Congratulations on your admittance.
We have given you a 1-year contract.
At each of these places a new battle was about to begin.
Do you intend to skip out on your responsibility again?
- What are you saying! - Aki!
He will be put before the disciplinary commission.
This man is an excellent subordinate!
I can give you the number code for that cabinet.
From now on, it's my job.
If you took sides for section 3, your boss wouldn't like that so much.
As superior I am responsible for what my subordinate did.
Some day, I also will become a superior who can protect his subordinate like you.
Will we be able to shine at this place?
Good morning. You're quite early.
It's the first thing I have to do in the morning.
Is there any problem?
They came under heavy pressure and lost.
From the top position they came down to earth with a bang.
- Eh? - Don't say "Eh?"!
Frontal has lost first place.
Ah, it's about soccer.
In this situation Frontal needs me.
I'll dedicate my whole salary for this month
to the travel expenses of the next away matches.
Osaka! Niigata! Fukuoka!
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Huh? Is there any problem?
- In the end, it was a defeat. - Ah, soccer, right?
What are you talking?
My pocket money has been reduced.
It's because the expenses for the children's education have increased.
So how can she permanently say I should reduce spending when I go out in the morning? Permanently.
And under your wife's intense pressure since the early morning you gave in, right?
After all, it's best to be single.
If I couldn't use my money for myself,
I wouldn't know for what I am working.
What are you talking!
That's an excuse of a man who didn't marry although he has the right age.
What are you laughing!
I guess you don't even have a girlfriend.
Yes.
For what exactly are you working then?
"For what am I working" is a question I had never asked myself.
As expected from an elite student.
Is studying your first thing in the morning?
- What's up? - "What's up", he says.
Since today, I'm in OJT with this. ( On-the-job training )
Alright. No problem.
Then, we'll proceed in this direction.
Good morning!
Since today, I'm a trainee here. Hitomi is my name.
Pleased to meet you.
- Welcome. - Yes!
He's as cool as they say, isn't he?
He would be right for me.
Do you want to complain about my way of doing things?
- No. - Then, what is this?
This report!
It was an old format, so I slightly modified it.
I'm sorry that it's old.
That's the format the chief created.
I'm sorry.
Do you hate it so much?
- Huh? Our division? - No.
Then don't do as you please!
Starting today, you are in OJT. Go quickly.
Yes.
Excuse me.
Is there a reason why they treat Kazuki so badly?
That's why I told her.
Put that all together.
Then, I'm leaving for the OJT training.
Oh, does it start today? Is decided to whom you will go?
To Ohira-san in the Resources division of section 1.
Ohira? That's a bitter pill.
You see, Ohira
is our model employee who treats his trading partners with outmost courtesy.
- You can learn a lot from him. - Yes.
So you won't be here for 2 days.
- It will be lonely somehow. - What are you talking!
Good morning. Please take care of me from today on.
Oh, Kazuki. We've been waiting for you. Welcome.
- Kazuki-san, you're here? - Yeah. And you?
In the Resources division of section 1. Together with Kiriake-kun.
What happened? This here.
It's nothing.
Kazuki-san, please, please, please... Ah, excuse me.
Sorry that it's so cramped and unorderly.
I'll put this away immediately. Sorry.
Well, I guess this will be fun.
What are you standing there? Hurry up and go!
- Go! - Yes.
Pleased to meet you. I'm in charge of the OJT. Ohira is my name.
- Welcome here. - Please treat us well.
You are Kiriake-kun and were intern in the Resources division of section 2, right?
Yes. So I already know the basic work flow.
Then, some things may not be new to you,
but shall we go into the conference room where I'll describe you our business.
- Yes. - I'm very sorry.
I'll take care of it at once.
- Ohira! - Yes.
Toyo Minerals' rare earth delivery, when will it come?
They say according to plan it should come today.
Last week, they said the same.
There might be a claim because of shipping delay.
Confirm at once if the stock has been secured.
- Yes. I'll call them once more. - Calling them is useless!
Go directly to the company and check on the spot if the delivery is progressing!
Yes. Understood.
I'm sorry. I have to go to a supplier now
and would like you to come with me as part of our workplace tour.
- Is that okay? - Yes.
Here is the list of pipe exporters.
- Thanks. - Yes!
This here is heaven.
Yes, it's Yuki.
Understood. Wait a moment.
- Hitomi-kun. - Yes.
- Telephone. - For me?
Oh! Welcome back, Hitomi-kun.
Can you summarize these data for me immediately?
I'd like you to complete it this week.
No, I'm in OJT now.
That's resolved already.
I asked Human Resourses to make an exemption.
I suppose you don't want to abandon your superior either.
I said you absolutely didn't want that and got the permission.
Good, good, good.
I'm grateful for your feelings and now back to work.
You're welcome.
It's perfect!
I knew it.
It's a big difference to our copy craftsman.
Kazuki-san, you're great.
What are you so happy? You're giving me the creeps.
I'm not especially happy.
It's that face that you have. Your face. That's why you're not popular.
I don't want to hear that from you.
You with that veteran hit-man face of yours.
Listen, you. I may have this face,
but I'm properly married.
If I was forced to marry someone with such a face, I'd let my head hang down.
- Why should I make a pass on you? - That's it, that's, that's it!
That's the veteran, yes, the hit-man. It's so scary!
It's an interesting section, right? Section 3.
- Thank you! - Yeah, interesting it is.
- With Chief Oda? - Yeah.
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to work together with section 3
and Chief Oda really taught me a lot.
So that's how it was.
The most important quality in this business is courage.
If you let them lick you, it's over.
He taught me to hit back right from the start.
Courage...
However,
even though I think it would be good to act like Chief Oda,
I'm just not that sort of man.
Then, in order to do business,
what is the most important thing for you?
Always treating your partners cordially.
I think if you do that, the other side will lend you their ear
and a trustful relationship can be build.
But, this case is about a delay trouble, isn't it?
There will have been circumstances so that the stock could not be secured.
They are our business partner since 10 years now.
Whatever the trouble may be, let's attentively listen to them, okay?
- Yes. - Yes.
We are really very sorry.
Somehow, we've managed to secure the stock,
but can't you wait 2-3 days for the delivery?
But last week,
you told us it would definitely be delivered in the course of today, right?
To be true, I have a private problem.
I'm struggling with taking care of my parents.
I forgot to confirm it.
Due to this fault, the delivery will be delayed.
So that's how it was.
If this became known at the top,
I'd be removed from my area of responsibility and be finished in this region.
If that happened, it would destroy my family.
Ohira-san, I'm begging you! Can't you wait just a little longer?
Please!
Takebayashi-san, please raise your head. I have understood.
Is that true?
Please make sure that it will definitely be delivered within 3 days, okay?
I'm really glad that you are in charge of this, Ohira-san.
Thank you very much.
Chief, the stock has been secured.
But it seems the delivery will take 2-3 days more.
Didn't I tell you to have a close look at that place?
I'm sorry. It seems there was a misunderstanding
so the delivery will not meet the deadline.
"It will not meet the deadline." Is that all?
Controlling the delivery is also your job!
Don't come back to the company before the delivery is on the way!
I'm sorry. I will remain here for a little longer,
but you can return for today.
- Are you going back to them again? - Of course not.
The other side has understood already.
When an appropriate time has passed, I'll return to the company.
If I returned now, the chief would get mad.
This will stay our secret, okay?
I'm finished with compiling the invoices.
That's quick! Thank you.
Can I help you with anything else yet?
No, it's enough for today.
Thanks to you, this 1 working week will almost be frightening.
- Eh? - No, it was a joke, a joke.
We are not used to have so much free time.
Listen. In front of a sweet girl
you really shouldn't make such jokes.
Can you stop making such remarks when the person concerned is present.
Oh! Kazuki, it's time to go home for today.
Yes. Then, excuse me.
Don't you think she'll be embarrassed?
- She will get used to it. - She won't.
- This is a delicate matter. - This is what?
- Good work today. - Good work today!
Oda.
You shouldn't be so happy.
What's with you? This is a reason to be happy.
No! Haven't you heard?
That woman has been involved in the Toto Oil contract incident.
Because of that fault the Resources division has a bad standing.
So what?
Don't say, "So what"!
For you, this may be a closed chapter,
but over there it's absolutely not.
Don't let me explain each and everything!
I didn't ask you to start this conversation.
Yes, it's Kazuki.
Good work today.
Check those packing lists.
If they're alright, send them to the shipping company.
They're over there.
What! Do you have a complaint again?
No.
You're not going to say that you're in OJT and don't have to work for us, right?
Yes.
She doesn't like our section as much as section 3.
- That's not true. - Then,
stop this uptight attitude.
And can't you at least put on a polite smile?
I'm sorry.
- Let's go. - Yes.
Chief, this is the bar for today's entertainment.
As for the rare earth case,
please send us the order form in the course of this week.
Yes. Thank you very much.
I'm back.
Do you have definite documents of the delivery of the stock.
No. I'm sorry.
Why must you always be like that?
You listen too much to the other side's demands.
- Yes. - You're doing this job since 10 years,
but I can't see the slightest improvement.
Tomorrow, you'll go there again!
Your job is negotiating. Don't forget that!
Yes.
Ohira-san is a Kyoto University graduate with 1st class academic background.
When he joined, it initially was expected
that he'd be an asset for the company,
but because of his timid personality the likelihood of success is zero.
Now they say he's only a burden to the Resources division of section 1.
Why is such a person in the Resources division for so long?
I can understand how you feel.
You wanted to join the Resources division and a man who lacks the abilities is there, right?
Working under such conditions can only be frustrating.
But Ohira-san's willingness to use himself as shield
to protect his trading partner is impressive, don't you think?
I'd rather say it is wrong.
A company should place people in positions where they do their job well.
But people like the guys who are in charge of us? Junk...
- But I can understand his reasons too. - This guy's way of thinking is old-fashioned.
Working for the company at the expense of yourself is a mistake.
The company is a place for you to grow,
a place to build your career.
You don't live for the company.
If it's not the right place, you better quit.
Okay, okay. Enough of that story now.
Now when we finally meet, let's talk about something more enjoyable.
Ah, right. Don't we get our first salary soon?
Shouldn't we all go on a little trip?
What's wrong? The mood is completely spoiled.
It's from Kazuki.
"I'm forced to work and can't participate today", she writes.
Is she alright?
- I'm back. - Welcome home.
- How about dinner? - Sorry, I've eaten already.
So. Would you like some tea?
Ah, that's right.
Mom, is there anything you'd like to have?
Why?
Well, I will get my first salary soon and want to make you a present.
Really? Anything is fine?
Well, then...
Something that reminds of a more splendid lifestyle.
Some item of furniture that would give a great feeling
- so as if we had a pool in the garden. - Mom!
I don't need anything, but buy yourself a summer suit.
You should use it for yourself.
For myself?
What's wrong?
How did Dad think about work?
I wonder.
He didn't talk at home about his work.
I see.
But your dad was a good man.
So he might have suffered a lot of setbacks too.
I'm sorry, but I have to visit customers the whole day today.
It would be better if someone else was in charge of your OJT, right?
No. Please let us accompany you on your tour.
Really? Alright.
Well then, we'll leave in 10 minutes,
- so be ready then. - Yes.
I'll fetch a few documents from section 3.
Cancel the contract at this stadium?
Until the other side accepts our terms, I don't sign this contract.
Good work today.
Oi, Aki, hand me the contract with Toyokawa Food.
- We'll send it back. - No, no, no, no.
Please wait a moment. We've struggled so hard for this project.
What happened?
It's a project that was taken over from the Food division,
but there seems to be trouble with the packing.
Bring it quickly! The match is on.
The side who pulls back loses the match.
Yes, yes. It's a head-on match, right? Here it is.
In case my feeling yesterday was right
and there is no progress despite what he said,
do you have any plan?
No, the other side is reasonable too.
In any case, let's ask them to deliver as soon as possible.
Couldn't it be that they have sold the stock to someone else?
Such a thing is impossible.
With Toyo Minerals we have a relationship of trust since 10 years.
However,
they're increasing their deals with new partners recently.
I investigated it yesterday evening.
You say their connection to us is deep,
but don't you underestimate that they do so little
to not break the contract with us?
That's... you overemphasize it!
Don't worry about Yoichi.
Let's concentrate on the new customers now.
The stock goes all to them.
This state can drag on for another week.
If they come complaining, I'll find a suitable excuse again.
I'll return to the company in a moment.
You can go ahead.
- Let's go back. - Eh? But we're still in training.
There's nothing more to learn here.
I will stay here.
Alright. You should do what you want.
I understand the situation.
We leave it to your judgement.
I'm sorry to stop the project at such a point in time.
No. If we accepted the contract as it is,
we'd create a bad precedent.
For the future as well,
I think it would be good to show strength here.
As expected from former superior and subordinate.
Your way of thinking is identic.
- Oi! This is not the place for jokes. - I'm sorry.
- Shouldn't you answer it? - It's fine.
Then, could you give me your terms for this contract?
Yes. Please look at page 2.
First, it is agreed that each local factory of Toyokawa Food
will once more check
each delivery for packing mistakes
and issue a certificate about it.
On first request, Toyokawa Foods will send these certificates...
No, I have to visit a customer.
I can't change my plans so suddenly.
Wait! Are you planning to ask Mother again?
Enough of that. The one you should complain to isn't me.
You never take care of the child.
Today, I really can't pick up Sae.
Are you alright?
It's always the same story.
If Ichinose was here, I could send him to pick her up.
Excuse me, shall I go instead?
What are you saying!
- You have your work to do here. - No, Kazuki is so excellent
she's already finished with her tasks.
- Still, asking for something like this... - It's okay, isn't it?
- This is also part of OJT. - Yes.
You haven't returned yet?
I will stay here.
It's pitiful, isn't it? Indeed.
I wonder what I shall tell my boss.
You have a relationship to Toyo Minerals since 10 years, right?
Yeah.
It's the first important trading partner I'm in charge of since I joined the company.
I've regularly shown my face there
and thought I had build a trustful relationship.
I'm not suited for this business.
But this is not your fault.
You did it to protect your partner.
The one who broke the relationship of trust is the other side.
Well, that's right but...
These are Chief Oda's words.
If you pull back, you've lost.
The match is on.
I think now it's time to clench your fist and strike back.
Well... I was surprised a little while ago
seeing you so suddenly.
Excuse me... The delivery for our company, when will it take place?
As I said, within 3 days, for sure.
- I see. - Please don't worry.
- The stock has already been secured. - Yes.
I'm really sorry for the delay.
If we don't press hard, things just don't go smoothly.
I'm very sorry, but I have an appointment with a visitor.
Yes... I'm sorry.
Excuse me...
Is there anything else?
No, nothing?
Excuse me!
Yes.
In case the delivery is delayed,
the provisions say we can cancel the contract
and our side will receive an adequate compensation.
Eh? Are you saying you cancel the contract?
Ohira-san's match has begun.
We are really very sorry.
Ohira-san, we will definitely deliver it in the course of today.
Please, can't you forgive us this one time?
The provisions of the contract are as they are.
Takebayashi! How could you do such a thing?
Treating an important customer that rude!
I'm sorry, President.
Do you want to ruin our relationship of trust with Yoichi Bussan?
If due to your mistake
Yoichi suffers a huge damage,
how will you take resposibility for that?
The compensation alone could be immense.
If they now cancel the contract, we can't complain.
That's the situation.
You will cancel the contract, am I right?
- Ah, well... - Is it wrong?
- That... that's... - I understand.
Well, please let us go apologizing to your company now.
I have an old relationship with your director. Let me apologize directly to him.
No, that's... Please wait a moment.
That's bad.
They try to get away by heating up the situation.
This way, he will be overpowered.
I'm sorry, President.
This blunder happened due to my obstinacy.
- This is... - Ohira-san.
If you allow me to say just one word...
If the situation is unfavorable, change your tactics.
That's a proverb in Go.
When the course of the game is painful, confuse the situation
and make an unexpected move.
According to Toyokawa Food's schedule, in the following week...
- Huh? - What's wrong?
A mail from Ichinose. He wants me to call him.
Then, how shall we proceed in this matter?
Ah, well...
This time, if it's my decision...
I'm sorry.
It's a call from the company.
Can I answer it?
Excuse me. Excuse me.
Yes, it's Ichinose.
- What's wrong? Did something happen? - Yes. That's right.
It's the problem we talked about in the matter of the delay trouble.
We're still at the supplier. Yes.
- What problem we talked about? - Yes. That's right.
The president of the supplier will now come to us
and wants to explain the situation.
What are you talking all the time?
Eh? The director will attend too? Understood.
Then, please prepare everything as scheduled.
A counterstrike against the opponent's attack,
that's the tactics now.
Chief, what's wrong? What happened?
Sae-chan! Here's someone who works with your mom.
Then, shall we get ready to go home?
Yes.
- Don't forget your water bottle, okay? - Yes.
[ Shiraishi Sae ]
I'm back.
What about your OJT training?
There was trouble with a supplier
and Ohira-san told us to go back.
Don't you think it is necessary to see till the end
how such a trouble is dealt with?
Of course, I also wanted to learn this,
but I thought it makes no sense to stay there any longer.
The one who decides if it makes sense or not isn't you.
President Ishibashi of Toyo Minerals?
Yes. He's on the way to us now
to apologize for the delay trouble.
My subordinate who's in OJT just called me.
That guy Ohira! What is he doing?
- Oi, connect me to the Legal Department. - Yes.
The provisions of the contract. And the material about the shipping.
Excuse me, Director. The president of Toyo Minerals
is on the way to visit us. Could you please attend too.
He will be alright, won't he?
Thanks for coming.
President Ishibashi,
we are sorry for bothering you to come here.
No, I am deeply sorry for the inconvenience we've caused this time.
First, we have to assess the situation,
- so can you please wait there? - Yes.
Please.
Ohira, could you give me an explanation?
Yes. Could you allow him to participate too?
Eh? No, I...
Because he has given me tremendous support on the site.
Say, when will Mama come back?
When will it be?
She said she'd call when she comes home.
I see.
It's lonely, right?
All those times when your Mama can't be with you.
Shall I play with you until your Mama comes back?
Kiriake, what has happened?
The president of Toyo Minerals came to apologize.
Is it true that Ohira-san threatened him to cancel the contract?
Eh?
Well, he showed unexpected determination, didn't he?
Now, they will hold a conference with the director.
They say Ichinose will also participate in that meeting.
Huh? You went together with them,
so why can't you attend?
No, I...
He's really amazing, this Ichinose.
A remarkable accomplishment after 1 month as employee.
Indeed, it's exactly what I've expected from him. Right?
You're exaggerating. It just happened during OJT.
He may participate in the meeting, but only as a silent listener.
I don't think so. He was invited because it's necessary.
Maybe he's the first of us classmates to start a great career.
Delay trouble?
Do we have loss?
It's still in a range that our company can neglect.
Then, what's the problem? Why was the president called in?
Ohira, who's in charge of this, will explain.
- Oi. - Yes.
I will now explain the complications so far.
The problem I had was not a simple delay trouble.
Toyo Minerals
intentionally delayed the delivery, as became manifest.
Intentionally?
What's that supposed to mean?
Toyo Minerals held back the delivery to Yoichi
in order to advance their business with new customers.
- What's that? - Seems they licked us.
If it's like this,
your decision to call in the president was correct, right?
Yes.
Is it really okay now?
Will this give Ohira-san
the strengh to fight he always wished for?
However, the true problem was not only this.
Is there anything else?
The one who's responsible that this happened is me.
When the first delay occured,
I neglected to take measures.
I didn't protest loudly
because I was afraid to destroy the relationship.
And even later,
each time there was a delay, I pretended to understand the reason
and accepted it with a fake smile.
If I work with these people, a delay is okay.
That's what I thought.
The problem is my way of doing my job.
The responsibility lies with me.
That's why I beg you to treat Toyo Minerals generously.
Please do not cancel the contract with them!
Ohira is our model employee who treats his trading partners with outmost courtesy.
You can learn a lot from him.
How long are you working for us?
It will be 10 years this year.
You've been working here for 10 years but it seems you don't understand anything.
There's no way we'd dump a longtime supplier because of that.
There's nothing you have to take responsibility for.
We will use this incident
to negotiate a new contract with better conditions for Yoichi.
- Isn't that good? - Yes.
Well, I think that's it.
Ohira.
For this case and to prevent future repetitions I'll reprimand you.
You understand, don't you?
Yes.
It was a crushing defeat.
No matter how much courage he mustered,
in the end, the thinking of the company prevailed.
A good advice.
That's what I should have given him.
I'm sorry for bothering you with my private matters.
Absolutely not.
Coordinating both our schedules with my husband
and decide who'll pick her up is always a hassle.
He doesn't say it, but he thinks since I'm a woman it's easier for me to go home.
We are a married couple, but with such things it's like talking to a stranger.
It's terrible.
I'm a bit surprised.
Surprised?
I thought Chief Shiraishi was perfect at everything.
There can be no talk of that.
I'm always fully occupied with the thing that's right before my eyes.
There's no room for anything else.
When we decided to have a child,
I felt I loved this job
and decided to continue working in order to improve myself further.
I don't regret it,
even if I'm a bit busy now, of course.
However,
from time to time I get a little unsure.
Placing so much importance on my work
must be sad for my daughter, I guess.
That kid has drawn a sad picture.
In the nursery school all kids drew a portrait of their mama,
but only my picture shows the backview.
Earlier,
when I was playing with Sae-chan, she told me.
She said she loved her Mama who's working so hard.
But, when it's time to part at the nursery school
never being able to say properly bye-bye, that's sad.
What crazy little games are you playing, huh?
A rookie can't do such cheeky acts!
I'm sorry.
It's as I said.
Ohira is a model employee.
He tried to protect an important business partner.
He will have thought it would serve the company.
Yes.
And yet, I unnecessarily...
No matter if he fought or not,
Ohira-san's reputation within the company didn't change, right?
That's how a general trading company is.
It's always about managing risks.
When you begin to question the individual responsibility, there's no limit.
That's why each time there's any trouble,
the company puts emphasis on preventing a repetition.
Yes.
However,
it seems he was grateful to you.
He said it was the first time he was able to fight head-on.
He said it was the first time since long that he felt his heart beating at work.
Will you go for a drink?
Well, I don't like to say it, but I'll go home.
If I don't come straight home at times,
my pocket money will be reduced.
See you.
There's a way to fight for everyone.
Everybody has their individual way to play Go.
No matter for what purpose people work,
they all have their own reason to work.
[ A change of career means changing tomorrow ] And it's good that the important things they work for
are different for everyone.
Thank you very much.
I'm back.
I've bought it with my first salary.
But it's not exactly a house with a pool, right?
Even though I told him he shouldn't.
At least the estimation should be prepared in advance.
Make sure to do it once you come back. Yeah. Wait a moment.
Sae, Papa will come to pick you up today, okay?
I'm leaving now.
And, as for this Indonesia project,
can you arrange an appointment this week to sign the contract?
Ah, well, we'll talk about it once I'm in the office.
See you.
That's what you've always seen, right?
I'm sorry.
Say, Sae,
if Mama will look you straight in the face from now on,
can you draw a new picture of Mama?
- Good morning. - Morning
Good morning.
Oh, morning.
That's what has accumulated. When you're finished, congratulations!
Here too? Or here?
- Let me please. - Say, aren't I good?
Good morning.
Aki-san, I've summarized the material of the report.
- Please check it. - That's quick. Thank you.
- Oi, Ichinose. - Yes.
Are the copies of the application form not yet ready?
They are laying on your desk.
What? Such a smiling face? It's giving me the creeps, really.