Let's become Bounty Hunters!
"My name is Isaka Rei."
"Currently, 4 of us friends are active Bounty Hunters."
"The eager housewife wanting reward money to supplement her living expenses, Wakui Kazumi."
"The one wanting the rewards as getaway money from her DV husband."
"Suzuki Machiko. (pseudonym)"
"A junior of mine who craves excitement more than any reward money. Motomura Jun."
"And, my younger sister Akane's daughter, Haru."
"However recently we haven't gotten any reward money..."
"...so we hurriedly reconsidered things."
"Is Justice profitable?"
"What is Justice?"
"What is money?"
Hello, good afternoon.
Ah, nothing for today.
I'll be counting on you again. Thanks for the business!
Yes!
"Gondo-san!"
"If there had been a need for us to rush in, we would have been rushing into that."
"I'm... quitting."
"There's a possibility all of us could become victims of wrongdoers."
"We may be stabbed."
"That's why I won't say we have to do this together."
"You have to decide for yourselves what you are going to do."
I guess the team will break up...
Welcome home.
You aren't going to do any business again today?
It's still before the start of business.
I mean about being Bounty Hunters.
Ah...
Maybe so.
The two of us should do it.
This one here looks interesting.
No way. This isn't a game, you know.
I know that.
Then you should know that there's no way! Haru-chan, how are you doing on your mission?
Finding Mama?
Kinda weird, isn't it?
Her meeting our next-door neighbor Hitomi-san like that.
"Nothing strange has occurred?"
"Strange?"
Something strange...
Nothing in particular has happened.
That's true, but...
Ah, Haru-chan, welcome back.
I'm back.
Have you heard from Machiko-san?
Nope.
She didn't come in to buy a bento last night, did she?
Doesn't look like she's dropped by the Home Center, either.
I wonder where she could have gone?
I also checked her usual Net Cafe, but she wasn't there.
Could it be...
...she's run off on us?
Eh?! That'd be a problem!
- I loaned her money. - How much?
200,000 yen. ($2,500)
That's what little savings you have.
Yes, yes.
Haru-chan, how do you know of my family's circumstances?
She's borrowed from Jun-chan, too, so she might not return any more!
This is bad!
Make sure!
Verify it right now!
Jun-chan's up there.
Jun-chan! About Machiko-san...
Not up there.
Eh?
Thank you very much.
Not at all.
Would you like something to drink?
"Small Restaurant Akinai"
Yes, then I'll take these away.
- Take these, please. - I'll take them.
- Here, this is ready. - I'll take it.
You two seem to be in harmony, don't you?
Really?
Even though I've been teaching her, her cooking hasn't improved.
Sorry about that.
- Here. - Yes.
Welcome!
This is my first time here; is that okay?
Come in, come in. We don't have any sort of membership system here.
Yaohachi-san.
Have a seat.
Yes, thank you.
We only have ill-bred regulars here, but please feel at ease.
Here you go.
What'll you have to drink?
- Then, a beer. - Yes!
I recently moved to this area, so I've been exploring the neighborhood a bit.
The snack bar next door is really good, too.
- Is that right. - Here you go.
Thank you.
My name is Ito. Nice to meet you.
"Snack Bar - Hitomi" Ikari ni hisomu Lurking in anger
Makoto no kokoro o shiru wa mori no sei The spirits of the forest who know the truth of the heart
Mononoke-tachi... The mononokes...
He's completely recovered.
Wouldn't singing in falsetto like that open his wounds again?
It's be good if he were hospitalized for a year.
Thank God that's over.
Ah... refreshing!
My 20,000 yen!
- What's this? - Return what you ripped me off of.
The hospitalization fees were pretty stiff.
That's covered by insurance, isn't it? Plus, you get worker's compensation.
I guess. Ah, ow, ow, ow...
The point is, once you left the hospital...
...you should have stopped over at my place first, shouldn't you?
Well...
...thank you very much.
You gave me the power to live.
Well, it wasn't that big a deal.
Thinking about how I could have ended up dying in your arms...
...I was desperate to fight my way back from the River Styx, right Hitomi-chan?
- Hey you... - That's me! Okay!
Ow, ow...
Geez, hey! Someone rip out his tongue!
Aoi umi kara yattekita... Coming from the deep blue sea...
Hello?
Ala, Machiko-san? Hang on a minute.
Machiko-san, where are you?
Machiko-san...
Yes.
I've brought some medicine, but it'd be better if you went to the hospital instead.
I can't, can't.
You've been in bed for over a week, haven't you?
If pneumonia and bronchitis are aggravated, it'll become serious.
It's not that.
Eh?
What is this uneasiness?
Uneasiness?
This feeling...
...could it be...
I don't know what you're talking about, but for now, let's get you to a hospital.
Here, I'll carry you piggyback. Here.
I don't have any insurance.
That's right, you're trying to stay disappeared, aren't you?
I know that'd cost a lot of money.
Worry about money later. Your health is what's important.
But...
Justice is profitable.
Heiwa Fansubs Presents: HUNTER ~Sono Onnatachi, Shoukinkasegi~ HUNTER ~These Women are Bounty Hunters~
Episode 8: "The DV Husband's Cruel True Face. The Vanished Younger Sister's a Murder Suspect"
That's why, against her will, I dragged her to the hospital.
And so she's hospitalized?
Yeah. Like I thought, it's the strain.
They said they'd hospitalize her for a few days and see how her condition goes.
She's been sleeping all this time in a Net Cafe's chair, hasn't she?
You can't get a good sleep like that.
Yeah. It looked like she was enjoying herself though.
The mental stress on the life of a runaway is considerable, isn't it?
It'd be better to put her up on the 2nd floor.
In that case, it'd be better if she stayed with you, Kazumi-san.
It's because our family is so small, having just 3 members makes it fun.
It's nice you get along so well.
It's all thanks to you.
Hey little girl.
Do you know of a small restaurant...
...called "Haru-Natsu-Fuu" (Spring, Summer, Winter) around here?
It's read as "Akinai."
Eh?
"Spring, Summer, Winter" without Fall, right? (Aki = Fall, so "Akinai" means "no Fall")
Ah, you're right.
That's certainly Machiko-san.
She's calling herself "Machiko," huh?
Yes.
Um, I...
...have a wagashi store in Kanazawa. (Japanese confections) My name is Kishimoto.
My wife's name is Sakiko.
"Wagashi of Kanei Hall Kishimoto Mikio"
- Wagashi of Kanei Hall? - Yes.
I've been there.
You also have one near the airport, don't you?
Yes. Ah, um...
If you'd like, please take some of these.
Thank you.
Ah, I've had some of these before, too.
This is your store, isn't it?
Yes.
It has the feel of a long-established store, doesn't it?
How did you know about this place?
I had it investigated by a detective agency.
Was the strange person who was wandering around the neighborhood a detective?
It was, wasn't it?
Looks good.
Hey!
Go ahead, go ahead.
If you like them, I'll send you some anytime.
Definitely!
Geez... Hey!
I'm sorry, geez...
Where is my wife?
I'd like to make certain of this...
Kishimoto-san, to Machiko-san...
Have you...
...been using violence against Sakiko-san?
Yes. She told us she's on the run from her DV husband.
It's ridiculous that I would use violence against her.
In that case, why did she leave your home?
My family has been in business for 100 years and through 4 generations.
100 years... That's a long time.
Yes.
When my wife hesitated saying she wasn't fit to be proprietress of such a long-established store..
...I persuaded her by saying I would support her.
Though we didn't have any children...
...we were generally recognized as being a loving married couple.
But then my father died suddenly and I succeeded him as the 4th generation.
From the start, my wife received training from my mother, the great proprietress,...
...and we helped her out with all our might.
And then she suddenly left our house.
Suddenly?
At that time, she returned right away.
When I asked her what it was she didn't like, she wouldn't answer.
After that, she began running away from home frequently...
...going off to one of the many onsens in the area.
This photo is from when a local TV station came over to cover our shop.
"The maple syrup is very good..."
She was smiling radiantly...
"Thank you very much."
Since she hadn't been told about the coverage though...
...she started yelling at the person in charge.
Machiko-san was yelling?
My wife was terrible when it came to wasteful habits.
If they repeated such things...
...she would discipline that employee in front of my family members.
The severity of the scolding in this case was such...
...that they soon left and never returned.
I took this photo of my wife...
...when she looked thrilled at some goods I had brought for her.
Machiko-san was, huh...
I think things might have been different if we would have had children.
So you have no heirs...
My little brother, who is a year younger, is set to become the 5th generation.
I wanted to have a child with her to make a successor...
...but my wife refused.
"I don't want to give birth to your children," she said.
It was a shock.
That's... rather terrible, isn't it?
What about what she says about receiving DV?
Then I'll ask you...
Have you seen any traces on my wife's face or body of her being hit?
Well...
If you know my wife's whereabouts, please tell me.
Rei-san, it'd be best if they discussed this between themselves.
Please allow me to confirm Machiko-san's feelings.
But...
I just visited Machiko-san at the hospital...
Which hospital is she at?
Huh?
Excuse me...
Please discuss this calmly with her.
That's not the problem!
I'm sorry; I'm just worried about my wife.
Ah, it's this room.
Ala?
What happened to the patient that was here?
She was discharged.
But I just visited her a short time ago.
Yes. She said she had to leave right away.
She said that something was approaching.
She still hasn't squared the costs of her hospitalization, though.
He's a good person, isn't he?
I feel like I've met him somewhere before, though.
Ah, I don't recall at all.
Geez, I wonder where Machiko-san's gone off to?
I'm sorry to keep you waiting. I've finished paying the bills.
Um...
To Machiko-san...
I loaned some money to Sakiko-san.
How much was it? I'll pay it.
That'd be a big help! 200,000 yen.
- Very well. - Eh?
That's all I have on me. I'm sorry.
Thank you very much.
Um, all of you...
If my wife gets in touch with you, please contact me immediately.
We will!
Shouldn't do this in the middle of the night, should I?
Hey...
Good morning.
Have you had any contact with my wife?
No, not at all.
You wouldn't be hiding her here in secret, would you?
I wouldn't do something like that.
- Sakiko? - Hey!
Sakiko!
Kishimoto-san, this is a problem!
I'll be going.
Are you okay?
Ah... I'm sorry.
I'm just so worried about my wife.
I understand how you feel.
All of us are worried as well.
As soon as we find out where she is, we'll contact you right away.
"Small Restaurant Akinai"
Welcome.
Is it about Akane?
No. I just happened to be in the area.
May I come in?
Of course.
Ah, over here.
- Take a seat. - Thanks.
Here.
Would beer be okay?
Yes.
- Yaohachi-san. - Me?
Yes, yes.
Could it be you're meeting Detective Gondo here?
No.
What, he's a detective, too?
Here, your beer.
My bothering you here is unrelated to my professional duties.
Then, let us choose something good for you.
- Please. - Here.
"Small Restaurant Akinai"
I wonder what Terashima-san came here for?
Dunno.
He didn't just come here to eat, right?
Hadn't he heard about my reputation as a cook?
Where do you get that kind of confidence from?
More importantly, about Machiko-san.
Everyone in the neighborhood is helping out, but not a soul has seen her, right?
She may not be in this town anymore.
Because she borrowed that 200,000 yen from me, she could be anywhere from Hokkaido to Okinawa.
Ah!
Her husband. I wonder if he'd put a bounty on her?
Haven't you retired from that?
I'm not particularly scared of Machiko-san.
You would Hunt a friend down? For money?
The money would just be a bonus!
It'd be best if Machiko-san returned to her husband.
He's a good man just like my husband...
...and they say there aren't that many good men like them in this world, don't they?
I don't know about that.
I do think it's best to find out if he's good or bad rather than running away, though.
Haru-chan?
Aunt?
That's the sound of the downstairs toilet, isn't it?
Ah! A thief?
A toilet thief?
Do we have something?
Eh?
Something we can use as a weapon.
How about your yo-yo?
No, no way.
I guess this'll do.
Didn't they say on TV that it's best not to use that?
Why?
If the other person takes it away...
...you could get stabbed with it.
Ah, that's true. That's true, that's true.
Pass me the salt. Salt.
Huh? Why salt?
To blind them. With a poof!
I see...
Here.
Then I'll use this.
Okay, let's go...
Before that!
Is anyone there?
If there is, please come out.
Give up your pointless resistance and come out!
They aren't resisting.
That's just how the formula goes.
Ah!
Toilet! Toilet! Toilet! Go! Catch them!
I did it!
Machiko-san?
Ah... hello.
Goodnight.
Ah, have a nice night.
She's even noisier than Kazumi-san, isn't she?
Endure it, endure it...
With the two of us in here, it's really sweltering.
Endure it, endure it...
I met the Indians.
Machiko-san was hiding in a place like this?
Yeah. It's a storeroom that I share with Jasmine.
I didn't know where else I could run to.
Machiko-san. You have a nice husband, don't you?
It'd be best to apologize to him and go home.
If I returned home, it would kill me.
That can't be...
I would be... the death of me.
What are you unhappy about?
Your husband's forgiven your willfulness, hasn't he?
Besides, you were the one who abandoned your job as proprietress to an old store, weren't you?
You're wrong.
Then... what about this?
During our 20 years of marriage, that purse was...
...the one and only present my husband had ever given me.
And that's why you're happy in this?
My husband's a selfish person.
During our marriage, he had never once given me a present before...
...but for some unknown reason, he bought me this purse last year for my birthday.
It wasn't in my taste, so I was perplexed.
"Hey you, aren't you happy?"
"Smile!"
So I forced myself...
"Smile."
"That's it, that's it."
My husband...
...would show this photo to our customers, too, and glow in self-satisfaction.
Now that you mention it, this could be a forced smile.
He may not have good taste in purses.
What about the time during that local TV coverage where you became cross?
I wasn't cross...
...I just wasn't feeling well.
This is totally different.
When you left the family on your own, who said you had bought things from a mail-order catalog?
That was the great proprietress.
And the running away from home?
My husband's an eloquent scolder.
For days or even weeks on end.
Moreover, I couldn't tell what might set him off.
For example, those times when he'd come into the living room and his favorite TV show wasn't on.
That wasn't Machiko-san's fault, now was it?
"I can't breathe the same air as you, so get out!"
When he'd say that, I'd have no choice but to leave, would I?
No...
I just couldn't stay on! Together with my husband.
When did this start?
Right after we got married.
Then, for the last 20 years?
21 years now.
What about his saying you didn't want to have children with him?
Ever since he was born, it was decided that my husband would succeed to the old store.
I could understand how he'd feel he'd want to rebel against that.
I surely did.
"I don't want to have children."
That's what he told me on our honeymoon.
But the great proprietress...
...would continuously ask me if there was an heir yet.
I wanted to ask him that myself many times.
So six months ago...
...I did ask him.
"You aren't at a high enough level to bear my children."
With those words...
...I left the family.
If...
...that's what he said, that must have been a shock.
It was natural that you'd think of leaving home.
But...
I've never seen a person such as your husband.
Is he a guy with a split personality?
I believe what Machiko-san says.
Then...
Why wouldn't you tell us your real name?
She was trying to disappear, so there's nothing particularly strange about that!
Perhaps at first...
But we've been Bounty Hunters together for many months now.
I'm very sorry.
My name is...
...Kishimoto Sakiko.
My maiden name was Suzuki.
"Machiko" was my mother's name.
What about the violence?
There wasn't any.
Then why did you say you were DV?
DV means "Domestic Violence," doesn't it?
Yes.
Ah, that's Morahara.
"Morahara"?
Haven't you heard about that? Moral harassment.
Hmm, somewhere or other.
It's psychological violence.
You could call it ignoring a person...
...coercing them with shouting, pushing them into a corner or running them down psychologically.
Machiko-san feels she was.
In cases like that, there's no evidence left behind, is there?
That's why it's so troublesome.
Hey, how do you know details like that?
Look you.
Part of the Department of Community Safety's work is in spousal violence counseling.
Then help her!
Where is she?
- My place. Say, let's go together. - Oi, wait, wait.
Um, it's possible to discuss it along with her, but any more than this would be a little tricky.
Why?
First off, we haven't confirmed what her intentions are.
Don't say such mixed-up things.
You're saying the police are the messed-up ones.
You have the habit of running wild.
You have to be careful in civil cases.
Well, I'm not very good when it comes to a point of focus, either.
Hmm, well, it can be difficult when it concerns someone else's feelings.
I can give you a point of focus.
Eh?
The person I was with gave me Morahara, so I divorced him.
Mama, you're divorced?
That's right. Keep it a secret from the other guests, okay?
Yes.
My Morahara husband was very kind when other people were around.
But when it was just the two of us, he'd look down on me from up here.
He'd criticize me until I felt bad about myself.
A kind of brainwashed state?
Yes.
Friends kept telling me that it'd be best if I broke up with him...
...but I'd say he wasn't the bad one.
I'd say I was the bad one, and protect him.
And... What woke you up?
I guess it was thanks to my friends.
Even when I would cry trying to protect my husband...
...they kept on telling me that I was totally mistaken about him.
- A reverse brainwash. - Yes.
Yes, this is the Snack Bar, Hitomi.
Ah, Akane-san!
Where are you?
Onee-chan, it's maybe gotten a little dicey for me.
Eh? What has?
You're drinking together with a detective, aren't you?
Please don't trust the police.
What do you mean?
Whatever happens, don't act shocked.
Like I said, what is this?!
Trust in me.
Akane...
Don't get confused by the facts. The truth is...
What's up?
It's nothing.
You're running away?
Yes.
As long as I'm here, it'll just bring trouble to all of you.
More than that, think about yourself.
Do you intend to run away forever?
Wouldn't it be better to talk this out with your husband?
I'm scared.
We'll be with you.
If you're worried about it being just us, we'll get Detective Gondo to be present, too.
No, already.
Machiko-san!
Do you intend to keep running away forever?
'Cause Machiko-san's snoring is much louder than Kazumi-san's.
Ah, I'm sorry.
But...
...when you were hiding out downstairs, you were quiet.
It was because once you had been found, you could overcome your nervousness, wasn't it?
That may be.
As long as you keep running, you won't ever get a good night's sleep.
Truth is...
...I want it all to stop.
I want it all to be over.
Machiko-san!
It's been half a year, hasn't it?
Still, I'm happy seeing you looking healthier than I thought you would be.
I've lost 5 kg.
When I was examined by the doctor, he said I had a stomach ulcer.
The doctor told me the cause was due to mental something or other.
I'm sorry.
The store's sales have fallen.
I couldn't bring out that idea I had for seasonal goods.
I got a scolding from the chief proprietress that I wasn't concentrating on my job.
Ah, look, um...
Over in Kagoshima, I saw Nakamura-san.
Truth is, she said her husband had died.
Nakamura-san had gotten very old, after all.
She said she was following in her husband's memories.
She truly regretted not being able to see you.
I'm very sorry.
Sakiko...
...come back home.
Everyone there is worried about you.
Ah, here.
"Sakiko-san" Here, take it.
Everyone wrote on it.
"We miss you. Proprietress. Risa"
To us who don't have children, our employees are like our children. Right?
Here.
They're... We're all waiting for you.
Sakiko...
...please come home.
Sakiko.
Yes.
Hold on a minute.
Machiko-san, are you sure?
This is a type of mental violence.
It's nothing of the sort.
I'm the bad one.
You aren't the bad one, Machiko-san.
I'm Sakiko.
Well, Machiko-san... Ah, wouldn't it be better to call her Sakiko-san?
It's a married couple's problem.
I'm just asking that my wife come home.
You can't complain about that.
Machiko-san!
That's enough. Really.
Ah... that's right.
That's right, that's right.
Say, Machiko-san, a moment.
Just a moment.
Eh? Right now?
Right now, right now.
Look...
Machiko-san.
Let's go!
- Machiko-san? - Rei-san?!
Sakiko!
Never mind!
Rei-san. Wait, Rei-san! What are you doing, Rei-san!?
Machiko-san, you have to run away.
Rei-san, this morning you said NOT to run away.
Wake up!
Machiko-san, you've been brainwashed.
Brainwashed...
As I thought, I was just trying to avoid the bad I had done.
That's why I'm saying you've been brainwashed!
This is my own free will.
- That's how it's supposed to be, right? - Eh?
You think you're acting under your own free will...
...but you've just been tricked into thinking that.
That's not true.
That wasn't a lie, was it? That picture of you and the purse.
Yeah.
Now think back on that conversation earlier.
Kishimoto-san didn't apologize to you even once.
His losing weight was Machiko-san's fault...
That his sales had dropped was your fault...
Isn't that what he said?
Wouldn't he normally bow his head...
...and say he was the bad one before asking you to please return home?
That's the sort of person he is.
Rei-san...
...thank you for being so kind to me.
If you live to be 85, that means you still have 40 years to go.
Can you be with him for the next 40 years?
I think it's wrong to run away...
...but I think you can run away so you can fight!
Ala?
Where's my wife?
She didn't come back?
Don't play dumb.
Where have you hidden my wife?
Tell me where she is!
- Kishimoto-san, calm down. - Shut up!
Each and every one of you smearing me with disgrace.
Bringing shame upon me!
Listen up!
Bring her to me by the end of the day!
If you don't...
...I'll sue each and every one of you!
That was a sudden change.
Ah, I remember!
What are you bringing up at a time like this?
- I met Kishimoto-san on the plane fight here. - Huh?
He was a kind person.
"Thank you very much."
But, as we were preparing for the landing...
...he wouldn't bring the back of his chair to its normal setting.
"Sir."
"Even if I don't bring the back up, that won't interfere with the landing, now will it?"
That's the worst.
We do that so that in the event of an emergency, the person behind can easily escape.
Ah, I wish I had remembered sooner...
More importantly, where is Machiko-san?
I don't know what she's doing.
Will she go back to Kishimoto-san and the way she was?
I hope she doesn't go back.
"Good evening."
"This is Suzuki Machiko-san."
"Could you bring me into your circle, too?"
"Daran!"
"You mean, 'fool?'"
"Seems like it."
"Dara is dara."
I am a fool.
"Jasmine"
I see. Anyhow, you were saying, "beer."
That's a good one, Onii-chan. That's funny.
You're okay for time, right? Let's go to one more bar. One more.
Yaohachi-san. You shouldn't pressure people like that.
I'm just giving a wavering person a push from behind.
Very well.
I will accompany you.
That's good!
Okay, I'm paying for his share, too.
- Ehh?! - Ehh?!
Then, the next bar is mine.
What's next?
Today'll be a different place.
Keep it a secret from Hitomi-chan.
I'll tell her.
Please give me a break.
Okay, let's go, let's go.
- Thank you very much! - Okay, let's go!
Let's go!
Sensei.
Is something bothering you about Ito-san?
Ah, you noticed, huh?
Yes.
He doesn't seem to be an ordinary salaryman, does he?
Hmm...
I haven't asked him what he does, so I don't know if that's correct or not.
He has the air of a man who's in some sort of intense business.
Intense business?
Ah, one where he would exchange his life for.
Eh? Could you mean, this?
Seriously?
I don't know that for sure...
Eh?! You won't be coming anymore?
Probably. Machiko-san has disappeared and Kazumi-san doesn't seem up for it, either.
Eh?
It's nothing.
I guess Machiko-san has gone back.
Gotten lonely, hasn't it?
Yeah.
Rei-san, what'll you do about being a Bounty Hunter?
I'll do it.
Machiko-san!
Machiko-san?!
I want to be a Bounty Hunter with all of you again.
You didn't go back with Kishimoto-san?
No.
I've decided to get a divorce.
I don't know how many years it'll take...
...but I won't run away and I'll fight.
And for a fresh start, I need to earn money.
All right.
Let's do it.
How about you, Kazumi-san?
Can't be helped. I'll join you.
Okay!
Yeah!
Sakiko.
You're being troublesome.
You should already fully understand Machiko-san's intentions.
Please divorce me.
Don't mess with me!
If you won't...
...I'll take it to trial!
You have been tricked by them!
Rei-san...
...Kazumi-san and Jun-chan...
...are my treasured friends!
"Snack Bar Hitomi"
Amagi goe... Beyond the Amagi...
So this is her true character, huh?
Seems so.
What is the Chief of Detectives...
On an article left behind at the scene of the crime, a fingerprint was detected on an earring.
Therefore...
...Isaka Akane, manager of an Arakawa-ku, Nippori small restaurant...
...will be placed on the wanted list as a suspect in the murder case of Takeda Souichi.
"Isaka Akane"
Our target this time is Isaka Akane.
Is it true? That Mama is a murderer?
It's time you returned to Unit One.
Just leave the climax to me.
I'm involved, aren't I?
This is Christmas, isn't it!
Isn't there a possibility the true criminal is someone with the police?
Enough! I hate this!
Haru-chan!