Original subtitles

MARCH

It's Kohinata.

My apologies for asking repeatedly.

How about that dinner?

Excuse me.

This is a problem.

This is a problem.

-Did something happen? -Huh?

We're being given a legal apprentice, the first in a while.

Someone who helped me before introduced her. I couldn't refuse.

Well, it's that time of year.

You'd think an apprentice

would easily be accepted at any big law firm.

The apprentice is female.

She wants a female boss.

There are a lot more women lately.

And sexual harassment is also rising at the same rate.

So…

Mr. Kakei, can I ask for your help?

What? No way.

Based on what you said,

a man shouldn't be the one directing her.

That's why I want you.

Isn't it wrong

to be denied an opportunity to work with men

just for being a woman?

Gender doesn't have a place in work.

That's why I feel comfortable with you doing it.

What do you…

By God, do they know I'm gay?

I feel that also belittles men.

Not all men view women like that.

Most men treat women with respect.

Please prove it to her.

Oh, if that's the case,

I'll do it.

If we're meeting next week, I'm free Tuesday and Friday.

This is a real headache.

But I feel bad for the apprentice.

Why?

The lawyer directing her is

an extraordinary older gentleman and is also unmarried.

If I were a young girl,

I'd think that was fate.

But he's gay!

There's nothing sadder than that.

I'm really impressed how you can think like a girl.

But no one goes into the office bringing those expectations.

Everyone's surprisingly logical.

You are too, aren't you?

Certainly there are no relationships like that.

That's why having a partner is so valuable.

I guess.

Yeah.

Here.

Got it.

But even if she's not interested in you,

a girl might be more proactive.

Next Tuesday

I'm going out with some buddies from beauty school.

Even if she asks you, don't go out with her.

I won't!

Be careful, okay? If you let your guard down,

she might snap you up.

Am I some tiny animal?

What the heck.

-No way. -It's risky!

Thank you for being here.

I'm Yumi Nagamori.

Thank you for having me.

It's a pleasure.

I'm not sure if I can teach you--

Ms. Uemachi told me you're a brilliant lawyer.

I think I'll be able to learn a lot.

I look forward to learning from you.

This is bad. She seems like a sweet kid.

Let's go to the Tokyo District Court.

Yes.

There's a civil suit demanding property damages.

It's the first day

with the plaintiff.

Okay.

-We're off. -Goodbye.

-Let's get on the train at 20 past. -Yes.

You don't get around by car?

I don't use cars.

Public transportation is more reliable.

And this job made me afraid of traffic accidents.

Lawyers are like that, then?

Not really. Many drive.

The really powerful ones have nice cars.

I'm just a stingy coward.

You are?

What's with this smile?

Shoot.

Does she find

my simplicity likeable?

That's not good.

That's bad.

I'm sorry.

No, I am.

Are you okay?

I'm fine.

Let's go.

Sorry. It's Kohinata again.

I'd really like us to meet.

Am I… attractive?

COURT

Was it a little boring today, with only schedule arrangements?

Not at all.

It's fine.

There's a lot more to do that's rewarding.

You'll be able to learn.

Yes.

I'll try to make sure I'm not just a burden on you.

This is bad!

It's Kenji?

We're really getting into it so I'll be home late!

Got it.

You're not out with that girl, are you?

Of course not.

Why do I feel a little guilty?

I'm not doing anything wrong.

Good evening.

Hello.

Sorry for making you come tonight.

No… It's not a problem at all.

Anyway, Wataru has such bad behavior.

The other day, the morning we decided to take a trip together,

he realized that the outfit he wanted to wear

was still at the dry cleaner's.

He was bawling,

30 minutes before we had to leave to catch our flight.

Oh…

Why, Daisaku?

I'm sorry!

Go to the cleaner's and go get my clothes.

I would right now if they were open,

but it's 8:00 a.m.

They're not…

Bang on the shutters until you get them.

Go!

CLEANING STATION

Excuse me!

You went?

Please open!

I did.

Someone, please open up!

Open up!

But obviously no one came.

Excuse me!

Then until we had to leave,

I had to cheer up Wataru, who was in a completely bad mood,

apologizing over and over,

Somehow

we made it to the Narita Express.

Harder!

Good job…

-Kakei… -Yes?

I too have my limits.

What?

Kakei,

do you remember the day we first met?

Yes.

For some reason I was able

to complain about Wataru to you.

Oh…

What's this? This is bad!

Is he trying to hit on me

by talking about his souring relationship?

This is really bad!

And what's worse, Kohinata is quite my type!

What am I saying? This is bad!

Kakei,

I was so persistent

because I really wanted…

No, we can't, Kohinata!

I'm living with someone.

What?

Huh?

Daisaku!

Wataru! Over here.

Sorry for being late.

This is my boyfriend, Wataru Inoue.

I was so persistent

because I wanted him to meet you.

Good evening.

I'm Wataru. It's great to meet you.

Um…

I apologize.

No way, Kohinata!

He said you look like Gilbert.

You look like a completely regular young man.

Again, Daisaku? You're always saying that.

I mean, he's like Gilbert to me.

So, what did you mean by "limits"?

Oh, that?

I can't make 100% of Wataru's wishes come true.

My body has its limits.

Is that it?

How misleading.

His attitude made me think

he was asking me out. He doesn't get it?

And actually,

it doesn't look like Wataru cares about fashion.

HEDGEHOG

Why would he send such regular clothes to the dry cleaner's?

Does this innocent-looking guy

really act so ridiculous?

It was like that.

This might be rude, but how old are you, Wataru?

I just turned 30.

30?

No way can he be described as a "pretty boy," then!

Where has the time gone?

No kidding.

You're cute.

What's up with those two?

Kenji's back?

Welcome back, Shiro.

I drank too much.

I suddenly got a headache and had to leave early.

Are you okay?

Yeah, once I lay down.

Huh?

Huh?

You also drank?

Yeah, just a little with Osamu.

Okay.

Go to bed. You're working tomorrow.

Yeah, sorry.

Good night.

Good night.

Why in the world did I lie?

You want me to settle?

AGREEMENT (PROVISIONAL)

That's the gist.

Are you joking?

My mom was killed by their medical mistake.

I'll win if I take it to court.

I want to sue them for all they're worth.

Mr. Ikuina,

Even if you can prove that it was a medical mistake in court,

what you're asking for

isn't possible from the hospital.

My beloved mother was killed!

You just don't want to deal with difficulties.

You just think an 80-year-old woman died.

Mr. Ikuina,

Even if you do win, all you'll get is money.

Money is important.

It is.

If it turns out that you'll feel better

by getting a large settlement package,

then I also think it's worth taking this to court.

But what you really want

isn't money, is it?

When I got these terms of agreement,

I asked the head doctor

for a detailed explanation of how your mother died

and for as big of an apology as possible.

Mr. Ikuina,

The court can order someone to give you money,

but it can't order them to apologize.

I'll proceed with the settlement with the hospital.

I've heard before that what the bereaved truly want

is the truth about how their beloved died,

and a sincere response from the hospital.

Well, one of my contemporaries has said, "Honesty is how many times

no compensation has been paid."

Do you often handle cases suing for medical mistakes?

No, I'm not great at them.

This time I had him settle, but the truth is,

if I don't fight in court and win,

I also don't make much money.

The hospital has insurance and wouldn't actually lose money.

Medical malpractice suits seem like

a really good way for lawyers to make money.

Because lawyers

incite people who have lost their loved ones

by suing them left and right, fewer people

want to become gynecologists and pediatricians.

Yes.

I personally believe that lawyers blindly trying

to make more money are partially at fault

for the shortage of doctors.

Hold on.

Am I, a lawyer who talks like this in his mid-forties, actually her type?

But actually, despite saying all this,

I do take on medical malpractice cases.

The larger the compensation package, the larger my share is, too.

If you're all just righteous talk,

you don't have any work, right?

This is worse.

Do I seem like a broad-minded adult now?

Mr. Kakei,

Yes?

When I started here

and said it was my dream to be an attorney,

I thought you'd make fun of me.

Okay…

But, Mr. Kakei,

even though you're not actually a human rights lawyer,

you have your own troubles and ideals as a lawyer,

and you pour them into your work.

I think that's so wonderful!

You're so wonderful!

What should I do?

I'm in so much trouble.

What should I do?

I should tell her that she's making me uncomfortable.

No, I'm sure a cute girl like herself already has one or two boyfriends.

Surely she does.

She definitely does.

Please exist, boyfriends!

Nagamori…

Yes?

Do you have a boyfriend?

What have I done?

As soon as she felt like you were looking at her in that way,

she felt like she couldn't work with you.

I'm sorry.

No, I wasn't thinking either.

You're single.

Plus you look like this.

No, but…

I'll have Nagamori work with Osamu from tomorrow.

He has a wife and kids, so she'll feel more comfortable.

I'm really…

Don't worry.

Normal people don't bring relationships into the workplace.

Of course, you're one of them.

Yes.

But sometimes people meet.

Kakei,

maybe you just rushed it?

What?

What in the world?

I was rejected by two people whom I don't even like in that way.

Was I just reading it all wrong?

Was I being too obsessed with myself?

I don't want to do anything today.

Let's do hot pot.

I'll boil some chicken thighs.

CHICKEN THIGHS: 248 YEN

How long does God want to keep smiting me?

Chicken wings… and the premium kind!

It's so expensive!

There's no way I'll buy chicken wings for 650 yen!

HALF PRICE

Thank you, God!

Lots of water, a slice of kelp, and sake…

Toss in the chicken wings, and let them boil.

Cook them on low heat

for 40 minutes until Kenji arrives, and keep scooping out the scum.

Since it's hot pot, I don't think I need to cook anything else.

I'm exhausted.

You're so wonderful!

I was so persistent because I really wanted…

I'll try to make sure I'm not just a burden on you.

Maybe you just rushed it?

For some reason I was able…

I look forward to learning from you.

I too have my limits.

No… I guess I can make kinpira as well.

Add chilies, lotus root, and sesame oil into a frying pan.

Once they're coated in oil,

flavor it with sake, sugar, dipping sauce, cooking sherry,

and just a tad of vinegar.

Lotus root kinpira

doesn't taste quite right without vinegar.

So now,

it's time to cut the vegetables for the hot pot.

Cut the leafy vegetables into chunks, and the green onion diagonally.

Cut the tofu into eight cubes,

and the shiitake in half.

It's annoying cutting a cross shape

into each shiitake.

Continue removing the scum.

All that's left is to wait for Kenji to come home.

Maybe I'll go ahead and add the cabbage in to soften it.

I'm back!

Welcome back.

We're having chicken hot pot.

Hot pot sounds good!

It's still pretty chilly out.

Shall I just put in everything else?

The dipping sauce is in the fridge.

We'll use ponzu, soy sauce, yuzu, and pepper.

It smells so good!

Shiro? Where did you…

Where did you go?

You dummy. Just eat.

Fine.

-Let's eat! -Let's eat!

It's a little hard to eat,

but the chicken is delicious.

You're right. It was a good discovery.

A lucky accident.

Accident? Did something happen?

No, not really.

There was just some frustrating stuff at work.

I see…

Don't overeat just because it's good.

You want me to stop before I'm full again?

We'll have it again.

Ow! It's hot!

Put some porridge rice in a strainer

and rinse off the starch.

Add it into the pot with the remaining broth.

Sprinkle on just enough salt, and finally…

Put the lid on and turn off the heat.

Hot…

This is the best!

You're using up every bit of the amazing hot pot.

Look at how the rice is soaking up the flavors.

The lightly-seasoned porridge and kinpira are so addicting together.

Don't overeat.

Eat until you're 80% full.

You said it.

Good.

Huh?

You look a lot better than just a moment ago.

I guess you're right.

Yeah.

I ate a chili.

It's spicy.

What?

Gilbert with a beard and bedhead?

He's no Gilbert, looking like that!

Right? But still, Kohinata was locked out in the middle of the night

and ran to the store.

Banging on the shutters of the cleaner's…

He's the perfect slave.

The shirt that "Gilbert" was wearing said "hedgehog."

It was a T-shirt!

Huh?

Plus, it wasn't even a picture of a hedgehog.

It was a regular mouse with needles in its hands.

That's so funny!

They're so weird!

What's wrong with those two?

But I want to meet them now, Kohinata and "Gilbert"!

I'll introduce you soon.

Yes, please! I want to meet them.

Thank goodness.

Gilbert's weirdness

made him forget that I went to dinner with both of them.

Well, I'm not as attractive as Kenji worries.

Kohinata is pretty crazy, too.

Kohinata?

So "Gilbert" is a pretty cunning guy.

What's your type?

Me? Well, I…

I think I should really learn from you on that.

THE STORY, NAMES, AND CHARACTERS PORTRAYED ARE IMAGINARY

Subtitle translation by: Kelsey Lechner