Sakura...
"Summer 2019"
I'm 33 years old now...
but I have no end of worries both professionally and privately.
I wish you could hear me.
Say...
do you remember this?
It was my fifth year.
I used to brag all the time about being a CEO material
but when it turned out I was no good...
you gave me this.
"Very well done"
It gave me the courage to aim for the CEO position for real.
"September 2019"
"September 2013"
How are you, Grandad?
How is your heart?
I'm in my fifth year at Hanamura.
I'm still going okay, except...
the bridge project to our island has been postponed indefinitely.
I wish the project could be reinstated
but it's the government's call and not for Hanamura to decide...
so I don't know what to do.
I don't believe it! You quit again?
- The job didn't suit me-- - How can you be so calm?
We can't survive on my pay!
No need to shout. You'll make Yoshiki cry.
However, I'm not giving up.
I believe the bridge will be built one day, so please be patient.
Okay, Yoshiki, say bye-bye to Mummy.
Bye-bye.
See you--
Watch what you're doing!
The lady next door will get angry.
Sorry, I'll clean this up later.
Not to worry. It's a child's job to play.
That's right.
Except, please refrain from smoking on your balcony.
Second-hand smoke has three times the tar and nicotine
which poses a serious risk to people's health.
So you were smoking outside!
- When you promised to quit. - No!
She's confusing me with somebody else!
This is good, very good.
It's dangerous to text and walk.
You hinder commuters and risk injury, as you may collide.
So please stop it.
What nonsense.
What are you doing?
There are other risks too.
Thank you very much.
It's dangerous to text and walk.
Thugs may deliberately bump into you to extort payment.
It's dangerous to text and walk.
It's dang...
It's dangerous to text and walk!
"Our Dearest Sakura"
Sorry, going up.
This is bad, very bad.
"Episode Five"
Sorry, I'm late.
Taking photos of buildings again?
No. I was asking people to stop texting on my way to work.
There were just so many...
You'll get hurt if you keep that up.
What's that?
My daughter hates studying, so this is to motivate her.
This one's for you,
so please do what you're told and don't cause trouble.
Thank you very much.
- Morning. - Good morning.
The winner of the CEO's prize has been decided,
so please see Public Affairs about printing it in our newsletter.
Also, please arrange the award ceremony.
Yes.
Please email the winners listed here.
There you go again. What is it this time?
Why do we need to publicly commend employees?
None of us work here to get awards.
Well that's right except...
Not everyone working here is as motivated as you.
There's plenty who are motivated if they know they may get a reward.
It's also good to praise staff that are normally ignored.
I see. I understand.
- Oh, Kitano... - Yes.
Urban Development's Aoi Kijima joined the same year as you, right?
He's very talented which is more than I can say about you.
Winning the CEO's prize at just 27 years.
"CEO's Prize Winners list"
Ah, the CEO's prize...
I wonder if it does any good.
My manager said it's good for staff who don't normally get recognition.
That's a hoot!
Only those who decide to run are entered.
Really?
Candidates write an essay on their contributions
to the company and their manager selects the ones to enter.
So that's what Aoi did too?
Of course!
It's only the braggers and show-offs who get selected.
I see.
Next is the CEO's Prize for individuals.
Mr Kijima from Urban Development.
"Commendation CEO's Prize Urban Development Aoi Kijima"
Mr Aoi Kijima.
You're the youngest member of the Bayside Development Project
and a model employee for the company.
I present this award in honor of your achievement.
Thank you very much.
Mr Kijima, please say a few words.
I'm overwhelmed to receive this honorable award.
Whenever I'm faced with a problem, I always thought,
"What would the CEO do if he were here?"
By doing that, I'm able to overcome no matter how hard it gets.
Hearing that makes me happy.
Of course!
One day, I hope to be like you and lead this company...
What a performance just to get in the CEO's good books.
I'd be grateful for your advice.
Mr Kijima...
Yes.
My regards to your father.
- Yes. - Congratulations.
Are the CEO and Aoi's father friends?
Aoi's father is a high-ranking bureaucrat in MLIT.
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism?
Oh, it's the little sprite from the initiation ceremony.
How's it going?
Well, thank you very much.
Work hard and you can win the CEO's Prize too.
Excuse me, do you have a moment?
What is it?
I believe the CEO's Prize would be valued more
if you actually walked the offices and observed how staff work.
Hey, Kitano, never mind that now.
I'd be grateful if you would talk to MILT
about getting the Misaki Island bridge project reinstated.
H-hold it. That's enough for now.
Please forgive us.
I'm terribly sorry.
What did I tell you?
I told you not to cause trouble.
I'm sorry but the CEO was right there.
Give me a break!
Now I'll get reprimanded for not supervising you properly!
Jeez.
"Try harder"
Speaking your mind as always, I see.
The only thing you'll win doing that is a termination notice.
"Try harder."
Did you nominate yourself, too?
No, no, no.
I didn't want to, but my manager insisted.
It was unprecedented to be selected for the Bayside Project so young,
and this year, I was made team leader.
- You're doing well. - Yeah.
If you agree, let's all get together to celebrate.
Oh, really?
- Is tonight okay for you? - No problem.
Then let's meet at our cafe after work.
Okay, see you.
"Urban Development Bayside Project Team"
Congratulations for winning the CEO's prize, Kijima.
No, no, no, it's nothing at all.
This should be good.
Sorry, I'm back.
Nobody cares.
Mr Sugihara, thank you very much for recommending me.
Forget that, we've got a problem.
What is it?
Ground breaking has been deferred.
Huh, why?
Reconstruction costs deficit, so our project has been deferred.
I also just took a call from the MILT.
What should we do? This is a major blow.
Without government funding, there's nothing we can do.
Bureaucrats don't care about the private sector anyhow.
The criteria for deferred projects are vague too.
It's crazy relaying something this important with a phone call.
There's nothing to worry, we'll work as a team for a solution.
I'll go and ask the subcontractors to cease work for now.
There's something more important you can do.
Uh, what's that?
Ask your father to take our project off the deferred projects list.
He's sure to listen to his dear son.
Well, I don't know about that.
I'm relying on you.
I know you can't take the loss we'll suffer if this falls through.
I understand.
The venue for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics...
Good evening.
Oh, where's Aoi?
He's not here yet.
What's up? I finished work early to be here, you know.
What do you get for the CEO's Prize?
A commendation and a book about the CEO's life.
Who needs that?
"Dad"
Welcome.
Can you make me katsudon?
If that's what you want.
You didn't forget we've come to celebrate, did you?
No, of course not!
Has something happened?
You seem down for someone who's won the CEO's Prize.
What do you mean? I'm in top form as usual.
Well, then, shall we toast with some beers?
How about champagne?
I can't afford that.
Don't worry. It's my treat.
Sakura, you're not going to have oolong tea again, are you?
No. We're here to celebrate.
The results of the architects' tests are due, right, Rentaro?
Yeah, tomorrow.
How confident are you this time?
It's touch and go, but if I fail, I'll never give up until I pass.
That's very manly of you.
Are you still volunteering in the disaster areas?
It's more than two years now, so aren't you exhausted?
Not at all.
The gratitude I get from farmers
who've lost everything gives me strength.
You seem really happy.
How about you?
It's very busy.
My idea to add Twitter
to the company's website was accepted.
Wow, that's great.
Everyone's going well.
Maybe it's all thanks to you.
That's right.
Did you just snicker?
That's really nothing to write home about, is it?
What do you mean?
It's our fifth year so we need to think bigger.
If you've got time to keep sitting and failing exams,
you should be learning from people who work in the front lines.
Instead of stopping at Twitter on the website,
you should be thinking about how to promote the company
on a grand scale.
You're out of line.
I agree. You've got no idea how hard the exam is.
Okay, okay, we're here to celebrate.
I'm talking about you, too.
Instead of volunteering, learn to play golf and boost sales.
You should know how many deals are done with clients on the greens.
Maybe so, but I'm not like that.
That sappy attitude is the reason you'll never get to work
on billion-dollar projects like I do.
You'll never be winners until you all start thinking bigger!
This is horrible, so I'm leaving!
You've ticked me off too.
You're always so condescending.
Sure! Go ahead and leave!
I'll be top brass and don't want to be infected by your lowliness!
I don't want to hear any more of this.
Sakura, let's go.
I feel like...
having another drink.
Doing your own thing as usual.
Well then, make sure you put him in his place.
Sakura too...
instead of complaining, you should aim higher.
It's five years and you're still not in public works.
It's time you matured and thought about changing your ways--
What's the matter?
How could you say that?
I got everyone together to celebrate with you.
No, everyone was--
Everyone's working as hard as they can.
What's wrong with that?
Are you a tearful drunk?
So please stop being mean to everyone.
Stop crying!
Their goals and my goals are miles apart.
What's the matter now?
Are you angry?
Are you sleeping?
Hey, Sakura.
Where's your door?
It's that one.
So you're fine now.
Yes, I'm good.
Watch out!
Pull yourself together, Sakura.
Sakura, you're home now.
Thank you.
Hey!
You'll catch a cold sleeping there.
Actually...
you're kind of cute.
This room reminds me of you.
I'm back.
- Dad, you're home. - Yeah.
I won the CEO's prize at the office today.
It was embarrassing.
I'm the youngest employee to win it in the company's entire history.
That's good.
I need to discuss an important matter.
I'm home.
You're late. So how did it go?
Thanks to you greasing the tracks, I think it's going to work.
The minister's a real hard nut and causes me grief.
He doesn't have a clue how hard it is for us bureaucrats.
It seems like the incumbent party will lose the next general election.
Then it will become even more difficult.
Sorry to interrupt...
can I butt in for a moment?
We're busy, so, what is it?
I'm sorry but...
I'm wondering why the funds for the Bayside Project
I'm working on have been suspended.
Is it because...
that is, I know money's needed for the disaster recovery,
but would you mind reconsidering for me?
I hate to say it, but it really is a great project.
- Aoi. - Yes.
The government's decisions are not the private sector's concern.
While the private sector only needs to think about profits,
as leaders, we're responsible for determining the nation's future.
We can't listen to individual concerns.
I'm sorry.
"Hanamura Construction”
"Urban Development Bayside Project Team"
So, how'd it go, Kijima?
Ah sorry, no good at all.
I can't do it.
I can't tell them.
Good morning.
You startled me. Do you need something?
Last night, I think I drank too much and made a nuisance of myself.
I do remember that Yuri and the others got angry and left,
but I don't remember anything after that.
I had a hard job carrying you home, you know.
That's what I thought.
I'm sorry.
So you don't remember me kissing you?
I'm joking.
I see.
- What is that? - I'm sorry.
I get hiccups whenever I get surprised.
Whatever.
From now on, go easy on the booze.
You'd be in trouble if you get hooked up with a bad guy.
I'll be careful.
What?
You don't seem as happy as you were yesterday somehow.
Did something happen?
No of course not.
I've told you before, you should worry about yourself before others.
Have you got nothing better to do?
This is bad...
very bad.
Kijima, morning.
Ah, good morning.
So how'd it go with your father?
Actually about that...
Can't we think of a better way?
There has to be others we can count on other than my father.
Others in MILT who appreciate the project's merits.
I'll keep working hard too.
By pooling the strengths of Urban Development, we can overcome this.
They say, find opportunity in adversity.
So don't worry. We'll come out on top for sure!
Did I miss something?
You're acting like a leader
but no one is acknowledging your abilities.
We all know your father is the reason you're here.
The company hired you because at times like this,
we need an ally in the senior bureaucracy at MLIT.
What other reason would we have for selecting a useless guy like you
for such an important project?
Rentaro, you passed the architects' exam!
- Congratulations! - It's only the first section.
The way you're going, you'll be fine!
Shall we invite Sakura?
You like her, don't you.
- Huh? - Really?
No, no!
Tell me that you don't like Aoi.
Stop it! Who in their right mind would...
- Stop it, really! - He's the worst.
His head's even bigger after winning the CEO's Prize.
Still, he's dealing with his own issues, too.
Huh? How's that?
The budget for his big project has been suspended.
That's why he was frustrated yesterday.
Oh, such a shame.
- What? - Oh, nothing.
It's just you seem so concerned in spite of his insults.
Will you just stop it!
I don't want to talk to him.
You'll always have my support.
Will you ever give up?
Leaving so soon, Aoi?
Ah, no.
Ah, you're here...
licking your wounds and pretending to be friends?
What's with you?
All that gutter talk about who likes who,
is too low for me.
Why do you always have to use that tone?
You brag about one day being CEO,
but no one will listen to a gutless guy with no feelings.
Going home, Yuri?
I can't stand being near him.
Me too.
Let's forget that and talk together. We're friends, after all.
He doesn't think of us as his friends.
That's right, as long as he's happy.
You should leave too.
Sorry, but I'm famished.
A large mapo tofu set, please.
Another, please.
- Sakura! - Yes.
Join me.
No.
I disgraced myself last night,
so I'm not drinking for a while.
That's too bad.
Speaking of which, you're drinking too fast.
Give me a reason not to.
Is it because of the setback to the Bayside project?
It's not only that.
It's because I realised nobody thinks I have talents.
What do you mean?
What I mean is, I was hired only because I'm my father's son.
What a joke!
I see that you're a merry drunk.
I'm an utter failure.
I tried so hard to rise above my bureaucrat brother too.
My father's not interested in anything I have to say.
Everyone at the office sniggers thinking my father got me this job.
I'm an outcast...
at home, at the office...
even my colleagues.
Aoi, my phone shows we should be getting close.
This is good, very good.
I'm sorry.
The harmony between western
and Japanese architecture blew me away.
When was your house built?
Who was the designer?
How should I know!
Aoi, are you all right?
Where is your room?
Anywhere is fine.
- Forgive me. - Aoi, what are you doing?
Are you drunk?
What's wrong with that?
Ah, introductions first.
This is my girlfriend--
I'm his colleague, Sakura Kitano.
By the way, I'm not his girlfriend.
Is there something on my face? Why are you staring?
Sorry, it's my first time ever to meet senior bureaucrats...
it just blew me away.
You work your fingers to the bone every day for citizens, don't you?
Thank you so much.
As I'm here, there's something I'd like you to see.
"Misaki Island Bridge Petition 350 signatures”
Construction of the bridge
to my home island has been postponed.
This petition has 350 signatures
and requests the project to be reinstated.
Oh, I see.
It summarizes why the island needs a bridge so I'd be grateful
if you would consider it.
Then...
here is the Bayside Project your son is working on.
It's packed with revolutionary ideas and I think it's brilliant.
If it comes to fruition,
it will bring happiness to so many people.
Except, there's room to reduce the budget
and the environmental impact needs improvement.
I'm sure careful scrutiny
will reveal other areas that can be improved,
and that Aoi's team will certainly respond to the challenge.
- You need to mind... - Okay, okay.
- Miss Kitano, right? - Yes.
It's wonderful to see a young lady with such enthusiasm.
- Thank you very much. - However...
We're unable to comment on individual projects.
Please!
Won't you reconsider?
Aoi, what are you doing?
Like Sakura said, this project is the dream of the entire division.
- So please-- - You're a disgrace!
Just listen to me for a bit!
Sorry, but dad and I are too busy.
You were only practicing your putting earlier!
Aoi, that's enough!
What makes you qualified to criticize us?
You haven't changed at all.
Always giggling and talking sheer nonsense!
How about following your brother's lead
and make something out of yourself?
Stop being a disappointment to me!
Please wait a moment.
- What about his feel-- - Sakura!
Forget it.
But...
They're right.
I'm all talk and no substance.
I'm just a phoney.
The reason I said I want to be a CEO is because...
if I can't be a leader in this house...
I could at least be a leader somewhere else.
Except, I always knew it was impossible.
Unlike Koichi, I was no good at studying or sport.
The only praise I received was from Mum...
who used to give me a "well done" sticker...
for my written compositions.
Forgive me but...
where is your mother?
She left...
when I was a teenager.
She was fed up with my dad's infidelity.
What are you doing?
I'm working on one more thing I want to say to you.
- Forget it. - Give me a second.
It's already come up to here.
I said, forget it!
I realised this before but...
you're actually quite pretty.
Seriously, won't you be my girlfriend?
I'm sorry.
I know you don't mean what you're saying so I just...
Don't mean it?
All right then, no problem.
I'll never open my mouth again.
As I have no substance and feelings,
I'll obey orders from now on without any question.
Then everyone will be happy.
My father, Yuri, and the others too.
Please don't say that.
All of us are really worried about you.
Don't you have anything to say, Aoi?
Well... See you tomorrow.
Grandad, I hit someone for the first time in my life.
It's just...
I won't go into details, except,
to say a colleague who wanted to be a CEO
realised he has no support and has lost his self-confidence.
Then he closed up like a clam and I couldn't think of what to say.
If I had one of your croquettes,
I'm sure the right words would come.
"Receiving"
"His fixation on winning and losing is his downfall"
"What's important is..."
"not about winning but his worth”
Hey...
Take the next one.
Get off, you idiot!
Say something!
"Hanamura Construction”
Oh, my!
Sakura, are you all right?
Sakura!
I'm sorry to do this when you're so busy.
That's okay, but what's the problem?
I have something to say to Aoi, and the words are almost here, so
until I say them,
it would help if you could encourage him.
Always doing things her own way.
We've got to try for Sakura's sake.
We heard that you tried to kill yourself, but why?
Surely you're not serious about quitting...
What about your dream of becoming a CEO?
Has the cat got your tongue? Say something!
What a pain!
I hear you admitted to being without substance or feelings,
and now you're that.
If you don't feel like talking, that's okay,
because I won't have to hear you patronize me.
I wish you'd stop acting cool
by putting your hands in your pockets.
Please calm down. You're all just bashing him.
His silence is frustrating.
And you asked us to talk to him.
Hurry up and spit it out, will you?
Aoi...
Lose your voice and you've got nothing.
Who cares if people say you're heartless
and without substance.
There's such thing as white lies.
If you continue to speak up for people sincerely,
it'll get to their heart eventually even if it may seem like a lie.
Instead of pleasing yourself, if your intentions are to inspire
and encourage others, your words will one day become their truth.
Not only for our children's future,
but also for those who lost their lives for lack of a bridge.
And the bridge was built
with the hope that it will warm the hearts...
of the island residents every time they look at it.
Is that what...
Aoi composed for our bridge presentation at recruit training?
With those words, you summed up the feelings in my heart perfectly.
I was so touched, it made me weak at the knees.
No matter what you say, those words of yours were...
very touching...
and it's priceless to me.
You have a wonderful talent.
You have the God-given gift...
to win the hearts of people.
What will you do if you don't use your gift?
My grandad said,
that it's more important to know your worth than...
to worry about winning or losing.
Then start being a genuine leader.
If you're genuine about becoming a CEO...
I'll genuinely support you.
It's difficult for me to be that friendly.
Hey, am I the only one
who noticed that Sakura spoke in a casual tone?
Oh, I noticed too.
Seems like she's finally warming up to us.
It came out that way because she spoke from the heart.
This is bad, very bad.
Huh? It's totally fine.
Lunchtime is almost over.
Is that all!
Even at a time like this, she's completely unperturbed.
That's Sakura's worth.
I'm sorry.
What is it, Aoi?
"Get back here. Your father and brother are coming"
Could it be...
they've reconsidered the project?
This way?
Hey, wait up.
The stairs?
Which floor?
Thank you very much for coming.
- I'm Sugihara from Urban... - Yes, hello.
Thank you for looking out for my son.
I suppose Aoi causes you no end of trouble.
Not at all. May I ask the reason for this visit?
Could it be that there's been a development
on the Bayside project?
For that, please bear it for the good of the nation.
There's no money for it.
- But ah... - As I already told your CEO,
we will make room for Hanamura to play an active role later on.
Thank you very much.
Then, we'll be on our way.
Aoi, what is it?
Do you think what you've said...
make you leaders of the nation?
A leader strives to make everyone happy even at his own expense.
More than anyone else,
a leader is supposed to mull over issues...
and solve difficult problems for the people, aren't they?
What are you saying?
In the end, you're saying, "We'll do what we want, so shut up.”
All you're saying is that we should do whatever you say.
- Hey, Aoi-- - How about you stop...
patronizing everyone and simply doing as you please?
I haven't done anything but...
the Urban Development has worked hard and is proud of this project.
I sincerely believe
that when this project is completed,
the area will grow and prosper
and above all, will bring joy to many.
In spite of that...
all you can do is think about yourselves.
And if that's right...
can you please tell me...
why you two became bureaucrats?
Is it so you can get paid well and intimidate the private sector?
Is it to get golden parachutes and retire on a huge pension?
Isn't your job to bring even a little joy
to the citizens of this country?
I strived for your approval up to now, but going forward...
I want to become someone
who has the approval of my colleagues.
I want to become someone they can depend on.
I want to be a person who can help those in need.
I'll do this for my colleagues who told me...
that I'm worthwhile.
Mr Sugihara!
Yes.
Is that just now the gratitude we get for dragging our feet here?
If so, I'll need to reconsider my relations with Hanamura.
Please, don't.
These are entirely my own views.
Really!
I'm of the same opinion as him.
Could it be...
you're the reason my son has changed?
- Not at all... - Yes.
I see.
"Hanamura Construction”
What are you all doing?
We were thinking of getting a bite.
You coming?
Are you sure?
We'll make an exception for you.
Because you've changed.
I hope you all...
can forgive me for who I was.
Ah, no more speeches!
We've heard enough.
What is it?
It's nothing.
Talking like that in front of everyone made me go weak.
"Very well done"
Please do your best, Aoi.
Earlier, I had a vision of you as the future CEO.
I believe you have the ability to change our future.
Thanks.
How about a photo?
Just the two of you.
Am I the only one who noticed she's using formal speech again?
Here it goes.
What is it?
Oh, nothing at all.
Say "colleagues”.
"Very well done"
Sakura...
this made me so happy.
I've had feelings for you since that time.
But I'm sorry.
Who would've known something like this could happen.
Grandad, my colleague realised his worth
and decided to become a true leader.
I can't wait for that time to come.
I wonder where I'll be when he does.
Will I be in Public Works?
Will the bridge to our island be completed?
Good morning.
What's the matter? You're early today.
I decided to change my ways, just like my peers.
Well done. That's the spirit.
"Well done"
Thank you very much.
Kitano.
Yes.
This is sudden but you and Aoi Kijima
are being transferred.
Where to?
Aoi Kijima is going to Public Works.
And me?
You're being transferred to a subsidiary.
But sir...
You angered those senior bureaucrats in the office here.
It became a serious concern for the management.
This time, there was nothing I could do.
"Hanamura Construction”
Sakura!
Sakura, are you all right?
I'm sorry, Sakura.
- It's my fault... - Don't worry.
After all...
one of my dreams has come true.
I have made trusting friends that will last a lifetime.
However...
I still have a dream.
Build a bridge to my home island.
I have a dream.
Build structures with my friends who will bring joy to many.
No matter what occurs, I'll never give up.
Well, then...
see you someday.
Can nothing be done to bring her back to head office?
Are you all right? You're drinking so fast.
I've lost my confidence as a mother.
That's enough!
I hate you!