August 2019 Taiyo Television
Kishimoto Takuro left Taiyo TV yesterday.
Not so much as a single ballpoint pen was missing from the inventory.
The company will continue to run as usual.
Hey, who wrote this!
Good guys and bad guys working together.
- Ah, you can't do that. - Really?
Things are just circulating constantly,
inhaling and exhaling continuously.
Just like our bodies.
Two weeks ago...
Okay, next up...
A call-girl business owner in Yattobi City, Kanagawa Prefecture was arrested on suspicion of employing underage girls.
The police are investigating a connection to the murder of Nakamura Yuka, who was killed last June.
Please wait.
What's wrong? Asakawa-san.
The real murderer's story was rejected the other day,
and Kishimoto-kun brought it to "Weekly Trends".
It's going to be published in the issue that goes on sale on the 18th.
The victim's bereaved family's association is also
planning to hold a press conference to coincide with it.
But...if we get this news out first...
It can't be helped.
It's an official announcement from the police.
The police have known that Nakamura Yuka was working in the sex industry for a long time.
I can only think that there is some kind of purpose
in intentionally announcing it now.
In other words...
they're trying to manipulate the optics.
So you mean they're trying to pour water on it first?
- Before Kishimoto ignites public opinion? - I think so.
Maybe it was leaked to the police that Kishimoto-kun has identified the real culprit.
Hey...enough with these insinuations,
all the other stations will pick up this story anyway.
And you don't want to do it, just because you're the anchor?
That's biased reporting, isn't it?
No, I'm just trying to discuss a more appropriate reporting stance.
Ha! She's finally admitted it.
I told you before. It's great that you have high aspirations.
But you have to do things properly around here.
You're just someone who got ahead because of bubbling popularity.
It's a 100 years too early. Okay, what's next?
Okay, then...
I'll start with this news.
I thought I'd at least apologize in advance.
and then the Akutagawa Naoki prize.
I was unable to contact him.
It wouldn't have made a difference no matter what I said.
Kishimoto Takuro is right.
The world won't get any better.
And Kishimoto Takuro gets thrown under the bus.
And the company continues to operate today
as if nothing had happened.
As I remained in the underbelly,
I wonder if I'm the good guy or the bad guy.
- Ah, thank you for your hard work. - Thank you.
- Thank you very much. - Thank you very much.
Let's go.
- Oh! - Yo!
Is it me or are you just getting uglier, Murai-san?
- Eh? Is that so? - You look like an Echigoya.
An Echigoya is a nefarious businessman, often portrayed as a caricature in period dramas.
At least make me an evil Daikan.
A Daikan is an Edo-period prefectural governor (like a magistrate or bailiff)
What are you scheming this time?
Nothing particularly?
I broke up with Kishimoto-san.
- Is that so? - Yes.
Even though we were dating...
Kishimoto-san was extremely busy.
He didn't go on dates with me at all.
And then he got fired from his job.
So I broke it off with him.
What? He didn't resign on his own?
No, he was fired.
Why? What was the reason? Did he say anything?
I don't know if it's true or not, but...
- He said he was framed. - Framed? By whom?
I don't know.
He said it was probably a detective from the Yattobi Police Department.
A detective?
He said he's someone you've met too.
- Let's go for a drink. - No, I can't.
- Come on, please! - Uhm...
Asakawa-san...
I don't know if it's too late for me to say this, but...
Please don't push yourself too hard already.
Eh?
I'm getting a little scared.
Even Kishimoto-san is in this kind of trouble.
I feel guilty that this happened.
Good evening.
Hey, it's been a while.
Murai-san?
How are you doing? How about a round for old time's sake?
No thanks, I've had enough.
No, no, it's not what you think. Relax.
I'm not working for the news anymore.
I've even been kicked out from a variety show.
I'm just a stubborn fool, stuck at a subsidiary.
Just like a dried up sheet of seaweed.
Even if I wanted to talk about little complicated things like before, I can't do it anymore.
Well, I'd be happy to have a drink with you,
even if it's just to bad-mouth Saito.
- Saito-san. - Yeah.
Daimon-sensei's been taking good care of him.
Now that he finally resigned from our company.
Well, I think this opens up new possibilities.
Here, look at this.
I'm Murai Kyoichi, currently working at a subsidiary.
Hahaha, yes.
Well then, that's it for today.
Good night.
Daimon Toru
Elpis: Hope or Disaster
This drama is fiction based upon real events.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Asakawa. Asakawa.
I found out the reason why Kishimoto was fired.
Eh? What was it?
- Bribery and blackmail. - Eh?
You remember that detective at the Yattobi Police Station?
I heard he tried to give money to that detective.
What's more, he recorded the exchange.
and blackmailed him to get more information.
No way!
But I guess the detective was one step ahead of him.
He claims he didn't take the money and he recorded Kishimoto's threat
and brought it to our upper management.
That guy's even worse than I imagined.
- It doesn't make sense. - Huh?
If that detective didn't take the money,
then isn't it strange that Kishimoto-kun recorded that conversation
and tried to blackmailed him?
Ah. No, but something is a bit off.
- Is it really the case? - Well, anyway...
You should cut ties with Kishimoto already.
I think you know that.
You're in a position where you have to take responsibility for the show.
You'd better nip this situation in the bud for now.
Are you okay?
I'm fine.
Well, that's how it is.
- Excuse me. - Please.
Saeki-san, good evening.
Eh? Kishimoto-kun?
- Yes. - I totally didn't recognize you.
What did you do to yourself? You're good looking now!
No. I got fired from my company and I don't have any money.
I went back to my parents' house and I'm living like a hermit.
No, you looked like a hermit before this.
No, no, I'm a real shut-in now.
In exchange for letting me live there, my mother told me to dress properly.
Oh... I see.
So how's it going, Kishimoto-kun?
Wanna work for me?
I'm sorry about what happened with that scoop.
But I want you to know I didn't reject it at all.
Ah it's just that...
right after the news about the victim working in the sex industry,
the timing was terrible, so I pulled it.
I'm still keeping an eye on it.
Well, it's important to go with the flow with this kind of thing.
When the right time comes, we'll go "Now"!
- Is that so? - Yup.
You'll understand as you gain experience.
There are different ways of doing it.
Well, you'll learn that as you go along.
What's more important is whether or not it's something
that should have been inside you in the first place.
You have that thing,
although it could be said that it is the only thing you have.
In a manner of speaking, it's been pushing you all over the place,
and ended up becoming a shut-in.
It'll probably stay with you for the rest of your life.
You'll be a slave to it until you die.
But at least if you work for me,
you can make a living out of it.
Right? Think about it.
Okay.
- Welcome home. - I'm home.
You're back late. Where did you go?
Ah, dinner with someone from work.
Ah is that so? Oh, hey, before you take a bath,
let's have ice cream together.
I got it from a client today.
I got ice cream!
Godiva. Godiva.
Milk chocolate chip, right?
Strawberry chocolate chip, right?
Fondant chocolat.
- Is this alright? - Ah... Yes.
Yes, thank you.
Ah, no need for a bag. I'll use it right away.
Yes.
- Yo! - It's been a while.
Why are you so neat and tidy?
Are you going to work part-time at a convenience store?
I should probably do something like that.
Something like a part-time job?
The hell I would know.
Did you make the business cards?
Yeah, I made them.
My title is "journalist," right?
Yes, that's right.
Who are we meeting?
I won't tell you. Why not?
Because if I know, you'll go crazy again.
No I won't.
You will.
I'll tell you everything later.
Okay.
Just shut up and listen for now.
You look the smartest when you don't talk.
Here.
Sorry for making you wait.
Oh, no, me too.
I just came early because I finished my previous job early.
Ah... Let's sit down.
Oh, two coffees.
Hey.
Let me introduce you. This is Kishimoto, a freelance journalist.
Nice to meet you. I'm Kishimoto.
You're quite young.
It's because he's young that he's able to write.
He has the energy and stamina.
And you have to be an idiot to do this kind of work.
The person we just met is...
Deputy Prime Minister Daimon's son-in-law, Daimon Toru.
- Is that right? - He used to work at the National Police Agency.
He married Daimon's eldest daughter and is now his secretary.
And this guy,
do you know he's doing something he's totally not suited for?
He's such a serious guy, with a strong sense of justice.
You'd think that as Daimon's secretary,
he'd be able to expose Daimon's dirty laundry, right?
That's why I'm doing my best to stay recognized.
Once he gives me a tip, our company will report it at all costs.
- Just kidding, you know. - Yeah.
In 2017, a Councillor from Daimon's faction
was involved in a rape case, and Daimon covered it up.
What?
Six months later, the victim committed suicide.
And that's when Toru finally came to me to blow the whistle.
I was in the press at the time.
Naturally, I jumped on this story
and even filmed a VTR of his testimony.
Let's begin please.
A woman named Esumi Kyoko committed suicide,
If there's something you want to talk about
the reason for her suicide,
please tell us.
April 8, 2017
DPJ House of Representatives member, Councillor Kaibara Masato,
forced Esumi Kyoko, a part-time student at his office, to drink alcohol.
he brought her to a hotel while Esumi-san was intoxicated,
and raped her.
Afterwards, she
committed suicide over the incident.
Councillor Kaibara is a member of Daimon's faction, isn't he?
Yes, that's right.
Regarding the rape case,
did the current Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, Councilor Daimon Yuji,
give you any instructions?
Yes.
Minister Daimon gave you direct instructions?
Yes, he did.
Can you tell us specifically
when and how he gave the instructions?
However...
I was stopped just before it was to be aired.
Hey, wait... stop it.
What happened was...
Daimon, who had been a minister until then,
became the deputy prime minister.
Upper management suddenly freaked out.
Damn it!
I told Toru-san to give me some time to persuade my superiors.
But Toru-san was unsure of what to do.
He said, "I want to withdraw my statement, after all".
Please believe me.
I knew I couldn't give up.
I was flailing around for a while.
We're almost there...
I kept calling my boss and going to Toru's office.
Then one day...
I got a surprising official notice from HR.
"You've been transferred from the press department."
Starting next month, you'll be on "Friday Bonbon".
Notice of Transfer
The following transfers have been issued.
[Creative Division]
Press Department, Press Bureau Murai Kyoichi
Is transferred to the Creative Division, Production Department, Production Bureau.
November 13, 2017
Huh.
And the next month,
was the start of my life at "Friday Bonbon".
I miss those days. The Bonbon girls were really cute, haha.
Sorry, but I'm from the bubble generation of ambition and desire.
All that flippant hypocrisy that you guys pretend to have...
I think it's a little cold.
I have no intention of overthrowing corrupt politicians, not one millimeter
I'm just happy that I got such a big scoop, which may or may not happen in my lifetime.
And I don't want to give it to anyone.
If I ever get one, I'll take it to my grave.
That's what human beings do. Right?
What's wrong with that?
Oh...
- Take it. - Eh?
Eh?
You're giving it to me?
Just take it.
You idiot.
On April 20, 2017, late at night,
I got a call from Councillor Daimon.
When I arrived at his office, in addition to Councillor Daimon
was Councillor Kaibara and his secretary.
Daimon asked me
if I could please help them?
He said he'd leave the details of how to do it to me.
He made me cover up the fact that he raped her.
Seriously?
It's not like there's such a thing as bad bacteria or good bacteria.
Really? Is that so?
What is important is that there are many kinds of bacteria and that they are in balance.
If there are not enough of each kind, or if there is too much of one or the other, it becomes a bad thing.
Eh? That's right.
Eh, so the bad bacteria become the good bacteria?
That's right, that's right, that's right.
What is this...? - Manager, there's a phone call for you.
- Please wait a moment. - Oh, okay.
When there's an increase in bad bacteria, they join the bad bacteria.
Bad bacteria will increase.
That's right, that's right... Hahaha.
Even though it's already been more than half a year since we broke up.
I still keep following Saito-san's movements.
Maybe I still believe in him somewhere.
Maybe I want to be sure....
Japan's Politics, by Saito Shoichi [All] your questions answered
that he hasn't abandon the press
for his own ambitions and went into politics.
In fact, he has his own secret ideals.
For example, a truly just and free society.
And that he is alone in his struggle to achieve it.
When I imagine that to be the case.
It cheers me up a little.
What a fool I am.
Loneliness.
I find myself completely alone.
I haven't been in touch with Asakawa-san since the last time I saw her.
Do people have to decide on their true love
to have a serious relationship?
Asami-chan broke up with me too.
Before I knew it, I was all alone.
Fighting for justice all by myself.
I was longing for a life like my father's, but...
I'm not enjoying myself much.
Furthermore, I'm feeling lonely.
But...
I can't stop, can I?
My only friend now is...
Please come in.
Sorry to interrupt.
the truth.
Uhm, take this.
Then, I'll accept.
- The divorce papers... - Yes.
were sent to my wife yesterday.
Ah... okay.
As you can see...
we were already living apart.
But I couldn't come to a decision.
But...
I'm finally ready.
Shall we begin?
Yes.
Well then...
I'm recording.
Saito Shoichi...
Do you know him as well?
Ah...yes, he was my senior.
What about his relationship with Daimon?
Yes, somewhat.
He recently resigned from Taiyo TV.
He's getting more and more exposure
in the media as a freelance journalist.
That's how he's going to make a name for himself and
probably run for office in the near future.
As for Daimon...
I think he wants to eventually have Saito take over his position.
That's how much
he has bought into him.
My wife is a kind-hearted person.
whose husband secretly hates her father.
I certainly have caused her a lot of pain.
That's where I hesitated the last time.
If I blow the whistle on Daimon,
I would also be incriminating myself.
Who will really protect her and her child then?
But Murai-san...
said there's now a Saito-san.
Eh?
No matter what happens to Daimon and I,
he said Saito-san should be trying to protect Daimon's foundation,
his daughter and grandchildren.
In order to eventually
"inherit" them.
What? But...
Are you okay with that, Toru-san?
Yes.
Unfortunately, that's my disposition now.
A councillor...
raped a young woman who was working part-time at the office.
I, Daimon's secretary,
protected the man who was the assailant,
and not the woman who was the victim.
That woman then
took her own life.
I can't live my life forgetting my sins.
I can't do it.
I have no choice,
but to continue to carry it.
Me too...
Oh, no, it's nothing.
What is it?
Me too...
A long time ago,
my friend committed suicide.
That's why I'm doing this job.
I see.
I'm now a little
grateful to God.
I think that
I can entrust this to someone like Kishimoto-san...
I feel as if there is a ray of light in the darkness.
Ah, then, let me ask you a question.
Yes.
Whoa.
Murai that sly old fox, he had this hidden away all this time?
Yes.
Huh, so disgusting...
When that guy was taken off the press.
I told him to give it to us rather than let it rot.
I even treated him to Wagyu beef.
He said he was going to take it to his grave.
As expected of the bubble generation, there's no hesitation in their greed.
This will be the end, right?
- Hm? - This will end Daimon, won't it?
Yeah, well, this will definitely end him.
That means the pressure on the press will disappear.
This time, without a moment's delay,
we will suggest a DNA test on Honjo Akira in "Weekly Trends".
The media will be overjoyed to follow up on it,
and the police, as expected, will move to arrest Honjo.
Okay, let's tread carefully.
In the meantime, find the bereaved family of this rape victim.
Do we need to?
Of course. We have to get confirmation.
The victim reported the crime to the police and gave them evidence.
And yet the assailant wasn't arrested.
We need the victim's side to testify properly.
No, but if we have to convince the victim's family to let us interview them...
I don't know how long it would take...
In the meantime, Toru-san might change his mind.
I understand, but without their testimony, it will not work.
To be honest, we are a weekly magazine and it's not like we check every story.
And there are times when we skip over a story based solely on speculation.
But this...
is meaningless unless it's written as the genuine truth.
This type of power doesn't just come in the blink of an eye.
It is how you use it to defeat them with a single blow.
If you're not careful, you'll get hit back.
The gossip magazines
might jump on an uncorroborated scoop.
But the TV and newspapers won't do it
unless they can confirm it to be true.
While everyone's doing that, the enemy will
do everything in their power to crush you again so that you can't recover.
- Asakawa-san, please. - Oh, thank you.
Asakawa.
- May I have a word? - Eh?
Just a minute.
It's the story about the real criminal that Kishimoto brought to us.
Well, I'd like you to consider a possibility.
Okay.
So, for the time being, can I handle it instead?
Eh? Takigawa-kun?
Well, not me directly.
I'd like to bring it to the internet media. What do you think?
- What? The Internet? - In short...
So-called YouTubers.
Well, many of them are gossipy people,
but among them are active journalists
and people who are respected in their own right.
I'd like it to be covered by someone like that.
- No, but that's... - No, no, no, I understand.
It's the Internet, after all.
It's unavoidable that the credibility of the story will drop considerably.
However, there's no way I can just let the truth lie dormant like this.
Prove Matsumoto-san's false accusation.
Arrest the real culprit.
There is no doubt that both of these things must be done as soon as possible.
Well, that is true.
It is definitely better to be talked about even as a rumour
to maximize the exposure as much as possible.
But this is Kishimoto-kun's story.
No, no.
It's not a story. It's just facts.
These are facts, so there's no need to call it Kishimoto-kun's.
Well, if you're saying it's a story he made up...
then there might be copyrights or something.
No, hold on.
No. I don't think you should do it.
What? Why?
No, because...
Oh, no.
I'm not trying to keep it to myself or anything.
What?
So, an information fee?
Well, I'm thinking of giving Kishimoto a percentage as well.
- Money? - Yeah, it's important, isn't it?
No, to be honest... this story
I think I can sell this stuff for a substantial price.
Well, it's not...
It's not about the money, but...
Anyway, please hold off.
No, but I'll definitely...
Just hold off!!
Oh, I'm sorry.
Sorry.
Well, just think about it.
So, for now...
I'm trying to write a letter to the bereaved family,
but I can't seem to get it done.
I'm a terrible writer, so that's the first thing I'm worried about.
Kishimoto-san.
Yes.
Although, I'm much better now.
Eh?
I resigned from Daimon's office as of today.
- Oh I see. - Yes.
So I really
have nothing to tie me down any more.
I don't have any more doubts.
I won't withdraw like I did last time.
So don't worry about it, Kishimoto-san.
Please do as you see fit.
Okay.
Please contact me anytime if there's anything I can do.
Unless a North Korean missile strikes us.
Heh,
even if a missile strikes, if you're still alive, I'll be sure to come running.
Thank you very much.
I look forward to working with you.
I'm not going to dillydally. I'll do my best.
Okay.
- See you. - Okay.
Goodbye.
The last time Kishimoto Takuro talked to Daimon Toru on the phone was
August 29th.
And five days later on September 3rd...
Hello, Kishimoto-san. Welcome.
Ah, Takuro-san, it's been a while.
He finally made time for me.
It's our first date in a while.
Hmm.
Ah, I got a notice about the fall-winter collection...
The Kishimoto family's purveyor brand
arranged a fitting for the 2019 Autumn/Winter Collection.
That's when Kishimoto Takuro received the call.
- Yes, this is Kishimoto. - Kishimoto.
- Hello. - Can you talk now?
Yes, I'm fine.
Eh?
Daimon Toru
died.
In the early morning of September 3rd,
his body was found in a car parked on the road near Shiba river port.
Since there was a suicide note, the police ruled it a suicide.
Wow, he's dead.
Daimon-san's secretary is his son-in-law, right?
- Yes. - I've met him before.
However, Daimon Toru
had a history of psychiatric visits.
The bereaved family wanted to announce that he died of illness.
I didn't have any suspicions at the time.
As I explained earlier,
the bereaved family members are not taking interviews at this time.
Please understand.
Then, please get a statement from Deputy Prime Minister Daimon at least.
All right. As for Daimon,
I'll check with him once more, so please wait over there until then.
I'll confirm it by the time the funeral is over.
Thanks for your hard work.
It's been a long time, Saito-kun.
Murai-san, what are you doing?
Hm? I came to hang out with you. Something interesting is going on.
I've got a lot of free time.
Hey, I've gained 3kg.
Look at this area. Look, look.
It's bad isn't it? Hehehe.
Ahh, I envy you.
What were you arguing about, with the press?
I wasn't arguing, I was just telling them not to film the bereaved family.
Why?
Because he didn't die of illness, but he committed suicide?
Or, more like...
Because it's not really a suicide, but a homicide?
Ooh, what a scary face.
But you know what?
It's not you who's the scary one.
It's the people who would do such a scary thing.
Saito-kun.
If you're going to turn back, it should be now.
Otherwise, you won't
be able to come back.
Huh? Murai-san.
What's going on?
Did you happen to know the deceased by any chance?
Did you get Daimon's statement?
- I only got a recording. - What did he say?
Well, it is surprisingly tear-jerking.
No, it's a slightly unexpected side of Daimon.
We got a good recording.
Daimon Toru was
a very good secretary to me.
He was also a good husband to my daughter.
I can't tell you how much his honesty
and his integrity has helped me all this time.
He also had enormous perseverance,
I regret that I didn't notice
the progression of his illness.
What are you doing?
Don't do that.
My body is breaking down again.
But I feel like
it makes me happy somewhere deep down.
Like there really are no good guys and bad guys.
Maybe my illness is my hope.
I'm hoping that I'll just break into tiny pieces.
In truth,
maybe I'm wishing for it myself.
Then I'll leave you with this video for tonight.
Wow They're beautiful, aren't they?
It's the Higanbana, a typical autumnal flower.
The flowers are very beautiful,
but the bulbs are poisonous, so please be careful.
See you tomorrow.
That's all for now. Thank you for your hard work.
Thank you for your hard work.
Thank you very much.
Thank you for your hard work.
Asakawa-san.
May I have a word? I'd like to discuss something with you.
- Yes - I wanted to put together a feature on the Olympic trials.
- Yes. - Asakawa-san, is there any event you're paying attention to?
I'm thinking of open water swimming....
What is it?
- Murai-san? - Get out of the way!
Hey, hey...
Ah, wait... Damn you!
Hey, that's dangerous...
- Son of a bitch! - Get back.
Fuck you! Fuck you, you assholes!
You all act like you're doing the right thing!
You call yourselves the press! Ah...
Watch out, watch out.
What is this "News 8"!
You rotten... rotten
You bastards!
Don't act so noble.
- What are you doing! - You're all liars!
Ahh!
Hey!
Ah! Fuck the press!
Stop it!
Someone stop him...
You... ah, let go.
Let go of me! Let go of me!
What the hell!
Ahh!
Right,
I'm hoping that I'll just break into tiny pieces.
In truth, maybe I'm wishing for it myself.
♪ [Mirage] ♪
♪ A profile struggling to reach the moon that will never be reached ♪ ♪ 届きはしない月に手を伸ばし もがく横顔 ♪
♪ Building in the shape of desire, it's a distorted waltz ♪ ♪ 欲望の形をしたビルディング 歪なワルツだ ♪
♪ There are things that no one can say, and they're blocking it out ♪ ♪ 誰にだって口に出せないことがあって 塞いでいる ♪
♪ The beast bit off the lead that I managed to get ♪ ♪ 自分で着けたリードを噛み切った獣 ♪
♪ Finish me off with a heart that's aching for you ♪ ♪ あなたに焦がれる胸を仕留めてくれ ♪
♪ Let's make vows in a place where it's lit ♪ ♪ 灯された場所で誓い交わそう ♪
♪ The heathen who destroys himself in a fire that's too strong ♪ ♪ あまりに強い火に身を滅ぼす異教徒 ♪
♪ Do not answer to fate. ♪ ♪ 運命に返事はしないでよ ♪
♪ There will be a judgment ♪ ♪ きっと下される裁き ♪
♪ Can't stop the fire ♪
♪ I want to believe. ♪ ♪ 信じたいんだ ♪