Original subtitles

Number 17, your lawyer came to talk with you.

He's been coming for 3 days already.

See him at least once.

Go!

To the left.

I will be waiting outside.

Notify me when you're done.

I'm relieved.

If I had not met you today, I had given up.

I'm your court-appointed lawyer, Takai Souichi.

I'm Hashizume Hokuto.

Why didn't you want to see me?

All the world thinks a court-appointed lawyer doesn't work with full commitment,

but I don't have this intention.

You may rest assured about that.

You're already a university student so you should know

that only a lawyer can protect the defendant.

That's why it's necessary for me to know everything about you so that I can understand.

Since we don't have much time I would like to begin immediately.

I've looked up your personal background already.

You may not like to remember it, but answer my questions honestly.

I...

"I...?" What do you want to say?

I'm alright with the death sentence.

Hashizume-kun,

you have killed two people.

There's no doubt that you'll get a harsh sentence.

But let's make clear from the beginning

that I'm an opponent of capital punishment.

Even at your trial I'll do what I can to avoid the death sentence.

Today, I met you

in order to let you know my will.

We're finished.

Is that all?

This incident was triggered by an unfortunate chain of coincidences.

There's plenty of room for extenuating circumstances.

Your unhappy childhood, for example.

My childhood has nothing to do with this!

Give me

the death sentence please.

Number 17, is this really okay?

I'm a man who's bad at giving up.

I want to know more about you!

Let me listen to your story!

My story…

The blood of a devil is flowing inside of me.

I...

should have never been born.

July 2005

Hashizume Hokuto-kun!

You've worked hard, didn't you? Well done.

Hashimoto Yuzuki-kun!

Higuchi Miki-san!

Hashizume-kun!

Hashizume-kun, to which cram school do you go to?

I don't go to cram school.

- Really? - Yeah.

I see.

You're always wearing long sleeves.

Aren't you hot?

Not really.

But you're drenched in sweat.

That's strange.

I'm home.

I've prepared a shopping list.

Please go buy it.

Yes.

Each apartment has a separate entranceway from the lobby.

It's all equipped with sound absorbtion, so privacy is secured.

Are you living with your parents?

- Well... - I see.

Well then, please go ahead.

Okay! Please.

Thank you.

The flooring is made from pure teak.

Teak is good.

It's one of the world's 3 most precious timbers.

It's extremy durable and over the years it changes to a deep amber color.

Then, as next I'll show you the bedroom.

- No! - Don't say "No"!

- Welcome home. - Welcome home.

Will you first take a bath?

Hokuto! Why didn't you wait for your father?

I'm sorry.

You can do it if you work, can't you?

Last time you got 88 points.

That's why I punished you.

I guess it's thanks to this.

Isn't it, Hokuto?

Yes.

Why did you just apologize?

Why did you just apologize?

Won't you answer me?

Because I broke a rule.

Which rule?

The family shall eat dinner together.

Why is there such a rule?

It is to show your father our gratitude.

The reason why you have a meal everyday

is because your father is working hard.

Yes.

What happens if you break the rules?

I was hungry. I absolutely...

What happens if you break the rules?

- I get punished... - I can't hear you.

- I get punished. - I can't hear you!

I get punished!

Not his face!

Otherwise, none of us can leave the house.

Stretch your hands out.

People who do wrong get punished.

You know that, don't you?

Today, I had to deal with miserable customers again.

Ignorant people who have never been disciplined by their parents.

I don't want you to become like them.

This is to discipline you. You understand, don't you?

Tell your father you are grateful! Say it!

Thank you very much.

Go and stand on the veranda.

In his own life, that man was a loser.

In high school and prep school he scored top grades,

but he failed the university entrance exam.

That's why he couldn't get the job he had wished for and his decline began.

No acceptance from his surroundings,

conflicts, and frequent job changes.

Each time, his salary went down

and his pride got hurt.

The gloom that accumulated in this man became a sharp knife

that was pointed at me and that woman.

That woman wouldn't try to protect me.

She was just too scared that then

the knife would be pointed at herself.

February 2006

Hashizume-kun.

Shall we go to my home now?

Do you have any stuff to do?

- Nothing in particular. - Then, won't you come?

Hashizume-kun, you're always alone, aren't you?

Everyone treats you like a ghost, right?

You can't find any friends, can you?

Just like me.

Say, don't you think we are alike?

I'm sorry!

Since this is the first time Shuji brought a friend,

I hadn't prepared anything.

So I went to the train station and bought this.

Here please.

Thank you very much.

I heard it from Shuji. He said you are a very intelligent boy.

Say, Hashizume-kun, won't you eat dinner with us today?

Papa said he would like to meet you too.

He's still busy with examinations,

but he said he'd absolutely like you to join us for dinner.

Let's do that.

But…

I will call and talk to your mother. Okay?

Thank you for waiting.

Don't hesitate and eat as much as you like.

Yes.

What are you doing? Hurry up and eat.

But your father is not yet here.

Don't worry.

He'll come soon. Eat it as long as it's hot.

- Itadakimasu. - Here please.

How is it?

It's really delicious.

Really? I'm so glad.

She just learned it in cooking class.

Hey! Why did you have to tell him?

Sorry, I'm late.

So you are the rival Shuji told us so much about?

I didn't say that.

It's nice that you've come. Come on, take your seat.

Don't hesitate and eat as much as you like.

Thank you very much for treating me to this meal.

You are well-educated, aren't you?

Quite different from our Shuji.

What do you mean by that?

Well, you are always complaining about anything.

It's true. Hashizume-kun is quiet and polite.

It seems his parents are educating him strictly.

Parents who nowadays don't have to send their kid to a cram school

must be really doing a great job.

I'm home.

Welcome back.

I'm sorry for being late.

Was the food in the doctor's house delicious?

Was the food in that rich house delicious?

You didn't tell them unnecessary things, did you?

- I didn't say anything. - Is that true?

Your father was fired from the company today.

And on such a day, you had your meal in a doctor's house.

You broke our rules.

But it happened because your mother allowed it.

For that reason,

I punished your mother.

Misako!

I'm out of cigarettes. I'll go buy some.

In the meantime, your mother will discipline you.

I'm sorry that I went to Suzuki-kun's house.

Because I got pregnant with you,

I had to stay together with that guy.

If you had not been born...

You are the child of a devil.

Why did you have to be born?

Why did you have to be born!

[I'm sorry for being born]

[Good-bye]

It's warm.

I...

don't remember ever being hugged by a human being.

The only one who hugged me

was this vending machine.

If I had not met this vending machine then,

I wouldn't be here now.

I wish

I had died that day.

Welcome back.

I'm back.

Here, someone called who needs a defense lawyer in a case of theft.

And Matsui Seiko from the Ministry of Justice also called.

I had that call on my cellphone already.

Furthermore, the real-estate agent asked

about the office renewal.

Is that due already?

I told them that we have no room to move right now.

Thank you very much.

Renewal fee… I'm beaten.

Time passes quickly, right?

And this also arrived.

Another fan letter?

[To the lawyer who claims human rights for murderers] [Murderers have no human rights] [Murderers deserve the death sentence]

You're a popular person, aren't you?

Shall I send it to the police?

Wasn't there a razor blade or such inside?

This time there was none.

Then, let's just ignore it.

- We have no time for these guys. - Yes.

Did you visit him in vain today again? Hashizume Hokuto.

No, I met him.

How was it?

He said he wanted the death sentence.

There was no way to approach him.

So, will you really take on this case?

Yes.

One more of these cases that involve a lot of work, right?

Yoshinaga-san, your salary is also overdue.

I'm sorry.

I'm used to that already.

It will be a difficult case, won't it?

- Number 11. - Yes.

- Number 17. - Yes.

Even after that,

this man continued with his daily terror.

It was a time that seemed so long

as if it would never end.

Those hellish days

finally showed signs of change

when I was in 3rd year of junior high school.

[September 2010]

Thanks for the meal.

Excuse me...

Dear.

What is it?

It's about time to pay the rent for this month.

That's all I have.

The supermarket at the train station is recruiting part-time workers.

I think it's better if I go working too.

Do as you like.

Hello! I'm from a refurbishment company.

Huh?

I happened to pass the front of your house

and detected traces of termites.

Termites?

If you leave it like it is,

I think there's a risk that it will collapse.

Termites are scary.

They will eat it up completely.

Such a thing...

Because of that, Obaa-chan (Grandma),

in the context of a campaign our company is offering reduced construction costs just now.

It's not yet too late for measures against the termites

so I think you should consider a renovation.

But...

I suppose you're one of those renovation tricksters.

What are you saying? That's defamation.

If you think you can trick us because we are old, you're making a big mistake.

I just wanted to help you out of kindness.

Nothing but lies. Get lost immediately!

That's too bad.

Then, just die together when this ramshackle house collapses.

[Counseling Room]

To be true, I didn't call you here because of your career.

It's just that I heard some rumors.

What rumors?

It's a bit difficult to talk about it.

They say your father is working as a house renovation trickster.

And,

there is something I'm worried about even more.

Does your father abuse you since your childhood?

- If that's true… - It's a lie!

It's all a lie!

My father is a wonderful man.

He would never commit things like fraud.

And he didn't use violence. Not even once.

Physical abuse,

that's completely absurd!

These insults against my father are unforgivable!

It has no taste at all.

Shit, it's hot in here. I'm drenched in sweat.

I'm sorry. I'll re-do it.

How about your part-time job? Is it decided?

Yes.

Since my income is low, you resent me, huh?

- No, I never would. - It's obvious!

I guess you want money in order to run away from here.

Oi!

I know what you're scheming.

You are planning that too. Right, Hokuto?

You understand, don't you? Go open the door.

Good evening.

I come from the Child Guidance Center. Tomioka is my name.

You are Hashizume Hokuto, right?

Yes.

I heard a noise. Are you alright?

Yes. There's no problem.

Is that true?

What do you want?

- You are his father, right? - Yes.

Since recently, I'm in charge of this district.

Tomioka is my name.

Tomioka-san...

We are receiving reports about this house since quite a while.

I will tell you the same as I said last time.

Such things don't happen here.

My son has excellent grades and he's growing up splendidly.

In any case, in this house there are no problems whatsoever.

Right?

Yes.

But it seems the police rushed to here several times already.

Hokuto, go inside.

Sometimes, my wife and I quarrel heavily, you see.

But even then,

we talk it out and make up again.

In any case, it's not a problem in which strangers should interfere.

That's a statement that I can't accept.

Hashizume-san,

abuse is a crime.

The police try to stay out of domestic problems.

It seems my predecessor did the same, but I'm different.

I will definitely not tolerate it!

- Go home. - Hokuto-kun!

If anything happens, call the Child Guidance Center and ask for Tomioka!

- Stop it. - Hashizume-san too, call 110!

Stop it!

From now on, I'll come visiting you.

I will keep an eye on you.

Go home.

This man

broke down.

January 2011

No, he had been broken since a long time.

Ruling me and that woman as if we were slaves

was the only thing that had kept him barely upright.

That man

didn't take one step outside anymore.

In exchange,

that woman began to work as an insurance agent.

The violence

had completely stopped.

Father,

I'm leaving.

Today is the entrance ceremony, isn't it?

Yes.

Congratulations.

Thank you very much.

Okay, let's go!

I just found this.

You really were beautiful.

There wasn't a single dirty spot on you.

I absolutely wanted to take a picture of this moment

and run away to buy a disposable camera.

But it was midnight and no shop was open.

I run around everywhere,

finally found one in a convenience store,

and so this picture was taken.

You are

all that I have.

You are

my child.

In your body

my blood is flowing.

Father, what are you doing?

Hokuto,

I named you after the seven bright stars that light the northern sky.

These beautiful stars won't disappear from the night sky for all eternity.

And on you too

I will engrave a star that won't disappear for your whole life.

Please stop.

Please stop it!

You won't forget.

You will never forget me!

No… stop it!

Stop it!

Please stop it!

Help! Someone help us!!

I'm Tomioka from the Child Guidance Center.

Do you remember?

This is a hospital.

You were brought here by an ambulance and treated.

After a few days rest you can leave.

Do you remember what happened last night?

Vaguely.

After he had inflicted that big injury on you,

it seems your father panicked and left the house.

He was reported as wandering around in the city in a confused state

and arrested by the police.

Your mother is there right now.

Hokuto-kun,

in the past, you have experienced terrible things beyond any imagination.

And you've endured it really bravely.

There's nothing to be scared of anymore.

Don't worry and take your time to rest.

Hokuto.

Your father

has bitten his tongue off and committed suicide.

It's hard to believe.

It's been 15 years.

For 15 years every day was hell,

and now it's over so easily.

But it wasn't over so easily.

About half a year passed,

and then

that woman was broken.

Lights out!

The person who was arrested under suspicion of murder

is a university student living in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture

named Hashizume Hokuto, 20 years old.

The incident occurred at around 16:30 o'clock.

After receiving a 110 call who probably came from the victim,

a police officer rushed to the scene.