I'm Arikawa Takashi from the budget bureau.
Your father’s political career hangs on this arranged marriage.
The marriage between you and Shirai's daughter. Call it off.
Marriage was never an option for us.
Takashi is your son.
Impossible...
Yousuke had a bike accident...
How much are the medical and compensation fees?
I will marry Naoko.
And then, as you had wished,
I will aim for the top of the political world.
Relatives from the Arikawa side?
My Mother's fussing about it.
She wants to know how many people will be attending the ceremony.
It's best to have a balanced turnout from both families.
You can tell her there's no one from our side of the family.
There are a few distant relatives, but we aren't close with them.
It seems my late father did not have siblings.
Speaking of that, I haven't seen your father's picture before.
What kind of person was he?
Ah... that's Takashi, isn't it?
It seems this was taken at a studio near our hometown in Shizuoka.
So that's your late father?
Yeah, we don't really look alike, though.
That's true.
How cute...
Come on, that's enough.
Why?
Well, shall we get going?
What do you want to eat tonight?
Well, why don't I cook something?
Unfortunately there's no cookware here.
Well that can't be helped then.
How about Italian, then?
OK.
By the way, I heard that my father had a meeting with your mother recently.
Did you hear about it?
No.
He said it was a discussion about your future.
When was it?
Last Friday.
Where's Mom?
She's still at the hospital.
She said she still had some work left to do.
The marriage between you and Shirai's daughter. Call it off.
But...
I'm tired!
I don't want to discuss this with you now.
Takashi?
Ah... sorry.
Let's go.
The day after tomorrow at twelve o'clock?
Yes.
I've been busy, so I haven't been able to find time.
How about the place we went to the other time?
Alright.
It seems Takashi met the PM. What's going on?
Let's talk about this when we meet.
Till then.
What's wrong?
Why did you hide your meeting with Shirai from me?
Don't tell me-
Shirai wanted to meet me about your political debut in the next election.
That was all.
But my objections to this marriage remain unchanged.
Not that again.
Shirai said that we had to contribute towards the PM's political funding too.
It'd be fine if it was only Shirai,
but it's too much to ask us to fund the PM too.
The politicians aren't asking for unlimited funding!
Why are you suddenly so worried about money?
It's easy for you to say,
but I built up Arikawa Corp. to what it is today.
Do you know how much effort I put in to do that?
It's fine if I use the money for my own son, but these people are outsiders!
As I said, you should have understood that from the start!
You should have been fully aware that the Shirai family wants the marriage to get our financial backing.
And in return, we are getting Shirai's political backing. It's what both sides expected, right?
It was a calculated move by both families.
It doesn't make sense for you to suddenly worry about money at this point in time.
Even so, this marriage can't go through!
Takashi...
Please listen to your mother.
It's like you've become a different person.
You were the one who was enthusiastic about it in the first place.
But now...
Big bro...
So it was this kind of marriage?
Don't do it, it's not like you at all.
It's late, where were you at such an hour?
You smell of alcohol.
Now that Dad's not here you're really letting loose, aren't you?
It's none of your business, please respect my privacy.
In that case, please respect mine too.
Destiny 1969-2010 Once upon a time in Tokyo
HaroRangers http://harorangers.com/
Translation: yuch Translation check: Kazetrigger Timing & typesetting: Drazic Encoding: Cry5tal
She's only twenty years old!
Even though she's alive...
she'll be disfigured for the rest of her life!
I'm sorry! I'm really sorry about this incident!
I'm Yousuke's elder sister.
For this time..
Please forgive us!
The police called to tell us that she had regained consciousness.
After that I rushed to the hospital.
Her life was saved.
But the scars on her face will remain forever.
How did this happen?
There was a barbeque at a colleague's place.
Yousuke was invited too.
He was giving that girl a ride home.
Even though he had just gotten his license, he wanted to look cool.
What an idiot... and to think he didn't even have insurance.
How much will it all amount to?
I'm not sure...
If you add up the medical fees and compensation...
and the damage to the traffic light...
Cosmetic surgery will be expensive too.
Get a lawyer. I'll come up with the money.
I'll also prepare the money for the medical fees, damage and victim compensation.
I can't let you do that...
But you don't have the money, right, Daddy?
I was thinking of selling this house.
It won't be enough.
As I said...
You just bought a house, so you must be paying off the loans too.
Daddy, you took up loans to pay for my education.
I know I haven't been able to take care of Yousuke financially...
Mom also said,
"when the family's in trouble you have to help out too."
Hang in there!
Yousuke must be even more worried, with the police and all.
Where are you going?
You must be hungry. I'll make something for you.
You don't believe me?
Takashi is your son! Knowing so, why did you take him to meet the PM?
Do you have evidence of that?
What are you saying?
I'm asking...
Do you have evidence that Takashi is my son?
Well, even if we assume it's true, so what?
If Takashi marries Naoko, he'll be my son either way.
If we're related by blood,
I'll be even more delighted.
I'll be able to politically support him all the more.
Is that so?
What if they have kids?
They're siblings!
I can't allow Takashi to continue with this marriage.
Well in that case, you'll have to tell Takashi the truth.
You can't, can you?
If Takashi, who has always believed himself to be an Arikawa
finds out that he was actually conceived with me as his father in the middle of the student revolution...
Even though you worry about them having children...
we should just leave that to God's will.
Are you serious?
I'm serious.
If you seriously want Takashi to gain political power,
this marriage has to proceed as planned.
If you cancel the marriage,
you're naive if you think Takashi will get another chance in politics.
I've even asked the PM to be the go-between...
If he cancels the marriage with the Party Policy Chief's daughter,
his future will be finished.
Even his career progression in the bureaucracy will stop.
Even so, that's better than allowing siblings to marry!
Get a grip on yourself!
For the sake of both Takashi and I,
it's too late for us to turn back.
"The clouds above the blue ocean, the darkness of the snow-capped mountains.
From the faraway solitary castle, I see the beautiful gate.
The yellow dust, a hundred battles, putting on gold armour.
When the yew tower breaks and all is lost, never to return."
I'm only halfway through what I intended to achieve back then.
The draft budget has been submitted,
so we can finally eat a proper lunch in peace! Isn't that great?
Well, there hasn't been a year when we didn't meet the deadline... Isn't that right?
Don't be complacent. Our work still has to be scrutinised by the Diet, which begins soon.
That's true...
Go on ahead without me.
Yes, sir.
If it's about that...
Oh, let's not talk about it.
Takashi, you dated a girl for ten years, right?
What was her name?
Sasayama Nobuko.
Did you really like her?
Why do you ask?
No reason in particular...
Speaking of, what happened to that cheque?
Did she get it?
Yes, Naoko passed it to her.
Mom...
I am your son.
That's why I have always respected your opinions.
But this time I cannot.
Please understand that.
Hello, Shirai residence.
Hello, this is Mrs. Arikawa.
Oh, Mother!
I'm sorry for suddenly asking you here.
That's okay...
Please have a sit.
Thank you.
I'm sorry that Takashi's carelessness has inconvenienced you.
I owe you an apology for that.
Here, I hope this suits your taste.
Oh, you didn't have to!
That matter has already been settled.
But, is it really?
The cheque we were talking about...
I've been worried whether she has cashed it yet.
Actually I've been thinking about that.
If she cashes it, it'll confirm that she acknowledges the breakup with Takashi.
That's true.
Could you check for me whether she has?
Of course, you don't have to feel obliged to do it...
Oh no, I should have checked in the first place.
I'll contact Nobuko today to find out.
Really? That'll be a great help. Thank you so much.
"I was thinking of selling the house."
Since I'm not using it for my own benefit,
it should be fine if I cash it in, right?
Hello?
Ah, you're at home. It's Shirai.
I heard that you took a break from work.
Can I come visit you now?
Do you take me for a fool?
I have no wish to see your face again. What do you want?
It's about the twenty million yen cheque. Have you cashed it in?
Do you need to come all the way to my place just to check that out?
I want to ask you whether you intend to cash it in.
Stop messing around!
To what lengths will you go to humiliate me?!
I still have the cheque with me.
But I have no intention of interfering with the two of you. So you don't have to worry.
But instead, for the rest of my life, I'll be observing you two from the sidelines...
I want to see what kind of marriage you will have,
and what kind of life you can lead.
I'll ascertain that with my own eyes to the end!
I see. So that was what she said.
Well, it can't be helped. After all it was Takashi's fault.
I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help.
It's okay.
But let's leave this matter at rest for now.
The more we pursue it, the worse will be the outcome.
Yes.
Well, let's not talk about this any more.
Let's go to dinner sometime, shall we?
Yes.
Well, thank you for today.
I shall take my leave, then.
Please excuse me.
Yes, ah, Mrs. Arikawa.
Actually, something terrible happened.
I lost a cheque without indicating the addresee.
I wrote the amount and signed it without writing the date.
In that case, if anyone picks it up, they will be able to cash it in.
That's why I'm calling you now.
I understand, I will make the arrangements immediately. What was the amount on the cheque?
Twenty million yen.
Twenty million yen?!
Sasayama Nobuko...
I'm gambling on you...
I'll like to cash in this cheque.
Please have a seat and wait momentarily.
Miss, this way please.
Can't I stay here?
It will take some time, so please come with me.
…Okay.
We managed to stop her in the nick of time. Leave the rest to me.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience. Thank you very much.
I'm going out for a while.
Where?
I'll contact you later.
Is it done yet?
I'm sorry, please wait here for the time being.
I need to get back to work.
Please come in.
Excuse me.
Is it this woman here?
Yes.
It was you who brought the cheque here to cash in, right?
Yes, but...
We're from the Azabu Minami police station.
Where did you get this cheque from?
Where?
It was reported lost.
Isn't that right?
Yes.
Our bank has revoked this cheque.
You're under suspicion for theft. Please come with us to the station.
There must be a mistake, I received it from someone.
It was signed, right? Contact that person!
The signatory was the one who reported the loss.
Anyway, we'll talk at the station.
Hold on...!
You can ask Arikawa from the Finance Ministry's Budget Bureau! The Finance Ministry!
Why did you suddenly call me out?
Well, sit down.
Did something happen?
No.
Since we've been arguing recently, I wanted to make things right with you.
Please don't act so irresponsibly. I'm in the middle of work now.
Oh come on, you should come out with me more.
Unfortunately, I have to do an inspection now.
I don't have time to accompany you.
Ah, you're busy?
Well, that's too bad.
Seriously...
What's wrong with you nowadays?
Excuse me.
As I said, that twenty million yen cheque was compensation money!
So are you saying that Arikawa stole the cheque from his mother?
That's not it! His mother gave it to me...
Then why did she report the loss of the cheque?
For god's sake!
We can't contact either the mother or the son.
Call his phone! Send him a text message!
The phone number for an Arikawa Takashi that you gave us couldn't be used.
That can't be...
In any case, until we can confirm your story, as a suspect, you must remain here.
No... I didn't do anything!
Let me go! I really have important work to do!
Let me go!
Thank you.
Arikawa! Thank goodness! When I went to look for you, they said you were out.
Don't you remember me? It's Yamase.
Ah, hello, long time no see.
It's been a long time, huh?
Yamase Shunsuke, Tokyo Branch Manager of Yamase Holdings
It's been five years already, huh? You haven't changed at all.
The same can be said for you. I heard from the younger employees recently,
that you became a bureau accountant.
As expected of you, Arikawa! You're well on your way to success, eh?
I've been sending you New Year's cards for some time now... Did you get them?
Yes...
Ah, I see, that's good, then.
Ah, how's she doing?
Sasayama Nobuko. Are you still seeing her?
No, we broke up.
Ah... is that so? When you both went to the US,
I thought you two might be getting married...
Well, is there anything you need?
Well, as you may already know,
I used to help out at my father's company in Osaka, right?
This year, I got sent here to manage the Tokyo branch.
How about we go for a drink tonight? I know a great place around here.
I'm sorry, but I'll be busy tonight.
Oh, how about tomorrow, or the day after? Even Sunday is fine with me.
I'll be busy for some time.
Well, I'll get in touch some other time.
Thanks for coming all the way down.
When is "some other time"?!
Just kidding, it's what a comedian would say.
Well, sorry to bother.
And that's why I hate career government bureacrats.
If you weren't a government official, who the hell would even greet a guy like you?
Arikawa.
While you were out, you got a weird phone call.
It was a detective from the Azabu Minami police station.
The police?
Yeah.
When I asked if he wanted to leave a message, he said he just wanted to confirm something.
He asked me for your cell phone number.
I said since you were out on official business, it wouldn't do to call you, so I didn't give him your number.
Do you know what's going on?
No...
Is that so?
Well, if it's important, I suppose they'll call again.
Excuse me.
Have you managed to contact him?
Hey!
Hey! I said "hey!"
A call from the Azabu Minami police station?
Yes.
They called quite a few times.
I tried calling you many times, chairman.
Sorry, my phone was turned off. Who was it?
A detective named Iwata.
Ok, I'll call him.
Yes, ma'am.
Also, this document needs your signature.
OK.
You can leave now.
Ah, yes, please excuse me.
Yes, a woman tried to cash in the cheque you reported missing.
Azabu Minami Police Station
I'd like to ask you some questions.
Yes, it's a woman by the name of Sasayama Nobuko.
She said that you gave her the cheque as a settlement sum for breaking up with your son.
Could you repeat her name?
Sasayama Nobuko.
What does she do for a living?
She's a foreign exchange dealer with Royal East Bank.
Did you confirm that information?
Yes, we checked on our side.
Hm, I may have created a huge misunderstanding.
I believe Ms. Sasayama isn't lying.
Huh?
It's inconvenient to discuss this over the phone. I'll personally come down to the station.
Right away.
What did she say?
It seems Sasayama Nobuko wasn't lying.
This is really embarrassing.
I really owe the police and Ms. Sasayama an apology.
Come in!
Excuse me.
Please, have a seat.
Akiko, you know about it, right?
About why my brother's marrying your sister.
Of course.
And you're fine with that?
That your sister's having this kind of marriage.
Well, it's my sister's decision. It has nothing to do with me.
My sister knows very well that she's the daughter of a politician.
Some marriages are made for political convenience. That's the reality that she's resigned to, right?
That's why she's pretending to ignore Takashi's past.
Past?
It seems he had been seeing someone for ten years.
My sister was a little bothered by that.
If it wasn't a serious relationship it wouldn't have lasted so long, right?
I suppose...
You must be Ms. Sasayama, right?
I am Arikawa's mother.
I have done you a terrible wrong.
Surely you must be very angry. I must ask for your forgiveness.
Well, please sit down.
So, let's go through this again.
Your son gave this cheque to her as compensation for the break-up, is that right?
Yes, my son recently decided to get engaged.
He wanted to break up with Ms. Sasayama,
so I prepared the cheque.
In that case, why did you report it as missing?
I heard that Ms. Sasayama did not want to accept the money
and that she did not think money could resolve the situation.
So I requested for the cheque to be returned.
Since there is no addresee, it would be dangerous if the cheque was just left floating around.
But Ms. Sasayama did not seem willing to return the cheque,
so I thought she was trying to cause trouble for my son...
I'm sorry.
Anyhow, even though she said she'd keep the cheque with her,
you can't rule out the possibility that it would end up in the hands of a third party. So that's why -
You reported the cheque as missing to the bank,
as a precaution to prevent a stranger from cashing in the cheque.
Yes.
I see.
Well, that certainly caused a lot of trouble to everyone.
I am really sorry.
I'll write out another cheque properly addressed to you.
So that's what happened.
You must have something to say, too.
But, at any rate, this case is settled now.
That's fine.
I've made a fool of myself, by relying on your money.
Please tell Takashi that
I don't remember saying I'd keep the cheque without cashing it in.
The one who forced it upon me was Naoko.
Excuse me.
Hold on, Ms. Sasayama!
I won't be able to feel at ease, if you don't accept the money.
Please leave me alone! Do you know what I've been through today?
You don't right?
No, I understand how you feel.
Although I said in front of the detectives that it was Takashi's fault,
the person who told me about all this, was actually Naoko.
She was the one who said that you didn't have any intention of cashing the cheque in,
and that it seemed you'd keep the cheque with you.
That was why I...
When was this?
Yesterday evening.
What are you intending to do with that twenty million yen cheque?
Does Naoko know that you reported the cheque as missing?
I didn't mention it to her.
But, I couldn't let a nameless cheque float around like that.
That's what anybody would do.
Naoko must have known something like that.
Oh, it's already six o'clock. Will you be all right with your work?
If you want I can give you a lift...
No... I'll call a cab.
I'm sorry I'm late.
You sure took your time, didn't you?
I'm sorry. A lot happened.
Is everyone in the meeting room?
Yes.
You don't have to go.
Since you didn't turn up for work, what's the point of going to the meeting?
I'll discuss this formally with you tomorrow, but you should be mentally prepared.
I'm asking you to prepare to resign.
What do you mean?
I'd like to ask you the same question myself.
Today Tokyo Central Bank called.
After that, cops from Azabu Minami came.
It's all a misunderstanding! The police know about it already.
That's why -
That!
That twenty million yen cheque.
I don't know what happened on your side.
But an honest person wouldn't get herself mixed up in all this trouble, would she?
But I didn't do anything wrong!
That's irrelevant!
The police coming in the first place was problematic enough!
Even though we're a foreign bank, the customer's trust is paramount.
Since you're in the business, you should know very well yourself!
Am I being fired?
Give it up. Not just at our company, but you can forget about being a dealer in the future.
You'll have to start all over again. It's for your own good, too.
Yesterday your mother asked me to check with Nobuko if she wanted to cash in the cheque.
My mom told you to do so?
Yes.
But it seemed to have the opposite effect.
She said "I'll be watching you two from the sidelines all my life..."
It's as though she's going to stalk us...
She's not that stupid. It's just that she's emotional now.
Nobuko isn't so stupid.
What are you doing?
Are you okay?
Are you deliberately putting me in a fix?
Huh?
Do you intend to completely destroy me?
Is it because of my past with Takashi? Is that why you did something like that?
What are you talking about?
I got arrested by the police.
When I went to cash in the cheque at the bank.
Your mother reported the cheque as missing.
Wait a minute...
It's that woman's fault!
I didn't...
You called me on the phone, didn't you, to ask about the cheque?!
Actually...
Thanks to you, I've even lost my job!
Why? Why are you doing this?
Don't you already have everything I don't?
Even so, why must you even rob me of my job?
Nobuko!
Not only Takashi, but my job, too...
You can't do this...
Even though I loved you...
I really loved you...
Naoko.
I'll just go home for now.
Did something happen?
Nothing.
I'm going home.
Wait, let's go home together.
I have something to discuss with Mom.
I'm back.
Ah, welcome home.
It's rare for both of you to come back together.
Is something wrong?