

-I had to do this.

-But it's

This is the only way.

No, you're wrong.

Please move aside.

This will

only ruin your life.

My life was ruined a long time ago.

It hurts.

This pain in my chest won't go away.

He is the man I loved.

Mitsuko, you understand.

Family, lovers, friends,

think of them,

and how sad you will make them.

There's nobody.

There's no one left for me.

Mitsuko.

You wouldn't understand.

Someone like you

would never understand my suffering.

I have no one left.

The people that I loved,

and the people that cared for me, they're

But I'm here.

And I love you.

Until you came into my life, Mitsuko,

I believed that I had nothing to offer.

Everything went wrong,

whether it was family or work.

But because you stood by me,

I was able to change.

I will be sad.

I will carry

all of your pain, Mitsuko.

So please

set yourself free.

No.

That's not possible.

I have to carry this pain

until the day I die.

No, you can change.

Because I changed.

If it's hard to change by yourself,

then I will be there for you.

Even if it takes a lifetime,

I will be beside you

for the rest of your life.

Change yourself

and you can change your world.

Right?

Mitsuko.

Could you tell me

about yourself?

I want to get to know you.

You are just like her.

Natsu, you remind me

of my sister.

Just like you, my older sister

always tried to protect me.

My older sister

died in Kujo Development's fire.

She was Mariko Ohara, the CEO's secretary.

I can't be convinced

that that fire was an accident.

You see, my sister

suffered under unbearable pressure

from the Kujos.

Ken'ichi's project

was Mariko's idea.

My sister must have wanted

to save people like us.

Children enduring hardships

and people who had nowhere to turn to.

But Mariko is dead.

And because she died,

the Kujo family got their way,

and the entire project came to a halt.

There's a Kujo family member

who had benefits to reap

from my sister's death.

I had to unveil the truth

behind my sister's death.

That's why I found my way

into Kujo Development.

Despite it all

this is the end of my road.

Natsu.

I have been deceiving you

this entire time.

Ken'ichi never

asked me to look after you.

This entire time, I

You tried your best.

All on your own too.

From now on,

I will be beside you.

I

need you, Mitsuko.

Mitsuko.

Would you like some shaved ice?

Good morning.

Morning.

After the incident with my husband,

I lost the trust of all the employees.

I don't expect anyone to vote for me

in the upcoming election.

It's regrettable, but you're right.

But don't you worry.

We'll find a way out of this.

What are you researching?

If I gather evidence

that Kujo Development

had been overworking Mariko,

then I can expose them

for how they treated her.

But the truth is worse than I expected.

Tell me about your sister.

Her favorite food was shaved ice.

Shaved ice was our favorite treat.

Even now, when I have shaved ice,

I can forget all my problems

and enjoy a blissful moment.

That shaved ice shop

was Mariko's favorite.

It comes up in her diary often too.

That novel, it's actually

Mariko's diary detailing her struggles

up until her death.

Mr. Lemon.

Does he exist?

Yes.

I'm carrying on the search in her place.

Do you have any leads?

At the moment, no.

I hope you find him.

Don't worry, I will.

TAKEHARU

AUDIO

Hello?

It's me.

What do you want?

We'll probably never meet again,

so here's a tip from me.

Mitsuko, you're there too, aren't you?

I'm nobody to say this,

but take care of Natsu.

Will you keep her safe

from the Kujos?

Explain yourself.

About six months ago,

a debt-ridden buddy of mine

was approached about a shady gig.

They wanted him

to set a certain place on fire.

He said, "Hell no,"

and kicked the offer to the curb

CHANGE YOURSELF

AND YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR WORLD

but later, the place burned down anyway

and someone died.

It was Kujo Development's fire.

I happened to be on the scene of the fire.

I just couldn't shake the thought.

I saw a car speeding by

as if it was trying to flee the scene.

Then, a moment later

the facility caught on fire.

Who do you think was in that car?

Tell me.

I'll spill it.

Listen closely.

The guy that fled from the scene

was Kujo. Ha

I will take everything from you.