Even if the world is against you I'm on your side.
Something unfortunate's happened hasn't it. I can tell by the way you look.
A secret friend and a ball... What if the criminal...
is a minor, that's a possible line of thought isn't it.
Ah, here's just fine.
Thank you.
Do you think you'll be able make peace?
Yes, we're family after all.
Ah, that's right, I really should apologize to Yumiko-san.
Yumiko-san? You met her when you came by,
Ah...
Apologize? Did something happen with her?
It's really embarrassing but
I was suspicious of her.
I thought she might be keeping an eye on us.
Keeping an eye on you?
Sora was mucking around and said something odd.
There were lots of things like tellys.
You could see inside peoples homes,
I could see you too mummy.
Spying on you?
Of course there's no way she'd be doing that, right.
You're not to blame.
After all...
Children can't choose their parents.
Nobody wants
to be born to terrible parents, do they.
I was suspicious of her.
I thought she might be keeping an eye on us.
Why can't you at least get on better with the other mothers?
I'm trying, I just can't seem to!
I'm home.
It's mummy!
Mummy. Yes.
I'm really sorry.
No... um... rather...
I said too much too.
Where's Kazuki?
You didn't come back with him?
Kazuki! I'm really sorry. We must have just missed each other.
I was just about to go looking for you...
Kazuki?
Kazuki, what's the matter? Did something happen?
Hey Kazuki?
The number of victims to date is 4. The number of strong leads is zero.
But looking at the modus operandi thus far certain features can be considered.
They've detailed information about the mother groups,
furthermore they're skilled at handling children
this fourth child as well...
A secret friend?
They took the name of 'secret friend'
and lured her out. Hmm, I guess
the criminal could well be a woman perhaps...
But, if we say the mothers aren't keeping a close eye on the children
that might be because it's someone closer in age to the child.
Yumiko-san?
Are you acquainted? You mean Sasaki Yumiko yes?.
She runs a flower arranging class.
What kind of person is she? Well...
I heard that her husband is in New York,
I believes he works for Suzushiro Trading.
Why did she stay in Japan?
I don't really know. We don't discuss private matters,
but it seems she's got a fair bit of money.
Is that so?
Actually, I wanted to buy the apartment she moved into
as an investment. But she cut in
offering an unbelievable amount of money.
Unbelievable amout of money... It's just a normal apartment you know.
It's directly above Takano Aki's apartment you know.
Directly above?!
You're being annoying!
Why aren't you listening to me!
Kazuki's late isn't he.
Yeah... I might try and give him a call.
Okay.
That's strange, he usually picks up.
Maybe he's playing with his friends. What?
Ah, that reminds me,
I've never asked him if he's made any new friends at school.
Kazuki, I'm sorry.
I'm going in.
What are you doing?
Don't look in people's room without asking.
Kazuki, do you think it's okay to talk to me like that?
If you'd be so good as to not look in my room without asking, please!
Happy?! Happy...
Cut it out!
Answer me properly, where have you been?
What does it matter. You're the one keeping secrets.
Secrets? Don't play dumb.
I saw you. You saw me?
I saw you get all excited about getting a scarf.
You were there?
Wait, it's a misunderstanding. We didn't do anything for you to be suspicious of.
We?
What's this 'we'?
Stop talking in such a gross way.
You're having an affair right. You should just admit it.
No...
Women sometimes lie.
For instance, if you love someone
you have to try to trust them completely.
However, if deep in that person's heart
you discover an unending darkness.
Even so,
can you still believe in them?
Can you say that
you trust your loved one to the very end?
A contract for 10,000,000.
That's right! We're holding an enormous match-making event.
And so I will put in an order with you to deal with all the catering.
Thank you very much!
But, I have a little something to discuss with you.
We're friends aren't we?
I got you out of the shit you were in didn't I.
I'm very grateful for that. Yes, yes.
So, as a friend I'd like you to help me with something.
What is it?
Actually I have a secret side business I'm running.
A side business?
Good morning.
Aren't you going to have breakfast Kazuki?
I'm off.
That's unusual, have you had a fight or something?
No, not a fight more of a misunderstanding.
A misunderstanding?
Anyway it's fine. I'll sort it out soon.
Thank you very much for this. You didn't have to...
Ah, well then, next time.
What is it? You're acting strange.
If something's happened, please tell me.
I told you, I'm on your side.
Kazuki... my son...
He's suspicious of us.
He said we were having an affair. An affair!
This has never happened before,
I don't know what to do...
Shall I talk with him?
I'll say that there's nothing going on. It's too late for that.
He won't believe anything I say any longer.
It's that bad?
I'm sorry. Talking like this is a problem for you as well.
I'm nothing but a nuisance to you.
You're not to blame.
You've been really encouraging of me.
It's...
made me happy.
Kazuki's just getting to be
that sort of age so...
I won't see you anymore.
What?
I'm really very sorry.
Even though I knew your family was more important to you than anything
I've got in the way. No, it's...
I won't see you anymore.
Hello. Is that Takano Kazuki's mother?
Yes that's right?
Kazuki hasn't come into school...
Actually, it's not just today. Pardon?
September 28th, 1st October
and the 5th and 13th...
And also the October the 29th he was absent without leave.
That can't be right.
He's not the kind of child to do that... Takano-san
It's true his results are good and he's well behaved.
But, are you aware?
During break times, he talks to no-one and
he's always on his own.
Could there be something troubling him he feels he can't talk to anyone about?
Absent without leave.
During break times he's always on his own.
Don't look in people's room without asking.
Goodbye. Goodbye.
I thought she might be keeping an eye on us.
I was suspicious of her.
I heard her husband's in New York.
I believes he works for Suzushiro Trading.
Hello Suzushiro Trading.
I have an inquiry I'd like to make.
Do you have a Sasaki-san working at your company?
Which branch would that be at?
Erm... I understand he's located in New York.
Please bear with me one moment.
Sorry to keep you waiting, there's no-one called Sasaki-san located in New York.
I see.
The apartment she moved into, is directly above Takano Aki-san's.
A new pupil?
He said he want's to learn flower arranging and
he just had to have the same teacher as me?
What kind of person are they?
Welcome.
He said going to a class filled with women was embarrassing
so he'd like to be taught one-on-one.
He's cute isn't he.
Very cute.
Please come in.
Do you live here alone?
Yes, it's just me.
Do you have any children? No I don't.
What about a husband?
Ubukata Kouhei-kun.
What is it you want to know?
Nothing really... I just want to know what kind of person my teacher is.
Well then, tell me.
What is your relationship to Takano Aki-san?
Ah, I thought so, a special relationship.
Why are you asking that...
It's nothing really. I just want to know what kind of person my student is.
I have no particular relationship with her.
In the past we used to be neighbours, that's all.
Aki-san told me that you were special.
You really are very cute.
Sorry to keep you waiting. What do you think? I brought some of my work for reference.
Yes! This red flower is 'Passion.'
It signifies passionate love.
Let's do our best okay Ubukata-kun.
What's he taking pictures of...
Why are you following me?
Erm... I was worried because you've been cutting school.
Could you stop acting like a stalker.
What are you doing?! Give it back!
It's fine, show me. Stop it!
What are you taking pictures of?! Don't tell me, if someone see them...
It's nothing to do with you, for christ's sake notice already
you're annoying.
The girlfriend of a friend of mine is at the Shinjuku Hotel,
and I'd like you to drive her to Narita airport tomorrow.
There'll be a man there waiting, hand her over to him.
Erm... What is this... Huh?!
I told you, I want help with my side business.
Ah... Yes.
So I'll leaving it in your hands. Use this car.
Erm... is that all?
That's right, just that and Section Manager Takano, you've got the 10,000,000 contract!
It's an easy job right. Err... well...
Just a word of warning, don't ask any questions. Not to the girl or me either.
Kazuki
Welcome home.
I've made your favourite Tonkatsu for dinner, and I've bought cake for pudding.
There's something I'd like to talk over with you.
I was called by your homeroom tutor today.
Is it true that you sometimes skip school?
I didn't know anything about it.
Tell me Kazuki...
Is there something troubling you?
I said it before, but the thing with the Coach is a misunderstanding.
It's not what you think it is...
I really don't give a damn about that.
What?
And by the way,
don't get so worked up just because the teacher called.
Are you stupid?!
Kazuki, what's the matter?
Why are you suddenly speaking to me like that?
Suddenly?
It's just you don't know.
Mother.
Absent without leave? Kazuki?
I'm so sorry I didn't notice it.
It's not your fault. But, he is at that age isn't he.
I used to skip school loads at his age too.
What are you doing?
What should I do,
the transfer student Kazuki,
I'm looking at the pictures on his camera,
and they're all really disturbing.
I should probably inform the police.
What's that?!
Good morning.
Excuse me.
They're all pictures of mothers. How scary is that!
What is this?
Don't you think it's similar? To the kidnapping case...
It seems they're pictures your son has taken.
Rino's daughter
was forced to look at them by your son.
Isn't that right Rino?
Kazuki did that?
Would you explain the circumstances?
For the sake of peace in this apartment block.
The pictures included many of the mothers
living here at the Sky Grand Tower.
He's a peeping tom isn't he.
Didn't you notice anything?
We'd like you, as his mother, to explain to us
why he's doing such a disgusting thing.
I'm really very sorry.
But my son's holed himself up in his room,
I don't know any of the details yet... That's simply not good enough!
You realise this is a crime. It's a crime?
He may have a big body, but he's still a child.
Let me go and talk to him. You must also be vaguely aware,
this incident bears a striking resemblance to the Hamelin case.
Punishing bad mothers.
It's exactly the same, isn't it! Hang on a minute,
are you saying my son is the kidnapper!
We're not saying that, but this disturbance
has some of the mothers scared out of their wit's you know.
So if you're saying it's definitely not your son,
you'd better prove it.
But how can I do something like that...
By getting an expert opinion. What?
Ah, hello? Is that the police?
This incident bears a striking resemblance to the Hamelin case.
29th October.
On the 29th October...
...he was absent all day. He's always on his own during breaks.
Is there something troubling him he feels he can't talk to anyone about?
Why are you suddenly speaking to me like that?
It's just you don't know.
Kazuki, open up!
The police are coming!
Kazuki, tell me...
...where were you, and what were you doing on the 29th October?
Kazuki, I'm begging you, please tell me.
It's so I can protect you.
Protect me?
Tell me,
those pictures...
Did you really take them?
If I did, then what?
Hello. It's the police.
Is Takano Kazuki at home?
Yes, please come in.
What are you doing?!
Is it okay to hide it, they're the police you know.
We don't want anything to further raise their suspicions.
It's you that's suspicious of me, isn't it.
What did you say again? 'Please believe me.' You're the one who doesn't believe.
That's not right, this is for your sake.
It's to protect you... Don't lie!
It's all for your own sake! You're frightened of the neighbours aren't you!
You don't want to protect me you just want to protect yourself.
You're Takano Kazuki aren't you.
Tsukui, go! Hey!
Ah, damn!
What on earth has happened? Why's he running?
The reason he's running... is probably
simply because he heard the police were coming and was shocked.
But, it was your son that took these pictures right?
I'm not entirely sure yet...
Well then, on the day the children went missing, 25th August,
the 1st October, and the 29th October,
He was absent without leave on the 29th October.
It's resembles the Hamelin case.
Have you noticed anything strange in your son's behaviour recently?
If anything comes to mind,
please tell us.
We could look into it ourselves but
but conversely that may cause you more trouble.
He was absent from school that day...
Erm... Once we get to the airport, where are you headed?
Overseas?
I don't know.
You don't know where you're going?
What is this I'm doing.
Help me!
Aki-san?
Yumiko-san?
Has something happened?
Kazuki's wanted by the police?
Yes.
Terrible. Yes, I never thought he'd...
It's you that's terrible. Pardon?
Kazuki-kun really is a good child.
He's always looking after his sister isn't he.
Yes, from when he was very young he's really been no trouble at all.
You took advantage of that
and never truly paid any attention to him.
Despite that fact you're his mother.
Ah... But then one day,
you see a side to your son you didn't know,
and suddenly become scared of him.
This child isn't the Kazuki I know,
what should I do. Is it true what people are saying,
has he really done something bad?
You don't even believe in your own son.
Am I wrong?
You are wrong, I...
Did you really take those pictures?
If I did, then what?
You were suspicious of Kazuki,
and he was aware of that.
That's why he ran isn't it.
Doesn't that make you a terrible mother?
Narumi-chan, can you tell me where Kazuki might have gone, anything is fine.
He did tell me anthing.
Anything will do, the people he met, things like that.
Ah, I did see him together with some dodgy types once.
Who was it?
I don't know, but there were several of them.
Maybe they were friends from his old school.
Shall I take you to gym class? Thank you Kazuki.
Did you see my Kazuki on the 29th October?
No... I see, thank you.
What do you do if you spill milk?
Umm, I'll wipe it up myself.
Right, 11 more to go. Can I help?
Welcome home, we've been waiting for you.
Do you know who Takano Kazuki is good friends with?
He doesn't have any friends. He's too gloomy.
Okay!
Our mother can be a little bit spacey
but she's only ever thinking of us.
Where is he?
Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill
Die, die, die, die, die, die, die
He doesn't have any friends. He's too gloomy.
Not needed, not needed, not needed Vanish, vanish, vanish, vanish, vanish
He spends break time without saying a word to anyone...
He's always alone.
Die Kill Not needed
Vanish Disappear
Help me
Did something happen?
It's not only you that's having a hard time.
The one that's suspicious of me is you mother. You're the one who doesn't believe me.
It's all for your own sake isn't it. Its just because you're scared of the neighbours.
The person you want to protect isn't me, it's yourself isn't it.
Help me
For how long has he been suffering?
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I didn't notice.
Hello? It's the police.
We've just now taken custody of your son.
We're going to question him down at the station.
Please wait!
He isn't the kidnapper. Please calm down.
It was my fault that he ran.
I betrayed his faith in me.
He's not the kidnapper. Tsukui.
Kazuki. I'm sorry.
I didn't know anything about what you were going through.
I should've known about your friends,
about Sora and about the move.
I was just thinking of the mother group...
Kazuki...
I'm so sorry.
Sorry!
Madam. The suspicions around Kazuki
have been largely cleared.
Through our investigations we've established where Kazuki was on the 29th October.
It doesn't seem to have any relation to the kidnapping.
No relation? Where was he?
That's...
Excuse me. We just need to have an official conversation.
Would you please wait?
I'm sorry. A traffic jam made us late.
Well then, I'll take my leave.
Please give this to MD Asou.
Who the hell was that man.
Do you want to know? I don't want to know.
I don't want to get any further involved.
Ah thank you so much Sir.
Department Manager Inose, I'm alway in Section Manager Takano's debt.
Thank you very much Sir.
I believe you are agreeing to a new contract...
Yes, I've prepared the appropriate funds. We like to use cash.
So here, 10,000,000.
What!? That's great...
Just a moment, that money's... MD Asou really is quite the man.
Very admirable. Thank you very much.
No thank you.
It's over, you can go home now if you'd like.
Ah... But, madam...
you should have a good long talk with your son.
He said that he most definitely didn't want to talk with you
about where he was on the 29th October. What do you mean?
Kazuki-kun... That's not our job.
At any rate, please talk it over, with your husband too, as a family.
Kazuki...
Ginza?
It's that man.
What? You...
Is it true you're stalking her?
What?!
Shit... Let's go.
It's okay to take Takano Kazuki off the list of suspects, yes?
No, just to be on the safe side, leave him on.
Okay.
I'm not a stalker! So why were you following her then?
She's the suspicious one.
Her name is Sasaki Yumiko. Please investigate her.
First of all we have to investigate you.
Sasaki Yumiko?
What is it? I know that name.
Back when I was in the major crimes department, I met her.
She was the suspect in a case.
Kazuki, fried prawns are yummy.
Mummy, what's the matter with Kazuki?
Kazuki.
We'll all talk together once your father gets home.
Until then, please remember this.
You may not think it, but I'm persistent.
No matter how uncooperative you are
I'm not giving up until you look my way.
Kazuki, said it was around here, didn't he.
Wow, there's loads. Kazuki really comes through.
Wow, there's mobiles in here.
Hey, finish that, hurry up!
There's tons. I wonder how much we'll get for all this.
I'll take it all!
Good work Ken-chan! I'm counting on you next time too. Asou
What will become of me.
Well I never.
Is that the file of Sasaki Yumiko you were talking about.
She's a beauty. What did she do?
It was murder. Murder?!
Why has she cropped up again...
It's been a while hasn't it.
Yumiko...