[TEL]
Hello? Ayana?
I know, tonight at 7pm.
Girls time and I can eat all I want!
Can't wait~
About that, Mai,
...can I bring my boyfriend?
- Sure. - Also,
...another one is coming to meet you.
What?
To meet me? Is it a man?
Of course it is. See you at 7.
Wait!
My, my, a sneaky private phone call,
..about a mixer~
No, this was only~
Well I guess you should get yourself a boyfriend too~
I told you it wasn't about that!
He is right, he is right~
Look at this!
What is this, chief Shimasaki?
"Survey of 100 female bank employees"?
Yes, look.
"Most women get married at 27".
"Once they reach 30, fewer man will take them out".
- I must hurry! - Told you so.
This is just statistics.
I'll be fine.
"Stubborn ones thinking that they are fine,
...most of them end up without a partner".
Mai, be honest.
- Take care of this. - Will do.
You are running out of time, Mai.
Why do you must tell me that?
Because he is concerned about you.
He and his wife enjoy matchmaking.
Wait and see~
He will pop by with a potential partner's profile!
Potential partner?
I'll find my own partner.
Are you going to the mixer dressed like that?
I thought it would be a fun dinner for girls.
It's a little too plain for a mixer.
I guess.
In my cashier days I had a uniform,
...but I enjoyed wearing normal clothes too, still~
It's not a mixer!
If you are serious about getting a boyfriend, perhaps you should go home and get changed first.
I will not!
So I said,
...but ended up going for it.
Damned boss, pestering me~
Welcome!
- I'll take you to your seat. - Thank you.
This is your table.
Hi Ayana! Sorry I'm late.
You are! Why?
- Sorry~ - Mai,
...you have met Yuuki before.
Hello!
You two are still so lovey-dovey.
Aww, not at all!
Noo~
And why are you arranging a mixer?
Since you broke up with your ex, you haven't met anyone. You better hurry up!
Sorry for not rushing it.
I didn't ask you to do this~
But he is a really fine man!
- Yuuki knows him. - Yes, he is very handsome!
Those ones you wonder how are they still available~
A lucky find?
- He is here! - Huh?
Hello!
Sorry I'm late.
Mai, this is Mr. Tomoda.
Hi, I'm Tomoda Koujiro.
Hi, I'm Hanasaki Mai.
Win!
Delicious.
Is it? That's great.
- Would you like more wine? - Yes, thank you.
The food is great and the restaurant looks nice~
It is.
- The Roquefort cheese sauce goes well with meet. - Looks delicious!
I'll have some too.
- Thanks. - Me too, please.
Do you frequent restaurants like this?
I come here every day.
A steak every day?
So his dashing look is from a meat based diet~
Mai, this is Mr.Tomoda's restaurant.
The owner of Tokyo Dallas?
Yes, he is.
Sorry I didn't tell you until now.
Don't mention it.
This is not your only place.
There is one in Akasaka and Nakameguro too.
I want to expand more in the future.
- That's impressive. - Not at all.
I just want more people to enjoy a good steak.
That's all.
- What a great* dream! *pun-"suteki"="great" sounds like "suteeki"="steak".
Boss, excuse me,
...Mr.Takahashi who booked for 9pm is bringing more people.
There won't be enough bisque.
Then change the bisque to be lobster,
...and top up with crab.
Will do.
- Oh, Ootsuka! - Yes?
Please reserve two sorbets tonight.
Alright.
The popular desserts sell out in no time.
Thank you!
Excuse me then.
Sorry about that.
There is a lot our young employees can only learn during shifts.
Managing this must be difficult.
- What do you do, Mai? - Ah, I,
...have we not told you?
She is the same as me, working for the Tokyo Daiichi Bank.
I see!
Makes me want to visit your branch every day!
Everyday? How funny~
Your bank has been very helpful since I first started investing in catering.
I see.
This was a fateful encounter.
Indeed!
I'm home!
Welcome back!
- Want some dinner? - No, thanks.
I've had a lovely steak.
Where was that lovely steak at?
Boss!
You changed! And put pink heels on!
Hey, don't come and eat here anymore.
Don't damage my business Mai. [ Board- Today's special - Shrimp Warmth ]
He is our best customer.
- Here, your Shrimp Warmth. - Great!
- Looks fab~ - Do you want some Mai?
No, I'm full!
Splendid!
How was your mixer?
Is that where you were?
No!
I can meet fine men without going to mixers.
So what was he like?
Well, he has a fabulous smile, mature,
...but looks young~
- Not that it's your business... - Right, right.
So you met such a great man~
- My, my~ - Dad,
...you constantly tell me to find one and get married!
Well I do,
...but for it to actually happen~
Being a single father is hard and lonely.
- I feel your pain. Let's drink. - Mhm.
Dad!
You are a pain~
"Thanks for dinner yesterday.
...I hope I can eat that lovely steak again~"
Is this too pushy?
Oh dear!
Ouch, what's with you?
Be careful, don't get too excited!
I am not!
I'm just composing a polite text as thanks.
It's just thanks.
I wonder.
[TEL] Pick it up.
- What? [TEL]
- Swallow it! [TEL]
- Fine then. [TEL]
Hello, assisting department.
Huh?
I'll send her down.
A guest for you.
Guest? For me?
Someone from "Tokyo Dallas".
Tokyo Dallas?
No way, Tomoda came to see me!
Oh dear!
I'm going.
She is too excited.
Where is he?
- Um, - Yes?
I'm from Tokyo Dallas.
Ah!
"Excuse me then"
You were there last night,
Yes, I'm Ootsuka.
So you are the visitor.
You left this behind.
My bad. Thank you so much!
Did you come here just to return this?
No,
...I need to talk to you,
...about my boss.
Huh?
Our employee took dishonest money?
Yes, someone in the Shinagawa branch,
...took a bribe from Tokyo Dallas.
I overheard him,
...phoning the bank clerk.
"Will the loan be accepted?"
I've paid you 2 million Yen for it.
"Yes, thank you again."
I don't know who the other party is,
...but it is certain that the boss bribed someone in this bank.
Which is a problem for us.
It is.
Why did you come and tell us?
That is,
Do you want him prosecuted?
No. But if he is dishonest, I want him to stop.
That's all.
I am uneducated and unexperienced, but he still hired me.
Others too.
A lot of people are obliged to him.
I see.
Please!
Save our restaurant.
- Alright! - Huh?
No matter what, we will find this banker,
-...and stop the illegal funds. - Hanasaki!
- Right, Chief? - Hm?
Well,
...this is a big problem for our bank.
- So yeah, let's investigate. - Really?
Thank you very much!
Not again~
- Why did you take on something so troublesome? - Well,
...after what he had to say I just couldn't refuse~
Hm?
Ah!
I guess this means that Tomoda bribed the bank.
After so long, I thought I met someone nice~
A-ha!
So the restaurant you went to was Tokyo Dallas.
Ah!
Yes.
I see.
So "Tokyo Dallas",
...I see.
Tomoda Koujiro.
Looks like a good catch.
Hey! Stop it.
Indeed, in last November,
..the Shinagawa branch processed a 50 million Yen loan to Tokyo Dallas.
So Tomoda paid 2 million to a banker for this loan to be processed.
The company has multiple restaurants but still, business might not be have been good enough,
...for a loan to be granted.
Still, taking compensation to accommodate the loan is going too far.
Go to the branch and search for the bribed banker in secret.
Right!
Thanks! Oh dear, I gotta speak to the boss again...
I don't like that I have to look into Tokyo Dallas' business.
Interesting, since you took on it yourself.
I did~
I kind of understand that you feel down after your rare date turning out to be like this~
Don't say rare!
Right, change of subject - work!
Listen, Hanasaki,
Manager Yagi in Shinagawa,
..is an absolute elite, having worked for long at head office.
We have to be clever about this.
I'm prepared.
Also,
Let me guess,
...Shindo-gang? - Shindo-gang.
I knew it. This is turning nastier every second.
Now you get it.
So what are you two doing here?
We have found mistakes in a few of your past loan documents.
We've come to check those.
You march out here just for this, you must have absolutely nothing to do.
- Right? - Indeed.
We won't be in your way.
If you'd just show us some of these documents~
There are no mistakes in our documents.
- But~ - He is saying you are not needed here.
Even if you say that, I cannot just go back without doing something.
So please.
Would a young lady like her know about loans?
She wouldn't right?
Sorry to di~
Don't disagree.
Well, let's avoid trouble and assist this little peach with some documents.
Alright then.
But be quick.
We are busy here.
That's all.
I hate him, I hate him!
I bet the culprit is him!
Don't jump into conclusions.
But he is so suspicious!
Insisting that there could be no mistakes in their papers.
Hanasaki,
It's not just a manager who has the influence on loans.
The vice-manager and the chief of the loan section both do.
Calm down.
Looks like someone took dishonest money from a borrower in Shinagawa.
Shinagawa?
- Is that Yagi's place? - Yes.
If it's true,
...then that branch is in trouble.
Yes.
The assisting dep is there now to look into things.
Are they?
I will never forgive you for making her suffer!
That little lady?
I hope she behaves this time.
Yes.
These are your requested documents.
Thank you for your help.
Um,
What is it? Is there a suspicious borrower?
No, no!
It's just a quick check.
Yes, a quick one.
I see. [ Loan Section Chief - Nanba ]
I'll go back then.
He seemed overly concerned.
I guess he is fishy too.
Here it is, Tokyo Dallas.
Let's take a good look at it.
Right!
Still,
...the diner looked like it was doing well~
Not being able to take a loan without bribery~
Tomoda too,
... I thought he was a decent guy.
You can't judge people by look.
You just don't have a good eye for guys.
Why are you only reacting to this?
Don't mind me! Go on!
What on earth are they looking for?
According to chief Nanba
...they are looking into about 50 loans.
What?!
I told him not to take his eyes off them.
Good, good.
This is strange.
Is there something?
There isn't. That's what's strange.
Huh?
Tokyo Dallas' management is not that bad.
For a while, it was in a slump, but last summer they made a recovery and,
-...avoided to go in the red. - Indeed.
Which means that giving them a 50 million Yen loan would be normal.
Which means there was no need for bribery?
Yes.
What could this be about?
Nevermind, I was just getting into the mood for some tasty meat!
We are going to meet Tomoda at Tokyo Dallas.
- Are we? - Mhm.
Meat, meat, meat~
What a lovely place!
Looks fancy!
I feel uncomfortable,
...feeling suspicious about Tomoda.
Well, well,
...time for the highly praised steak now!
Oh, they use Musashi beef,
...that's delicious.
Eating steak today too~
You don't have to eat if you don't want to.
I will!
Have you decided yet?
Um, I,
...I had this yesterday, but I'll go for the same.
Dallas Special - Top grade Musashi beef.
I'll have the same.
- So two Dallas Specials. - Hang on a second!
Hanasaki, we cannot order this.
The 15,000 Yen price alone is a Dallas Special!
Don't worry about it, let's just enjoy it.
Two Dallas Specials please.
- Thank you. - Thanks.
Do I have enough?
If not, it's separate bill.
I'll have you treat me.
Mai! Hello!
Hello.
I'm happy you came back so soon!
Good evening.
And this is?
Hi, I'm Souma.
Thanks for treating our Mai yesterday.
Our?
He is my boss.
Ah, from the bank!
I see.
Please, do sit down.
Thank you.
You have a nice place here.
Very busy as well.
Thank you.
- Looks like you are making a good profit too. - Yes.
How do you know?
We are in the Assisting Department and are currently at the Shinagawa Branch.
We are looking into loans.
Loans?
I'm sorry for not having explained,
...our job is visiting branches and looking into problems.
Ah, I see.
Um,
...when you look into loans, what do you look at?
Hard to explain,
...but simply put, we see if the contents are correct.
I see.
I'll go back to work, do enjoy yourselves.
Yummy!
How ironic for you after complaining about having to eat steak today too.
Delicious meat is delicious.
Still,
...Tomoda did look somewhat anxious.
Yes, it was obvious as soon as you mentioned loans.
There must be something bad going on.
I guess he did bribe the bank.
Which leaves us to guess who took the money.
Yes
Manager Yagi, vice-manager Fukumura,
...and chief Nanba.
Let's focus on these three.
Their accounts show no trace of the bribe.
Even if they did accept it, it won't be easily found.
I guess.
They had no connection to Tokyo Dallas' account either.
No wonder.
If it was cash, we won't trace it.
What can we do~
Hm? 2 million?
What is it?
In October, there was a withdrawal of 2 million.
But you have no idea what it was used for.
- Have a look at this! - Hm?
On the same day, a handling fee of 830 Yen was paid.
Handling fee?
It's the fee for deposits via check.
I see.
- Tomoda handed the bribery over as a check. - Yes.
This way, Tokyo Dallas' account will only show money being taken out,
-...and the bank can easily cash it. - Way to go for a bribe.
Unfortunately, we can't track it.
- Ah! - What now?
Cashed checks,
...are returned to the branch that issues them.
Yeah~
- Ah! - The banker cashing it signs the back!
- The one who took the bribe~ - Yes.
Which branch handled the fee?
Number 194,
-...Meguroshi! - Here we go!
As requested. [ Meguroshi Branch ]
Thank you!
- Found it! - Hm? Where?
Wakamura Ryouji.
The vice-manager.
So it was him.
I'm surprised.
I thought it would be the manager.
Actually, he was at head office for long, and only became a manager after 10 years.
Whilst the vice-manager has been taking control there for long.
Taking bribery to increase your own wealth is unacceptable.
- Let's go boss. - Mhm.
Where is this coming from?
I didn't take any cash!
Are you feigning ignorance?
We won't go easy on a banker taking dirty money from a borrower.
And where is your proof?
Hanasaki!
This is the check for Tokyo Dallas' deposit.
And this is your name, right?
That's~
This is sound proof of you taking the money!
No! That's~
That is money I personally lent to Mr.Tomoda,
...who returned it via check.
No way!
Tokyo Dallas' business is going well, and their future prospects are promising.
If the loan is reasonable, there are no problems right?
Like I said, the loan to Tokyo Dallas is rational!
Go away!
- Wait, Hanasaki. - But, boss!
It's exactly like he stated.
Based on Tokyo Dallas' performance, giving them a loan is perfectly normal.
Saying that this money was used as bribery for the loan is groundless.
Whilst we cannot find out what this money was used for, we can't pursue him.
But how to find out?
I'll go and speak to Ootsuka again.
- Perhaps he has more to tell us. - Maybe.
I'll head here.
A gourmet visit now?
Just look!
Akiyama Hidehiko, who went independent with his Steak House after working for Tokyo Dallas.
Rumour has it they parted in bad terms.
Don't you think he knows something?
- I see. - Sorry.
I thought I had him,
...but he got away.
Um,
What do you think the 2million the manager paid was used for?
Huh?
There is something behind this all.
No, I have no idea.
I see.
Sounds great!
Delicious!
Thank you.
I had steak yesterday too.
- You must like it then. - I guess~
I'm Souma from the Tokyo Daiichi Bank.
Manager, you worked for Tokyo Dallas before, right?
Yes.
May I ask you about your Mr.Tomoda then?
Why?
Ootsuka, an employee there is greatly concerned about him, and came to see us.
Ootsuka did?
I see.
Tomoda and I started with a small place like this one is.
We tried to cook the meat we stocked up the best possible way.
Let's try to make it more rare~
Whilst experimenting, we tried and failed many times.
Tomoda had goos business skills too, and gradually the business expanded.
But you two parted on bad terms, no?
No, we just wanted to go separate ways.
He was only focusing on expanding it more, and I didn't want to follow him that way.
I see.
I have no problem with him.
He is a straight and hard working guy.
It's alright.
You can stop looking into it.
Huh?
It's been bugging me.
Whether it was right for me to ask for your help.
It makes me feel like I might have betrayed my workplace.
Not at all.
You only wanted to save the place!
I think it was good of you.
No, I~
Daddy!
How cute~
- How old is he? - Almost four.
For his sake, I want to become a chef before he grows up.
Our current state is not ideal.
You need to have a job that makes your family proud.
Huh?
Ah, don't mind me.
Bye then.
Come here Keita!
So you found nothing?
No.
But something is not right about Tokyo Dallas.
- What is? - Hm,
Normally, if business is bad and your star chef quits,
...your customers would too and business would get worse.
- Yes. - But Tokyo Dallas became successful after Akiyama quit.
It's mysterious.
So something has happened after Akiyama quit.
Yeah~
I have something that bugs me too~
What is it?
Ootsuka said,
...he must have a job his family can be proud of.
So he feels guilty about something?
I'm not quite sure.
Here, your Shrimp Warmth.
- How nice. - Looks great.
How is it? Nice?
Of course it is, you made it~
No, the truth is, buying Shiba shrimp became expensive.
But raising the price wouldn't be ideal. So I started to make it from small shrimp.
Oh, I see.
- Yes, tasty as always. - I'm glad!
For the taste to be good with cheaper ingredients, one must come up with ingenious solutions.
Worry not, it's just as tasty from this ingredient.
Ah!
What's with the sudden yell?
Boss!
I have found the answer!
Come in.
Good morning.
Why are you two here?
I need your cooperation, Manager.
Regarding the vice-manager's relation to Tokyo Dallas.
What?
What are you saying? We have nothing to cooperate with!
We won't let you off this time.
It's time for you to honestly speak up.
- Shut up! - No!
Manager,
What is it Ootsuka?
We need to talk.
[TEL]
Sorry, it'll have to wait.
Yes?
Mai?
What's going on?
I'm sorry to bother you at such a busy time.
What's going on?
What is this about the loan?
The bank has nothing to complain about my company~
Mr.Tomoda.
You have given dishonest money to vice-manager Wakamura.
Say what?
That was a personal loan I paid back.
Is that what Wakamura told you to say?
Not at all.
Why would I have the need to use dishonest money?
I wondered.
That I did.
Steady profits for the company.
You'd get a loan without a bribery.
So why did you have to hand over 2 million Yen?
But Mr.Tomoda, behind your steady profits,
...in fact, there is a trick.
At first, you failed expanding your shop,
...and about two years ago, Tokyo Dallas was nearly bankrupt.
But out of the blue, you made a recovery.
What made that happen?
I have looked into your business here.
And I found something strange.
Despite a large cut of the cost on your beef,
...the prices on the menu are all the same.
What could that mean?
By the way, the cost cutting of your beef,
...and your sudden recovery,
...happened at the same time.
You have found a certain solution to recover your business.
A solution that that is an absolute taboo in the food industry.
Lying about the ingredients.
Tokyo Dallas' pride, the Dallas Special.
That's not from Musashi beef is it?
I visited Kitamoto Butchers, your supplier.
I've checked the invoices for your deliveries,
...and in the past one year, there were no records of any Musashi beef being ordered.
For a manager, it's normal to cut costs of ingredients to increase profit.
But advertising cheap meat to be a high-class brand,
...that is false representation, a violation of food standards.
Whilst assessing your loan, Wakamura has realised this.
The 2 million wasn't a bribe to grant the loan,
...but rather money used to make him keep quiet about the false representation.
That is~
He has already admitted to it.
He will probably be dismissed.
Wait a minute!
What's going to happen to the loan?
Will it be cut off?
Probably.
Where is that gonna leave my place?
Isn't it normal for a manager to do anything to stop his place from collapsing?
I only wanted to protect the place and my staff!
Is that so bad?
Sorry to disagree,
...but did you really think that false representation could save either your company or your staff?
In contrast, your simple solution will put your place and your staff in the...
...fear of having to close the place.
Mr.Tomoda,
...you, as a manger, was wrong.
This is the end.
I don't think it is.
Mr.Tomoda,
...Ootsuka asked us to help you.
He did?
He betrayed me.
He didn't.
He said nothing about the change of ingredients.
He was tormented by being aware of your bribery.
He thought that if we looked into it, you'd pull out.
He said he was grateful to you.
And that he wanted this place to be saved.
No way~
Is it OK to make someone with such faith in you unemployed?
But it's not just him.
All other employees have a family and a life.
Manager!
Ootsuka!
Guys!
Manager!
Let's start all over!
We are ready to follow you!
I'm sorry.
Forgive me.
I promise,
...I'll start all over again.
For sure!
We can believe that right?
I guess.
Here, after a long day.
Thanks.
I've reported it all to the bosses.
I wonder what will happen to Tokyo Dallas?
Well, for starters, it'll have to be closed.
Yeah, I guess.
But if he does have the determination, he can make it again.
Yes..
- Tasty! - Yes.
Making good food for customers, and being told they like it,
...whilst he doesn't forget how happy that makes a cook, he'll be fine.
I have a new entry on the menu.
A new entry?
I don't expand, but I like to experiment.
I see. I'll have some!
Here it is!
Hanasaki-style miso fried beef!
Steak?
No good?
It's not that but dad, just think about the circumstances!
Well, it looks great.
- I'll have some. - You will?
Ok, me too.
Yummy!
It's delicious!
Right?
Goes well with the booze! You have some too!
Thanks.
Dad, fry up some more of this.
- Two more? - Sounds good.
About the Shinagawa case,
...the vice-manager, Wakamura accepted the money.
I see.
For someone like him to turn to dirty methods,
...calls for severe punishment.
Yes! But,
...it might take an impact on manager Yagi too.
A foolish subordinate who doesn't know his place,
...to subject a capable man's future to danger,
...would be irrational.
Understood.
I guess in order to refine our company,
...I must be more active pressing forward a reform.
Even if it is a little rough.
Even so, they irritate me,
...those two.
I'm bloated,
-...no surprise after having steak for three days. - What? From so little?
How careless.
- Is your stomach fine? - Totally.
Whoa, you B-class gourmet!
Your stomach is strong.
Boss, your tummy is sticking out.
What are you saying, it's not!
Careful with your food indulgence,
...or soon you'll be overweight.
If you say that the chief~
Who is overweight?
Chief! I didn't mean it that~
Mhm, Hanasaki, talking about "soon",
...my wife has sent you this.
Don't tell me~
Here it comes the match-making!
An elite Todai graduate, he's a pretty good catch I think.
I'm not thinking about getting married yet, sorry.
At least look at it!
No, thank you, but really.
Thanks anyways. Work, work!
- Are you sure? - Here.
Hmm, he is pretty good-looking.
Right? I think he is hard-working.
He must earn well, a hundred million per annum maybe?
Perhaps,
...I'll have a look.
You said you didn't want to!
But I guess it wouldn't hurt to~
- No way! - Show me!
What is this? So childish!