Japan Fair Trade Commission
Towards Fair and Free competition
Do you know what a monopoly is?
Yes.
Monopoly
What is a monopoly?
Teacher Koshobu Tsutomu
Student Shirokuma Kaede
A monopoly is when a business restricts competition in a market by
excluding other businesses from entering the market.
"Almost, but not quite"
How would you put it more simply?
Yes.
No Competition!
No, no way!!
Business Partners
Newly arrived rival firms
We'll pay you a lot of money for handling it.
If you give us a lot of money for rewards, we won't sell other products.
It's expensive, but they're the only ones selling it.
It's pushing rivals aside and taking everything for yourself.
When you have no enemies, you can do whatever you want.
What is a monopoly?
"Correct"
But having no rivals is...
kind of boring, isn't it?
Hm?
Guardians of Competition
Wait, that's not what I meant.
What about the kimono tailoring we requested?
We won't be able to meet the deadline for the new exhibition.
I'm sorry, but you'll have to find another craftsman.
- Sakai, please wait. - No, no...
Let me go, please.
I'm here to pick you up. Sakai, please come in.
House of Akabane - President Akabane Chihiro
President Chihiro.
Have a nice day.
Please do business with us from now on.
5 Seasons President Ide Kasumi
New Inspector Shirokuma Kaede
Your home improvement center
is forcing your subcontractors to buy power tools that are not selling well.
There must be some mistake.
Oh, what's this?
Isn't that your seal on the invoice too?
Inspector Momozono Chiyoko
That's because...
You're being entertained by the president of the manufacturer, aren't you?
Ah! That's...
Ah...
Hmm.
You'll tell us everything, won't you?
Yes.
Momozono's skill at forcing a confession puts detectives to shame.
Well, we JFTC inspectors have our own tricks up our sleeve.
Hasn't Koshobu taught you anything at all?
Not at all. Koshobu has not taught me a single thing directly.
Well, it looks that way, but Koshobu has his good points too.
- Eh, like what? - His academic achievement.
What else?
- Education... - It's nothing but education.
What are you doing?
Ah! That's the evidence we confiscated
during the on-site inspection the other day.
Inspector Rokkaku Kosuke
Koshobu said we should check if it's real or not.
But you don't actually have to wear it.
I thought we could learn more if we wore it.
Inspector Koshobu Tsutomu
Like what? What if feels to be a warlord?
Aargh! It's no good!
Team Cap Kazami Shinichi
It's too heavy, I can't peel it at all.
Shall I cut it off?
Careful, careful, careful...
Please don't pull that out. Please take it off already.
Someone help me with this.
That's dangerous...
I'll have a tangerine.
These were sent from Mamori's parents' house, they're sweet.
DFT Konno Mamori
Eh... Oh, then I'll have one too.
Ah, this one, this one.
I'll dig in.
Some of them aren't very sweet, so there might be some exceptions
Sweet!
Hmm... this might be an exception.
I knew it.
If you knew, then tell me.
- How did you know? - Oh, that's...
Aargh! I can't take it off at all!
Who tied a knot here!
Me.
Yes. This is Bureau 6.
This time, the case involves a kimono shop called House of Akabane.
I've heard of House of Akabane.
It's a major kimono shop with several chain stores.
The head office is located in the Chuo Ward, and it has a monopoly in that area.
It seems that there are obstructions to new stores trying to enter the market.
Obstruction?
- You mean a private monopoly? - Yes.
The one who's interfering is Akabane Chihiro, the President of House of Akabane.
She's also the president of the Kanto Kimono Association,
and is known as the "empress" who controls the industry.
Wow~ She's a beautiful one, isn't she?
The one who provided us with the information is
the president of a kimono store called Five Seasons, Ide Kasumi.
Our mission this time is to prove this obstruction by House of Akabane as a private monopoly.
Everyone, I'm seriously depending on you.
Does Cap seem a little tense?
He's freaking out because Honjo is away on a business trip.
It's alright!
We've got to work as a team here....
- Don't eat tangerines! - Huh?
Is he okay?
Don't eat tangerines while listening!
Then, with your left hand, fold back the tips of your fingers and place them inside kimono sash.
You're still so clumsy, Shirokuma.
No... or rather, Koshobu...
It's okay.
You may wear a kimono once in your lifetime, or even not at all.
No.
Kimonos can be worn not only on special occasions, but also for everyday wear.
Once you get used to it, it will bring out your heart and soul.
I agree with you.
Oh, are you married?
Of course not, we're siblings.
- My sister. - Ah, your sister.
Thank you~.
I thought if she learned how to dress here,
she would become more feminine...
And?
That's not true.
You look very beautiful.
Not really.
All you have to do is tie it in front. Well then, please take your time.
She has a good eye, doesn't she?
She's just flattering you.
Here is a new piece of kimono fabric that we brought specially for you today.
It's lovely.
Please have a look. This one suits you too.
Ah, it's beautiful.
It's a popular hand-painted Yuzen.
A vividly dyed pattern of flowers, birds, winds, and the moon on silk cloth. This is said to be the original idea of Miyazaki Yuzenzai, a Kyoto painter of the mid-Edo period.
It's about 300,000 yen.
Eh, expensive... I'm sorry.
It's value for money.
That's right, it's great value for money.
Ah, but this is pretty heavy.
- Yes, it is. - Excuse me.
- May I have this one? - Yes.
- Excuse me, this way, please. - Yes, please wait.
Stop standing around and work quickly!
Scary.
She's indeed an empress.
President Chihiro originally ran a small kimono shop.
She changed the company name to House of Akabane about 5 years ago.
She gradually expanded the size of the store
Now it is one of the largest kimono stores in the Kanto region.
You used to work at House of Akabane, didn't you?
Yes, when President Chihiro started House of Akabane,
I worked under her.
Why is there a sash in between the fabrics?
- I'm sorry. - Display shelves are supposed to be beautiful.
Yes, I'll put them back right away.
Why don't you have the prices memorized?
I'm sorry.
I'm so embarrassed you had to see that.
I couldn't keep up with the President's strict ways.
So I quit last year.
That's why I consulted with Kurita-san, a management consultant,
Management Consultant Kurita Masashi
and started Five Seasons.
The products sold at House of Akabane
are aimed at the wealthy.
Our strategy is aimed at young people.
The inside of the store certainly has a stylish atmosphere.
The front of the store is also neatly cleaned.
The front of a store is an important part of the customer's experience.
Oh?
This is the same fabric that was recommended at House of Akabane earlier.
Don't touch it so casually.
It's 300,000 yen.
No, this one is 50,000 yen.
50,000 yen. That's cheap.
Even if they're the same, we sell them at a lower price.
Why is the price so different?
One of the reasons kimonos are so expensive in the first place
is the wholesaler system.
Kimono Distribution Channels
Textile Manufacturer
Regional Manufacturer
General Wholesaler
Local Wholesaler
Retailer
Kimono
Generally, a kimono goes through several stores, from textile manufacturer to the wholesalers,
before finally reaching the retailer.
This pushes up the final prices.
‎ ‎ Prices can get expensive‎ ‎
Therefore, we make a contract directly with the weaver, not through a wholesaler,
so that we can offer high quality kimonos at low prices.
‎ ‎ Lower Prices‎ ‎
Changes in Kimono Retail Sales
The kimono industry was once said to be a 2 trillion yen market.
Now it is only one-sixth of that amount.
The nature of the industry must also change.
But just as our business was finally getting back on track
our craftsmen started cutting their contracts with us.
President Chihiro must have had something to do with it.
she put pressure on them.
I wanted to promote kimonos to the younger generation.
That's what I thought when I started this store.
But if things continue like this...
You can't allow that.
Hand-painted Yuzen
It was pressure from Akabane Chihiro after all.
I checked with some of the business partners,
but they didn't say anything, probably out of fear of her.
If nothing comes out of this...
Cap will be held responsible.
Stop it! Really, stop it.
Do you have any better ideas?
Then let's hear it directly from her.
What?
Let me interview Akabane Chihiro.
No, no... because we don't have any evidence yet...
It's because we need evidence. I'll make her confess.
Hey... hey...
Momozono...
What's up with her?
I see.
This is it.
Ah! Isn't that Akabane Chihiro?
Why?
Well, a few years ago, I remember the JFTC investigated a kimono store.
A different name back then, but the same private monopoly was suspected.
Then, did Momozono cross paths with Akabane Chihiro back then?
I'm sure we weren't able to prove it back then.
CLOSED
So she has a history with her.
And this case, of all cases...
It can't be helped! I didn't notice, okay.
This is Momozono's revenge.
Akabane Chihiro, let's bring her in.
Excuse me. Please come in.
I'm Momozono, in charge of the hearing. Please have a seat.
It's finally time for revenge after seven years.
It's been a while. Do you remember?
I believe your name was Momozono when we met before.
Does that mean you've been single ever since then?
Well, that's not unreasonable,
working in such a plain, unattractive job.
Oh, why don't you train to be a bride at my shop?
Whaaat...
- What was that? - She's taken the first preemptive punch.
Thank you for your concern.
But if you consider a woman who is not married to be unhappy...
It seems your sense of values are still stuck in the Showa era.
The Showa era was from 1926 to 1989
As expected of Momozono, what a brilliant counterattack.
You've been left behind by current trends.
And because you live in an old industry...
that's why your thinking is also exclusive.
Exclusive?
You are putting pressure on your business partners to obstruct
new rivals who are trying to enter the market.
Obstruct...
You...
forcibly extracted Sakai, a kimono craftsman, from a certain kimono store.
I see.
Was it Ide who informed the JFTC?
I'm the one asking the questions.
Ide is really ungrateful, isn't she?
I stood by her side for so many years, and this is how she returns the favor.
I heard you two had a falling out in the end.
She was talking big about changing the industry, wasn't she?
I scolded her, telling him she wasn't ready to go independent yet.
But she didn't listen to my advice.
So that's why you pulled out her craftsmen?
If that was so, what of it?
She admitted it.
Okay, this is going to work.
Just a little more.
You admit it?
It's an example.
More importantly...
Did Sakai say he was pressured by me?
He didn't say that.
Without clear evidence,
you are not able to punish, are you?
It's just like before.
Remember? What you said before I left.
Nothing came out of it after all.
I think it's time for me to go.
Even if you survive today,
sooner or later you'll be finished.
I beg your pardon?
A world without competition will surely perish.
Don't forget that.
It's been 7 years since then.
Instead of perishing, I'm prospering.
That means I was right.
I don't mind if you do a little research.
More than that...
please don't bully the weak.
Bully the weak...
You're the one who's bullying, aren't you?
Then can't you punish President Chihiro?
But we'll find some way to get proof.
For the sake of the kimono industry, I'm depending on you.
SHOP CLOSURE
Actually, the other day,
another kimono shop called House of Wakura was forced to close.
You don't mean President Akabane...?
I don't know how much longer we can hold out...
Momozono?
Oh!
Momozono, did you come to talk to Ide too?
Well... yeah.
I don't know how to say it, but...
You're saying I'm taking her side?
That's right.
I told you before, Shirokuma.
It's the lowest form of conduct for a public agency to be influenced by the subjects of an investigation.
I was preaching all these ideals to you,
but when it comes to myself, I let my emotions get the better of me.
Seven years ago, because I wasn't strong enough,
a number of stores closed down.
I don't want to repeat that tragedy.
It seems to be repeating itself.
House of Wakura
Another kimono shop just closed,
SHOP CLOSURE
due to Akabane Chihiro.
Oh no...
Please come to Five Seasons.
Please come to Five Seasons, a kimono shop.
We also deal in casual kimonos.
Please take a look.
It's okay, isn't it? To take sides.
Since I joined the JFTC,
I've been doing nothing but reading documents and other menial tasks.
I still get fed up with a lot of it.
But when I was a detective, I couldn't see
the people who were suffering.
But you can help them in the JFTC.
I really want to be of more help,
but Koshobu doesn't teach me much.
It's just...
I want to value the feeling of wanting to help.
That's why I think it's good.
I think it's good to put your feelings into each and every case.
Thank you, Shirokuma.
It's Koshobu.
Please stop by the Five Seasons.
Yes, this is Shirokuma.
Eh?
Uh, Koshobu... What do you want to talk about?
I'm sorry, please repeat what you said earlier.
Please don't tell anyone you heard this from me, okay?
Ah... Yes.
President Chihiro was paying attention to Ide more than anyone else.
In that customer's case,
a Tsukesage or a visiting gown would have be better, you know.
Tsukesage is method of patterning traditional Japanese clothing where the tops of all of the patterns are pointed at the highest part of the shoulder
She had high expectations of her.
That's why she trained her so strictly.
Don't make decisions by yourself.
This leftover Komon,
Komon is a type of fabric pattern with fine stencil dyeing all over the cloth.
return it to Makitaya-san and apologize.
But when Ide decided to leave House of Akabane,
that was the worst fight I've ever seen.
Yes. I'll visit tomorrow.
What, you're not ready yet? Everyone is waiting!
Uhm.
We're just short of one model.
Mo...
I attended your hearing, so I deserve this much, don't I?
No, but...
- Hurry up! - Yes!
Hey Koshobu, you didn't say anything about being a model.
Koshobu!
What are you looking at? Security cameras?
I asked President Akabane if I could see it, and she said yes.
Isn't that great?
Oh, what'd you find?
Here, here, here, look, look...
She's handing something over.
Do you recognize this person?
He's the owner of House of Kusano, isn't he?
Don't tell me this is a bribe.
What type of person is he?
All I know is that he's a wholesaler who's close to the President...
I'm looking into House of Akabane's obstruction of other stores.
Do you know anything about it?
You're so persistent, I told you I don't know anything.
Sorry to trouble you. Can you to tell us the details of the pressure you received from House of Akabane?
- I can't, I can't. - That's enough!
You've known House of Akabane for a long time, right?
- Can you tell me something? - I don't know anything.
- Get out of my way. - I won't budge.
- Please. - Please.
Who told you that our store is in danger?
No, it seems the government's been investigating various things lately.
Don't worry. We have nothing to hide.
It's not that I'm doubting you.
We're just concerned about various things.
As for future transactions...
- I'll have to think about it a little. - That's right.
- Well then, if you'll excuse me. - Wait a minute!
Wouldn't pink look good on you?
They have more customers now, don't they?
It's thanks to the actions of everyone at the JFTC.
It seems the craftsmen have started to distance themselves from House of Akabane,
and they've even said they'd be willing to do business with us.
I'm glad.
Oh, so I was wondering if you could tell me a little more about House of Akabane.
I'm sorry. Some other time?
All the schools around here are having a graduation ceremony this weekend.
So we're inundated with orders for dresses.
Ide! A customer wants to see you.
Oh, excuse me.
It's great, isn't it?
The number of young customers has increased.
I guess so...
We can't let our guard down yet.
We need to go all out from here.
On-site inspection? At House of Akabane?
Their business partners are keeping their distance from House of Akabane.
I'm sure we'll find something if we dig around.
But what would Honjo say...
Ah... What about that? The security cameras.
Didn't you go talk to the wholesaler called House of Kusano?
- I can't reach him. - Eh?
While the Chief Inspector is out of town, Cap is in charge of things, right?
If Cap can convince the committee, we can do an on-site inspection.
Well, that's true.
Wouldn't it be better to stop?
Eh?
Are you saying we should let House of Akabane's oppresion go unchecked?
Isn't it enough already?
Even the customers are returning to Five Seasons.
Akabane Chihiro may try to put pressure on other businesses again.
We have to beat her now.
But the business partners are all saying she didn't do anything.
They're too afraid of her to say anything.
What if we do and fail?
Doing nothing is a failure!
Seven years ago, we couldn't go through with the on-site inspection.
If we had done it then, things would have been different.
Raise it up this time. Please, Cap.
I'll make sure I prove House of Akabane has a private monopoly.
By all means.
Chief Inspector Honjo isn't here, right.
That's right.
You don't have any evidence, do you?
- Evidence.... - Do you have a chance of succeeding?
Well....
Permission....
I got it.
Thank you!
Okay, let's make arrangements.
- Call Rokkaku. I'll be in the archives. - Yes, sir.
Where are you going?
Just going to return the armor.
Why do you have to go now?
We have to set up the on-site inspection first.
That's selfish.
Is Koshobu coming or not?
Enough of that guy.
We'll make sure to get evidence.
Okay, let's go.
Well, well, well. What can I do for you?
We are the JFTC.
Pursuant to Article 47, Paragraph 1, Item 4 of the Antimonopoly Act.
We will be conducting an on-site inspection.
- Why the sudden hassle? - Feel free to go ahead.
We have nothing to hide.
Please take your time and take a look.
However, if you don't find anything...
Momozono, you understand, don't you?
All of you, go back to work.
Yes.
She seems awfully calm?
She's putting on a brave front. I'm sure there's evidence.
I don't know...
You haven't found anything yet?
I looked through all the confiscated documents, but I haven't found any evidence yet...
Hey, hey, hey.
Not finding anything is unacceptable.
Something will come up.
I can't find anything. Why...
Good work.
Koshobu.
Don't say "Good work." I'm exhausted.
You're right. Here, take this.
What, tangerines again?
Oh, if you don't want them...
I want it! I want to eat!
Where have you been?
I was away for a little while.
Oh, how's it going? Did you find anything?
- Well... - I'll find something for sure.
That's enough, Shirokuma.
We've gone this far and still nothing.
We have no choice but to give up now.
No way...
If I think about it from House of Akabane's point of view,
to investigate any further would indeed be overkill.
It's not fair.
Momozono.
This is the result of being influenced by the subject.
I should be disqualified from the JFTC.
What do we do? What do I tell the committee...
"Nothing came of it."
I think it's okay to say that.
It's not so simple! We got nothing, you know?
No, there's one thing we did find out.
- Huh? - What is it that we found out?
What do you think?
House of Akabane
hasn't done anything that violates the Antimonopoly Law.
Right?
What are you saying? There's no way that's true.
Why not? Nothing came out of it.
And the business partners are denying that they were pressured by Akabane Chihiro, right?
That's because they're afraid of her...
You're guessing, right?
Ide said there was pressure.
What if that was a lie?
I went to House of Wakura while everyone else went for the on-site inspection.
No, no, there was no pressure from House of Akabane.
It's not true?
We closed down because we couldn't keep up with the changing times.
The kimono industry is struggling.
There was no pressure...
Then why did Ide tell such a lie?
First of all, who stands to benefit most of all...
from this investigation?
It's thanks to the actions of everyone at the JFTC.
No way...
There were over 100 reservations for dressings alone.
It's thanks to the damage to House of Akabane's reputation.
But...
are you really okay with it?
The weak have their own way of fighting.
Besides,
this is for the sake of the kimono industry.
When did you start to suspect Five Seasons?
It's not that I suspected them, but more like some things were strange.
Because, you know, even for the same product,
Five Seasons's products were slightly different.
Different?
Tangerines that are not sweet have less juice, so they are lighter.
Here. Oh, I'll dig in.
- ...this might be an exception. - I knew it.
It's the same with armor.
The metal parts of a fake armor are made of an alloy,
so it's lighter than the real thing.
Is that why you went to return it?
And Five Seasons's fabrics...
Compared to the ones at House of Akabane, they were lighter.
Ah, but this is pretty heavy.
Even if they're the same, we sell them at a lower price.
It was written in the pamphlet I saw at House of Akabane.
It said "Fine fabrics are made of multiple layers of expensive silk, which makes them heavier."
I bought some Five Seasons fabrics and am having Rokkaku check them out.
It's just as you predicted, Koshobu.
Five Seasons's fabrics are made of something other than silk.
More than half of it was synthetic fiber.
Test Result
Synthetic fiber blends accounted for more than half of the fibers in the composition.
Synthetic fiber!?
Thank you.
It's all well and good to sell them cheap,
but to sell them with synthetic fibers mixed in, and passing them off as the real thing?
That's a bad idea, isn't it?
- The sashes has arrived. - Thank you very much.
It's finally happening tomorrow, isn't it?
- Hello. - Hello.
I'm sorry, I'm busy right now.
I was able to examine the material of this fabric.
Would you mind if we discuss this thoroughly at the JFTC office?
Ide?
I refuse.
Because it's voluntary, isn't it?
Huh?
- Is that even possible!? - It's not impossible.
We were set up. What the hell!?
- Please don't hit at me. - I'm not.
Hello?
At Five Seasons, craftsmen and contractors are terminating their contracts one after another.
It seems that several payments to these contractors have gone unpaid.
That sounds terrible.
I wonder what they're going to do about the kimono preparations.
No, why so suddenly...
Can't we do something about it?
We have over 100 appointments for dressing tomorrow morning.
They won't be able to receive their kimonos.
I heard that your store is dirty.
If we do business with a store like that, it will affect our credibility.
Please.
I'm sorry, but you'll have to find someone else.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you all on duty now?
I'm sorry.
But Five Seasons are in trouble.
They won't be able to get over 100 people dressed tomorrow.
They're being punished.
Oh? I see.
Do you need something else?
I came to apologize today.
My mistake the other day caused a lot of trouble.
Please accept my deepest apologies.
You remember, don't you?
However, if you don't find anything...
you understand, don't you?
Yes. I'm prepared for that.
I'm terribly sorry. Um... please wait a little longer.
Please.
Can you lend me even one kimono?
We will find a way to pay you.
You again? That's why I told you I wasn't going to the hearing.
I have appointments for dressings today. I don't have time for that.
But you don't have kimonos and staff ready, do you?
That's...
Can you please just be honest with us...
I don't want to.
If you hadn't snooped around in the first place, none of this would have happened.
I'm suing you for obstruction of business.
That's enough!
President Chihiro.
Take the Furisode and Hakama sets first.
Furisode is a kimono with long embroidered sleeves tailored to a longer length, and is generally the first formal dress for unmarried women. It is often worn at coming-of-age ceremonies and wedding receptions to celebrate turning 20. Hakama is a type of kimono that is worn on the lower half of the body.
This way, please.
Momozono, start with these cardboard boxes in front.
- Keep handing them over. - Yes. Please take care of it.
- It's heavy. - Okay.
This is...
This store can only dress 20 people at a time.
If we use the space in our store, we should be able to accommodate a few more.
Guide the customers there. We don't have much time.
Yes.
President Chihiro.
I'll take care of this. You go talk to them properly.
You made a false tip to the JFTC,
had House of Akabane investigated,
and sabotaged their business, didn't you?
- Why? - It's obvious.
It's for the kimono industry.
As long as that person is in control,
the kimono industry will continue to decline.
In order to break the old structure, some extreme measures are necessary.
You also said the other time, that President Akabane pulled out
Sakai, a kimono craftsman to work for her.
Actually, I've looked into it since then.
It seems that he was selling several pieces of poor quality fabric
under the false pretense that they were top grade.
In other words, the reason she pulled Sakai out
was not to suppress you,
but to prevent any more bad quality products from being sold on the market.
In fact, President Akabane immediately terminated her relationship with Sakai.
But it's strange, isn't it?
If she had talked to us from the beginning,
we wouldn't have suspected her like that.
And you know the owner of House of Kusano, right?
Yes, I do.
President Akabane gave that man something suspicious.
But why?
What?
No. Why did she
willingly show the security camera footage?
Because it would only make her own position worse.
Besides, the contents of the envelope weren't suspicious at all.
- Pictures of kimonos? - Yes.
Craftsmen, you know, don't often get a chance to see
how their fabrics are transformed into kimonos.
Then the reason President Akabane was so eager to bow to you...
Ah.
She asked me to take care of Ide.
The kimono industry from now on.
should be led by young people like Ide.
She's just starting out on her own and seems to be in a hurry with everything.
I'm sure what I have to say will fall on deaf ears.
But Ide will wake up one day,
and I'm sure she will spread the charm of kimonos.
Please help her then.
I'm counting on you.
It's not just Kusano.
She's going around to other wholesalers and craftspeople, too.
It doesn't matter if it's a small job,
Ide will do her best to meet your expectations.
Ide and I love kimonos.
Please watch over her warmly.
I'm planning to hold an exhibition of her new works.
Please visit us.
No way...
Even about today...
You remember, don't you?
Yes, I'm prepared for it.
Then please do what I say right away.
Momozono-san.
Please lend me your strength.
Come on, everyone. Let's pick up the pace a little more.
Yes.
Why...
It's to protect you.
The reason she showed me the security camera footage,
was to continue to provoke the JFTC.
She did all that to divert suspicion away from you.
But why did she do it for me?
Because you are her disciple.
Aren't you?
In your heart, you still consider her your mentor.
That's why your store front
is so thoroughly cleaned, isn't it?
Why do you insist on such a clean storefront?
That's because...
Hello. It must be hard work even though you're busy.
The storefront is for welcoming customers...
It's a face that is important.
You said it, didn't you?
It was all for the sake of the kimono industry.
But that's not true, is it?
You just wanted to climb to the top, didn't you?
For your own desires.
You deceived everyone.
And showed contempt to your beloved kimonos.
Is that all you could sense
from the back of your master?
Have a safe trip.
I'm off.
We've finished dressing all the guests.
Good work, everyone.
Then let's clean up.
Momozono.
Thank you.
It's all thanks to you.
No, it's not...
It's not just from this time.
Because of what you said 7 years ago,
I changed.
Even if you survive today,
sooner or later you'll be finished.
A world without competition will surely perish.
Don't forget that.
Back then,
I was only thinking about my own success.
And then I came to the realization,
that our industry had completely weakened.
You were right.
But I will revive it someday.
Because I have
a fresh competitor named Ide, right?
So please continue with your work
of continuing to watch over the competition.
I look forward to working with you.
Yes!
"What you could sense from your master's back"?
Koshobu does say some nice things too.
Well... my opinion of him has improved slightly.
Shirokuma!
What's going on?
Koshobu has a present for you.
Eh, for me? Eh, me?
Hurry, hurry...
Cap, this way.
What?
Oh! What? Eh...
Don't tell me this is for me?
Nope.
I forgot to return this to House of Akabane.
Ah, this is the present.
If you're training to be a bride, by all means come to House of Akabane.
Now accepting students!
Leave it to us!
Perfect dressing in one month!
Wow...
Congratulations.
Consider this your modeling debut.
I'm going to a meeting about a new project.