Original subtitles

Mom.

Mom!

Natsuko! You've come back.

The war is really over, isn't it?

That's right. It's over.

From here on, I'll work really hard and make Mom happy.

I'll make Mom happy!

And, cut! That's OK!

Thanks for your hard work.

Mei-chan, you were great.

Thank you for your hard work.

- Weren't you overdoing it a little? - Thanks for your hard work.

When you exaggerate like that nowadays, the audience just thinks it's funny.

Thanks for your hard work.

Thanks for your hard work.

Wait, Mei?

I'll make Mom happy.

I will make Mom happy!

She's such a good child, isn't she?

That is the genius child actor, Yasunaga Mei-san, isn't it?

Mei-chan always makes me cry.

She's my eternal ideal of a daughter.

What is it?

There are two sides to a successful child actor, isn't there?

For the sake of making money for adults, she's being shamelessly used as a pitiful puppet.

Or else a precocious crap-brat who took stock of the adults and is leading them around by the nose.

I wonder which on earth she is?

I don't think she's either.

A few years from now she'll be a hoodlum star, get into a shotgun marriage...

...and end up as some old man's mistress.

- Hattori-san. - Ah, yes?

Has he been like this since he was a child?

Dunno... Well...

...I do think there was a time when Sensei had a pure boyhood, too.

- A pure boyhood? - Yes.

I wonder?

"There can't be a Santa Clause, now can there?"

"There is a Santa 'cause we got presents."

"For 4th graders like you, it's surprising you take that seriously."

"It's just a scheme by toy manufacturers to trick you and an event made by complacent, idiot adults."

"Then who gives those presents?"

"Foolish question."

"I pretended to sleep once and kept my eyes opened slightly..."

"...when I saw my Father sneakily place a present next to my bed with a stupid look on his face."

"Don't cry."

"Yasunaga Mei"

Ah. Mei. I'm dining with everyone over at Central TV.

Since you have your fitting tomorrow, please go to bed early.

Hide-kun, can you come?

Yuki-kun's fine, too.

A college Senpai? Sure, bring him along!

When you arrived, what was the situation like?

- We weren't drinking. - That's right.

When we got here after getting a call from her, she had already collapsed.

For now she needs rest, but in the meantime this has to come out during the press conference.

We mustn't!

If they're told it's acute alcoholism, that would finish her as a child actor.

We'll just go on saying she's in poor health.

No, that'd be impossible.

I am Mei's mother and belong to the company manager's office. You're just a staff member!

"Her Nightlife with College Students and a Karaoke Party?!"

"Behind the Clear Eyes and Clear Smile"

"Yasunaga Mei's Indefinite Break"

"Schoolchild Suspected of Drinking?!"

Ah... A full course of drinking, smoking and playing around with men.

Looks like my theory of the precocious crap-brat was the correct one.

You're fit to write amusing stories for a weekly magazine.

Sensei. You have a call.

From Yasunaga Mei-sama.

- Yasunaga?! - Mei?!

Come in.

How about some for you guys, too? You can only get clubhouse sandwiches though.

Ow! You're no good!

- Enough already. Go away. - I'm sorry.

On screen you only wear work clothes and pick potatoes like a bumpkin...

...but the reality's totally different, isn't it?

You're the rumored strongest lawyer, Komikado-san, aren't you?

People think you've been hospitalized, but what are you doing here?

I'm playing hide-and-seek from my friendly Managers.

Why did you call me?

I want to hire you.

- Can you pay me? - I've got money.

You would.

Are you going to sue the press for defamation of character?

The press? Everything in those articles is true. Very much so.

Mei!

This is my Manager, Kajiwara. I called for him. You didn't tell that woman I'm here, did you?

She's searching desperately for you right now.

Let's stop this.

What'll you do if you become a victim of the press any more than you have?

I've hired a lawyer. Please tell that woman she should hire one, too.

Mei!

I haven't accepted this case yet. Thing is, what is it you intend to start?

I'm cutting my ties to that woman.

"That woman"?

My mother.

Why are you saying you want to cut your ties to your mother?

I've heard it's possible have parental authority disqualified.

That's clearly for cases where there are acts of abuse.

Look at me.

My lungs are black from working and nightlife from morning til night. My liver's in tatters. And I'm 12.

You're saying that's the result of abuse by your mother? Amusing.

It's not amusing.

Mei-san. Let's have a long talk about this with your mother. Because you're parent and child.

It's no longer at that stage anymore. Right, Kajiwara?

Both at the Manager's office and as a mother, she's been doing her best alone to be a good mother.

The thing is, as a child you can't go through such legal procedures.

She can go through that.

Strangely, the Civil Code laws were changed this year and now children themselves...

...have claim rights and it's possible for them to plead for an end to parental authority.

It isn't certain whether that can be applied in a case like this one or not.

That's why we have to exert ourselves and win on the first trial.

You're going to help tear apart a parent and child?

A tragedy of all ages are child actors who seem to have been wholeheartedly burdened with everything.

She's also a precocious crap-brat and that's the reason why she's just a pitiful puppet.

Mei-kun, this is going to be a slightly difficult job.

How about 20 million yen? ($255,000) That's a single commercial.

We will attempt to ask for a motion for judgment...

...for termination of the mother's parental rights from the Domestic Affairs Court.

Heiwa Fansubs Presents: "Legal High"

Episode 8: "Take the Parental Authority Away! Trial to Cut Ties Between Genius Child Actor and Mother"

This has gotta be a joke.

I've gone through so much trouble for the sake of that child.

Isn't that right, Kajiwara?

That's exactly right.

Why would your daughter suggest such a thing?

One would be the matter of spending money, wouldn't it?

Ah. That girl was using my credit card without permission to buy brand-name goods like crazy.

If she wanted something, she should just ask me to buy it. But she doesn't like that.

There was one other thing she was angry about, wasn't there?

She was going out with a 30 year old stylist so I broke them up. That's only natural, isn't it?

In brief...

...in order to spend money as she likes and go out with any man she wants...

...she desires to escape from her parent's supervision.

Is this just her so-called rebellious stage?

It's merely a child's selfishness.

A court shouldn't have to deal with this, right?

Normally this would be dismissed immediately.

However, this article is featured in a weekly magazine that was released today.

"The Reality of a Child Actor's Drinking!"

"Genius Actress Yasunaga Mei"

"Yasunaga Mei"

This story is also ranked at the top from hits on the Internet.

She seems to have set up a lawyer right away.

She's gotten a lawyer?

Unbelievable, isn't it?

And it's a lawyer who, for money's sake, is fine with trampling the bond between parent and child.

The Domestic Relations Court will most likely hold a hearing into it.

A hearing?

Different from a standard trial...

...they will discuss this with the people involved behind closed doors.

Please feel at ease. We will make it our responsibility to have it dismissed right to the end.

We can't keep her here, can we?!

It's our problem until this is settled.

I've also obtained permission from the Child Consultation Center.

- Hattori-san. - Yes?

- Since I will be chaperoning her, please help out. - Ah, yes!

I win again. Ranmaru, you're weak. How boring!

Sensei. You called me to take care of some kid?

I thought you'd be honored since she's a huge Senpai for you.

- She's just a child actor, isn't she? - She's a huge veteran of show biz.

Ranmaru-kun, you're an aspiring actor, aren't you?

Not "aspiring," an actor!

I'll be standing on the stage with a theatrical troupe next month.

- What role? - Eh?

- Shylock. - The Merchant of Venice, huh?

- Give it a try. - Huh?!

I'll watch.

- This is a rare chance for you. - Don't you have confidence?

I have no choice. Just this once, though.

"He hath disgraced me."

"Hindered me half a million; laughed at my losses..."

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

You're prone to failure, aren't you?

Shylock is the villain, but he's also a flesh-and-blood human being.

That's why Shakespeare is so deep.

- Now, Hattori-san. - Huh?

"He hath disgraced me."

- Great! - Huh?

No, no...

As I thought, there are no termination of parental authority rights cases that were lost for this reason.

It's totally ridiculous.

Komikado-sensei is one who makes the impossible possible.

Right, Miki-sensei?

Should I drag him out? My ultimate weapon.

Ultimate weapon?

"Kagoshima" (on the southern tip of Japan)

"Komikado"

"Courthouse"

We seem to have gotten tangled up with Miki-sensei and the others again, haven't we?

Is he strong?

No way! I have no strong enemies.

Yo.

Let's work together.

I was beginning to think all of you didn't like me anymore.

He will be helping us out on this project, Komikado Seizo-sensei.

Komikado...

Nice to meet you, I'm Mayuzumi.

I am Komikado Seizo.

I'm Komikado Kensuke.

Which reminds me, these two do share the same family name, don't they?

Ala, you're right.

What a coincidence.

Komikado Seizo-sensei...

...has been centered on the Kyushu region for many years...

...and is said to have shown uncommon shrewdness as a public prosecutor.

In Kyushu legal circles...

...there isn't a person there who doesn't know him as the Demon Prosecutor.

In a word, it would be impossible to ask for your cooperation this time around.

A custody issue has to be prudently considered.

This hearing into Petitioner Yasunaga Mei's request...

...to terminate the parental authority of Yasunaga Rumiko will begin.

"Sato Mayumi-chan's mother protested to me."

"You told her, 'there is no Santa Claus,' didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Why would you say such a thing to her?"

"Because it's the truth."

"Because people who believe in lies are fools."

"What is your basis that Santa Claus doesn't exist?"

"Because it's a lie."

"He doesn't exist."

"I'm telling you to show me your basis for that."

"That I've never seen him."

"So because YOU'VE never seen him, he doesn't exist?"

"Not only me, but no one else in the world has seen him either."

"Have you interviewed all the people in the world?"

"What is your basis for which Santa Claus doesn't exist?"

It was your selfish view without a basis that you hurt one of your classmates, isn't it?"

"Go to Buntendo and buy a sponge cake and then go apologize right away."

"By the way..."

"...that was the money I was planning to give you as a New Year's gift."

Truth is that Mei-san, ever since she was 7 months old...

...has been worked like a cart-horse in the entertainment world.

Her mother, Rumiko-san, also worked as an actress but had a setback in her past.

Her chagrin was passed on to her own child.

"Smile, Mei!"

With the divorce from her husband...

...she devoted herself more than ever to having Mei-san succeed in the entertainment world.

They could be called an identical-twin parent and child.

Four years ago, her singing the theme song for the drama, "Papa's Sweetheart," became a smash hit.

With Mei-san's big break...

...her mother hired Manager Kajiwara away from his office and began her own individual Managing office.

Mei-san hardly goes to school anymore.

Am I the only one for whom this recalls the Industrial Revolution...

...where children were made to work in coal mines?

Furthermore, Rumiko-san's behavior was turning increasingly gaudy.

Using money Mei-san had earned...

...she hunted down brand-name goods and would go out to places every night.

"This is the best!"

Occasionally, when Mei-san was at a sensitive age...

...she would bring over various men and experience various pleasures.

"Let's have fun til morning!"

Mei-san has no friends. Her father has remarried and has a family.

She has no one else she can depend upon.

Suffering in solitude, she was at last going to take her life by acute alcoholism.

This is indeed a tragedy.

In accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 834 of the Civil Code...

...we are petitioning for a judgment ending the mother Yasunaga Rumiko's parental authority.

- Wait. - Oi, oi, oi.

To me this is the heartwarming tale of a mother desperately trying to open up a life for her daughter.

Like the heartwarming tales of girls sold off to Yoshiwara (prostitution district) to be played with?

Rumiko-san didn't coerce her into working for the entertainment industry...

...and it's said that everything was according to Mei-san's will.

Even laxity at her multiplication tables is a breach of parental duties.

I hired a private tutor and was making her study.

He was a hot Keio University student you just wanted to flirt with, wasn't he?

What was that?!

For the sake of money and men, you used me! Bitch!

Who's the bitch?!

Who was grabbing at costars and random boys?

For the sake of protecting your image, I think I've been like a fire extinguisher!

Is it because you'd be troubled if I wasn't making money anymore?

You just resent me because of that stylist, don't you!

You were hoping to get him too, weren't you?

Now, now, let's calm down.

Judge. Do you think given this parent-child relationship there's a chance for her healthy development?

This is an unprecedented case, but from the perspective of the child's welfare...

...we would like this court to deliver a drastic judgment.

Um... Should we get Komikado Seizo-sensei's opinion on this?

We should.

You want to stop her parental authority?

It's for Mei-san's welfare.

She wants to suspend her entertainment activities...

...and apply herself to study and learning about normal human relations in society.

Rumiko-san.

Is that unacceptable to you?

No.

If that is what Mei wishes, I'll accept it.

I've told her that if she doesn't like this work, she can quit it.

Ah.

Then that finishes it.

To Mei-san, the words "you can quit" from her mother...

...are little more than the threat of "I won't permit you to quit."

Why is that? That's hard to understand.

Mei-san has been trained for as long as she can remember...

...that Rumiko-san's pursuit of happiness was her own happiness.

It was a kind of brainwashing education.

Brainwashing?

Mei-san is now wisely trying to escape that brainwashing.

That can't happen while under Rumiko-san's supervision.

What is your definition of brainwashing?

To instill values and ideas that are different from common sense.

You're Mayuzumi-sensei, aren't you?

Ah, yes.

Are there customs specific to your family?

Eh?

Mayuzumi family-only rules.

Ah...

Our family has a rule to say congratulations to who had a birthday and then give them a kiss on the cheek.

So, thinking everyone was like that...

...I kissed a boy in my class on their birthday...

...and he was incredibly charmed by it.

What's with this useless talk?

Mayuzumi-sensei received brainwashing education, too.

Such a thing cannot be called brainwashing!

Still, it agrees with your definition of it.

It seems you use words you don't even know all that well.

Brainwashing...

...is a case where violence and external pressure is used to implant a special thought.

When it is in regards to a child's education...

..."Mind Control" are the words that are used.

Could you study a little more?

For a parent to ask a child to believe in their own happiness is quite a natural thing.

And it is also a natural thing to struggle to shake free of that.

I think Mei-san...

...has developed exceedingly normally.

That is a good thing.

That is all.

That is completely reasonable!

Ah. Welcome home.

I don't believe this! What kind of strongest lawyer are you?!

Wasn't it your bad-child attitude!?

A genius child-actor like you should've performed her innocent-girl act!

Aren't you just passing the buck?!

I take it that it went poorly?

That was the first time I have seen Komikado-sensei like that.

Usually for each word said he has 10 retorts ready.

You could say it was a defensive battle or that he even let out a groan.

You could say he was like a punching bag or like a frog being stared at by a snake...

Isn't that far too many figures of speech?

What sort of relationship is there between you and Komikado Seizo-sensei?

There is no relationship. Just a family connection as my father.

- Your father... - I knew it. He's filled with connections to you.

I don't think of him as my father.

To be honest, I was touched by your father's opinions.

Don't call him "Father."

Besides, I think so, too.

Rather than resolving issues between a parent and child with the law...

...it should be done with the bonds between parent and child.

The bonds between parent and child, huh?

That should be enough of me. I will leave the rest to you guys and return home.

You must do this until the end.

As I thought...

...you don't want to do battle against your son?

Both that person and this case are too trivial.

1991.

The Dainichi Securities Tax Evasion scandal.

I was a novice public prosecutor who was fascinated by you.

Since then, you have been my goal.

I even employed him...

...because I felt I'd like to raise your son.

However...

That the result...

...would lead to that sort of tragedy...

I am very sorry.

The lawyer called "Komikado Kensuke" is...

...the monster you and I gave birth to.

We are complicit in that.

Let's bury your son.

"Explain to me why you are eating that."

"Anything will do. Just persuade me."

"Because Mayumi-chan doesn't like sponge cakes, she told me to take it home with me."

"It was because I obtained information that Mayumi-chan's favorite thing was sponge cakes..."

"...that I made you take her a sponge cake."

"Didn't you expect as much?"

I dislike a stupid child."

"Anyhow, if you are going to live such a half-life..."

"...so as not to damage the family name, disappear to some far-off place."

"He doesn't exist."

"Santa Claus..."

"...doesn't exist."

Mei-sama hasn't yet woken up, has she?

She's completely reversed day and night.

I saw her studying as well, but it was quite late at night.

Don't worry about it.

Even if she's iffy at her multiplication tables...

...she can still calculate her performance fees and how much in tax withholding there is.

Saying that is unwholesome.

Welcome.

Sensei. You have a guest.

Come in.

What business do you have, Komikado-sensei?

I was on my way to sightsee the Sky Tree. (Tokyo's new broadcasting tower; you can see it in the opening credits)

If you have not had breakfast yet, please have it with us.

He'll be leaving right away, Hattori-san.

- Komikado-sensei. - Yes?

Retract your petition.

I decline. Hattori-san, he's leaving.

You seem to be superimposing your own self onto Mei-san.

Because you and I severed our ties when I was in my teens...

...I opened up a path for my own self to become the me I am now.

And what are you now?

Don't tell me you think of yourself as being successful, do you?

That can't be seen just by wearing dark-brown, high class suits.

You shouldn't have become a lawyer.

From long ago you were cowardly and base...

...and more than anything, you weren't at all clever.

Of course...

...that is my responsibility...

...for neglecting to train and discipline you thoroughly.

It's too late for you.

But there's still time for that parent and child.

Think carefully about that.

The Sky Tree is huge! Far more so than some Showa era tower.

The times have changed.

I'll see about that.

You don't have to see me off.

The roots of the problem between Sensei and his Father seem to be deep, don't they?

Until what age did you believe in Santa Claus?

Eh?

I'm talking about an old man who illegally enters your home in the middle of the night to leave bags behind.

I still believe in him now.

What's that?!

I think Santa Claus exists even now.

Your stupidity always surpasses my expectations, doesn't it?

He really does exist.

Enough already. An asadora heroine's family is worthless. Hattori-san, how about you?

When I was a young lad...

...there was no system such as Santa Claus.

That was rude of me.

I don't believe in him.

I have never believed in Santa Claus.

I will certainly win.

- We're sorry for calling you out. - You're busy, aren't you?

I've been running around dealing with the press.

Kajiwara-san. Could you attend the next hearing?

Since you have been close to Mei-chan and Rumiko-san all this time...

...could you give your honest opinion there?

Even if you say that, I...

The relationship between Rumiko-san and Mei-san won't return to how it was before again.

Think carefully about which one you want to ally yourself with.

Either the genius child actress who makes money or the just a manager mother.

Putting it like that...

I've...

...felt sorry for Mei all this time.

That child's happiness was always...

It's true...

- ...that Rumiko-san has been terrible. - Could you state that?

Very well.

As expected, I was contacted by the lawyer from the other side.

I see. And?

I told him exactly what you wanted me to tell him.

Thank you.

Like I thought, I can depend upon you to the end, right?

I was thinking myself that this is an opportunity to take some time to cool down a little as well.

I'm not at an age where I can be playing around with young boys forever.

Kajiwara.

I have been...

...thinking about you.

Understood. Well then.

The matter of Manager Kajiwara seems to have turned out well.

It's settled that it will be dismissed.

The unscrupulous lawyer who kidnapped a nationally popular child actress...

...and who tried to plan a break with her mother.

That would antagonize the entire country, wouldn't it?

That's appropriate for him.

Kanpai!

The drinks here are great.

Today's an advance celebration. Bring on the drinks, one after another.

Whaa!

How long have you been Mei-san's manager?

For almost 7 years.

He would be the one who has most closely seen Rumiko-san and Mei-san's relationship, right Judge?

Please give us your candid opinion.

I think it would be impossible to stop her parental authority.

Kajiwara-san?

Rumiko-san is a serious mother who loves her child deeply.

If there is a strong bad point of hers, it is that she raised Mei to be too selfish.

In the future...

...she should be firm in her discipline.

Kajiwara-san. Is this the form of a "serious" mother?

"Today's an advance celebration. Bring on the drinks, one after another."

"Did something good happen?"

"A man fell for my beauty."

"You can do it! Is he handsome?"

"He's an old man with an old man's stink."

"In order to win the trial, I played a trick on him and made him think I liked him."

"I'll be rooting for you, too."

"After all, if you don't win, you won't be able to come visit us anymore, will you?"

"Eh?! It'd be a problem if I couldn't see Ranmaru-chan anymore!"

"Rumi-chan. I'm not going anywhere! Bring on the champagne!"

Kajiwara-san. Would you like to amend your remarks?

I would.

She's a terrible woman.

Kajiwara!

I will open this hearing just once more time.

In the end I will judge this upon what I hear from the people in question.

What should I do?

If I lose Mei, what'll I do?

That won't happen.

Because it's not easy for a court to decide to tear apart a parent and their child.

End these consolations.

We should be thinking of how to reverse this state of affairs.

Komikado-sensei, what are you saying?

If you use a temporizing hand, you'll dig your own grave.

You don't know your son.

While we're quarreling over a frontal attack, he'll be flanking us from all sides!

At this rate, whether Rumiko-san will be judged to be unqualified as a mother...

...depends, in the end, on the impressions made on the judge.

After all, our opponent is a genius child actress, isn't she?

Rumiko-san. We will prepare a script for you.

When thoroughly drummed into you, you can shake the judge's heart.

- I... - You once aimed to be an actress, didn't you?

Do your best to be one here!

"I'm not doing this..."

"...to defy my mother."

"It's because my mother..."

"...doesn't love me as a daughter."

"What my mother loves is..."

"...the popular, money-making child actor..."

"...Yasunaga Mei."

Was I too early with the tears?

Ranmaru-kun. Now THIS is a genius child actor!

Incredible.

"I'm certain that our parent-child relationship..."

"That I can restore our parent-child relationship."

"Please..."

"...the bond between parent and child..."

Mei...

Mei...

Rumiko-san!

Rumiko-san! Rumiko-san!

Rumiko-san!

The wounds are shallow, so don't worry.

Where's Mei? Why hasn't Mei come?

When I told her she said, "I don't know her."

Eh?

How horrible.

Will you be able to attend the hearing?

This may be harsh...

...but brace yourself for this.

It's fine just to say what you feel.

I guess it'd be best if you went to see her, wouldn't it?

It's not like her life's in danger.

Your mother attempted suicide, didn't she?

She's over-exaggerating things.

- But, you're parent and child. - Shut up!

I'm not going. I'm definitely not going to her!

A 12 year-old girl is trying to break ties with her mother.

Do you know how much anguish she's holding in her heart and how much blood she's shedding over this?

Don't spit out such superficial words again.

Still, you could say Mei-san...

...seems to understand her mother's condition, couldn't you?

Almost as if she had seen it before already...

"It's because my mother doesn't love me as a daughter."

"What my mother loves is the popular, money-making child actor..."

"...Yasunaga Mei."

Today will be the end with your father as well, won't it?

"I love my work. I'd like to continue at it from now on."

Mayuzumi-san. Do we have some water?

With water, my tears will come out much easier.

Yes.

- Forget the script. - Eh?

- Don't give a performance. - But I have it memorized.

However good it is, an act is still an act.

If you can't lay bare your innermost feelings, then you really can't win.

Your father would do that.

Please say whatever comes to you.

After also considering the report from the Domestic Affairs Court investigator...

...I think I would now like to hear from the concerned persons before making a decision.

The Petitioner, Yasunaga Mei-san.

It's okay. Tell her frankly what your feelings are right now.

Unless the child actor Yasunaga Mei is performing, I wonder if she has any words of her own?

It's not that.

I'll speak for you.

You've regretted your behavior towards your mother all this time, haven't you?

Always worrying...

...you desperately tried to hold up under your breaking heart.

In that case, you should retract this.

We're alleging her heart has been turned to that of a demon's. For the sake of her mother's love.

That's just sophistry.

Ready?

Rumiko-san cut her wrists.

Mei-san. You knew about this fact, didn't you?

Your behavior drove her to do that. And yet, you didn't come to visit her.

Is that the behavior of a daughter who loves their mother?

Because that would have just taken them back to where this started.

Rumiko-san has performed this same behavior twice before. Isn't that right, Mei-kun?

The first time was 2 years ago when, at the height of her popularity...

...Mei-san went through a period where a growing numbers of anti-fans gave her a terrible bashing.

Mei-san even considered retiring. Rumiko-san self-injured herself due to the anxiety.

The second time...

...was last year when a new generation of popular child actors appeared...

...and the amount of work for Mei-san decreased sharply.

Again she self-injured herself.

If there is any discrepancy in this, please correct me, Rumiko-san.

Each time, the unrest in Mei-san was violent...

...and she worked desperately to tackle and overcome each crisis for her mother's sake.

Did you think that would happen again this time too, Rumiko-san?

Are you saying that such self-injurious behavior was calculated?

No. The problem is much more serious than that.

For Rumiko-san, Mei-san's success is her own success.

Mei-san's difficulties are her own difficulties.

She is in a dangerous area that goes beyond the metaphorical representation of alter-egoism.

Rumiko-san is ill.

And...

...it's a type of self-injurious behavior...

...where she will drink in drops of poison until she collapses.

Mei-san is suffering as well.

A parent and child...

...should hold hands and mutually look for a path towards correcting it.

That's impossible. Unless they sever their mutual dependence on each other...

...then they also cannot plan for receiving treatment to correct it.

The bonds between parent and child are deep and strong.

It's BECAUSE they are deep and strong that makes this so difficult!

Success calls up desire and desire calls up destruction.

Mei-san understands it is her existence itself that is bringing unhappiness to her mother!

Mei-san...

...is desperately trying to ignore the pressure of her feelings to go and see Rumiko-san.

Because she wishes to save Rumiko-san.

Her beloved mother.

I want Mother...

...to forget about me...

...and walk her own life.

But, someday...

...I want to live with her again.

Because to me...

...Mother is the only person in the universe.

That is all.

Well then...

...could Rumiko-san tell her story?

Rumiko-san.

I don't have one.

The hearing is over at this time.

Rumiko-san.

Whatever the result may be...

...there is no law that can ever sever the relationship between a parent and child.

Or a parent and child's love for one another.

Yasunaga-san.

Then, this will do it for me as well.

You're returning home already?

It's time for the bullet train.

I don't like traveling by airplane.

We'll inform you of the results.

No, no thank you.

The Tokyo station is in the opposite direction.

I saw the Sky Tree.

It was far bigger than you imagined, wasn't it?

No...

The Tokyo Tower is bigger.

By far.

Please come to Tokyo again.

We'll show you around to various places. Both your son and I.

I don't have a son.

- To London? - Yeah.

My father's older sister says she'll put me up. It's so cool. I get to study in London.

I'm great you were able to find a guardian so smoothly.

- You guys would have been great, too, though. - I refuse.

Well then, with this you'll be retiring from the entertainment world?

That's true. My image is in tatters anyhow.

But, don't you think that would be a waste?

Child actors have a short sell-through date.

You do what you can and then it's "Here, next life."

All of you in the audience, thank you so much for everything up til now!

I had a really great time!

"Someday I want to live with her again."

"Because to me, Mother is the only person in the universe."

I seem to remember hearing that from somewhere.

Eh?

That is dialog from Episode 3 of "Papa's Sweetheart," isn't it?

In the drama it's not the Mother but the Papa.

And it was "on earth," and not "in the universe" though.

You're a born actress. Be sure and make a comeback.

Study to your heart's content while in the land of Shakespeare.

So long!

Ah, I'll take that.

Ah, thank you very much.

Even his father loses to him... does he?

I wasn't expecting very much from a dotard like him.

Everything is prepared.

Yes?

Ah, it's you, huh?

No, I didn't go out to Tokyo just to intentionally humiliate myself.

Am I happy?

No way.

By the way...

...you haven't been found out yet, have you?

No.

Even now I can say Komikado-sensei believes...

...I subscribe for the general public's appeal for him.

I see.

If you dislike it, you may quit at any time.

No.

Sensei, you found and picked up my life.

Please allow me...

...to at least serve your son.

And moreover, Sensei.

I am...

...enjoying myself as well.

It seems...

...those old men are beginning to move at last.

"Data Related to Senwa Chemical's 4th Factory"

The origin of Santa Claus seems to have been Nicholas...

...a bishop of the 4th century, who would hand grain to underprivileged children for free.

Most likely his behavior was taken up by his disciples and soon spread to regular families.

And so what about it?

In other words, there is an infinite number of Santa Clauses.

The moment a parent gives their child a present, that person becomes Santa Claus.

Whoever thinks in their hearts that they are Santa Claus, they are one.

Therefore, Santa Claus exists!

That's just sophistry. I've never seen one.

Sensei may be the one exception.

No. There may be a Santa Claus who keeps sending Komikado-sensei wonderful presents, too.

What kind of presents are you saying that I have received?

A very reliable and wonderful present is right here before your eyes!

Eh? Me?! No way, Hattori-san. Stop that!

I don't need such a Santa here! No, I don't want it!

Thing is, since you came here, nothing decent has happened! You are the worst Santa!

I've told you to please stop pointing your finger! It's rude!

- It's because you're pointing too! - Isn't it because you pointed first!?

What's that, you rascal?! Why you...

Please stop that. It's dangerous.

"Legal High To be continued"

"Take Back the Dirtied Earth!"

"Komikado vs. Major Chemical Manufacturer"

"An Unprecedentedly Powerful Opponent"

"Komikado Leads a Small Group of Villagers"

"A Huge, Decisive Battle Begins!"