It's been a while hasn't it.
Yumiko...
What a surprise, you live here too?
You too?
What an amazing coincidence.
Coincidence?
Of course!
You never change, Kenichi-san.
You too.
I've changed you know,
things happened.
I'm glad we were able to meet.
Kazuki, I didn't understand anything at all
about what you're going through.
I'm sorry.
Despite appearances I'm quite persistent.
No matter how uncooperative you are
I'm not giving up till you talk to me.
And so,
Kazuki said he's taking tomorrow off school.
Shall we talk now?
Ah, no.
Maybe tomorrow would be better.
Maybe Kazuki's troubled by something
he can't talk to anyone else about.
I've changed you know, things happened.
The meeting with his teacher is on Monday.
Are you listening?
What?
What's the matter? You've been really weird since you got home.
I'm sorry.
You will come, to the meeting with the teacher on Monday, won't you?
It's a weekday so getting time off... What are you saying!
Aren't you worried about Kazuki?
Alright then.
Take time off? You're kidding right?!
It's just for a little bit. I'll have someone else take my place.
That's no good. You're the one I've given responsibility to for this event.
Could you just... Ken-chan,
It's because I've faith in you I entrusted that job to you.
Once we get to the airport, where are you headed? Dunno.
Here's 10,000,000
I didn't know anything about that.
Let's make sure we keep getting on well.
I want you and your family to be happy.
Thanks. Good work.
Hello?
It's me.
Good evening Ken-chan.
This place brings back memories, doesn't it.
Why did you call me out all of a sudden?
No particular reason. I was just happy I got to meet a friend I'd not seen in a while.
Even you must occasionally
want a little time away from work and the family, right?
That's right. So what will it be?
Just one drink. There's something I want to discuss with you.
Okay?
Is this the person you said is Sasaki Yumiko?
Yes.
Has she done something?
Where is she living at the moment?
At the Sky Grand Tower. What work does she do?
She runs a flower arranging class.
Is that all? You've not heard of anything else?
Something else?
So, what is it you're after?
There's something isn't there.
I heard her husband's in New York.
There's no-one named Sasaki at our New York branch.
She offered an unbelievable amount of money.
The apartment she moved into
is directly above Takano Aki's apartment.
The fourth victim in the Hamelin case,
Maeda-chan, was kidnapped on the 10th...
You said you were coming home early tonight.
Something suddenly came up. What something?
It was MD Asou. He called me in suddenly.
I'm really sorry.
You are coming to Kazuki's meeting aren't you?
I'll do what I can.
Come on, you have to!
I know, I know.
What's this?
Women sometimes lie.
For instance, as if they were putting on make up
they casually pull the wool over men's eyes.
with the aphrodisiac of an invitation.
However, the thing all women know is
those lies don't fool other women.
Lipstick?
Parents and children can stretch their legs whilst walking in the Autumn countryside
Kazuki, what would you like for dinner?
Mummy.
Mummy, what's "Autumn leaf viewing?"
Autumn leaf viewing... well you go into the mountains
and look at the leaves, and collect acorns, things like that.
Acorns?! I want to go!
Well okay then!
Shall we ask your brother and daddy to come along too?
Yep. Goodbye.
Please help yourself.
Ah, Aki-san.
After what happened how are things with Sasaki Yumiko?
What? Have you seen her recently?
It's been difficult so I've been keeping my distance.
Is that right, that's good.
Bye-bye.
Actually I have memories of going Autumn leaf-viewing with your daddy.
Memories? That's right,
back before we were married.
We both worked at the same company,
and we all went on a company trip.
I was really slow and fell behind the others,
but there was one other person just as slow as me.
Who? It was your daddy.
What daddy? Uncool!
Right?! I thought the same thing.
But you see, eventually I realised
he was deliberately matching my pace.
I thought he was really sweet.
When, on the way home, my legs were struggling, he lent me his hand,
On you go! What?!
It's fine I'm sorry.
His back was broad and warm.
At that moment I thought that,
if we were a mummy and daddy,
maybe we'd make a good family.
Right, shall we make dinner? Yep.
Kazuki, it's dinner.
He's got a big one.
Well, you couldn't eat one as big as that could you.
Shall we go Autumn leaf viewing, as a family, next Sunday?
I think it would be a good opportunity to talk with Kazuki.
I want to get the time off. Welcome.
What's this, a girlfriend?
I don't have anything like that. It's my wife.
This way please. Ken-chan, you're too uptight.
Next time I'll get the Madame here to introduce to you a pleasant and reasonable girl.
No, no, no... I'll go call the Madame.
What do you want to drink. Champagne!
What champagne again! A customer is asking for you.
Good evening MD Asou. Oh!
Yu... Yumiko!
What? You two know each other?
We used to go to the same school, didn't we.
Good evening Madame.
Good evening. Shall I make you a drink?
Yes.
You're still doing this kind of work?
This is the only way I know how to make a living.
Don't look at me like that.
I'm happy.
Really?
I've got used to being on my own.
You must come and visit here sometimes,
because it earns me money.
Okay, wait a moment.
Madame, we'll be back.
Thank you very much.
Later okay. Well then...
What are you doing?
Hey! What is this?
Get off me!
So you're the man that's been loitering outside my establishment.
Do you want me to call the police again?
Wouldn't it be you who'd be in trouble if the police were called.
I met Detective Aramata.
Why is it the police have their eye on you?
Do you want to know?
Kazuki. Will you come on this trip with us all?
Nope.
Why? Aren't you feeling well?
I've got mocks.
Kazuki, what are you doing about school?
I'll go in tomorrow.
What should we do?
He says he's going in tomorrow, let's just wait and see for now.
He's at a rebellious age... Is it as simple as that?
For now, the first thing is the meeting.
Make sure you talk it through thoroughly.
You're not coming with me?
I just can't get the time off work.
Lipstick?
Is it really work?
What else would it be?
Good night. I'm glad I got to see you.
3 4 5
Maybe it's a woman.
Ah Aunty Yumiko.
Sora-chan.
I was very harsh the other day,
I'm sorry.
You don't even know your very own son.
Isn't that a terrible mother.
No, what you said was true.
I was wrong.
I must confess,
I was jealous of you.
You seemed to be so happy.
What? That's not...
You're much happier than...
No.
The truth is, my husband
has had another woman for a while now.
He's currently living in New York with her.
Ah... Is that so...
I realised what was going on when,
I found lipstick marks on my husband's shirts.
What? At first I didn't know what it meant.
But gradually
I came to realise that the other woman had left them on purpose.
On purpose?
It was a message to the wife.
'This man is mine.'
I told myself many times,
it's not especially lonely, being on my own.
But it's no good.
I always ate my meals alone in the evening.
And doing so,
gradually, what I saw before me, started to look like something else.
Something else?
Behind each one of the lights,
there was a family.
there was a home.
I wondered if I was the only one who was alone.
I'm sorry for sharing like this.
I'm really sorry.
No, somehow
it doesn't feel like I can't relate.
Here you go.
Yumiko-san.
Would you like to have dinner with us sometime?
Pardon?
I know, how about tonight?
That would be lovely.
I know,
would you come to mine?
Is that okay?
A dinner party?
That's right, it's with a friend who lives here in the tower.
Can you make it too?
Kazuki said he'd come.
I see, that's great.
Yes, I'll come.
A friend you say? What are they like?
She's a nice person. She lives directly above us.
Directly above us, okay, got it.
Shall I do this mummy?
That's great, yes please.
What's your husband like?
He's quite normal, he doesn't really have any interests,
ah, but back in his school days, he used to be in the mountaineering club.
What a coincidence, back during my school days, the boy I liked was in the mountaineering club.
Really?
I met him again just recently.
He kind of made my heart flutter.
Really...
But, because you chose him,
I'm sure your husband is a wonderful person.
No no, nothing like that.
Really he's a little underwhelming.
Is that daddy?
Daddy!
I'm back! Sora, where's Kazuki?
He says he's meeting a friend and he'll come by later.
It seems he did actually go into school today.
I see. I'm coming in.
Yumiko-san, we're borrowing some slippers okay.
Yumiko-san?
Welcome.
This is my husband.
This is my friend Sasaki Yumiko-san.
Please come in.
Pudding. I'll take that.
That too.
This is for you...
Thank you very much.
We'll eat the pudding after dinner okay?
Wow, it looks good.
What's the matter, why don't you take a seat?
Okay.
Is wine okay? Yes.
Ah, that might be Kazuki!
It might be him.
Come in.
The truth is, as a surprise, I invited one more person.
A surprise?
One of my students.
He had something he just had to ask me, so
I thought I might as well invite him too. Is okay isn't it?
Of course that's fine...
Mama. Yes?
Actually, there's something I haven't told you.
What is it? You're being strange.
She and I...
Ah, Ubukata-sensei!
Kouhei-kun?
Ah Ubukata-sensei!
Kouhei-kun?
Please take a seat.
What's the meaning of this?
Wasn't it you who said you wanted to know what's going on?
Good evening.
Please sit.
Ubukata-kun.
This is Aki-san's husband.
Well then...
Erm... this is the first time we've met isn't it?
Ah, yes.
I'm Ubukata, nice to meet you.
Are you perhaps my wife's acquaintance from her old neighbourhood?
That's right, now he's Sora's gym coach.
But you said you didn't want see anyone from those days.
They're good friends, you know.
He's been to your home before, hasn't he.
To our home?
What! You've been to our home?
It was just the once. I had something to discuss with him.
That's the first I've heard of this.
There was nothing really to say, afterall, he's Sora's coach.
I'll leave.
But didn't you have something you wanted to ask me?
Excuse me.
How are things with Sasaki Yumiko after what happened.
It's been difficult so I've been keeping my distance.
Is that right, that's good.
Kouhei-kun.
What is it? Yumiko-san you had something you...
Quickly come with me.
She invited me today deliberately in order
to mess with your family.
I've been looking into her.
Aki-san. You mustn't get close to her.
She paid an abnormally high price
just so she could get the apartment directly above yours.
Not only that, the story about a husband in New York is a lie.
The truth is she's single, and manages a club in Ginza.
I can't believe it!
I saw her, outside a club in Ginza,
together with your husband.
My husband was with Yumiko-san?
It felt like they knew each other from before.
That's not possible...
I think you must be mistaken, I have to go back.
I'm not mistaken.
It was definitely them I saw... It must be a mistake!
I'm sorry, I have to go.
Why are you doing this?
It's going to cause problems.
What were you thinking Yumiko.
Aki doesn't know anything.
Mummy!
What do you mean?
You called her "Yumiko" just now.
*dropped honorifics indicating closeness.
What's your connection to Yumiko-san?
We used to go to school together.
Also she's the Madame at the club Asou MD goes to.
Is that it? That's all!
I heard she deliberately moved
to the apartment above us, just like a stalker!
A stalker?! It's a coincidence.
Wasn't it to get close to you?
You're over thinking things. Yumiko's...
Don't call her Yumiko!
Come here for a moment.
What about the lipstick. Lipstick?
It was on your shirt, that...
I don't know. I don't know...
Ah Kazuki. I'm sorry, did you see my text?
The dinner party's been cancelled. I'll make something for you now.
I ate before I came home. Carry on...
It's a message to the wife isn't it.
'He's mine.'
During my school days, the boy I liked was in the mountaineering club.
We're friends aren't we?
Then I'll happily accept it.
I'm a fool.
She paid an abnormally high price
just so she could get the apartment directly above yours.
You've been listening in on us?
You've been following my husband?
That's why you got close to me, to destroy my family.
Is something funny?
You've finally noticed.
Since you came to the Tower, it's been one odd thing after the other, hasn't it.
All of it was me.
I don't believe it...
It was you wasn't it! You showed everyone that picture!
What is this, did you secretly record me?
I just happened to bake a cake.
I'm sorry, do you have a visitor?
Who was it who said they weren't an acquaintance of coach Ubukata.
From the beginning I approached you pretending to be a friend.
But why?
Why?
I was so happy.
You said that I was,
a good mother.
Of course you're not a good mother.
I'm home.
Daddy!
Sora.
What are you doing?
I'm checking for bugging equipment. Bugging equipment?
Yumiko-san has been bugging us.
Let's go and talk to the police.
Wait, just calm down. Don't you believe me?
I didn't say that. Are you on her side?
This isn't about what side I'm on...
It's because I can't rely on you that she was able to deceive us.
And what about you?! Merrily letting other men into our home.
It's not the same thing. Kouhei-kun isn't like that at all...
What's the difference!
Daddy you broke my Autumn tree!
I wanted to go Autumn leaf-viewing. I'm sorry Sora.
Let's go do the real thing tomorrow.
I'm sorry okay.
I wanna go! I'm sorry.
Sorry to keep you waiting.
It's been a while.
Welcome.
You have it with water I believe?
Why did you move to that apartment block?
After all this time, what are you doing
getting your claws into that family.
Getting my claws into them?
That's right.
Getting your claws into them, trying to destroy them.
If for argument's sake,
I was thinking that
I wanted to destroy that family,
if their bonds are strong enough,
would I be able to do anything?
Family's will fall apart if the time to do so, comes.
You know that very well don't you.
What are you really aiming for?
Are you not drinking?
It seems he wishes to leave.
I'll come again.
For certain.
Acorns. They're rollin' about, acorns...
There was an even bigger one!
Wow, you're right.
Shall we have some food? Yep.
It's just a work contact.
Could you please cut that out already.
I've taken the day off after all.
Since you've taken the day off you could turn off your phone.
Don't be unreasonable. What if someone needs to contact me urgently.
Is it really work?
If you distrust me that much, I'll show you all of it. Look!
Come on, stop it. For who's sake do you think I'm working on my day's off.
It's for you and the children.
I understand that. You don't understand at all.
Every single day, my boss is unpleasant to me,
I have to lower my head to people I don't like,
I do it all for my family.
Don't push it all onto me.
You can do some of it by yourself.
I'm sorry I'm not as competent as Yumiko-san.
I didn't think I was that unreliable.
Is that right! I'm sorry.
I'm going home.
What!
I've something to discuss with you I'll be waiting at the bar, this evening.
Yumiko.
Aki-san, what's the matter?
I had a fight with my husband.
What?
What am I doing!?
Well then, let's eat.
Sora-chan?
Where's Sora?
Acorns, rollin' about.
Acorns.
You're quite big.
Gettin' stuck in the pond
it's tough
Sora! Sora-chan!
Where did she get to?!
You stay here, I'll go take a look.
I'll go look that way.
Sora! Which way did she come from?
Ouch!
Don't think I'm always going to be the one to back down.
For fuck's sake.
Is that Sora's dad?
Have you heard from Aki-san? Pardon?
She's looking for Sora-chan, but she's not come back,
and I can't get through to her mobile.
What are you talking about?
I'm concerned that the both of them might have got lost.
You haven't had any contact from them?
No. For goodness sake!
I'm sorry, I'm hanging up.
I'll be waiting - Yumiko.
There you go.
Kenichi-san?
I'm sorry for not being a grown-up like Yumiko-san.
I didn't think I was that unreliable.
Is that right!
Sora!
I saw her, outside a club in Ginza together with your husband.
Yumiko.
Kenichi.
I'm sorry we're causing you trouble.
It's nothing.
Let's go. Aye.
Sora! Sora-chan!
It's alright. I don't think Sora would go near the river.
When Aki and I went climbing in the mountains when we were young,
we were told that if we got lost we were not to move.
She's close by for sure.
Sora-chan.
Sora-chan!
Sora! Aki!
Kenichi.
Ubukata-sensei. Sora-chan!
Thank goodness!
Acorns.
Acorns? You've found lots of acorns.
Yep, there are lots around here.
Thank goodness.
Aki!
What are you doing?!
Don't worry me like that!
Hello?
Sora's been found.
I've found my wife too. Bye then.
Ow!
What's the matter? Did you twist your ankle?
Are you okay?
I didn't think you'd come find me.
I thought you wouldn't come.
Of course I'd come!
Yes.
It's fine.
I'm sorry.
For leaving you there.
And not just today.
For a long time now.
I'm sorry for always leaving you on your own.
I'm sorry for
pushing all the family stuff onto you.
You're cold aren't you.
Is your foot okay?
Yes.
Up you go.
Hey,
we're much more competent when we're together.
Over there.
Daddy, mummy.
I'm truly very sorry for
worrying you.
Thank goodness Sora.
Come with me? Okay.
This is Kazuki.
This is daddy.
This is Sora and this is mummy.
Sora, did you
go off to find these?
Yep, it's a happy family right?
Right!
Also
this mummy acorn
is wearing the pumpkin hat
back from halloween.
I did my hardest to draw
Daddy rushing about madly.
Mine's wearing a hat too.
With Kazuki
I tried my hardest to draw
to draw his fringe.
Wow, you did really well.
Thank you.
A happy family it's true.
Yes.
Everyone's smiling.
She's fallen asleep.
Aki.
About...
Yumiko...
No... about Sasaki-san,
I promise you,
I won't meet alone with her again.
Okay.
The truth is,
since we moved to the Tower,
I've been under tremendous pressure.
When I think about
the loan that'll take a lifetime to pay back....
Yes.
Even so, work's not going well,
I get so frustrated,
and then I met up with her again.
But I swear to you,
there's nothing between us. And I won't meet with her again.
The only place where I belong is
at home with you.
Yes.
I've been useless too.
With the other mothers, and with Yumiko-san,
and Kazuki too.
Let's face this issue
with Kazuki, together.
I'll come to the meeting.
Okay.
Are you leaving?
That last lot, was really profitable.
Kazuki, your parents really haven't found out?
It's easy. As long as I say I'm going to school and taking my exams it's fine, they're fools.
So can you do it again?
Sorry for being late
We're on our way home.
Sora found an acorn for you.
Young lady, what's the matter?
What? I've seen you somewhere....
One of the kidnapped children has been located.
She was found in Sekigou in Yamanashi prefecture. Right!
It's almost certainly the fourth child, Maeda Chiaki-chan.
Yamanashi prefecture? Why would she be there?
Have you given up being my stalker?
I have.
Why?
There's no need.
I doesn't matter what you do, you won't be able to shake Aki-san's family.
You can't win.
That's unfortunate.
It is isn't it.
The unfortunate one is you.
You love her, don't you?
I... You thought the sooner
their marriage breaks, the better.
I'm not like you.
Because she's precious to me, I want her to be happy.
As long as she's smiling, that's enough...
You're lying aren't you.
This is a married couple's secret.
If Aki-san sees this their marriage will be over.
And maybe she'll be yours.
Why are you doing this?
I'm sorry I'm cutting it fine. The meeting's at two?
Yes, hurry up. I'm waiting in front of the station.
Got it!
He's late!
I'm sorry, something's come up at work. You go on ahead.
Did you tell her what I told you to?
I did.
I said I wouldn't meet you anymore.
I see, that's good.
What are you doing, all of a sudden?
More importantly,
what's this?
You went to get it for me.
You can't just leave it there can you!
Didn't you take responsibility for getting rid of it.
I couldn't throw it away.
Afterall, It was that Christmas back then...
Don't talk about it.
It was...
It's just our secret.
Chiaki? She's this way.
Chiaki!
I'm am reporting from in front of the hospital where
the missing child, Maeda Chiaki-chan, has been admitted.
Miraculously the 3 year old Chiaki
has successfully clung to life.
Thank you very much.
Chiaki-chan is unconscious, however her life in not currently in danger.
Here on it's just a matter of waiting for her full recovery. Then the police can start questioning her.