Mizusawa Sakura.
In the corner of a police station...
...she continually listens, day and night, for the complaints by residents about fugitives from justice.
But this woman has many ears.
As a popular radio personality, she listens to the voices of her listeners.
She understands what are lies and what are truths regardless of age or gender in those streets.
Once she begins an undercover investigation...
...she listens for the cries from the heart...
...of those weak common people who cannot raise their voices.
Yes, her ears...
Heiwa Fansubs Presents
...will never miss the truth.
~The Woman Who Hears Incidents~
Sakura. The woman who hears incidents.
Good morning, Komagome! Hey! Hey! It's already past 7!
Wash your face smartly, brush your teeth and don't you go yawning!
Today's lucky color is... Ta-dah!
Red!
Nailed it!
Okay, the tomatoes go on sale.
Episode 3: Re-employment Power Harassment Murder? The Trap Closing In On The Middle-aged Couple
Today's letter is from an anonymous Kitagome man in his 60's...
"Kokoro-san, good morning." Yes! Good morning!
"I had gone past my 60th birthday when I was re-employed."
For those elderly folks, that's a second life, isn't it?
"I was forced into taking an unpleasant role and it's often difficult for me."
"But I'll do my best again today."
"Could you read my favorite poem by Miyazawa Kenji out loud?"
Hmm... Sure.
Miyazawa Kenji is my favorite.
Since I'll read it right away, don't get discouraged whatever happens!
Then, please listen Miyazawa Kenji's "Ame ni mo Makezu."
("Be not Defeated by the Rain")
Ahh... Her voice really cheers me up.
More importantly, let's change clothes since our morning practice is over.
I wonder what Kokoro-san looks like?
And isn't there that? That mysterious masked DJ is...
Ahh! I wanna meet her!
Shall we go meet her?!
Sir!
Let's go! One, two...
Are you okay?
I'll call for an ambulance...
No, no, I have high blood pressure...
Matsunaga Tetsuo
It only makes me dizzy.
Truly, thank you very much.
Not at all.
It'd be best if you rested a little longer.
No, I've got to get to work.
If I don't hurry...
But you're injured, too.
No, no, I'm fine with just this. Today, like everyday, I'll work my hardest!
So long.
Be careful.
Police HQ Komagome Central Police Station
Tardy! Tardy! Tardy!
Even though your husband was injured at work...
...he won't tell you the reason?
He met with...
...either an incident or some trouble, huh?
Matsunaga Tetsuo's Wife Matsunaga Fumiyo
Yes...
But you say his injuries are only scratches and bruises, right?
It would be better if you didn't worry quite so much.
That may be so, but...
Injured, huh? That's a worry, isn't it?
Ah... Well, um...
In the meantime, keep an eye on his condition and please contact us again.
Husband: Matsunaga Tetsuo
Place of Employment: Kitchen Suno
Yes...
Thank you.
Welcome! I'm very sorry.
We're fully booked right now. Please wait a little while.
Yes, that will be fine.
"Restart in your 60's! The underlying strength that pulls the era on"
Re-employ the elderly!!
Making stores that illuminate the Second Life
"Re-employ the elderly."
"Making stores that illuminate the Second Life."
Welcome. How many in your party?
Yes, here's number 3.
Yes, I will guide you.
Thank you for waiting. Here's your pilaf.
Please be careful since it's hot.
It's that guy's fault.
It's that guy's fault that I... It's that guy's fault...
It's that guy's fault that I...
It's that guy's fault...
It's that guy's fault that I...
Excuse me! I'm very sorry.
Excuse us.
I'll do it.
Matsunaga-san, a moment.
Matsunaga Tetsuo
Matsunaga-san...?
Even though your husband was injured at work...
...he won't tell you the reason?
He met with...
Husband: Matsunaga Tetsuo
Place of Employment: Kitchen Suno
...either an incident or some trouble, huh?
"Kitchen Suno" Manager Yoshioka Shusaku
Do you know how many times it's been is this month?
That voice...
It's that guy's fault...
It's that guy's fault that I...
Thanks for your hard work!
Thanks for yours.
It's this way.
I'm fine with just this. Today, like everyday, I'll work my hardest!
The body's been identified as Matsunaga Tetsuo, 63-years-old...
He worked at a nearby eatery.
His estimated time of death was around 2 pm last night.
There's no evidence of a fight near the body and no eyewitness reports of anything strange.
He took off his shoes and left them on the shelf up there...
...so thinking over the situation, there's a high probability it was a suicide.
Police HQ Komagome Central Police Station
It was my fault.
I just got sick...
Sick?
Truth is...
I have cancer.
The treatment costs have been a considerable burden on us.
Well then, your husband got a job for your sake?
We were married 25 years.
We didn't have any children.
We supported each other and lived as a couple.
It was our silver wedding anniversary just yesterday.
The two of us...
...had promised we would buy each other gifts...
So he just couldn't have committed suicide.
Please.
Please make clear...
...the reason why my husband died.
Please.
Please...
Infiltrate a restaurant for an investigation?
Yes. The body that was discovered this morning...
The one concerning Matsunaga-san.
Are you going to meddle again in the work of the Detective Department?
The Detective Department is pressing forward with the line it was a suicide.
Yes.
But... he didn't seem like someone who would commit suicide himself.
You had met Matsunaga-san?
Yes...
It seems he saw him at the park by chance.
Why are you answering for me?
He said he would get dizzy due to his high blood pressure.
But...
I'm fine with just this. Today, like everyday, I'll work my hardest!
I just don't think he'd commit suicide.
Matsunaga-san seems to have gotten some suspicious injuries a few days ago...
His wife also said there was no way he would commit suicide.
So he just couldn't have committed suicide.
And moreover...
You heard a voice that's troubling you?
Yes. Actually...
It's that guy's fault...
It's that guy's fault that I...
That voice was one filled with resentment.
It has some connection with Matsunaga-san's death.
In that case, this investigation should be our work...
Then... Then I should be, too...
Just us should be...
This is work for the Detective's Division.
Takeuchi-kun, I fully understand what you're saying...
...but this is a voice only Mizusawa Sakura can listen to.
I will permit the infiltration.
Thank you very much.
Re-employment of the elderly?
When I checked into it, there have been very many recently.
That reminds me. When you get re-employed over the age of 60...
...I hear you get subsidy money from the country.
It's those companies who hire them that get that.
We don't get any of it.
Ah, then, it's only the companies...
...who get free park... no, free wha...
Free work.
Right, right. And then they can make heaps of money from us.
Hey, don't think about worthless things.
But Sakura-chan, why are you checking into something like that?
You work part-time in an office, don't you?
Yeah. That's, um...
Yes, yes, yes. Haven't you had a little too much to drink?
It's about time I closed up.
Eh?
Go home.
Everybody get out!
Get out?Get out?
The elderly's Second Life, huh?
The era has changed too, hasn't it?
Grandma, you're healthy and working too, aren't you?
That's due to you.
There are people who, as they get older and all sorts of circumstances occur...
...they won't say what their true intentions are.
That's why you must firmly listen for...
...the true words from their hearts.
Yeah.
Here. Thanks for your hard work today.
I'm going to get in the bath, okay?
Yeah.
I'll be under your care starting today. I am Mizusawa Sakura.
Let's work together.
As you know, we normally try to hire those elderly seeking re-employment here.
"Kitchen Suno" Director Kashiwada Maki
But...
With what happened to Matsunaga-san...
...we are currently in a situation where the number of people on our staff is lower than usual.
So I've decided to ask for some help until we can bring in a new person.
Please work together with us.
Yes.
Excuse me! This is from Sakura-san again.
You seem to be free, so could you give me a shoulder massage?
Ah... That's what is called "Power Harassment."
For pete's sake...
When I was younger, anyone would have given shoulder massages...
"My stiff shoulder worsened into a shoulder you get in your 40's even though I'm in my 30's."
"Because I am having a famous woman chiropractic look at it...
I'm the one who wants to see her!
This is the Staff Room; you can use when it's a break time...
Yes.
And this is our manual.
Is there anything you don't understand?
Ah...
It's unrelated to work though...
What does the "Suno" in "Kitchen Suno" stand for?
It's neither English or Italian, is it?
Yes.
Director, what are you doing here?
I'm sorry. I was training the new staff.
I'm Mizusawa Sakura. Nice to meet you.
Consultant, Company Director Kazama Koji
I'm the Consultant, Kazama Koji.
This restaurant was an ordinary cafe before, but with Kazama-san's advice...
...I made it a restaurant where the elderly play a major part.
Because it is the elderly who are pulling this age along.
And yet... Matsunaga-san went and did such a thing...
An autopsy?
I want to determine the exact cause of Matsunaga-san's death.
You're saying it's not a suicide but a criminal case?
Yes.
Please!
All right. I'll put in a request.
Mizusawa-san, help out with customers in the hall when your hands are free.
Yes.
How many times are you gonna make mistakes in the orders?!
If you don't like it, it's okay for you to quit.
Anything but that...
"Kitchen Sudo" Employee Takashiro Mitsuo
Ever since Yoshioka-san came, this restaurant has become harsher.
A Manager would want to improve sales at the store...
...but as soon as we make a mistake, he forces us to work overtime.
I was forced into reorganizing the warehouse and to do the cleaning.
Forced overtime. That's...
Once you get to be our age...
...when you're fired, there's nothing after that.
So you can't oppose those above you, even if you are unhappy about it.
Could it be that was true for Matsunaga-san who died?
Yeah. He had to organize the warehouse until it was late.
About 2 weeks ago, he fell from a stepladder and was injured...
Ow!
Yoshioka-san was particularly harsh on Matsunaga-san.
"Particularly harsh"? Why?
This just what I heard, but...
It seems they had once worked together at the same factory.
The same factory?
Yeah.
This is just a staff rumor...
Yoshioka-san got laid off by Matsunaga-san and then came to this restaurant.
Then, when the factory was shut down...
...Matsunaga-san was re-employed here by chance.
Laid off...
It's that guy's fault...
It's that guy's fault that I...
Welcome!
Ah, Mizusawa-san...
Oi!
Got a minute?
Resentment from being laid off?!
I don't know the exact facts yet.
From the autopsy, there's a possibility that Matsunaga-san was murdered.
A murder?
He had hit his head on something...
...so there's a possibility he was beaten on the head with a blunt object.
So after all, this Yoshioka is a man who was using power harassment on Matsunaga-san...
Hey, you're jumping to conclusions again; you're getting ahead of yourself here...
I know! Be quiet.
You're not suitable for this work!
That's not...
Matsunaga
I do know Yoshioka-san.
Once before, my husband and him were at the same workplace...
...and he came to our house several times.
What is this about Matsunaga-san having laid off Yoshioka-san?
It's the truth.
Although my husband suffered badly over it...
...he couldn't go against a directive from the company...
But why are you asking about Yoshioka-san?
That's...
From my husband...
...I had heard he was re-employed at the same place Yoshioka-san was.
Is it something related to that?
It can't be...
Yoshioka-san bore a grudge against my husband?
Well...
We don't know yet...
My husband...
...never said a word about being uneasy where he was employed.
Everyone, good morning.
Good morning.
The Consultant Kazama-san has a proposal for you today.
In order to make a comfortable working environment for all of you...
...we are planning for a major renovation of this store.
In order to expand the working space and in particular the cramped food warehouse...
...we will begin construction by the end of next week. To increase the working efficiency of all of you...
Yoshioka-san!
I don't know!
Yoshioka-san! You bore a grudge against my husband...
Why? Why was that?!
What is it? What is this about me?
Ah!
Please tell me the truth.
Please stop. Your husband wouldn't want such a thing.
Even though my husband had a chronic illness...
...for may sake, he worked so hard...
Why?!
Yoshioka-san! Yoshioka-san!
Calm down!
Please calm down!
Yoshioka-san!
Police HQ Komagome Central Police Station
This time around, we'll leave it as a reprimand.
However, though I may call for you again...
...it's fine for you to go home now.
Are you okay?
Let's take you back.
Welcome.
I'm home.
Something happen? You look like an out-of-season ghost.
Onee-chan's "so blue," isn't she?
I'll get it.
I should have gotten much closer to Fumiyo-san.
I should have listened...
...to her voice.
For pete's sake... Onee-chan's pitiful at both judo and crimes.
That was because you didn't listen for the true words.
I know that, but...
Sakura.
To hear the true words in their hearts...
...have you been listening properly for their true voice?
Eh?
True voice...
Matsunaga-san was forced into reorganizing this warehouse.
At that time, what was he thinking and feeling?
Nobuko-san, how many of the short pasta?
4 of them!
4 of them! Got it!
What sun?
Who's there?
Yoshioka-san, a call from HQ!
All right.
He had to organize the warehouse until it was late.
He said he would get dizzy due to his high blood pressure.
Could it be...
How'd it go with you?
No good. I hit up all the surrounding houses.
If there's a suspicion of Yoshioka bearing grudge against being laid off...
...then there should be some eyewitness testimony of him being around.
But during the 2 am estimated time of death, Yoshioka seems to have been at the restaurant.
The time when he left the restaurant was 3 am.
3 am...
At that time of night, no one would be out walking around, would they?
No... There are people working at precisely that time. Let's go.
Every Morning Newspaper
That reminds me, a food service wagon had stopped. A logo of "Kitchen" something-or-other on it.
Kitchen Sunoo!
"Suno."
I wonder if it was that...
By the way, around what time did you see that car?
At 3:30 am.
Since that's the time I head for the delivery office.
Tsuchida-san.
Yo.
Excuse me.
Matsunaga-san's estimated time of death was 2 am.
An error of 1 and a half hours, huh...
What does this mean?
Mizusawa Sakura
What is it? I'm like one step away from cornering him.
Matsunaga-san would get a sensation of dizziness from his high blood pressure, right?
Huh? That's what I told you.
What if he had one of his dizzy spells on the stepladder, while reorganizing the warehouse?
It couldn't be...
...he fell off the stepladder and hit his head?
His death might have been from overwork.
That's it.
Truth is, a food service wagon from that restaurant was eye-witnessed at that spot at 3:30 am.
Which means...
In other words...
Matsunaga-san's death at around 2 am was from a fall off a stepladder.
At 3 am he was found, dead...
...and was then carried to the discovery spot by the restaurant's food service wagon...
...and then disguised as a suicide.
But why would Yoshioka-san...
That's obvious.
Just a moment. Something is still bothering me.
What sun?
What was the meaning of that voice?
Say, Takeuchi-kun...
He really is a man who doesn't listen to what people say.
Then, what is this food service wagon used for?
Yoshioka-san goes around to the various stores in it.
Where is Yoshioka-san right now?
He's already gone home for today.
Good morning!
Good morning.
Ala? Is this Yoshioka-san's day off? Have you heard from him?
No, he hasn't contacted us.
Is that right.
Takeuchi-kun, Yoshioka-san hasn't come to the restaurant.
I knew it.
Eh?
He didn't return home all of last night. There's no question but he's a fugitive.
You should search for his whereabouts, too.
Ah...
Yoshioka
Miyazawa Kenji?
"Please read this," he said.
Yoshioka-san then lent this to me.
I was going to return it to him today but he's taken the day off.
So you were putting it in his locker.
Yoshioka-san said Miyazawa Kenji was his favorite.
In particular, "Ame ni mo Makezu."
"It is often hard for me, but I'll do my best again today."
"Could you read my favorite poem by Miyazawa Kenji out loud?"
Could it be that was from Yoshioka-san?
Miyazawa Kenji... Just can't imagine this coming from that guy, huh?
That's true, isn't it? He's a very strict person, after all.
He's hated by the staff...
...but I don't think he's that bad of a person.
"Have neither desires nor anger."
Even Yoshioka-san didn't really want to be angry.
Even the dead Matsunaga-san...
...recognized the efforts he was making in the shadow.
That's why I'm sure he didn't bear a grudge over being laid off, either.
That was just a bad rumor.
Then, what was that voice?
It's that guy's fault...
It's that guy's fault that I...
Takeuchi Masato
Hello?
Eh?
It seems he was stabbed by someone while on his way home from the restaurant.
Yoshioka bore a grudge against Matsunaga for being laid off.
When Matsunaga died a suspicious death...
...his wife, Fumiyo, tried to attack Yoshioka to get revenge the other day.
And now Yoshioka has been murdered.
Ah, you're the one from the restaurant...
Yoshioko-san has?
Yes.
The story is that the criminal hasn't been caught yet.
To be frank, what should I say?
That I hate him is a fact.
Um, that is?
I couldn't give it to my husband.
My present to him for our silver wedding anniversary.
The two of us had promised we would buy each other gifts.
I wonder what it was your husband had prepared for you?
Um...
Do you know of any place where your husband would have hidden something important to him?
Now that you mention it...
Things that were important to my husband...
...he would put in a trunk in the closet.
A wife could see through that, though.
Could you show it to me?
A diary, isn't it?
"Today's the first day of my re-employment."
"Though the work is hard..."
...it's nice being needed by someone.
Restarting at 62 years old.
For the company that employed me at this age...
...I will work hard.
Though after my 60th birthday, I'll be fine.
I can still work more and more. Can't lose to those young people, after all.
I'll greet them cheerfully.
Dishes at the hip position; carry with the wrist.
Move your body rather than your mouth.
I've been getting terribly dizzy recently.
I don't want Fumiyo to worry.
We've been married 25 years.
We supported one another the entire time.
I'm fine, I'm fine.
I'll be fine a long time yet.
So long! I'm off!
Have a nice day!
I won't be discouraged, whatever happens...
"...until Fumiyo's illness is cured."
I'm scared.
My husband has passed away and I'll be living alone.
But...
I won't be alone.
I can still hear his voice even now.
My husband looked forward to working at "Suno" very much.
Because that restaurant had become his light...
...that lit up everyday; he said the name "Sun" was just perfect for it.
I'm positive that in the Esperanto language, the "Suno" of "Kitchen Suno"...
...means "Sun," doesn't it?
It means "Sun," doesn't it?
Sun...
What sun?
Kitchen Suno...
I'm sorry. Excuse me.
The subsection Chief is headed over there.
They intend to bring Fumiyo-san in for questioning.
That's wrong.
The true criminal... is elsewhere.
Kitchen Suno Holdings
Say. When will you break up with your wife?
You're my important partner right now, aren't you?
Both in business... and in private...
That's true, but...
More importantly...
Are things squared away with those police?
No problems.
They're under the impression Yoshioka was trying to hide the death from overwork.
And as for Yoshioka's murder, they'll just suspect that sick old woman.
There's nothing more convenient than old people, is there?
Mizusawa-san?
Komagome Central Station, Life Safety Division...
...crime prevention official, Mizusawa Sakura.
Police...?
What business does the police have with us?
Matsunaga-san and Yoshioka-san...
...were your victims, weren't they?
I...
...heard the voice of Yoshioka-san, which seemed full of grudges.
It's that guy's fault...
It's that guy's fault that I...
At first I thought his voice was in opposition to Matsunaga-san.
But I was wrong.
That was his resentment against Kitchen Suno.
Maki-san.
That voice was in opposition to you.
What makes you say that?
There's been a problem with sweatshop companies recently.
It's not easy to coerce harsh work.
So you made Yoshioka-san alone into being the bad guy...
...and bound the staff to their work.
Please wait. Please wait.
Why am I the one who must act like I'm using power harassment...
If you're the one threatening them, they'll all work desperately, right?
Or else you can't follow the company's directives?
Defying you meant losing his job.
Therefore Yoshioka-san couldn't help but obey your orders.
Don't say such disreputable things.
We created a restaurant to give support to the elderly...
Stop it with the lies!
Your goal...
...was this, wasn't it?
"Stabilization of Employment for Elderly Persons Subsidy."
To companies which rehire those who have reached the retirement age, set at 60....
...they receive 700,000 yen per person.
($6,200)
700,000 yen per person
It seems that if a long-term employment environment is maintained, there's a max payment of 10 million yen.
10 million yen Maximum
You guys, while receiving these subsidies...
...coerced illegally harsh labor.
As a result, Matsunaga-san died of overwork...
...and you forced Yoshioka-san into concealing it, didn't you?
And then, to put the blame on someone else, you murdered Yoshioka-san...
Rubbish. What evidence do you have for such a thing?
The "Suno" of "Kitchen Suno."
That's neither English nor Italian, but in Esperanto, isn't it?
And so?
The Esperanto language was made from words common to languages around the world.
It's said Miyazawa Kenji favored it and used it willingly.
"What sun?"
The voice of Yoshioka-san muttered that.
I clearly heard it.
What sun?
That was Yoshioka-san's true voice from the heart...
...and his favorite, Miyazawa Kenji.
Voice from the heart?
Partly because of Matsunaga-san's wife...
...Yoshioka-san was tormented by his sense of guilt, wasn't he?
Therefore, since he was going to accuse you two of everything...
...you murdered him.
That's just mere guessing.
Yoshioka did it all on his own.
It's not my fault that Matsunaga fell off that stepladder!
Why do you say Matsunaga-san died from a fall off a stepladder?
Only a person who was there at the scene would know he had died from overwork.
In other words, you were there at that site, too.
Just when I had come back...
...he was already...
If it becomes known this was death from overwork, then this restaurant is finished.
You know what you have to do, don't you?
But...
You okay with losing your job?
Hurry and get him out of here.
False words and true words...
This ear can clearly discern between them!
Evidently...
...it seems we won't be able to let you leave.
Oi.
Eh? Eh... Ah... Wait, wait...
No, hold on! Wait! Wait! Stop it!
Wait!
Takeuchi-kun!
I, Sakura, have clearly heard out this case.
"Without losing to the rain; and without losing to the wind, either."
All elderly who feel that will risk everything for their work.
I will never allow...
...such feelings to be trampled upon!
Take care of the rest, okay?
Yeah!
Stand up!
"Subsidy" Fraud Case
You actually were with the police, huh?
I'm very sorry for keeping it from you.
Not at all. Thank you very much.
With this, my husband can rest in peace, too.
But... that I suspected Yoshioka-san...
The one who was wrong was me for letting you get that misunderstanding.
I'm truly very sorry!
Ah, no...
Here.
This had been put into the back of that trunk.
This fits me perfectly.
I have to hurry and get well, don't I?
Yes.
Umekoma-tei
A round of drinks after work is the best, isn't it?
Don't drink too much. Because we have practice in the morning!
Yes sir!
Both Onee-chan and the Judo Detective have completely cheered up, aren't they?
Though I really felt that would only be temporary anyway.
Tofu and kikurage, Chinese style.
(cloud ear mushrooms)
Thank you!
Since "kikurage" is written with the characters for "wood" and "ear," it fits Sakura-san perfe...
Mizusawa! You could use a little training, too.
Look, you. My duty is to listen to the voices of the town.
It's enough that my ears are trained.
And because of that, you're weak.
What was that?! Such terrible words again!
What? Again with the pushing?
Don't get discouraged.
If you're a man, challenge him again and again!
Huh? I wasn't talking about that just now!
I was talking about training or not training.
Wrong! We were talking about how to listen to people, right!
Here! The final postcards for today.
Pick one out with a thwack.
Hmm...
Takeuchi Masato
This one.
Our final letter with the radio name of "67 year-old worker."
Damn! Missed it today, too!
Takeuchi-kun.
Ah, Chief, good morning!
Morning.
Ah, I'm sorry. I'll change clothes right away.
That's okay.
Takeuchi-kun, you're a firm fan of Kokoro-san too, aren't you?
Um... You, too, Chief?!
Um, she's great, isn't she? She cheers you up first thing in the morning.
It's true; she does cheer you up, doesn't she?
Yes! Since it's you, Chief, I can say this, but truth is I send her a postcard every day.
But she never, ever reads it. Why, I wonder...
Do your best energetically!
Chief?
And then everyone...
...go all out again today...
...and get going!
The mystery of Masato's parents being killed solved after 22 years
Next Episode Preview
Masato's Unknown, Sad Past
And a new murder case...
The Unlocked Case Puzzle from 22 years ago
This Drama is Fictional