I remember the day I was born.
It was a clear morning in March.
A really nice day.
Even on a day like that
Daddy was worried about getting his new leather shoes wet.
I was really scared that Dad might drop me.
Daddy had a strange look on his face.
So I shook his hand.
Nice to meet you, Daddy.
Please take care of me, even though I may be an incompetent son.
There's no way I'd remember that, you say?
I'm not lying. I really do remember.
Because at that time...
Daddy was crying.
6 years later
2 weeks later
We apologize deeply
for causing great inconvenience and concern
to our customers.
Please clarify where the responsibility lies.
Why hasn't a formal apology been made to the injured party yet?
One question at a time, please.
I'm Sawamoto from Sanwa Shimbun.
Is it true that
there was nothing you could do to prevent
the recent injury accident?
Our company runs tests on a regular basis,
but unfortunately the defect did not surface during those tests.
-You're saying that's why the product continued to be sold. -Yes.
We find it extremely regrettable too
that such an accident occurred.
Let's quit lying.
This is your company's internal information
which demonstrates that 13 accidents had occurred
in the past 10 years.
Your former executive director testified for us.
He stated clearly that
the management was aware of the danger,
but continued to ignore the problem.
Regrettably,
that is solid proof that the apparent defect was
covered up by the organization.
Can I assume that
your non-denial means you're acknowledging this fact?
Oh, it's another article by your dad.
He's amazing. Are you going to be a gifted journalist like your dad when you grow up?
Yeah!
Do you want to read together? Yeah!
-Capybara-san is a rodent, you know. -Next please.
The ears are different on seal lions and seals.
-A seal's ear is a hole. -Next please.
The blue whale's like this.
It's bigger than a pool.
-Wak-kun's an animal expert, aren't you? -Not really~
-Shall I give you an "atta boy"? -Yeah!
-Tell me about this one next. -Okay.
I hereby award you the President's Award.
Congratulations.
President's award's getting old for you.
It's too much of a good thing.
They take up space at home.
This is still confidential, but
there's talk of your promotion to editor at the next round of personnel change.
It's almost unprecedented at your age. That's impressive.
Is that right? Getting away from the scene and taking it easy
...might not be a bad thing.
But the problem is whether I can count on these young guys.
Young guys, huh.
Kojima from your section...pay more attention to him.
In fact, we could even give him some time off.
You're so considerate, Buchou.
Getting cozy and chummy for a comfortable work environment.
That's why the other papers don't take us seriously.
I refuse to be a loser.
Tell me about kangaroos tomorrow, okay?
-Yeah! -See you.
Bye bye.
-Whose is this~? -Whose is this~?
-It's mine!
-Whose is this~? -It's mine.
Whose is this~?
It's Wak-kun's!
He calls himself Wak-kun. Dork~.
Dork. He's so girlie.
Mommy.
Mommy! I'm home!
Wak-kun's home!
I'm home.
They say getting promoted to editor at my age is unprecedented.
But then,
we don't have any decent talent around.
Was the Hirota Electronics press conference on the news?
Rabbits are surprisingly expressive with their emotions.
They have very expressive faces, like when they're mad or want to be cuddled
What happened. Bath's not even ready.
But when sad or painful things happen,
they may stop eating or get sick in the stomach.
Rabbits are very sensitive animals.
Hey, Waku. Hi.
Where's Mom?
Divorce Paper [Signed] Sawamoto Kaori
Since that day, my family became just me and Daddy.
Natto, mix mix. Natto, mix mix...
Hurry up and get ready for school.
Okay.
Where's Wak-kun's clothes?
Huh?
-Socks. -...Socks.
Hurry up and eat.
Any movement on the Hirota Electronics case?
Daddy~, the monster came! -Huh?
The one sock monster.
The one sock monster comes and takes one sock.
Just wear those for today.
If anything happens, you can call on this cell, okay?
Mom...went on a trip.
She'll be home soon.
That's right. Mommy told me she was going out.
Really? When?
She said she wanted to go to the amusement park and ride the pumpkin on the merry-go-round.
And...and... the one you ride on the elephant's back too...
Dad has to go to work.
Maruyama Sensei! Wake up, please. Time to get to work.
5 more minutes.
-Wake up~! -Taiyou!
-What the... -Hey! Get out, get out.
Hey, hey, hey! There's still some soup left.
I'm gonna nuke it and have it for lunch.
You have to eat a balanced meal.
Set an example for the children.
Then Yuka-chan, will you make my dinner tonight?
Sorry. I have no interest in divorced men.
-Hello. -Hello.
I'm looking for Maruyama Sensei of Pediatrics? -Yes~. That's me.
I'm the CLS, Konno Nanami. I'm going to be working here starting today.
CLS...Oh~.
This is Konno Nanami-san. She'll be working with you starting
-today as a CLS. -I'm Konno.
Um~ CLS is the acronym for Child Life Specialist.
In the U.S., we're recognized as a member of the medical team
who specialize in providing psychological and sociological support
to hospitalized children.
I got my degree at an American university myself,
and after completing my internship at Saint James Hospital...
Okay, okay! That's enough formal greeting.
This is Nanami-chan. Please help her out, everyone.
-Nice to meet you. -What is CLS?
I met her for the first time too, but... she's cute.
-Huh? -Then,
let's get to work.
Excuse me, Sensei. So where should I start...
For the time being, I'll leave it up to you, so do whatever you want.
Huh?
I'm counting on you to carry out your duties as the first CLS of our ward.
You can do it. You can do it!
You can do it?
Good morning.
-Kojima. -Yes.
Didn't you tell me yesterday that you couldn't interview the suspect's mother?
Yes.
Looks like the other papers were able to.
Yes. I'm sorry.
Um... She was quite elderly, and
sh..she was hospitalized due mental stress... -Explanation's too long. Say it in one sentence.
I'm sorry. I'll take the responsibility.
Responsibility?
Did you say responsibility?
Is there even such a thing as a responsibility you can take?
Prosecutor General Sawamoto
-is rigorously questioning the defendant. -He's going to hear you.
Answer right away. Don't waste my time.
I'm sorry.
Kojima, you're a kind-hearted guy, aren't you.
If you want to preserve that kindness,
you're better off volunteering or working for some human rights organization.
-What. -Nothing...I'm sorry.
I won't mess up next time. I'll go cover a story.
Hey, Sawa.
Don't be so hard on the young guy.
Things are different from our times.
Show me some results before you say stuff like that.
Tani-san, what was that special feature you did.
-There was hardly any content. -Chief.
About that incident in Minato-ku.
Excuse me.
Hello.
Is this Sawamoto-san?
Yes it is.
My name is Ninomiya, a lawyer.
Lawyer?
I'd like to set up with a meeting with you.
Regarding you and your wife's divorce.
Wak-kun!
What's wrong? You look down. Did something happen? Did you get bullied?
Are you sure? You can tell me anything.
Look! Waku has a cell phone.
You're not supposed to have a cell phone at school.
-Sensei~ Waku has a cell phone. -Don't!
-Sensei~! -That's my daddy's. Don't!
Wak-kun?
Are you alright, Wak-kun?
-Hello. -Hello, I'm
Waku-kun's teacher, Hosokawa.
Waku-kun was.. injured slightly at school.
However...
it was just a minor children's fight, and
the injury doesn't seem to be serious.
Can you come to the hospital?
We couldn't get in touch with your wife.
I understand.
Essentially, I need to go to the Meisei University Hospital, right?
Thank you.
There, all done.
It must have hurt when you fell on your hand.
This here is the bone of your hand.
It would have been bad if it broke,
but look closely. It's still in one piece.
It's just a little sprain. Not a big deal.
Do you hurt anywhere else?
-Oh... -Hm? What is it?
-This knee tingles.
Did you hit it when you fell?
Before that.
Before that?
Okay, Waku-kun,
If it still hurts next Monday,
come visit me again.
I'll let your teacher know.
-Okay. -Alright, all done for today.
Thank you.
-Oh, the one sock monster came. -Ahh, so that guy did it.
-Do you know him? -I know him.
That guy with one leg, right? He comes to my house all the time too.
See.
Okay, take care then.
-Bye. -Bye.
Your wife's demand is very simple.
She just wants you to sign the divorce paper.
I don't understand what you're saying at all.
Meaning...?
My wife isn't the kind of person to do something foolish like this.
Why, just yesterday she made breakfast as usual
and saw me off to work.
Our family had absolutely no problems until then.
And then this...No matter what, it's not like her to suddenly move out,
leaving our son behind, and talk about divorce.
It's possible she may have gotten entangled in some kind of incident.
This is the delegation agreement from your wife.
You have to accept the reality.
Anyway... Where's my wife?
Your wife is saying that
she doesn't want to see you.
-That's why I'm here as her representative... -Why do I have to
get your consent in order to see my wife?
Let me get some coffee.
I'll fix something to celebrate your move.
-I don't want to~! -What's wrong, Hana-chan?
-You did just fine yesterday. -I don't want owie!
Hana-chan, it's dangerous if you move.
No~!
Hana-chan, do you want to blow bubbles?
Look. You do it too, Hana-chan.
Good job.
One more time?
Sensei.
1, 2, 3.
Hana-chan, you did it without moving.
Good for you.
One more time?
How thoughtless of her to bring bubbles into a hospital ward.
Someone could slip and fall,
what is she going to do if a child drinks it by mistake?
Yes... But things worked out so...
I have a serious problem with her.
What's with this children's specialist business.
We understand children
much better than her.
Do we really need her here?
Now, now. Don't say that.
Excuse me...
Of course, I'll safeguard the bubbles and use it with caution.
It happened so suddenly, I'm sorry I didn't have the time to explain properly.
It's used routinely in American hospitals so...
This is a Japanese hospital.
Yes. I was able to contact the father once, but
I can't get in touch with him now. Yes.
He didn't sound particularly angry, so
I'll explain everything when he gets here. Yes.
Mr. Bunny...
will you be my friend?
-What's your name? -Wak-kun.
Wak-kun.
It's cute. Is it handmade?
Mommy made it.
Your mommy's good with sewing, huh?
She's good with everything.
She's good with drawing, and she's makes good bento too.
She makes good curry with fried egg on top.
Is that right. Then you must be proud of your mommy.
Are you sick, Onee-chan? No. I work here.
-Why? -Because hospital people wear white clothes.
But I am a hospital person.
So are you waiting for someone, Wak-kun?
He's been waiting for 2 hours already, but
no one's come to pick him up yet. What to do, huh?
I see.
Daddy!
Don't be a baby. You're a big boy now. I have to get back to work.
Are you his father?
Waku-kun's injury is a minor finger sprain.
Oh...I see. I'm in a hurry, so excuse us.
-Hey, let's go. -Wait a minute please.
Wak-kun was waiting for you for 2 hours.
-And you are...? -I'm the CLS.
That is, I work here at the hospital.
Let's go.
-I'm going back to work. -Mommy called.
And when was that?
She says she's playing at the amusement park so she can't come home.
-She said she rode the flying elephant. -You be good and watch the house.
I'm hungry!
There should be something in the fridge.
There's a monster in the fridge.
Don't make things difficult for me. I have work to do.
-What time are you coming home? -Go ahead and sleep first.
Thank you. Wel....
...come.
Can I have this, please.
That will be 95 yen.
-Please check this too. -Leave it there.
-Hello. Sawamoto. -This is Kojima.
Were you able to catch the ex-professor's voice?
Yes, that is...
He came back to his resident a short time ago
and it seems he left a comment admitting his misappropriation...
-It seems? -Um...
I got a tip that the chancellor who's been hiding out
was going to be attending a meeting,
-so I thought I might be able to get a scoop... -So you left the area?
What about the other papers?
I'm sorry.
We're going to miss out on the scoop.
-It's my responsibility. -Responsibility?
Well, fine. So?
-Excuse me? -You went to cover a story on your own, didn't you?
I take it that you got hold of some information that would top the others?
Did you or didn't you. If you didn't, you're a loser.
Hurry up and answer me. Don't waste my time.
-I'm sorry. -You're not suited for this job.
Um...next time...for sure...
Next time...
for sure...
Kondo-san?
You know that case of misappropriated funds at Chuo College of Science.
The ex-professor's residence...
Oh...so you were there after all.
Can you pass on the copy to us? Yes.
I'll make sure you're compensated generously. Yes...Thanks.
Hello.
What?
Fortunately, the fire alarm went off and we were able to prevent the fire.
Your child didn't sustain any injuries either.
But I'm not sure it's a good idea to leave
your child alone at night like this. We'll get going then.
What happened.
Mommy came home.
Mommy came home and was making your favorite
curry with fried egg on top but she messed up.
So Mommy went away again.
-Don't lie. -It's not a lie...
Don't lie!
But it's not a lie!
Sawamoto. It's about Kojima...
We almost missed out on a scoop because of him.
So what were you saying?
Kojima attempted suicide this morning at home.
I should have transferred him sooner.
It's my fault.
-And Kojima? -His family found him in time so they were able to save him.
I see...
If reporters committed suicide every time something like that happened,
they'll never have enough lives.
Something like that?
His behavior was clearly unusual the past few months.
He lost a lot of weight, and for such a conscientious guy,
he's been late for work and repeatedly made stupid mistakes.
More than anything else, his eyes were different.
Everyone noticed it.
That's why I asked you, his immediate supervisor, to pay more attention to him.
You mean you hadn't noticed anything?
I'm going to the hospital.
-Wait a minute. -You don't have to bother.
Take these.
Excuse me, is Mizushima...Yoko-san available?
May I ask who you are?
Oh...my wife used to work here.
Sawamoto-san.
Mizushima-san. It's been a while.
Last time was at the wedding?
Yoko, sorry to keep you waiting.
What's the meaning of this?
I'm planning to go back to work.
What's this all about.
What kind of performance are you giving? What is it that you don't like?
If there's something on your mind, speak up.
What are you dissatisfied with? Don't waste my time with something like this.
I work diligently and earn plenty of money.
I'm providing a lifestyle for you that's more than enough.
I can expect gratitude but not this kind of treatment.
Am I wrong? If I'm wrong, tell me.
。
You're the same even at a time like this.
You always talk like that.
I'm right. You're wrong.
So what? What's the point in flaunting your righteousness at home.
You know, I
regretted quiting my job for a long time.
When Waku was a baby,
I was getting treated for parenting neurosis.
I'd been thinking about getting a divorce for years.
You didn't know anything, did you?
You weren't interested in anything I had to say anyway.
I'm sorry, but I have nothing more to say to you.
The time for that is long gone.
You'll never understand how I feel.
It's not just me.
You don't understand anyone else's feelings either.
Because you're not looking at anyone.
The 7 years I spent with you was a mistake.
About the divorce. I conveyed my intention to my lawyer.
What are you going to do about Waku.
How are you going to explain this to him?
You..do you even consider yourself a mother?
He...knows everything.
He's known for a long time.
Where are we going?
Wak-kun.
From now on, this is Wak-kun and Mommy's house.
From now on, Wak-kun and Mommy, just the 2 of us, will live here.
You don't have to worry about a thing.
Nothing's going to change.
Actually, we're going to have more fun.
The school's just minutes from here and there's an animal park nearby too.
Rabbits and squirrels and even raccoons are there.
On our days off, we'll take our sketchbook,
pack a lunch, and go there. Okay?
Okay, let's get curtains out.
What about Daddy?
Isn't Daddy going to be with us?
Did you have a fight with Daddy?
Mommy
can't live with Daddy anymore.
It's going to get dark soon if we don't hurry.
Come on, Wak-kun, give me a hand.
Wak-kun!
Let's go home..Let's go home!
I can't go home.
Let's go home.
Mommy can't go back to that house anymore.
I can't live with Daddy anymore.
Let's go, Wak-kun.
Ouch.
I hate you, Mommy.
I hate you!
Why...how come..
Why...
This is it for Mommy.
I can't stand it anymore.
Please do as Mommy says.
Please. Please, Wak-kun.
Mommy...
Oh, that's right. I remember now.
Daddy said this secretly just to Wak-kun.
He said "I had a fight with Mommy so I should tell her I'm sorry."
Daddy was saying I'm sorry to Mommy.
So you can make it up with Daddy.
Let's go home, Mommy.
Let's go home...
I'm home.
Hurry up and go to bed.
What, dinner's not ready yet?
I'm sorry.
It's gonna make the front page tomorrow.
The husband of that congresswoman who committed suicide because of parenting neurosis.
It's our exclusive coverage.
I don't know if he's trying to evade responsibility, feeling guilty, or what, but man, he talked and talked.
"There weren't any symptoms." "I didn't notice anything at all."
He had one excuse after another.
-Really? -Record the morning news.
You're the only one who didn't know.
He lies to me all the time too.
Daddy said he really loves Mommy.
Daddy said he wants to go to the amusement park with Mommy.
He desperately tries to lie to me.
No matter what kind, I guess a father's a father.
In the end, he can't abandon you.
Don't come to see me anymore.
Kaori.
What are you doing? Watching the dandelion seeds blow away.
I see.
You know, Mommy called a little while ago.
She said she was watching all the animals at the zoo, and stayed there too long.
So she said she can't come home today.
I'm not lying.
She said she saw
rabbits and squirrels and capybara-san and emperor penguins too.
And Mommy said only to me that
Mommy loves Daddy.
Waku...
You...don't have to lie anymore.
Why?
Why didn't you go with Mom?
Because Wak-kun has to
bring Daddy's newspaper every morning, and
Wak-kun has to
mix mix Daddy's natto too.
Because...
if Wak-kun went away too
Daddy will be all alone.
Daddy is a very strange creature.
He's grumpy and he's bossy.
Sometime he gets distracted
and forgets all about his family.
Even though he's that kind of Daddy, please don't give up on him.
Please keep on loving him.
Because Daddy's really
a softy and he doesn't like to be alone.
But even then...
he doesn't know how to cry.
Daddy is a very sad creature.
Your son has acute lymphocytic leukemia.
I was abandoned by my child.
Wak-kun got sick because he was a bad boy, right?
Waku.
I'll raise my son myself.