"Municipal - Hanayama Elementary School"
I won't!
I absolutely won't change her hairstyle!
There's no way we can allow such a hairstyle here at this school.
What is wrong with making a child cute?
School is a place for studying.
Have my daughter's grades gone down as a result of her hairstyle?
At any rate, please return it to the way it was.
I won't!
Ma'am...
I won't let it go back to the way it was.
My child...
Julia's hairstyle is at it's cutest right now!
"I'm a member of the Board of Education, too!"
"You have nothing to do with this."
"If you don't tell me, I won't understand!"
"That's not it!"
"I'm Yuka's father!"
"Stop it!"
Excuse me.
Takamura-sensei. Shiroyama-sensei is calling for you.
Shiroyama-sensei is?
"There are many things you don't know about the Board of Education."
"Eh?"
"I want to make you a Senior Partner with us."
"Me?"
"Well then, the Senior Partners will..."
He said to come speak to him right away.
Why did you neglect to come to the Partner's meeting?
I'm very disappointed in you.
Are you dissatisfied with being promoted to a Senior Partner?
It's not that at all.
I'm very sorry.
Does it have anything to do with that?
Eh?
I heard one of the members of the Board of Education was arrested for assault.
Isn't that true?
If you don't wish to tell me, I won't ask anymore.
However, please remember this.
You have made a serious business mistake.
Yes.
Eventually, you will have to take responsibility for it.
I am really very sorry about this.
This is serious, isn't it?
I don't think Miura-san is at fault.
No matter what the reason, using violence is wrong.
But, if Miura-san hadn't, that child might have become a victim.
There's no evidence of that.
What can we do...
At this rate, Miura-san will be pathetic.
Good morning.
Ara? What's the matter? You all have such dark looks.
Sensei, what's going to happen to Miura-san from now on?
Well, I really don't know either.
Look, I'm not a lawyer specializing in criminal cases.
C'mon! Cheer up!
Since Miura-san isn't with us, we have to exert ourselves!
Can Miura-san come back?
I haven't a clue.
Sensei, you're a lawyer, aren't you?
I told you, didn't I?
I don't specialize in criminal cases!
That can't be...
We were supposed to be at Hanayama Elementary by 11 o'clock, weren't we?
Yes.
Well then, let's go. Work, work.
"Municipal - Hanayama Elementary School"
The guardian and the teacher are confronting each other?
Yes.
I think what the parent is asking for is selfish,
but the teacher in charge has been dealing with it very heavy-handedly.
Ehh...
That's unexpected.
Huh?
Well, all the teachers we've met until now
have tried to avoid rubbing the guardians the wrong way.
Most of them seem to be the type who hope to just wait out the storm.
Our Uematsu-sensei is special.
On the good side, he has backbone.
On the bad side, he can be inflexible.
He's a somewhat conservative person.
Have you spoken to her with Uematsu-sensei about this?
Yes.
I've gone and spoken to them and I continue to try and persuade them,
but they're on parallel tracks.
I wonder what I can do...
Principal, that sort of timidity is a problem.
I'm completely ashamed.
However, my power has made no difference.
Principal...
Please!
Somehow, could you lend me the power of the Board of Education?!
Uematsu-sensei, you're a tyrant!
By forcing your old-fashioned values on the children,
you're crushing their individuality.
What individuality?
They don't have individuality?!
Please wait a minute.
Aizawa-san, let me ask you.
What sort of individuality are you saying Uematsu-sensei is crushing?
So that we can better understand, could you please speak specifically?
Uematsu-sensei made a complaint about my child's hairstyle.
Her hairstyle?
That's right.
My Julia looks her cutest with that hairstyle, but this teacher wants to deny it to her.
The point is, a hairstyle isn't something to be complaining about.
Right, Lawyer-sensei?
Ahh...
Mochizuki-san, what do you say about this?
Your hairstyle looks like you just woke up...
May I suggest you get a perm?
Leave me alone.
See? That made you angry, didn't it?
That's what I'm saying.
Uematsu-sensei is wrong.
That's just sophistry!
With that sort of hairstyle, any teacher would warn about that.
That sort of hairstyle?
An elementary school student should never have that sort of hairstyle.
"You're all so energetic."
None of the others have perms, do they?
Before you talk about individuality, there's basic, common sense, isn't there?
Common sense?
What sort of common sense are you talking about?
Isn't it what's normal or customary?
There are suitable hairstyles and those not suitable for elementary school students.
I don't understand when you talk in such abstractions.
Today's mothers don't understand those sorts of thing, now do they?
Then please teach me. Just what is 'suitable'?
I'm telling you, it's those hairstyles that best fit children.
And so, who was it decided on those hairstyles for children and when?
When and who?
Well, "when..."
Sensei, aren't YOU the one saying which hairstyle is suitable for the children or not?
Well, that's...
What is it? Please answer me.
The suitable hairstyle for children is...
...a hairstyle suitable for children.
That's no answer at all!
Since you cannot give me a reason I can understand,
nothing you say will convince me to return it to the way it was originally.
After all, just what is the problem if I give my Julia a perm and dye it brown?
Just what sort of trouble does that cause anyone?
Well, um...
For Pete's sake, what are mothers these days thinking?
Giving approval to dye their hair brown and giving them perms...
This sort of dispute in itself is ridiculous.
But still, Uematsu-sensei...
Completely ignoring the parent's opinion like that...
Getting the Board of Education involved is just a waste of time.
Uematsu-sensei...
The main point is...
Everything she said showed no common sense whatsoever and she's completely lacking in morals.
And in addition to the hairstyle...
"Please return Julia's cell phone."
"You were told the rules about those things, weren't you?"
"Wouldn't it be useful for her to get in contact with home during emergencies?"
"When they say not to, that means don't bring them."
"Well then, please pay me for it.
"You can also be responsible for the fees."
That's what she said.
She wants you to pay the fees on it?
That's right. And that's not the only thing.
There's also this.
"She's looking forward to going to Australia for the first time.
"She really wants to see it. Why can't she do that?"
"I didn't say she couldn't go.
"You don't have to show me that.
"However, as I've told you many times,
"there are rules about students taking days off from school."
"Because of my husband's work, the weekdays would be better for us."
"Does it really have to be on a weekday?"
"If that's the only time we can.
"Why shouldn't we be able to go?
"As long as she studies, there's no reason she can't go, is there?!"
That's how it was.
Take time off from school?!
To travel overseas, huh?
For Pete's sake, what is she thinking?
Uematsu-sensei, I understand how you feel,
but there has to be some give and take and compromise here.
Compromise?
Then Principal, are you telling me that what I'm saying is wrong?
No such thing.
However, class management doesn't consist simply of confronting the parents.
If all you do is listen to what the guardians tell you, you're indulging them.
Uematsu-sensei!
A school isn't a department store.
If all you do is you bow your head to humor the parents who come in to complain,
then it isn't education!
At any rate,
I will never compromise about what I think is right.
I will guide the children just as I have always done!
This time around, the parent is much like the other parents,
but now the teacher is strong-willed, too.
Ah, that's the sort of teacher who puts the fighting spirit into you, too.
I'm always full of fighting spirit.
Julia-chan!
Ah, that's her. Aizawa Julia-chan.
Seems so.
Well, it certainly seems pretty, doesn't it?
Sort of light and airy, like a girl.
So that teacher's strong-willed, huh?
He declared he absolutely wouldn't bend to a selfish parent.
In our time, we had to deal with a lot of strict teachers like Uematsu-sensei, didn't we?
That teacher's antiquated.
Antiquated?
After all, I couldn't imagine not having a cell phone nowadays.
Well, being antiquated or up-to-date isn't the problem.
The rules are the rules, aren't they?
Then shouldn't the rules be changed?
Cell phones are a necessity.
Then, Aihara-san, you think it's okay if all the children had their hairstyles done?
Of course.
There's a reserve corps of Monsters out there, isn't there?
I have to give my vote to Uematsu-sensei.
I'm opposed to elementary school students having permed, brown dyed hair.
The guardian said having permed, dyed hair was a mark of individuality.
I think she's confusing individuality with being conspicuous.
Being an individual person isn't just about saying you're an individual.
But, when he was asked if having a permed, brown hairstyle caused anyone any trouble,
he couldn't find anything to say.
That's right!
"What sort of trouble does it cause?" is what many defiant young people have been saying recently.
Like the woman who puts on make-up while on the train
and those young people who hang around in front of convenience stores.
That's it, that's it.
They're the worst.
That's you, Aihara-san.
Eventually those young people get married and make a family.
Their children grow up and start going to school.
And then, when they don't like something at school,
they selfishly insist on their rights and start making unreasonable demands.
And thus a Monster Parent is born and goes on the rampage.
"Don't call them Monster Parents!"
I'm back.
Takamura-sensei, can I see you for a moment?
Yes.
Actually, it's about Miura-kun.
I cannot ever permit this sort of incident.
The Board of Education will have to confer an appropriate punishment.
I also have to accept my own responsibility as Superintendent of Education.
However...
I'll get right to the point.
Yes.
Takamura-sensei...
...would you be Miura-kun's defense lawyer?
Eh?
I understand your work as a lawyer keeps you more than busy enough.
Then coming here to the Board of Education and helping us with guardian counter-measures...
I am all too aware of how brazen this request is.
However...
...at this rate...
...Miura-kun will be finished.
Please do this.
Ah... Superintendent...
Episode 09: "Day of Separation"
"Aizawa"
I'm home.
Welcome back.
Julia?
Wait, Julia?
What is this?
How did you get this?
Please have Uematsu-sensei resign.
Please calm down. What has happened?
Uematsu-sensei inflicted corporal punishment on my Julia.
Corporal punishment?
Please don't say such irresponsible things.
Ara! Are you feigning ignorance?
I never remember giving corporal punishment, not even once.
I can show you photographic evidence!
Evidence?
Please look at this.
"Book Report"
I wrote that since she hadn't brought in her homework.
That isn't corporal punishment.
No. It's clearly corporal punishment!
Listen.
This is corporal punishment!
OW!
THAT is what is called corporal punishment.
What a barbaric person you are.
- Are you okay? - It hurts...
Ah, sorry.
You're wrong, aren't you! Totally wrong!
No. It's the same as corporal punishment. Emotional.
Emotional?
Emotional corporal punishment.
By writing this on her arm, Julia sustained a deep wound to her heart.
It was a trauma.
That's an exaggeration, calling it a trauma.
She's not a thick-headed person like you!
My Julia is delicate.
Admit that it was corporal punishment!
I won't admit it!
I see.
Then, for argument's sake...
For example, let's say Sensei here was having an affair.
An affair?
I've never had an affair!
Um, uh...
"Don't have an affair!!"
If your wife wrote this on your arm, how would you feel about that?
Ah, well, how would I feel...
What sort of feelings do you have?
I feel a little embarrassed.
Don't you?
Then if you went to work like this, what would you tell them at your job?
If at all possible, I'd try to avoid the people at work.
Wouldn't you?
This is what I am talking about.
With that, you understand how Julia feels, don't you?
- Are you okay? - It won't come off..
The thing is, you are much too strict.
Eh?
Being strict isn't the same as education.
Every student needs their own, individual teaching methods that suit them best, don't they?
I can't do that.
My Julia is a child who grows when she is praised.
All you can do is find fault with her...
I suggest you find ways to praise her more.
Isn't that the mark of a true teacher?!
Welcome back. How'd it go?
They really are on parallel tracks.
Geez, what are we supposed to do with them?
Ara? Have you switched seats?
That's because Koyama-san and Aihara-san have developed opposing views on the dispute.
That's a dangerous way to put it.
Aihara-san, the first 6 pages of this resume are upside-down!
Sorry about that!
And then, did you send out that cultural exchange meeting guidebook?
I'll send it out after this!
You haven't sent it out yet?
I thought I'd go, but you said to do this resume, didn't you?
That's no excuse!
Shut up!
Did you say something?
Not really!
Eh... Koyama-san looked scary.
I wonder if it's because Miura-san isn't here?
"Our Appearance in the Magazine Article"
"Wilson and Shiroyama Law Offices"
Sensei.
Are you doing some research?
Ah... yeah. Just a little.
What are you looking for?
It's okay. I can find it myself.
Is that right.
Well then.
"Criminal Procedures Code"
"5th Grade, Class 1" Where is Bolivia?
Ehh... I don't know.
Here.
In that case, where is Denmark?
Here.
You're awesome, Julia-chan.
Then, where is Djibouti?
Djibouti? I've never heard of that one.
It's here.
It's a looong ways away from Japan.
Julia-chan?
"Conversational English"
Eh?
Ara?
Say, don't you have these in different colors?
Bring me a lot more.
Yes, certainly.
What will be popular this autumn...
Ara? You're from the Board of Education.
Um, where is Julia-chan today?
Taking lessons.
She's taking Junior English conversation classes.
In addition, I'm having her take painting, piano and classical ballet lessons.
So many?
It's a parent's duty to extend their child's abilities as much as possible.
Are these for Julia-chan?
Yes.
I buy her something new for every season.
Do you think I'm indulging her?
Eh? Ah, no.
I dress her up in brand name clothes,
and take her out to high class restaurants as much as possible.
I don't think it's a waste of money.
I think of it as an investment in her development of culture and good taste.
Ah...
Speaking of which, she's always staring at a globe.
I'm sure she's interested in going overseas.
Ehh...
I think she could become a woman who plays an active part in international affairs.
That's why I gave her a name common overseas: Julia.
Is that right?
In her life right now, she needs to absorb a great many things;
it's an important time for her.
I want to teach her only about sophisticated, genuine things.
Ah...
That's why having such an old-fashioned, shabby teacher is no good.
"Shabby..."
He was exactly like Uematsu-sensei.
Who was that?
My middle school teacher.
Eh?
Being strangely stubborn over tiny little things, one after another...
He was someone who existed just to control his students.
The sort of teacher who is randomly strict
about school rules such as when your skirt is too short,
or if your socks aren't white.
Or if your bangs hang over your eyebrows.
I'm so fed up with all that.
When I'd walk around town and see some cute student uniforms, I'd get so jealous.
So I don't want Julia to have any such restrictions.
I want to make her an environment where she can feel at ease.
"Criminal Procedures Law Section"
Ah! I'm sorry.
No, I'm the one who's sorry.
Ah, you're...
Uematsu-sensei.
Thanks for the food. Check, please.
Yes, right away.
Ah, go on ahead. Please go on.
Yes, thank you.
Thanks for waiting. Your Nikomi. (stew)
Thanks, thanks.
Dig in. It's delicious.
It may not suit the taste, though, of someone like you.
Not at all. Itadakimasu.
Ah, this store is cheap but good.
How is it? Good, isn't it?
It's delicious.
I see.
For someone like me with little spending money, this store is a middle-ager's oasis.
Yes...
Ah, that's right.
Speaking of spending money,
do you know how much Aizawa-san gives her daughter each month?
No.
20,000 yen a month. (~$200)
That much?!
20,000 yen! A fifth grade elementary school student getting 20,000 yen!
I'm past 50, and I only get 500 yen a day. (~$5)
That little...
Excuse me.
If you hand a child 20,000 yen, you don't know what they'll do with it.
For Pete's sake, that person...
What's more, today's parents don't know how to deal with children.
First, an adult must be a model.
And if they still won't listen to what you say, you must teach with a fist.
Eh?
It depends on the situation.
I repudiate corporal punishment.
If you're really thinking of the child, and holding a hand out to them,
that child will respond to it.
If you're scolding a child for their sake, they'll consider it obediently.
Thus schools in the past...
...had a relationship of mutual trust between teachers and students.
Schools these days...
...feel a little lonely...
"Metropolitan Police Station - Umesato Police Station"
You seem to be doing better than I thought, aren't you?
I caused trouble for you.
That's not true.
The guardian I'm dealing with right now?
She dyed her child's hair brown and gave her a perm. Is that wrong?
What do you think?
She's a so-called No-moral Monster.
Really.
You aren't going to say it? "Don't call them Monsters."
I am...
...no longer qualified to tell you about education.
Miura-san seemed in good spirits.
That's good then.
Can I visit him?
Ah, that won't be possible for now.
I see.
More than that, these two are still fighting.
Now that they've dug this ditch between them, it's not so easy to fill it back in.
Rather than fighting, it'd be better if they came together.
Like I thought, love was taken more seriously back in the past.
For example?
Waiting out in front of your girlfriend's house for a long time.
Isn't that... an ambush?
Calling her on the phone and saying nothing until you get cut off.
Wouldn't that be... a silent phone call?
Doesn't that just make you a stalker?
- Did you say something? - No! Just thinking aloud!
Hmmf!
You two, please be on good terms.
It's no good.
So you were here?
Ah...
At first it was a puzzle.
What are you talking about?
Why you suggested I work with the Board of Education.
I was suspicious it was a trap
to try and pull me off my place at the top of the results chart.
I had no such thoughts.
And? How do you feel now?
Ah...
That's the strange thing.
When I get a call from the Board of Education I think it means trouble, but, on the other hand...
I look forward to it.
Oh...
I've now met a part of myself I didn't know about.
Ah, was there something you wanted to talk about?
No. I'll stop here for today.
Sensei.
Yes?
I'm grateful to you now, from the bottom of my heart.
For introducing me to them.
Itsuki.
Ah.
Do you have a moment?
Has Shiroyama-sensei said anything to you?
About not showing up at the Partner's meeting?
Still, no matter how I think about it, it doesn't make sense for Itsuki this time around.
Have you heard, Itsuki?
Yes.
What are you going to do now?
"What am I going to do"?
By and by, I think an opportunity will come to you from the Board of Education.
If you go to work there, though, it'll drive you crazy.
I guess we were never meant to work in the field of education.
Our mission is to please the clients and earn as high a fee as possible.
Isn't that right?
I thought so, too.
"Aizawa"
Sensei!
Yes?
I need to talk to you.
Wha... what is it?
What?
Please come right away!
Sensei?
Sensei!
It's something serious!
Julia's money has been stolen!
Please calm down a little.
When something like this happens to my child, how can I be calm?
Aizawa-san.
Please give us a detailed account of what the circumstances are.
Yesterday morning,
I gave her her monthly allowance and her father also gave Julia some money.
And now, none of it is still there.
Did she lose it somewhere?
I'm telling you, that's not it.
Then maybe she bought something she wanted to keep secret from her mother.
My Julia isn't that sort of child.
Ma'am, just how much was given to Julia-chan?
In total, 50,000 yen. (~$500)
50,000 yen?!
There's no reason to be giving a child that much money.
It was stolen. I'm sure of it.
It's still too early to scold her.
This morning she was given 50,000 yen; when I got home it was gone.
I have evidence.
Evidence?
Not 'evidence' again. What on earth is it this time?
Please look at this. This is Julia's allowance account book.
Julia-chan is very detailed, isn't she?
Here, look at this.
There's an unexplained expenditure of 2,000 yen every month. (~$20)
Ah, you're right. Periodically, 2,000 yen goes missing.
Someone is extorting it from Julia.
Extorting...
That's what you call it when 2,000 yen of money is taken like this.
But, if it is being stolen, why would she bother to write it down in this book?
I told you, didn't I?
She's a methodical child.
That's right.
Please have their belongings checked.
Their belongings?
Yes. The children in her class are suspicious.
I'll have to refuse that.
Sensei, will you protect a criminal?
A criminal?
There is no one in my class who would steal money.
Then how do you explain those unaccounted expenditures that are in here?
Why does having some unaccounted money mean it's been extorted?
If you investigate it, you'll understand.
- Aizawa-san. - Uematsu-sensei, you too...
At any rate, I'm requesting you question everyone in the class about it, right away.
And I'm telling you, I absolutely refuse to do that!
If you don't, the criminal may never be found!
It would be best if we could avoid having to question them, wouldn't it?
Yes.
If we were to do that, I wonder what sort of effect it would have on the children.
Still, we weren't able to resolve the problem.
That's true.
But, I wonder what happened to that 50,000 yen?
I wonder if she used it to play with?
Play with?
What's the matter, Takamura-sensei?
Could it be...
Where are you going?
Isn't this a game center?
Ah, do you mean Julia-chan spent the money here?
You didn't need to bring so much money.
Julia-chan!
She donated it?
Julia did?
Julia-chan was donating some of her spending money each month
to a volunteer organization.
To a volunteer...
Yes.
Our organization works to aid those children living in poverty in Africa.
All donations that we collect
are applied to the costs of their school expenses and their costs of living.
Right now, Julia-chan is participating in aiding children in the Republic of Djibouti.
This organization is next door to her English language cram school.
They told us she would donate 2,000 yen each month.
2,000 yen?
Julia-chan said you were the one who told her.
Huh?
"When someone is in trouble, you should try to help them."
Ah, then what about the 50,000 yen?
The staff member said that this year there had been a particularly severe drought,
and so the children of Africa couldn't even count on being able to eat one meal a day.
Ah, so that's why she gave them such a large amount as 50,000 yen.
But, they told her they couldn't take that large an amount from a child,
so they would try and confirm it with her family.
And then, they gave me this.
This is the village child Julia-chan is supporting.
Go ahead.
She and Julia-chan are the same age.
The same age...
Tasha... is her name.
Even though those two children are much the same,
I wonder why there are such different circumstances between them?
That's what Julia-chan was asking.
Julia-chan was trying to make the best use of that money, wasn't she?
I'm sure that to us adults,
children see their future as being far away.
Both of you, please support Julia-chan from now on.
If possible, try and get along a little better.
She's something else, isn't she?
Eh?
Children think much more sensibly than adults do.
That's right. You could learn a little from her.
Julia-chan was the adult this whole time.
You're terrible.
We'll have to do our best to be adults, too.
I'll do my best.
Here.
I'm sorry.
If you had just told me honestly, I wouldn't have gotten angry with you.
Say, do you understand what is written here?
She's written, "To Julia. Thank you."
Morning.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Ara? You've switched back?
Yes.
What's going on?
Aihara-san, please have this copied.
Yes!
Koyama-san and Aihara-san's quarrel has also met with a safe ending.
And what triggered their reconciliation?
They can both talk to each other about their broken hearts.
- Koyama-san. - Huh? What is it? What is it?
There's just the one copy?
Yeah. Just one is fine.
Seems the pain of a broken heart crosses generations.
In any case, the two of you are getting along really well.
Really?
We were getting along before, weren't we?
Koyama-san, you were upset.
That was just a minor communication problem.
Communication?
Yes?
It's Takamura. Excuse me.
What do you mean by this, Takamura-sensei?
"Appointed Lawyer's Report"
It's just as I have written.
"Injured Person: Miura Keigo"
It says here you want to take charge as a defense lawyer in a suspect's criminal case.
This is some mistake, isn't it?
No. It's not a mistake.
I apologize for any inconvenience it may bring to this office.
I will bring in a result far greater than I have to my job up until now.
Should you be the one defending this suspect?
Yes.
Very well.
In this matter, I will give my approval.
Thank you very much.
However...
I will no longer allow you to concern yourself
with the Board of Education from here on in.
Koi nanka mou shitakunakatta to I didn't want to fall in love
Hohoende namida ukabeteru kimi With you, your smiles and your tears
Aisuru koto wo shitte shimattara If I come to know love,
Kodomo ni ha mou modore ha shinai kedo I can't go back to being a child, but
Hito ha kitto tsuyoku natte yukunda I'm sure to become stronger person
Ai ga kanashii kara Love is so sad
Namida wo kuretan darou My tears will run dry, I guess
Kotoba dake jya todokanai hi no tame ni Words alone failed to reach you that day
Dakara dakishimeru yo So we embraced one another
Sou, nandomo nandomo nandodemo Yes, over and over and over again
Sono kotae wo kimi to dake mitsuketai I only want to find the answer with you
What has it all meant until today?
Don't call on me for help.
Wasn't that an act of discrimination?
You don't have the ability to teach.
Every time you say, "Do your best," it makes me sick!
Takamura-sensei, there's trouble.
Mochizuki-kun was struck.