He was the one who stopped coming to school.
He was the one who decided to kill himself.
There has long been a rumor flying around...
that the basketball captain initiated the bullying.
I was the one who attacked the basketball team coach.
I was also the one who made my teammate commits suicide.
Hasebe...
didn't attack Mr. Tsuji.
That day at that time,
he was at the basketball court in Shichirigahama Park.
Keigo threatened me.
I'm going to tell the teacher that you smoke.
At first, I thought he was joking.
I've smoked in front of Keigo...
more than once before that.
But he suddenly threatened you with it?
He said that he had proof for it.
You...
will lose your position in the team.
That's fine.
Besides,
I'm not even a regular now.
How are you going to prove that I smoke?
I can prove it.
What you said in my room when you were smoking,
it was recorded.
Did he say it was recorded?
That's what he said.
He might have been lying.
Did he only threaten you that one time?
Only once directly.
After that,
I started to ignore Keigo during practice.
But because of this,
the other team members started to do so as well.
I noticed...
the change of atmosphere.
But I thought he deserved it,
so I didn't do anything about it.
Eventually,
he started dropping out of summer training.
Then he stopped coming to school from the second semester.
We texted each other a few times.
I knew this had to stop.
In the end,
I got this message on the morning he killed himself.
I was on my way to school.
When I saw this,
my mind went blank.
I was scared...
and mad.
But...
it was my own fault.
It is not all your fault.
I...
made Keigo kill himself.
We should probably...
suspend Hasebe from school, right?
We have no choice.
For the smoking as well.
For his own personal safety, it might be the best choice.
His picture and name have been posted online.
He might be attacked like Mr. Tsuji.
But I still can't accept this.
If what he said about being threatened is true,
then Hasebe is also a victim.
Even if it's true,
it doesn't mean he can retaliate with violence.
Especially if this directly caused the death of Yoshioka.
We can't be sure that his conflict with Hasebe...
is the only reason.
He was also ignored by his classmates for one semester.
The same thing happened on the team.
Yes.
As for smoking,
Hasebe smoked in front of Yoshioka more than once before that.
But to threaten him this time just to become a regular player,
don't you think it's weird?
That's true.
So what does that mean?
I think it's possible...
that Yoshioka's mom made him do it.
Why would his mom do that?
Ms. Aizawa, you don't have proof.
I don't.
But...
Ms. Aizawa.
Let's stop there.
The board wants everything to be over soon.
It's not healthy to keep pointing fingers.
(Honjo Kazuhiko)
I have an important thing to tell you.
Let's meet as soon as possible.
Call me once you're done with work.
(Honjo)
A school counselor?
Yes.
In university, she was my senior.
We were in the same club.
I see.
A clinical psychologist from your university.
She must be very smart.
But that's not the most important thing, right?
What's most important in a partner...
is their character.
But you've been dating for three years.
You should have told us.
If she's one year older, she'll be 30 next year, right?
- Pour me some too. - Okay.
So I was thinking it's about time.
I want to marry her.
Can I?
Why not? As long as you want to.
We're happy to welcome a new family member.
You should introduce her to us soon.
Okay.
You don't have to hold back.
Your brother has been gone for 11 years now.
If he was still alive, we'd have grandchildren already.
That's right.
What is the important thing that you want to tell me?
Right.
Well...
It's about last time.
Because...
she's the worst mom ever.
That time, I was so shocked,
I couldn't say anything.
You don't have to worry about that.
Of course, I do. It's about you.
So...
it's about me too.
Even though you're my boyfriend, it's not about you.
Of course, it is.
Is this the important thing you had to say?
Will you...
marry me?
I will always be on your side.
I care about you...
and I want to always be there for you.
I know work has been busy for you lately.
I know this might not be the best time.
I think...
let's consider that never happened.
I'll make a reservation at a restaurant with a view.
I'll prepare a ring and then propose to you.
No.
Does that mean...
you're rejecting my proposal?
That's not what I mean.
I can't let you take it back.
Your proposal.
I suppose...
you're still worried about your mom.
Apologize to me. Come on.
Come on.
Okay.
Let's get married.
Really?
Yes.
But we need to wait for things to settle down at school.
Hinata.
(School Counselor)
(Episode 5)
Hey.
Did the basketball team captain really get suspended?
Yes.
It must be because of this video.
He was the one who stopped coming to school.
- Who knows? - He was the one...
who decided to kill himself.
That's scary.
Who took this video?
A video like this could ruin your life.
Right, Junya?
What?
Yes, that's right.
What?
Maybe Tadokoro took the video.
What?
Why are you saying that?
Didn't you get mad at everyone about Keigo recently?
I would never...
She would never do that.
Besides, no matter who did it, you're the ones who benefit from it.
They're overlooking the fact that you used to ignore him.
We don't know what will happen next.
Maybe our names will be posted online.
You must be scared.
You don't want to think it's your fault he died, after all.
What?
We're not that kind of people.
If you are angry at me because I blamed you,
I apologize for making you mad.
I'm sorry.
But...
I think it isn't the time to place responsibility on anyone.
I'm sure everyone knows what I mean.
(Yoshioka Keigo)
(During his third year of junior high school,)
(he left home for two days. The police had to bring him back.)
Did you decorate the room yourself?
My favorite color is black.
I like you, Ms. Hinata.
I want you to be my girlfriend.
Keigo loved basketball.
He started playing since he was in junior high school.
When he entered high school,
he worked very hard to be a regular player.
But instead,
he was harassed.
The same thing happened to my daughter.
She was bullied...
in her junior high school club.
You must be in a lot of pain.
Your child's dream was taken away.
Sorry for calling you here suddenly.
It's fine.
How are things in class?
Are you okay?
Yes.
But people are discussing...
who took the video of the basketball team captain.
We should monitor the situation.
What did you want to ask me?
You told me about what happened in junior high school, right?
I suddenly thought of something I had to ask you.
What is it?
You said that Yoshioka wasn't very popular in junior high school.
If you hang out will me,
they'll bully you too.
No worries. I'm always alone in class.
Is there a reason for that?
Did something happen?
I wasn't in his class,
but I heard some rumors.
There were a few rabbits in the school.
One day,
they disappeared.
Everyone said...
that Yoshioka stole the rabbits.
Why Yoshioka?
I don't know.
I didn't believe them.
But someone said they saw him.
Did they see Yoshioka take the rabbits away?
They saw him take the rabbits...
to the back of the shrine on Kamakura Mountain.
And then,
Yoshioka killed the rabbits.
Keigo wasn't liked in junior high school...
because of his mom.
What did Keigo's mom do?
She always meddled in the school affairs.
When we switched classes,
she would handpick Keigo's classmates.
She even asked to change...
the homeroom teacher because of his grades.
As long as it helped my son,
I didn't care if they said I spoiled him.
I was willing to do anything for him.
They were monster parents.
His dad works in the education committee.
That caused the teachers a lot of trouble.
We were in the same basketball team together,
but Hiroto and I didn't care about those things.
About Hasebe smoking...
When Hiroto told me that Keigo threatened him,
I wondered if Keigo's mom forced him to do it.
But...
when I asked Keigo, he said no.
How was today's meeting?
I was kind of nervous, so I couldn't talk properly.
It's all right.
They all lost their children to school bullying too.
They were also hurt by the schools, who dealt with them passively.
They went through what you're going through now.
I feel stronger now.
The coming press conference is the beginning of our battle.
You must be strong.
Your opponent is not just the school.
What do you mean?
The media and the public might not support the victim.
Some will say that as his parent,
you weren't able to notice your child's pain.
Some rude people like to say that.
That makes me...
really uncomfortable.
They think it's fun.
Yes. That's right.
I understand. Bye.
What a juicy story.
(I'll pay you, so let's come out and play.)
(Okay.)
(How much?)
(For a meal and karaoke, how about two?)
I still think that Keigo threatened Hasebe...
because his mom told him to.
But we can only make assumptions.
Really?
I think that the rabbit incident and opinions of his mom...
shows that when he was in junior high school,
there were problems in his family already.
Those were just rumors.
Besides, we have no ways to prove them.
Yoshioka is already dead.
That's true.
I think his problems in junior high school...
shouldn't be confused with this incident.
Also,
the board wants us to deal with this properly.
I understand.
It's no good to torture yourself over the little details, Ms. Aizawa.
You look tired lately.
I'm worried about you.
Do I?
I'm fine.
You're the school counselor.
It might be overstepping my role to say this,
but...
if you're willing to share, I can always listen to you.
After all,
you've helped me a lot.
Thank you.
I'm home.
You'll catch a cold sleeping like this.
Never mind me.
Are you not feeling well?
You have a fever.
You should go to bed.
I'm fine.
I want to sleep here.
Is that so?
Do you want some applesauce?
Wait here.
Thank you.
My mom is like a child when she gets sick.
And so,
only at times like this I can't ignore her.
It's because in the past,
only when I was sick, was she finally nice to me.
She wouldn't get mad as usual.
Do you want some applesauce?
She would take care of me nicely.
Will you...
marry me?
Why did I...
think of my mom at that moment?
If I get married,
my mom and I...
Sorry, are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine.
Don't touch it!
What?
What's up with you?
What's wrong with him?
Excuse me.
No worries.
Principal.
We'll leave it to you then.
Okay.
They were from the board.
They want us to deal with the issue soon.
They want to expel Hasebe,
so that they can conclude the whole thing.
Expel him?
Why does only Hasebe have to take responsibility?
It's that video's fault.
People think he was the one who initiated the bullying.
Hasebe's mom also wants him to switch schools.
They've received too many harassment calls.
It's affecting their daily life.
What?
Mr. Kitami disagreed as well.
He went to their house.
I think it would be better for him to switch schools.
Even though it's not entirely his fault,
he's not innocent either.
Wouldn't it be better to start over in a new place?
Hey, Ms. Miyazaki.
That's not very nice.
It's better than triggering more bullying in this school.
I want to focus on getting our third-years into good colleges.
We don't have a choice. This needs to end soon.
Well...
Everyone's under a lot of pressure from the incident.
How about we go get drinks tonight?
- Good idea. - Yes.
Let's invite Mr. Kitami when he gets back.
Okay.
How about you, Ms. Hinata?
I...
Have an appointment already?
Hasebe.
You're supposed to stay at home...
when you're suspended.
I feel like dying when I'm at home.
You shouldn't joke about that.
I'm sorry.
Tomorrow,
there will be a hearing at school. The board will be there.
The school has its agenda,
but just try to tell them your thoughts.
It's not a voluntary withdrawal,
but a forced drop out.
Hey.
Isn't that what the punishment is?
Aren't you cold?
We can go to a nearby shop.
No, I like it here.
I assume you called me out because of Keigo's incident.
Is there new information?
I'm sorry.
But...
I just wanted to see you.
I also dropped out from school because I was bullied.
It was two years ago, there is no need to pity me.
I've moved on since then.
Thanks to Keigo.
What did Keigo do for you?
If you don't want to answer that. I won't force you.
Which class were you in at Tsubakigaoka High School?
Class 2B.
I dropped out in June. I was only there for two months.
I was ignored,
bullied...
and threatened for money.
It started in my first year.
But it doesn't matter anymore.
We deal with our problems in different ways.
Keigo killed himself at home.
I slit my wrist in the classroom.
I snuck into the school at night.
At that time,
I thought I could end everything there.
The security guard found me.
I lost all hope and failed to kill myself.
I dropped out of school...
and hid at home.
What?
It must have been hard.
Are you a school counselor even for students who've dropped out?
Thank you, Ms. Hinata.
But I can't bear it when people are nice to me now.
Why?
Leave the counseling for next time.
I'll be counseling you next time.
We just received this fax.
(A press conference regarding Yoshioka Keigo)
A press conference?
Yes.
The lawyer who came with Yoshioka's mom that day...
organized it.
It will be covered by the press again.
We should grasp the details quickly.
I understand. I'll go attend.
I will too.
Thank you.
I should be the one to attend,
but some board members are coming today.
Are you sure it's him?
I think so.
He is in Masaru's class, right?
Yes, Class 1B.
As we just said,
Yoshioka committed suicide...
because he was bullied...
and also because the school didn't deal with the matter appropriately.
These are the two reasons.
The Kamakura Anti-bullying Association...
will not ignore this issue.
We want the school to investigate this case according to...
the Countermeasures for the Prevention of Bullying.
If necessary,
we will file a lawsuit at any time.
I have evidence...
that my son was bullied.
His classmates hurt him,
ignored him...
and even forced him to smoke.
It really troubled Keigo.
I'll let you listen...
to the audio recording he secretly took at that time.
(Smoking)
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.
Quiet please.
What you just heard...
shows that Keigo was under tremendous psychological pressure...
given by his basketball team members.
We will follow the procedure to file a lawsuit concerning this.
Here.
Thank you.
The school is going to receive more complaints now.
Mr. Kirishima.
The principal didn't come today, right?
We're sorry.
The principal was inconvenient, so we came instead.
The school's insincere attitude makes me furious.
When I think about...
what Keigo might have thought when he chose to die...
Did he receive mental pressure...
only from his basketball team members?
Ms. Aizawa, let's not...
We asked the basketball team.
They said they used to be good friends with Keigo.
The reason for their fallout...
Was because they were threatened.
Isn't that what they said?
Keigo had a strong sense of justice.
He stood up to them bravely and told them to stop smoking.
If they continued this behavior, he would quit the team.
Is there anything wrong with that?
That's not what I heard.
Keigo...
Ms. Aizawa.
Mrs. Yoshioka.
I'll have them write up a report, so that's enough for today.
All right.
Mrs. Yoshioka.
That recording...
Was that really what Keigo wanted to do himself?
Of course.
Sorry about that.
It's fine.
I understand how you feel.
Hello.
Can I ask you some questions?
We have no comments. We have to get back.
I think what Ms. Aizawa just said might not be wrong.
The mom is kind of weird.
What?
Well, that family is falling apart.
What do you mean?
Are you willing to be interviewed?
I won't force you.
But to us, it's a story worth writing about.
A student who painted his room black and killed himself at midnight.
A basketball coach was attacked.
I look forward to what happens next.
That's very rude of you.
Ms. Aizawa, let's go.
Please wait.
What did you just say?
What?
Did you say that Yoshioka died at midnight?
The news reported it...
as early morning of October 18th, right?
Do you know the exact time?
You owe me one now.
The police said it was...
around two to five in the morning.
Two to five in the morning.
In the end,
I got this message on the morning he killed himself.
I was on my way to school.
(If I die, it's your fault.)
This way please.
Hasebe.
Ms. Hinata, the hearing with the board is about to start.
I know, but I have something important to ask him.
What is it?
The last message that Yoshioka sent you.
Can I see it?
You...
received this on your way to school, right?
Yes.
If so,
Yoshioka didn't send this message.
What?
Yoshioka died earlier than this.
Someone else...
sent the message.
We don't know why Keigo killed himself, but...
At least we know...
that Yoshioka didn't send this message.
- Awesome! See? - Just shooting, okay.
Great!
That's too funny.
Hasebe.
Keigo.
Sir, can you please come with me?
What is it?
The team found the person who took the video.
What are you doing?
We're not going to hurt him.
We just want to talk.
The was the one who took the video of the captain and uploaded it.
Watanabe?
Is this true?
Someone saw him taking it.
I took the video, but I didn't upload it.
- I didn't send it to anyone. - Stop lying.
Then why would it be on that website?
Because of you,
Hiroto's photo and name were posted online.
He can't participate in the competition anymore.
That's enough now.
Watanabe.
Did you really not upload it?
Someone got into my phone.
It was probably...
during PE class the day after I took the video.
That was the only time I didn't have my phone on me.
Do you think we'd believe that?
Why did you record it then?
Why?
Because I was scared.
I wanted to prove...
that it was not entirely my fault that Keigo is dead.
I wanted proof.
I see.
You must have been scared.
Don't think you can still come to school after this.
That's right. We won't forgive you.
Wait.
It's normal that all of you are mad at Watanabe.
It's quite understandable.
Of course.
Because of him, Hiroto is going through a lot right now.
But if you act upon your emotions,
the same thing will happen again.
When you do something wrong,
you have to fix it.
You have to reflect upon yourself.
But...
Just because he has done something wrong,
that doesn't make it a valid reason to bully him.
Hiroto.
Did you take the video?
I did.
But...
I just took it.
Really.
I'm sorry.
I understand.
I believe you.
Hiroto.
- But... - It's fine.
I did something wrong too.
We have to end the vicious cycle.
Besides, all of you.
Don't cause trouble while I'm suspended.
If they dismiss the basketball team,
I won't be able to come back.
Hasebe, you...
I...
don't want to leave this school.
I want...
to keep playing basketball with everyone.
As long as I don't give up,
there is a way to move forward, right?
But...
to the school...
Letting one student to bear all the punishment...
and forcing him to accept the punishment,
I can't accept that.
He is already reflecting on himself.
Please withdraw the punishment from the board.
Please.
It wasn't the board's idea to...
Principal.
Me too.
I agree with Ms. Aizawa.
We must seriously deal with the fact that a student ended his own life.
But if we give out punishments without discovering the truth...
just to settle the matter,
as an educator,
I believe that is unforgivable.
Let's get some drinks, Mr. Kashihagi.
I'm sorry, I can't today.
It's fine. See you tomorrow.
- Have fun. - Bye.
Will the principal be okay?
For him to argue with the board.
Ms. Aizawa will be in a bad position from now on.
Isn't it fine? She's doing what she wants to do.
You're still so mean.
Aren't you worried too, Mr. Kirishima?
What's wrong, Mr. Kirishima?
It's nothing.
I am worried.
Indeed.
Can you still come to school?
You.
You're living with your uncle, right?
Is it comfortable?
It's all right.
Better than before.
Is that so?
Then it's all right if I move.
But you don't want to move.
Everything will be fine.
I'm going to the bathroom.
(Tsubakigaoka High School)
Good evening.
Hasebe?
Hasebe.
Are you in there?
What is it?
I wanted to talk to you alone.
Stop joking around.
You know something, Ms. Aizawa.
For a woman to attack a man, it's something more significant.
There's something wrong with him.
Is that what he meant?
Tainted?
He proposed to me.
I never thought you would find such a good husband.
They'll sue us, for sure.
We should end this thing.
The class you taught three years ago was...
Three years ago?
Ms. Aizawa and I will be put in a difficult situation.
Are we suing Ms. Aizawa too?
There's one more person.