I wonder
what exactly I lost.
While being swept along
by the years and the times.
Seiichi!
Seiichi! Seiichi!
Yes!
- Lend me a hand. - Yes.
Kamiido did not commit suicide.
It seems Aiko-san killed him.
She carefully planned the murder. Meanwhile she lies on impulse.
Then she blindly believes in her own lies.
She's a monster.
Harada Tamotsu
died to take the blame for Kamiido Aiko's crime.
If you call out to me, I will definitely
come back to you.
subs: maboroshinohikari@d-addicts
Final episode: 「Too Early」
Sorry to have kept you waiting. I am glad to see you.
No, it is we who should apologize for bothering you when you are indisposed.
It is all right.
It would be pointless to keep being depressed.
Have a seat.
Oh, Masuzawa-san. I have caused you so much trouble the other day.
I am truly sorry.
Have some tea.
Your garment is pretty unusual.
Oh, this? It is quite old, though.
Even a person like you is interested in women's clothes, Masuzawa-san?
Did you buy it when you lived in Taiwan?
I suppose you know a man called Matsui Seiichi.
That's Harada Tamotsu's real name.
It seems you two were once married.
In Taiwan, during the Japanese occupation*.
*(Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was a dependency of the Empire of Japan.)
I found your marriage record.
Uh! Yes.
Uh uh! Oh my, that happened such a long time ago!
You are right. Haneoka-san, actually, I was raised in Taiwan since the age of three.
My father ran a business and Seiichi... Harada Tamotsu worked for him.
We were both so young.
Well, we were passionately in love, indeed.
Oh... that's the first I've heard of it.
Love between the president's daughter and his employee?
Ah ah ah! That's pretty dramatic, I must say.
Did your parents not object to the marriage?
Of course they did. Therefore we had no choice but to elope.
We were extremely poor.
Still, a young girl is an odd being.
Having the man she loves by her side is all she needs to be happy.
We lived cuddling against each other to keep warm, as kittens do.
Only for a month.
It lasted until he was called up for military service, a month after our wedding.
Regrettably, the war subverted everything in the end.
Both the good things and the bad ones.
AH～!
Seiichi!
Then I never saw...
my husband again.
But you met him again, didn't you?
About two years ago, at a party.
Why didn't you two start over?
Impossible!
The man who was Harada Shizuka-sama's dog
was no longer the person I had loved.
But Harada Tamotsu loved you.
And I was already Kamiido's wife.
That's beside the point. Didn't he take the blame
for the murder of Harada Shizuka precisely because he loved you?
He was indeed her dog, I agree with you on that.
Still, that was the life he had obtained with disparate efforts,
it was his means of support.
Harada Tamotsu sacrificed everything he had for you,
and died taking the blame for the murder.
I think you should at least acknowledge that.
Otherwise he'll never be able to rest in peace.
Thank you very much.
I have finally
decided to tell you the truth.
The one who killed Shizuka-sama...
was my husband.
I am ashamed to say
my husband and Shizuka-sama had a relationship.
On that night, my husband got awfully drunk
and was in her bedroom.
He was unable to remember what had happened and how.
But when he woke up...
Please wait a moment.
Who exactly told you that?
It was my husband, Masuzawa-san.
Harada Tamotsu took the blame for my husband's crime and escaped to Taiwan.
I am sure it was just as you said.
He tried to protect my life by taking the blame for my husband's crime.
He must have thought so...
Oh～ man! She's a genius.
It seems to me she'd have been much better than Sensei at writing fiction.
Well, I still haven't found any evidence.
I have no choice but to make her confess in some way.
Ah ah ah… you're so tough!
- You look quite happy. - Well, honestly, in my opinion
the literary excitement is irresistible. She's an extraordinary villainess.
In a way, that's what it means to be ambitious.
The woman is a widow.
And a femme fatale of our time.
Man, this is going to sell. Who should I get to write it...?
I'll have to revise my strategy, huh?
Aiko tried to kill me...!
That man has killed my husband.
That woman keeps lying at random, without any awareness.
Therefore she has no sense of guilt.
Rather, what the hell is she?
- Hello? This is Ma... - Ma-Masuzawa-san?
Who're you?
Um... could you please come here right now?
Just who're you?
- I'm the Kamiidos' houseboy. - Oh...
Um...
Ma...M-Madam has...
What's wrong?
She has p-passed a-away.
Suicide note
Called the police?
What're you doing, call them at once.
Why did you call me before the police, kid?
Um... a-actually, last night...
I told her I would protect her.
I told Madam that
I would definitely make her happy.
But she must have thought it would be totally impossible f-for someone like me.
It wasn't because of you.
No one could have saved her.
She was that kind of person.
I'll go to call the police.
You have any right to blame me?
Huh? What you say, Masuzawa-kun?
You don't. And do you have any right to blame that woman?
Yeah, true. I overprescribed her drugs.
But so what? I'll tell you something interesting.
You see, that woman was a pan-suke*.
*(Pan-suke, you-pan, or pan-pan girl, is a derogatory term used to refer to Japanese street prostitutes who served the U.S. Allied forces at the end of World War II. With their red lipstick, cigarettes, nylon stockings and high-heeled shoes, they became a symbol of the occupation.)
After the war she had nothing to live on, so she sold herself.
(Coincidentally, Kasagi Shizuko's "Jungle Boogie", the song playing at the end of episode 3, is about a pan-pan girl, the leopardess, who falls in love with an American soldier, the "wild beast", in a jungle which symbolizes a chaotic, occupied Tokyo.)
Then Kamiido took her in.
Damn him. Playing the Good Samaritan.
Had I found her first, she would've married me.
She was that sort of woman.
In her eyes all men were insects.
Nauseating harmful insects that just swarmed around her body.
Kamiido, too. Me, too.
And you, too.
Except one man...
Except her first husband.
What was his name...?
Suicide note
Her confession is so thorough that it's disappointing.
She murdered both Harada Shizuka and Kamiido Jouji.
That's what she wrote.
"My only regret is that,
on that night, I could not kill them both at once."
My only regret is that,
on that night, I could not kill them both at once.
Welcome back... darling.
Welcome back.
I'm so glad.
I've been having an awful dream.
A dream in which you'd never come back.
Thank goodness!
I thought I'd lost everything...
I'm so glad...
I've kept on meddling in this troublesome affair for one reason.
To prove Harada Tamotsu's innocence.
You see, I get it.
You let me read her letter because you must have some kind of scheme.
A person like you
would never show me something like this out of mere kindness.
I suspect I'll act just as you wish. Thoroughly.
You watch it, dude.
I won't tolerate something like that. Understand?
I'm going to the restroom.
I wonder what exactly I lost.
No. I am sure I have not lost anything.
I have just been through a lot and...
- You bored? - No.
I want to go home soon.
Go home and...
I just cannot remember.
That is what I thought.
What I wanted to believe.
They sent us orchids again.
Madam hated them, though.
Why did she hate orchids?
Who knows... she never told me the reason.
Maybe they brought back some unpleasant memories.
Well, that or...
Memories of an immense happiness, perhaps... huh?
Holy smoke...!
This is a big big big scoop!
Holy smoke!
- What? - Can I really publish this?
That's why I'm giving it to you.
Someone might show up and get back at you.
And you may possibly go through hell as Harada Tamotsu did.
So you'll give up?
Man～ I can't...!
Then you have to publish it. I've prepared myself for the worst.
No point in asking you now, but... why are you going to such great lengths?
Was Harada Tamotsu such a great fellow?
That's not it.
This is just the way I fight.
Just make up your mind. When are you going to do it?
On the 12th. I'll publish it on the 12th.
On that day Harada Heizou's going to make his first soapbox speech.
And the suicide note will appear in the morning edition.
The truth about the murder of Harada Shizuka. Harada Tamotsu died a guiltless death.
And the man who bribed the media trying to hush up the case.
Harada Heizou's dark power!
You going to write so much? That'll destroy your paper and all.
I don't give a damn! I've prepared myself too.
I'm going to do as much as I can.
- You... - Huh?
- You bear a grudge, don't you? - What? - Against Harada Heizou.
- You investigated me? - Why would I investigate you!
It's as clear as day!
A third-rate reporter like me
could never defeat Harada Heizou, anyway.
Well, actually... my father worked for him a long time ago.
No, never mind. It's just another boring story.
He was only one of those who fell victim to that man,
before he would rise in the world.
Still, you know what's so pathetic about being a victim?
It's this hopeless mediocrity.
He was my one and only father,
yet he was nothing but one body out of a huge pile of corpses.
Not a single news article about him!
People are more attracted by the topic of Harada Heizou,
who arrogantly leans back on top of that pile of bodies and has everybody's gratitude.
Uh... uh uh uh!
Well, of course they are.
And I'm just like them.
I've had enough of even hearing about miserable stories of misfortune.
Well, so have I!
- Still...! - C'mon, don't whine.
You're a man, ain't you.
Wait two weeks.
- I've decided to divorce. - How come?
Well, I kind of made up my mind.
Upon rebelling against my father for the first time in my life.
Anyhow, I thought
I'd just take the plunge and go to Paris.
Even the media wouldn't go so far as to follow me to Paris.
So, when are you going to come back?
Thank goodness.
I thought you wouldn't ask me.
Much to my surprise, you're a womanizer.
- This is Masuzawa Banji's office. - I've made it!
Kamiido Aiko's suicide note is now front-page news!
Oh...
Masuzawa-san!
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MURDER OF HARADA SHIZUKA The culprit was the wife of the late Kamiido Jouji
Kamiido Aiko's suicide note
EAST ASIA TIMES
Harada Tamotsu died a guiltless death. She killed
Harada Tamotsu died She killed
died a guiltless death. killed her husband too.
In the end, the chief editor lost his nerve at the last moment
and I couldn't write about the hush money Harada paid to the media.
Still, take a look. He won't be able to make a regular speech.
That's unquestionable. Rather, I won't let him.
- Would you like one? - Huh? - The brown ones are boiled eggs.
And the white ones?
- What? You're leaving? - I can't keep up with your spite.
Well, since we've come so far, let's throw eggs at him together.
We'll let off some steam.
No thanks.
Masuzawa-san.
You're running away without defeating the enemy?
Even if we defeat Harada, another Harada will come out again.
You know why? Because people want that.
In the end, men's greed
will always generate moguls like Harada.
In that case, my enemy's not Harada.
You mean we're our own enemy?
So that's the way you fight?
Damn you!
Two weeks later, Harada Heizou was elected a member of the lower house.
Oh well, that's life.
People want to see a bright future.
Why on earth are you here?
Been a while, huh? Bungling shamus.
Ah!
Looked through the morning edition.
Told you, didn't I? To keep your nose out of it.
How monotonous...
The way you yakuza speak is always so monotonous.
- You bastard! - You have no ingenuity whatsoever!
You all boast endlessly, parroting words you heard somewhere!
Huh?! Why not use your head for once!
Follow Harada Heizou's example. Learn from his superb guile.
Otherwise one of these days
your turf will get seized, guys!
You shit-for-brains!
Ah…!
Harada Heizou? Huh!
What about Harada Heizou!?
Before you worry about others, worry about yourself, you moron!
Same goes for you.
Masaoka Toraichi, we've caught you red-handed.
What the fuck?!
- I'm sorry, dude. - How long have you been watching me?
Since this morning. We saw the article, you see.
- Ouch... - Don't resent me.
It was you who proposed this bargain in the first place.
See ya.
Uh～ damn it...
Thus, thanks to Masuzawa Banji's efforts, Harada Tamotsu's innocence was proved.
Newspapers! Would you like a newspaper?
- Newspapers! - Hey～ ! Kid!
- Here. - Thank you!
Ah～ my change!
However, the general public had already forgotten who Harada Tamotsu was.
Honey! I found you!
- I shall not forgive you this time!
Masuzawa Banji's office had gone back to its uneventful everyday life.
- This goby-like woman! - Goby?!
Come again?!
You～ ! Say it once more, you old hag!
- Say it! - Goby woman!
- Old bitch! - Let go! - Now, now! Ma'am, ma'am...!
Ah!
Stop! Cut it out～ !
Anyhow, this chain of events had been,
so to speak, something like a letter.
The sender was Masuzawa Banji. The addressee was the deceased Harada Tamotsu.
A hopeless story, huh?
And yet, there's an odd sequel to it.
I'll explain the circumstances.
- Masuzawa Banji's office. - It's Kitaoka, from Koumu*.
*(Raise the Red Lantern.)
Hold on. It's not about the claim for damages. I have a job for you.
There's an annoying man here, he kicked up a fuss telling me to call you.
- A man? - I want you to come and pick him up.
Much to his surprise,
it was this guy.
Gonda, an ex-subordinate of Detective Kishida.
Drink that and leave at once.
For what it's worth, I'll tell you something interesting.
You know we caught Masatora the other day. Guess what he was hiding.
He's been Harada Heizou's snoop all along.
Moreover, the one who acted as their go-between was...
Yeah. The late Harada Tamotsu.
For a while Masatora managed Harada Heizou's development projects
and took care of the under-the-table stuff single-handed.
Well, since he's a hard-working guy,
Harada took quite a liking to him.
You heard about his project to build a huge highway in Tokyo very soon, right?
However, just as the project was officially approved
Harada gave him the sack. And that's the reason
we finally got to put our hands on Masatora.
In other words, we're living in a damned wicked world.
I'm sorry I gave you a sound thrashing when we interrogated you.
You, more than anyone, deserved sympathy.
You trusted that guy, didn't you?
Don't you think
you should revenge Harada Tamotsu?
On what basis do you think Harada Tamotsu is innocent?
Sorry, but it was Harada Tamotsu who killed my sister.
You believe Harada Tamotsu is innocent, right?
I've kept on meddling in this troublesome affair for one reason.
To prove Harada Tamotsu's innocence.
Masuzawa Banji's office.
No, I am Taiwanese.
The man you are about to meet,
Khó Song Yung, has hired me as his interpreter.
Jizo-o-byo Temple
(Situated in the Chinese cemetery in the Naka Ward of Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, this temple was built in 1892 by Chinese residents and enshrines the remains of the dead.)
He is here.
Thank you very much for coming.
Today I have invited you here
because Harada Tamotsu asked me a favor.
Actually, Harada is alive.
Currently he uses a different name and works for
a Taiwanese businessman Harada Heizou introduced him to.
When the incident occurred, the escape to Taiwan and the staged suicide
were planned by Harada Heizou. Everything went smoothly.
However, he...
He is deeply sorry to have caused you
a lot of trouble.
Please do not be offended
and accept these.
They are only
a token of apology from Harada Tamotsu.
Looks like he's doing quite well.
I'm relieved.
Apparently, Masatora got dismissed by Harada Heizou,
but Harada Tamotsu seems to be playing his cards right.
I suppose he was a much clever man
than what I had thought.
I, too, have something for him.
I don't know what this is, but
I have a feeling he should have it.
I'll take my leave, then.
Please wait.
May I ask you something?
Why do you think Harada Tamotsu asked me to drive him
to Yokohama Port? He asked neither Harada Heizou nor Masatora.
Why did he come to see me, of all people?
You already know the answer.
He had wished to become a man like you.
On that night
he was at the last crossroads.
I suppose he thought
he would be able to choose the right direction, if he met you.
He's a foolish man.
If things were different, he and I
might have had another gimlet together.
Goodbye.
Take care.
I think Masuzawa Banji had tried
to convey his beliefs to the man he trusted.
We have nothing but ourselves.
In the depths of an age, there are always a few ones who get destroyed.
Like Kamiido Aiko, Harada Tamotsu,
and even my father.
- Tokyo was chosen to host the 1964 Summer Olympics! Hurray! - Hurray!
(Tokyo won the rights to the Games on May 26, 1959, at the 55th IOC Session in Munich.)
Eventually Masuzawa Banji will be destroyed too.
Well, in short, I'm talking about men like Masuzawa Banji.
Harada Heizou Harada Heizou
For a future of wealth and peace
Peaceful use of Atomic Energy
In the forthcoming new era
men like him will no longer exist.
Farewell, Masuzawa Banji.
This country will go.
Experiencing the thousand sorrows time will bring.
Toward a shining future.
♬｢Why？ I don't know why｣
♬｢bitter and so sweet memories｣
♬｢always kill themselves｣
♬｢Maybe you try｣
♬｢singing an old style melody｣
♬｢Or should I cry？｣
♬｢I need my life to be alive until I die｣
♬｢We'll say a true goodbye｣
♬｢when it means something｣
♬｢So I won't say goodbye to you now｣
♬｢To say goodbye is to die a little｣
♬｢Here, there and everywhere Leave us alone a little while｣
His name is Masuzawa Banji. He's a private detective.