Keigo killed himself...
because he couldn't stand being bullied at school.
"Tsubakigaoka High School's basketball team is very violent.
The coach, Mr. Tsuji, punishes students physically.
Some students have been severely injured."
Why are you blaming us for that?
He was the one who stopped coming to school.
He was the one who decided to kill himself.
Who do you take me for?
You're always like that.
Stop meeting my mom.
Why?
Because she's the worst mom ever.
The worst? Why?
When I was in elementary school,
she picked out everything I had for me.
The things that I wanted or liked,
she never thought they were good enough.
She said only idiots would want those things.
Hinata.
In junior high school, she didn't allow me to dress up.
She said that I was trying...
to be attractive in order to seduce men.
I couldn't even talk to boys in my classroom.
In high school,
she decided everything at school and at my part-time job.
She said I should just listen to her.
Every day,
I lived in fear and anxiety.
I will never know when she will suddenly fly into a rage.
Because of that,
I was scared of talking to others.
She told me...
that everyone hated me.
- Here. - I believed her.
I studied hard to get into college so that I could move away.
I tried my best to change myself.
I participated in school clubs.
I learned how to talk to people while looking them in the eye.
The reason I decided to study psychology...
was to solve my own issues.
But even now,
I still...
Hinata.
I'm sorry.
Then...
why do you still live with her?
Why do you still live with her if it's so painful?
(Mr. Kirishima)
Excuse me.
This is Aizawa.
Ms. Aizawa.
This is Kirishima. Are you okay?
What happened?
Mr. Tsuji was attacked. He's seriously injured.
Someone found him on the ground in a dark alley.
His wife contacted me. I'm in the hospital right now.
Which hospital? I'll head over.
No, the attacker probably acted after seeing the news report.
It's dangerous to go out at night.
If you're still outside, you should go home soon.
I understand.
See you tomorrow.
Bye.
Stop!
Let go of me!
You're the captain of the team.
You need to be a role model to the other members.
He has a few bone fractures,
but his life is not in danger anymore.
He has regained consciousness.
Do we still not know who the attacker is?
Yes.
We've been told that the attacker was alone.
He was wearing a Halloween costume. How should I describe it?
His head was a carved pumpkin.
A Jack-o'-lantern?
That's scary and kind of creepy.
I believe that Keigo will come back.
He can't live without me.
It must be someone who read the news report.
We can't say for sure.
Maybe it was just a random attack.
Or...
What?
Well...
The police believes the attacker is someone he knows.
A friend, a colleague...
or a student.
The attack was personal.
How is that possible?
Why would a student do that?
The report said he used corporal punishment.
The police think it might be an act of revenge.
Of course,
I told them that there are no corporal punishment issues...
at our school.
No matter what,
we'll have to let the police look into it.
We don't want to affect the students.
So concerning this matter, please keep it quiet.
All right.
(Basketball Club, Badminton Club)
You scared me. Why are you here so early?
I'm the captain.
Preparation for a fresh start.
(Yoshioka)
Hey.
I don't want to be affected by him.
Yes, please.
All right.
I'll be there. Thank you.
Bye.
What is it?
I think I should go to school now.
I see.
Take this.
Who were you talking to?
It's nothing.
What does the author want to tell the readers the most?
Mr. Kirishima?
Hello.
Did something happen?
No.
The students are in PE class.
I was just spacing out here.
If Mr. Tsuji getting attacked really has to do with Keigo's case,
I think I'm the person responsible.
That's not true.
But wearing a Jack-o'-lantern is pretty ridiculous.
Ms. Aizawa,
do you remember what Mrs. Yoshioka said?
I still think his mom is problematic,
whether it be the way she interacted with Yoshioka...
or the things she said yesterday.
I feel the same way.
But...
we should talk to Hasebe and Sawai again.
Yes.
I feel like they're hiding something about Yoshioka.
So...
starting today,
I will be the temporary coach of the basketball team.
I don't have coaching experience, so let's learn from each other.
Yes, sir.
Let's start practicing.
Before that, can I say something?
Yes, of course.
A lot of things happened lately.
I'm sure you're all not happy about it.
But during times like this, we need to work harder.
We need to focus and get ourselves together.
Also...
about the basketball competition...
That's right.
In order to let the team participate in the competition,
the board is currently negotiating with the organizers.
That's it.
Let's not give up hope yet.
We should practice harder.
Okay?
Yes.
Start jogging.
Yes.
Do your best.
I'm relieved.
Even during a time like this,
Hasebe can still lead the team.
That actually worries me.
Kasumi, you're still here.
Kasumi.
Thank you for your hard work.
You better go home before it gets dark.
I heard that someone was attacked around this area.
I'll be careful.
Focus, everyone.
Good play.
(The school counselor is in. Feel free to see me anytime.)
(From Shirai Kasumi)
(This news was just uploaded.)
(The Basketball Team Captain Accused Of Bullying Team Member...)
(Shows Violence At School)
He was the one who stopped coming to school.
He was the one who decided to kill himself.
Hey.
Hiroto, stop it.
Tomorrow's promise.
When Mom is mad, you should apologize immediately.
You must fulfill this promise.
Mom loves Hinata.
(School Counselor)
The video you are about to see was uploaded online.
He was the one who stopped coming to school.
He's the one who decided to kill himself.
Hey.
The video might be taken by another student.
Based on the number of views and shares of the video,
this video will probably seriously affect...
the student seen in the video.
Can I interview you?
You're a student at Tsubakigaoka High School, right?
Can I ask you about the basketball team?
Are you a first-year student?
Have you watched the video on the basketball team?
Can you tell me what you think about it?
Let's go.
You're in our way.
- Excuse me. - Ueno.
Will this continue to happen?
Is this really the punishment we must accept?
You're a student at Tsubakigaoka High School, right?
Can I ask you some questions?
It's about the video on the basketball team.
He was the one who stopped coming to school.
He's the one who decided to kill himself.
What is this?
Why?
(Information Leakage Prevention Measures Committee Report)
We should have a school meeting...
to find out who sold this footage to the media.
Because of this video,
Hasebe's name and even photo have been posted online.
If we don't do anything, it'll seriously affect his life!
Mr. Kitami, calm down.
Getting worked up won't solve this situation.
Hasebe is a student of my class.
He works very hard on the basketball team.
"The basketball coach...
was seriously wounded by an unknown attacker...
the night this video was uploaded on October 31st.
The student, who have acted violently before,
might have something to do with the attack."
What is this nonsense?
How irresponsible of them to write a report that is so skewed.
No matter what, we must do something.
It has been leaked that Mr. Tsuji was attacked.
The video was uploaded by Wide Weekly.
Let me go talk to them.
I can't forgive this.
Yes. All right.
If they continue to post these inflammatory remarks,
we will have to adopt legal measures.
Should we let Hasebe to continue coming to school?
Maybe we should let him stay at home for a while.
He said he doesn't want to stay at home...
because it's a critical time for the basketball team.
Why did he come?
- How dare he come to school? - How could he?
He came to school.
Hey.
Hey, good morning.
I thought you would stay at home.
I won't.
Unless I'm forced to.
I'm sorry, Mom.
It's not your fault.
I'll find you another girlfriend.
It's all my fault.
Let's do our best.
Thank you.
The bride got cold feet three months before the wedding.
I kind of expected it.
What? Did you?
The groom relies on his mom too much.
That's true.
When you get married,
you have to think about your partner's parents...
and siblings too.
You should do the same with your girlfriend.
(Hinata's Mom)
(Wide Weekly, Sixth to Eighth Floor)
I can't tell you where I got the video.
We are obliged to keep the information secret.
Then please, at least delete it.
The conflict between students is completely unrelated.
Portraying it as bullying and writing an article about it...
is very problematic.
It's as if it is linked to Mr. Tsuji's attack.
We said that it's a possibility.
Around the time Mr. Tsuji was attacked that night,
someone witnessed Hasebe running on the street.
That street was quite close to where the attack happened.
Even if that's true,
I cannot accept that you wrote that article.
It will hurt the student.
There is no use deleting the video now, isn't it?
There has long been a rumor flying around...
that the basketball captain initiated the bullying.
Do you not feel responsible?
You might ruin this student's life.
What?
Yoshioka was bullied into killing himself.
We don't know for sure who did that to him,
so please don't make your own conclusions.
Then prove it.
We want to find out the truth too.
When we do, we will write another article.
What if something terrible happens before you find out the truth?
Mr. Kitami.
Calm down.
Do you know of digital tattoos?
When the personal information of a criminal is disclosed,
it's like tattooing a criminal in ancient times.
It's proof of criminal activity.
But...
the media doesn't tattoo the criminal.
The public does.
Nowadays, you get punished even for being a suspect.
Those who have sinned can't survive in the society.
Even if the law can't deliver, he will be punished.
What a wonderful society filled with justice.
We understand how you feel.
(Lawyer, Daidoji Kunihiro)
Our team specializes in dealing with problems like this.
Thank you.
Juice.
Thank you.
Sorry for coming here out of the blue.
It's fine. I don't have much to do.
Is school out early today?
I left early.
During mourning, I took a lot of days off school.
After going back, they look at me weird.
Is that so?
I haven't been in your house for so long.
The last time I came here,
I was in sixth grade and you were in kindergarten.
Why are the fish separated?
Because they're betta fish.
If you put them together, they'll eat each other.
I see.
Just like our family.
What?
We live together, but we're separated.
One of the red ones disappeared.
This one.
When did it disappear?
I don't know.
Can I see Keigo's room?
I would advise you not to.
If you go in there, she'll find out.
Who will find out?
Mr. Yoshioka.
Your family is must still shocked by what happened to your son.
Yes. Thank you for your concern.
The director is very concerned about the matter.
He said that even though we have no power over private schools,
if necessary, we can still put some pressure on them.
Thank you for telling me that.
My wife is currently handling the matter.
Don't stress yourself out.
If you need to, take a few days off.
Thank you.
See you.
The board is furious.
They're going to hire a lawyer.
Is that so?
Also...
don't tell anyone,
but the principal...
hasn't accepted...
Mr. Tsuji's resignation yet.
He's just holding on to it for now.
We will not be swayed by reports that are not based on evidence.
The school and I are on your side.
On my side?
Hasebe.
If there is anything you want to talk about,
you can always come to me.
If you keep it all in,
it will become more and more painful.
I don't mind...
even if it's painful.
Why?
I'm home.
What are you doing?
Welcome home.
This is so cute.
Memo stickers in fruit shapes.
Don't touch that.
I still have work to do tonight.
About Honjo, I want to apologize.
I called him...
and found out that you discovered our secret meeting.
I wondered why you were ignoring me.
Let's not talk about that.
I'm worried about you.
The last time he came to our house, it seemed weird between you two.
I thought it would be a shame if he doesn't like you anymore.
I'm sorry. Can you leave me alone?
That's enough.
I'm apologizing to you.
How long are you going to give me that expression?
It's your fault that you hid it from me.
Are you making a fool of me?
Do you know who raised you all these years?
Apologize to me.
Say that you're sorry.
Hurry up.
You never do what I tell you to do.
When your dad was alive,
he hated when you did that.
This has nothing to do with Dad.
You always do this.
Grandma said this or the neighbors said that.
If you're mad at me, just tell me.
I'll listen to you, but just be honest.
Also...
your hand is getting worse.
What are you talking about? You're so ridiculous.
I'm going to bed.
Her hand...
It happened when I was in high school.
It...
was my fault.
But...
she has never blamed me for it.
Even though...
she always hurts me with other things,
I think...
I would...
feel better if she blamed that incident on me.
(His name is Hasebe Hiroto, 17 years old.)
(He lives in Kanagawa Prefecture, Kamakura, Shichirigahama.)
(Basketball team's dictator.)
(Driving his teammate to death, he has no rights to live.)
(Just die.)
(He bullied him into suicide, it must be violence.)
(It must be him who attacked the coach.)
How do you feel?
I'm fine.
Instead of that,
are you here because of Hasebe?
It's about Hasebe and Sawai.
They used to be good friends with Yoshioka.
But there was a fallout of some kind.
I thought you might know something about it.
I don't.
Well.
To be straightforward,
I don't even remember what Yoshioka looks like.
I'm an emotionally distant person like that.
What do you mean?
I don't treat all the team members equally.
I was hired...
by Tsubakigaoka High School to improve the team.
That's why...
I didn't even notice...
that Yoshioka wasn't coming to the training.
Because it made no difference to me.
If he didn't commit suicide,
even if he did get into an argument with his team members,
I would probably pretend I didn't see it.
This attitude of mine...
is probably why he is dead.
That's why I resigned.
A while ago,
you said what happened four years ago...
has nothing to do with it.
The principal...
still wants me to stay.
But as I just said,
it's my fault Yoshioka died.
(From Hasebe Hiroto)
(I'm skipping school today.)
(Really?)
(No, I'm probably going to take a break forever.)
Good morning.
Why so gloomy in the morning?
(Tsubakigaoka High School)
That person is Yoshioka's...
Long time no see, Sawai.
So?
Is the team happier without Keigo?
Excuse me.
Ms. Aizawa.
This is a lawyer...
from the Anti-bullying Association of Kamakura.
This is Mr. Daidoji.
Hello.
I'm the school counselor, Aizawa.
Please sit.
Yes.
So what is the matter?
You probably know.
We're here for the suicide incident of Mrs. Yoshioka's son, Keigo.
On behalf of the Anti-bullying Association of Kamakura,
we would like to file an official complaint.
A complaint?
A student was forced to kill himself,
yet the responsible teachers haven't been fired.
The students who bullied Keigo haven't been punished either.
This is not right.
I've heard that the school even refused to apologize.
No, about that...
Please.
We've informed Mrs. Yoshioka...
that we are still investigating the matter inside the school.
Since we don't even know what caused his death,
an apology is...
Schools are always like this. They try to cover up their tracks.
That's not true.
They say that the students were only joking...
and that they didn't mean it.
Then...
they say that it's the family's fault...
to shirk responsibility.
Excuse me.
Your visit was quite unexpected.
We'll stay in touch.
The basketball team captain,
Hasebe, can you bring him here?
It's faster if we hear from him directly.
He is absent today.
You don't even know what happened.
Don't disturb his life because of some news article.
One thing is obvious.
Hasebe is a juvenile delinquent.
What do you mean by a juvenile delinquent?
He smokes.
When he came to our house, he smoked in Keigo's room.
My son asked him to stop, but he didn't listen.
(Tsubakigaoka basketball team second-years group chat)
(Keigo's mom came to school.)
(She was with a lawyer. Are they going to sue us?)
(It will be impossible to join the competition then.)
(Yoshioka Keigo)
(If I die, it's your fault.)
Aren't you a high school student? Why are you smoking?
Are you from Tsubakigaoka High School?
What's your name?
Please arrest me.
What?
I was the one...
who attacked the basketball team coach.
I was also the one...
who made my teammate commit suicide.
I understand. We'll be there soon.
Yes, thank you.
Hasebe has been arrested by the police.
What?
He admitted to attacking Mr. Tsuji.
What?
No, that's weird.
- Why would he attack... - How do we know?
We don't even know why Yoshioka killed himself.
Anyway, we have to go to the police station.
Mr. Kitami.
I'll go too.
Please.
Let's go, Mr. Kitami.
What the hell is he doing?
He's the basketball team captain.
Stop muttering to yourself. It isn't the time for that.
Come on.
Let's go.
We'll be leaving.
Ms. Hinata.
I'm sorry. I'm busy right now.
Hasebe said...
in the group chat that he's going to the police station.
He must be lying.
Hasebe is lying.
Why would he attack Mr. Tsuji?
What do you mean?
They probably found out about him smoking too.
Sawai, did you know about that?
I'm going to tell you...
everything I know.
Hey.
- Don't do that in my room. - Why?
I opened the window. Nobody will find out.
But...
Keigo's mom is very strict.
Don't be a wimp. It's just one.
Do you want one?
No.
Why would you do that to your teacher?
So?
I think it's right here.
But without evidence...
Evidence?
There must be a mistake.
Hiroto wouldn't do that.
Yes. It must be.
It's impossible.
Please.
Can I talk to Hasebe directly?
No.
Not until the interrogation ends, even if you're the school counselor.
There's a high possibility that he is lying.
Give us proof then.
Ms. Hinata.
We got it.
Really?
You can't bring so many people here.
Hasebe...
didn't attack Mr. Tsuji.
That day at that time,
he was at the basketball court in Shichirigahama Park.
We...
have proof of it.
My friend took this, so it's not very clear.
Really?
Hiroto.
Hasebe.
Why did you...
This is a problem, making a fool of the police.
Where are his parents?
Here.
Why did you lie about that?
Didn't you say it before?
After you became captain, you jogged almost every night.
You practiced all the time at the basketball court.
Mr. Tsuji wanted you to improve your skills.
Someone who was using the court testified for you.
There was a video to show proof.
Interesting.
What is?
Nothing.
I got in trouble because of a video.
Now I'm saved by a video.
(I have an important thing to tell you.)
(Let's meet as soon as possible. Call me once you're done with work.)
Mom.
It's Kazuhiko.
I'm doing great.
Instead of this,
can I go see you today?
I have something to tell you.
(Room)
(Year 2017)
(August)
(Tsubakigaoka High School)
You must have heard from Masaru.
Yes, I have.
Then I have nothing to say.
I can't participate in the competition anyway.
I won't complain if I get expelled.
I'm the school counselor.
I don't need anyone else to tell me things.
I want to hear it...
from you directly.
Maybe things you're worried about.
Let me share...
some of your burden.
Keigo didn't say anything, did he?
He did tell me something.
He said...
he likes the color black.
Human hearts are so complex.
Feeling depressed...
and keeping in all that pain.
And then...
sometimes you think,
maybe it's all my fault.
Just let everything come to an end.
In order to set things straight,
it's easier to just blame yourself.
Make things up and say you're the bad guy.
I am the bad guy.
You may have done something bad,
but does that make you a bad person?
You see.
In this old comic,
a juvenile delinquent gives up basketball, but still loves it.
So he decides to start playing again and he does very well.
As long as you don't give up,
I'm sure...
there is always a way to move forward.
I like it too.
That comic.
I used to smoke.
I became kind of arrogant...
after being chosen as the captain.
I only smoked in front of Masaru and Keigo.
During the summer holiday,
I smoked in Keigo's room after practice.
But the next day,
- he told me before training. - What?
What did you say?
I'm going to tell the teacher that you smoke.
If I do, you won't be able to play basketball anymore.
If you don't want that to happen,
make me a regular in the team.
Wait a minute, Keigo.
You're the captain, you can make it happen.
I'm serious.
If you don't promise me, I'll...
Get over here.
Are you trying to destroy the team?
Hey!
Keigo...
threatened me.
I have always been dragged along by my juniors.
Ever since junior high school.
If necessary, we will file for a lawsuit at any time.
Was that really what Keigo wanted to do himself?
Of course.
Everyone said that Yoshioka stole the rabbit.
Why did they say it was Yoshioka?
Never mind me.
You're next.
I really want to marry her. Can I?
We found the person who took the video.
I wonder if Keigo's mom forced him to do it.
I have evidence that my son was bullied.
At least we know that Yoshioka didn't send this message.