Original subtitles

What do you want to know?

Everything you know.

- You'd better not get involved-- - Just tell me everything!

I'm tired of hearing those kinds of warnings.

GI Technologies?

So that company's system was installed in the bus?

Yes, but that's not all.

They were just a small venture company back then

but with government backing, were rushing in autonomous driving.

Anyone could see that GI Technologies were rushing development.

They were probably itching to do test drives.

"Test drives"?

Accuracy improves the more actual driving data you have.

That's why they rush to do test drives on public roads.

What else? You know more, don't you?

Stop with those murderous eyes, would you?

Another thing

is they got unusually large subsidies from the government.

Even though there are tons of mobility venture companies.

I heard the president has connections in politics.

Politics? What kind of connections?

I don't know that much.

So there's something up with this GI Technologies company?

They're doing a wide range of things centered on AI

like autonomous driving for cars and hospital management systems.

Recent companies they've worked with include

Suzugaya, Toa Hospital, Yotsuba Credit Union...

Wait a second?

This Toa Hospital...

- I knew it. - What is it?

Medical malpractice occurred at that hospital last month.

- I'd scheduled the victim's family. - Really?

Normally I'd take it on, but given the situation...

- No, let's do it. I'll come too. - Isn't the bus case more important?

The company is involved with this hospital.

It might bring us closer.

You're always charging in. Are you a boar?

Sitting around doing nothing won't help.

It might make sense.

Toa Hospital is the go-to for politicians.

Maybe we can discover something.

True. We might discover something.

Exactly.

Some people look at this and rejoice that there's a donut there.

But others look at it

and despair that there's a hole.

Know what this means?

Is this philosophy or something?

It means the future changes depending on how you look at things.

So that means we can go?

Well, yeah.

Right.

This means we're the type to rejoice at donuts, right?

THE OUTLAWS OF THE LAW

Thank you for coming all this way.

I'm sorry for your loss.

It must be hard, but can you tell us what happened?

Yes.

On March 10th

my father had surgery for a cerebral aneurysm at Toa Hospital.

He was fine right after the surgery

but two days later he had a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

He was only 58.

What did the hospital say?

They said the surgery was successful

but that a subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in a different location.

"The surgery was successful"?

And you think it's medical malpractice?

I don't know what's true

but I can't shake this uneasy feeling.

What does your mother think?

I haven't talked to her about it.

If I said I'm suing the hospital, she'd probably oppose.

Still...

Excuse me.

I know it makes sense in my head

but I can't forget what the hospital told me when my father died.

After his sudden change in condition, we immediately checked

and found a subarachnoid hemorrhage in a different location.

All we can say is that

this was incredible back luck.

The way he said it...

So matter-of-factly, like reading from a manual.

And it didn't even come from the surgeon, Dr. Kono.

Even though I'd lost my father...

It's definitely fishy. What do you think?

I don't know the facts yet, but it pisses me off.

- What? - I mean...

Imagine if someone spoke to you like that after you lost someone.

- So we're continuing investigating? - Yes.

TOA HOSPITAL

This place is huge.

No wonder the politicians use it.

So, any info on the surgeon?

The surgery was done by neurosurgeon Kono Ryohei.

Apparently the youngest department head in this hospital.

So, you're helping after all?

Like this guy said, no point in sitting around.

Takaido's changed, hasn't he?

- He'd never have come before. - Right.

Okay, how about we split up?

- Shall we go? - Yes.

- He sure seems fired up. - He sure does.

Is Dr. Kono that good?

Yes! He's a famous neurosurgeon around here.

But recently a patient died, right?

The surgery was successful, wasn't it?

Brain disease is scary, that's all.

That's Dr. Kono.

Hello, there.

You want surgery from Dr. Kono?

- It's a several-month wait! - That long?

Like a popular restaurant...

Because he's the star doctor here.

- What time is the next conference? - 2:00 p.m.

Hello.

Mr. Hayashi? What are you doing there?

Oh no, got to go for my checkup!

- I see. - Thank you.

- You're welcome. - Take care!

Excuse me.

- Hey. - How'd it go?

What we found out

is that Dr. Kono is super popular and busy.

And doctors really walk like they do in White Tower.

- What? - Is that all?

At least look into the matter at hand.

This hospital did implement GI Technologies' management system.

- Decided by the director alone... - Seriously?

How did you find that out?

I'm good at gathering info.

Especially from nurses.

Can't you trace the system manager from that?

- I can, but... - "But"?

What? Kiriishi!

What are you guys doing here?

Oh, uh, we're investigating this hospital right now.

Why are you here, Kiriishi?

- Nice to meet you. - You too.

I'm Aya.

Are you all from Todoroki's office?

Yes. Kiriishi's always been such a huge help to us!

- There's so much I want to ask. - I get you.

- Sorry for showing up here-- - It's fine!

I was always telling him to introduce me to his co-workers.

She's in for tests before her surgery next month.

Tests?

Yes. Do you know what a cerebral aneurysm is?

- Aya. - It's fine. It's nothing to hide.

Part of an artery in the brain swells up like a balloon.

If it gets too big... pop!

- Aya! - It's fine!

The surgery is to stop that happening.

He's always acting like this.

- Like I'm about to die or something. - I never said that.

You're taking this illness way too lightly.

I'm not taking it lightly at all!

It's all mindset.

With that gloomy face, even curable things won't get cured!

"Gloomy face"?

Is that surgery with Dr. Kono, by any chance?

That's right. How do you know?

Well, I heard he's the star doctor here.

Right! My surgery's a little tricky apparently

but a friend introduced me to Dr. Kono, as he's so experienced.

You said you were looking into the hospital earlier... Is it for a case?

Yes.

A witness in the case we're on is hospitalized here.

That was a shock.

I've never seen Kiriishi like that before.

- I love that side of him! - Knock it off.

But Aya's surgery is with Dr. Kono.

Should we have said something?

No, how could we?

What now? Keep digging into Kono?

Hold up, aren't we here to investigate that systems company?

That's true.

I heard you met Aya?

Yes, by chance.

I thought she was doing fine, but hospitalized?

And of all places, Toa Hospital...

You know Aya pretty well, huh?

Aya and Kiriishi met at the old firm where I also worked.

Kiriishi, you free after this?

I'm having dinner with Aya.

You said that last week too.

We rarely hang out. Who's more important?

Aya is. And I don't drink.

Right. I remember.

That tie... Kittens?

Is that a bad thing? Aya got me this.

I never said it was bad.

- I'm off. - Bye.

He's always been all about Aya.

So what will you do about this hospital thing?

I still don't know.

As a friend, I want Aya to go through with the surgery.

But

if this Dr. Kono turns out to be what you suspect

it's complicated all around.

Right.

"Sue the doctor and the hospital"?

Well, it's just a possibility at this point.

- Hold on, suing? That's... - Mom, listen.

I just can't accept it.

You can't accept it?

Dr. Kono tried so hard for us.

We can't repay kindness with betrayal.

And do you accept what happened, Sayuri?

- I think that was my husband's fate. - "Fate"?

- Dad was only 58! - I know that!

Other hospitals said the surgery was too hard, yet he did it for us.

If we go blaming someone, it won't end well for us.

- But the hospital's explanation-- - Stop!

Just stop...

I'm trying to accept what happened to your dad too.

I'm sure this came as a shock out of nowhere.

We'll look into it more on our end

so let's talk again soon.

SYMPOSIUM

This is a case of an extremely rare brain aneurysm.

It was recently operated on at our hospital, Toa Hospital.

Two aneurysms were connected. Subarachnoid bleeding was confirmed.

Here we see the size of the aneurysms.

Craniotomy can also be considered, but...

Cath... Cathe... ter?

- C-Catcher.. ter technique? - Wrong! You're saying it wrong.

It's "catheter". Catheter surgery.

What?

You insert a thin tube called a catheter into the blood vessel.

Then you run a wire-like coil through the tube to do the surgery.

Inserting a tube into the vessel. How does that work?

Unlike craniotomy, it doesn't leave a scar on the head

so it's the current trend for brain vascular surgery.

Is that right?

There was no coil compaction, and the embolization went as planned.

Toa Hospital's star doctor?

How impressive!

That was fantastic!

Thank you.

Weird place to be, right?

- Doctors bragging to each other. - I guess.

These things are all about doctors and hospitals one-upping each other.

You know what gives a doctor status?

Not messing up?

Yes, and I never mess up, but that's not it!

That's just TV drama stuff.

It's about tackling these tough surgeries.

Docs who pull off harder ones get to brag to their peers.

Some even cherry-pick cases just for the bragging rights.

That sounds pretty ridiculous.

Young man, you're not a doctor. A reporter, maybe?

- No, a lawyer. - Lawyer!

- What is it? - A lawyer? Some kind of trial?

Well, something like that. Are you a doctor?

Well, something like that.

Why are you copying me?

A trial concerning brain aneurysm surgery?

That sounds difficult.

Is that right?

Doctors never admit their own failures as malpractice.

Would you blame a guy who sprinted full-out for not winning the race?

Not if they went full-out.

Exactly, right? It's the same for doctors.

If every surgical outcome was on the doc, no one would do them.

But a subarachnoid hemorrhage

in a spot far from the treatment area...

That's not just bad luck.

There's something else there.

Here's my number.

Call me if you want to know something.

Thank you.

- See you. - Goodbye.

DR. IGARI

Dr. Igari. Allow me to introduce myself.

- Can I help you? - Sorry to sneak up on you.

You handled Sumi Takashi's surgery, didn't you?

Looking for someone, Miss?

- You're from before-- - No need to speak.

You must have your reasons.

Actually, I'm looking for this nurse.

She's an OR nurse.

Operating room nurse. I doubt you'll run into her.

I see. Thank you.

Can you tell me more details about the day of the surgery?

Nothing beyond what's written in the chart.

- The family isn't satisfied. - I have nothing to say.

You'll have to go through the hospital.

No use! Couldn't get a thing out of him.

I found nothing either.

Besides Kono, those involved in the surgery

were his junior Dr. Igari

a nurse, two radiology techs, and the anesthesiologist.

We need a statement from one of them.

Only those on the team know what really happened.

That's why medical cases are so hard.

From those faces, I'd say zero leads.

Yes. What about you?

I found one. One crack.

"I found one."

- "One crack." - "One crack."

Tell us already!

What did you think of today's surgery?

What do you mean?

Didn't he force the catheter through pretty aggressively?

And it looked like the wire caught the vessel and damaged it.

Dr. Kono said it was fine.

Yes but...

He talked about catching a flight, and didn't even observe properly.

Don't read into it so much.

The toilet

is a garden of secrets.

They were talking about Sumi's surgery!

I'll check Kono's schedule for that day.

I knew those guys were hiding something.

Like I said the other day, we're not planning to sue.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage away from the treatment site

isn't something that just happens.

Mom...

- Something's definitely off. - You keep quiet.

Why should I?

Dad died, you know.

Maybe

he could have been alive right now.

Sayuri.

Did the hospital ever mention that the blood vessel

might have been damaged from pushing the catheter in?

They never said anything.

What do you mean?

The hospital might be covering up an accident.

- One that occurred during surgery. - What?

Mom?

There's one thing... that comes to mind.

What's that?

The day after surgery, I talked to my husband at the hospital

and he mentioned having a headache.

A headache? Takashi said that?

What? Why didn't you mention it?

I wasn't hiding it.

I said it could be post-op pain and your dad agreed.

He said he told the nurse about it.

- Any word from the hospital on that? - Nothing.

They said he was totally fine after surgery.

They're acting like Takashi's symptoms never happened.

Sayuri.

Let's get to the truth.

But...

Even if we go to trial, can we actually win?

They're doctors!

Catheter ops use vessel imaging.

Dr. Kono especially would save surgery videos for presentations.

If we get those, we're closer to the facts.

You're both in pain.

Let us help you.

Please

don't tell us to stop now.

Mom.

I want to sue.

This is Tokyo District Court.

Please get the person in charge here.

In medical trials, we often file for evidence preservation first.

Since only the hospital has charts and records that could be evidence.

I'm Director Ito.

What the heck is this?

It's now 10:30 a.m. Now presenting the evidence preservation order.

This is to prevent the evidence from being destroyed or tampered with.

We will now seize Mr. Sumi Takashi's medical records.

This includes all charts and records, so please prepare them.

There wasn't one? No video from the surgery?

To be precise, it seems they forgot to press the record button.

Who would believe that?

The records also don't mention Takashi complaining of headaches.

No video recorded, and the records are blank?

Evidence preservation is supposed to stop them hiding evidence.

This makes it seem like they were one step ahead.

It was you, wasn't it?

Thanks to you, the evidence was erased before we could preserve it.

Sorry, but drop the case against Toa Hospital.

- Huh? - I told you all.

Aya's surgery is coming up.

- I know that. - Stop acting all righteous.

"Acting all righteous"?

Kono might be covering up medical malpractice!

- You just want to believe that. - What?

You're just being influenced by the plaintiff's feelings.

Aren't you the same?

Don't you just want to believe that Kono didn't do it?

So what if I do?

Are you going to help me out?

Aya's surgery is highly difficult. Not many doctors can handle it!

We have no time left!

Outsiders should stay quiet.

I'm not an outsider, so I won't keep quiet!

There must still be a way!

Drop it already!

You're late. Something wrong?

No, it's nothing.

I brought sweets. I'll make tea.

There must be a way.

Sorry for ending up like this.

You're so busy with work too.

You don't need to worry about that.

You always say that.

Back in the day, you just came home, hardly socializing.

Todoroki even pointed it out.

He doesn't care

if you turn him down.

Hey.

If something happens to me, don't hesitate to remarry, okay?

The heck are you saying?

You see it in movies all the time.

Not moving on from the dead wife...

If you did that, it'd make me feel bad.

I told you, you'll be fine!

Well, I can't tell you if I die.

You're oddly dutiful about things.

That's why I'm saying it now.

Of course, I'm fully intending to live on!

And if the surgery goes well

I want to go see the aurora again.

The aurora?

Revenge for our honeymoon.

We went all the way to Finland to see the aurora

but on the day, I caught a cold and was bedridden.

You stayed with me and missed it too.

So, revenge!

Yes. We can go. Definitely.

Okay!

- What? - No video from during the surgery?

Right.

Well, saying "we didn't record it" is probably a lie.

Yes.

Will you keep going with the trial?

Your buddy's waiting for surgery, isn't he?

Patients have no choice but to cling to hope.

In surgery, there's nothing the patient and family can do.

The doctor right in front of them holds their fate.

The patient can only cling to that.

So, if someone were to betray those feelings

I couldn't forgive them.

Is that your sense of justice?

Sorry. Feelings alone aren't enough, are they?

If there's another way

it'd be talking to the team directly involved in the surgery.

No one's gonna talk that easily.

You know.

You still don't get doctors.

- What? - Listen.

The world of doctors is filled with jealousy.

What does that mean?

Kono is the hope of neurosurgery.

The star of Toa Hospital.

As for the doctors beneath Kono

their achievements will all be swallowed up by Kono.

That's everyone is waiting

for the star to fall.

I see.

In other words, if there's any way through this

it'll come from the doctors right beneath Kono.

Beneath Kono?

Igari.

Wait! Let's do pink.

Pink.

Don't cut it too much.

Yes, that's it!

Hey, there.

- Todoroki! - Todoroki.

It has been a while.

- How're you doing? - Fine, I'm just here for tests.

- What brings you here? - Come on.

I've come to visit you. Here.

You, bringing a gift!

But I appreciate it.

Where are Uzaki and the others today?

They're a bit tied up.

Two guys who never socialized having subordinates now...

It's really something!

- She's still as harsh as ever! - Well...

You're not doing power harassment or anything, are you?

You can't go at today's young people with old-school vibes, you know?

See, that face!

You can't force passion on kids these days!

True.

She's tough.

Can I have a word?

How's Aya doing?

The cerebral aneurysm has grown. We need to operate now.

I see.

Is that what you came to ask?

No.

The trial's starting.

I get how you feel.

Honestly, I was thinking about stopping those guys too.

I wasn't sure.

You weren't sure?

Kiriishi.

Won't you leave Aya to us?

What?

I'll make sure we save Aya.

In exchange...

I want you to work with us.

I'll ask you directly.

What do you think caused Takashi's death?

Right now

I think it was a surgical error.

Does that mean you thought differently before?

Initially, the hospital explained

that the surgery was successful.

Yet Takashi died two days later from a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

What explanation did the hospital give you?

That the surgery was successful

but a subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred in another location after.

How did the hospital explain the cause of the subarachnoid hemorrhage?

They said it was a chance occurrence.

The subarachnoid hemorrhage happened just two days after catheter surgery.

Was "chance occurrence" the only possible explanation?

We ordinary people

have no choice but to believe what doctors tell us.

If this was caused by a mistake during surgery

how would you then feel about Takashi's death?

I'd think

"Why did my father have to die?"

When I think about my widowed mother's feelings

I just can't forgive it.

That's all from the plaintiff's attorney.

The large middle cerebral artery aneurysm that the Sumi Takashi had

is usually better treated with surgery

that opens part of the skull, isn't it?

- Yes. - Yet, you chose catheter surgery.

Was that to increase your own catheter surgery count?

No. After seeing the aneurysm, I thought that was the right option.

Then, what do you think caused the subarachnoid hemorrhage?

The incidental hemorrhage following the surgery was unexpected

but it was unrelated to the surgery. The surgery itself was successful.

I see.

You say the hemorrhage just two days after the surgery was incidental

and that the surgery was still a success?

Yes.

Let me change the question.

Could it be said that you damaged the blood vessel

during the process of inserting the catheter into the artery?

Definitely not.

It's not in the records either.

That's right.

Nothing is written in the records.

But does that really prove that nothing happened?

What if you intentionally didn't record that fact?

Objection!

Your Honor, the attorney has no evidence for these speculations.

They're not mere speculations.

Uzaki here, speaking for the plaintiff.

Your Honor, I will now play you audio yet to be submitted.

I obtained this from Dr. Igari, who performed the surgery with Dr. Kono.

Dr. Kono... Actually, Sumi's lawyer came to me.

Lawyer? You didn't say anything, did you?

No, but will things be okay?

- Why wouldn't they? - You forced the catheter, causing--

Only us doctors know these things.

I also erased the headache complaints from the nursing records.

The surgery was a success. Got it?

Vessel damage, headache symptoms, neither is in the medical records.

So what is this about?

Damn that guy.

Kono.

Dark roads and ambitious subordinates can be dangerous.

Excuse me.

Even if Igari is the key, we can't make him betray the hospital.

Don't worry about that.

What?

I'll take in that Dr. Igari at my place.

He's got good skills, right?

- Your place? - Yes.

At my hospital.

Keika Hospital... Director...

- You're the director, old man? - Yup. But who you calling "old man"?

- Gosh! - Well...

I even spoke at the conference where I met you.

We have a cerebrovascular department now

but I'm thinking of creating one that specializes in catheter treatment.

Really?

Igari, you are a truly excellent neurosurgeon.

Despite that, at Toa Hospital

you're hidden in the shadow of Dr. Kono, the star doctor.

What of it?

Isn't it about time you stepped into the spotlight, Igari?

Igari provided us with the recording of his conversation with Dr. Kono

as he was tormented by guilt over turning a blind eye to this cover-up.

They've made it all up!

The surgery was on March 10th, and that afternoon

there was a major neurosurgery conference in Fukuoka, wasn't there?

You had an important presentation to make there.

How long have I got?

25 more minutes.

During the surgery, while advancing the catheter

you knew you damaged a blood vessel, didn't you?

But you downplayed it, ending the surgery with no post-op monitoring.

After getting the report that Takashi was having post-op headaches

did you actually go to the patient's room?

- I-- - I checked with another patient.

You never went once, did you?

You just checked the post-op reports on your phone, right?

You didn't order any tests either.

But you explained to the family that despite the successful surgery

a subarachnoid hemorrhage occurred away from the treated area.

No layperson would know the truth if you explained it that way.

However

a doctor of your caliber should've known

that even a small injury could lead to a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

You've handled numerous high-difficulty catheter surgeries

and even been called a "hope" at medical conferences.

But by prioritizing your own reputation

weren't you neglecting the most important thing?

The patient's life...

If you'd done the standard procedures

wouldn't Sumi Takashi

still be alive and well today?

Kono.

Anything to say in your defense?

The hospital, which is supposed to oversee its doctors

had no one to call out their star doctor's actions

and no fair internal investigation was conducted.

I believe this system of management also bears much responsibility.

That's all from the plaintiff's attorney.

This concludes questioning

but based on the proceedings so far

the court would like to attempt a settlement between both parties.

As the defense attorney, I'm ready to hear a proposal.

How does plaintiff's attorney feel?

On behalf of the bereaved family, if it includes appropriate compensation

along with an apology from the hospital regarding this error

then we can consider a settlement.

Good work today.

Old man! I mean, Funaki.

You're actually pretty good at this.

Well, I am a lawyer.

Thanks for this.

I'm worried about a lot in the medical world right now...

You hit on every single thing.

We doctors are so obsessed with achieving results and fame.

Isn’t it time

that we questioned our ethics again?

- See you. - Oh, Funaki!

- About that thing... - Don't worry!

Leave the surgery to me.

Thank you!

Everything's fine. We've finished the surgery.

Thank God!

Thank God! Thank you so much!

Thank you!

Excuse me.

- Is she sleeping? - Yes.

They said she can leave next week.

Uzaki's friend is amazing.

Bringing in a top doctor with a months-long waitlist...

They say the friends to have are doctors and lawyers.

Lawyers don't have any perks.

- You say that about yourself? - Yes.

You protected justice on both sides.

Yes.

Uzaki...

Can I have a word?

I heard from Todoroki.

That you found the doctor.

I'm glad the surgery was a success.

I'm sorry.

I was wrong.

As a lawyer, I did the wrong thing.

I was just thinking about Aya.

No, I was thinking about myself.

I'm jealous!

What?

It means you love Aya that much, right?

I wish I could find someone like that too.

Thanks for everything.

- Everyone's here. Is it time? - Yes.

We're one step closer thanks to what everyone did at Toa Hospital.

Let me sum up the case again.

Five years ago, a bus accident in occurred in Minato City.

Publicly, it was blamed on reckless driving

caused by side effects from medicine the driver took.

However, that bus was equipped

with an autonomous driving system from GI Technologies.

During operation, it malfunctioned and the bus went out of control.

After that, with government backing

GI Technologies became one of the top autonomous driving companies.

And its major shareholder is a company run by Ishikura's wife.

- What? - We grilled the hospital director.

As expected, the GI Technologies system was introduced at the hospital

at Ishikura's request.

We dangled a settlement and got him to spill a lot.

GI Technologies is aiming for an IPO soon.

That means the higher the company's valuation

the more profits flow to Ishikura as a shareholder.

Since his minister days

Ishikura has been pumping huge subsidies into the company

to speed up system development.

But then that accident happened...

To keep his plans from falling apart

Ishikura pulled strings with a former junior of his, Mayor Otobe.

How did they get the police to cover it up?

That's what I'm looking into now.

But are we really doing this?

We're facing the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan.

Fights are meant to be started.

We've ignited many disputes until now.

All of them were for this fight.

What should I give Koichi's daughter for a birthday present?

Why did Kana have to die?

We can't reach the truth on our own.

Translated by: Zacarias Hicks