Original subtitles

NOVEMBER 2025

Just a moment.

- Hi. - Good afternoon.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Yamashina. May we have a word with you?

Sure.

"Ever since that TV special on Mrs. Yamashina,

my child, who has appearance-related issues, has been bullied."

"There are young children in our building, and they are all scared."

"It's Mrs. Yamashina's fault our building has been doxxed."

Let's stop here, Mrs. Nishimura.

Everyone is very concerned.

Some people are also worried about getting infected.

- It's not an infectious disease. - I know.

But… the average person doesn't.

Then, I'll explain it to all the residents.

That's not the issue here.

We're being harassed online.

I don't feel comfortable letting my children out to play

because of all the people and their cameras.

We understand it's not your fault.

But we're victims too, just like you.

Would you consider hiding yourself from the public for now?

What?

What do you mean?

Wouldn't it be easier on you and your son if you relocated to a quieter environment?

And that's how I sold my condo and moved in with my parents.

JANUARY 28, 2026

Your husband is working and staying in Nagoya right now, correct?

Yes.

What did he say?

He asked if I wanted to move over there.

But Nagoya doesn't have any doctors familiar with Melted Face Syndrome.

Are you absolutely sure you want us…

to air these social media comments on our program?

That's why I called you.

OMG MORE INFECTIOUS DISEASE CRAP

BET IT'S THE BAD MOM'S DIVINE RETRIBUTION

People can be very cruel under the cloak of anonymity.

DON'T BE SHOWING YOUR KID ON TV

I WISH THE BEST FOR YOU

POOR BABY. WHAT A HORRIBLE MOM

I agree.

But Mrs. Yamashina…

airing these comments won't stop these kinds of slander.

It might even have the opposite effect.

Still, I want people to know that this is happening.

That feature we did on you this summer for our news special…

Are you sure you don't regret doing it?

I have no regrets.

That's also why I created that group.

Is Mrs. Yamashina home?

These kinds of people had finally stopped coming around.

But ever since I got this, they've come back.

Is it that accusation letter?

Yes.

February 2nd. That's not far off.

Do you think the things it says are true?

You will be supervising

the Fujisawa Plant inspection on February 2nd.

You'll hold a press conference, right?

Of course, especially since this has been sent everywhere.

I'm very familiar with the plant's operations,

so I can also assist with the press conference.

That's exactly why I want you to be at the plant until the inspection is done.

Leave the press conference to us.

Understand?

Is there a problem?

That's exactly when

you crash the press conference, confess the truth

and reveal where the sample batch is.

Hello?

Mr. Nakasako.

I'll take you to where Shuji Shigeto is.

Do you know where Mazaki is?

Shogo… Mazaki.

What happened to him?

He was murdered.

Thanks, kid.

Who killed him?

A man named Takigawa.

He's also the one who stabbed Mr. Shigeto and the others.

I think Isobe's secretary called him from Korea.

Isobe's secretary? What's their name?

Hattori.

You know, it's a really good plan.

This letter of accusation.

It was Mazaki's idea.

What about illegally dumping the samples in front of five witnesses?

I didn't know about that.

He demanded money from the company behind my back.

Take a look at this.

WRITTEN APOLOGY PROMISE TO FIND THE TRUTH

LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST GOVERNMENT AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY

EVERY LOST LIFE HAS EQUAL WEIGHT

Suing the country or big companies takes a lot of time and money.

Mazaki was planning to take that 300 million yen and have you send it

to this organization.

TRIAL CONCLUDES 8 YEARS LATER

MELTING FACE SYNDROME (MFS) NATIONAL LIAISON COUNCIL

A WORD FROM SAKIKO YAMASHINA

Did you know that?

MELTING FACE SYNDROME (MFS) NATIONAL LIAISON COUNCIL

I had no idea…

Maybe Mazaki

didn't want to get you further involved in his plan.

Why?

Because you have a family.

So does he.

I see you didn't know.

His wife and son

have already passed away.

We found this too.

The gloves…

Gloves?

They were a present I bought for his son.

What about them?

Takigawa had them.

What Titus Foods did was a crime.

Didn't Mazaki want to protect

the children suffering from the Melted Face Syndrome

by taking them to court, even if it meant becoming the bad guy?

Titus Foods will hold a press conference on February 2nd.

I will reveal everything there.

They have the video of the samples getting buried.

So no matter what you say now,

you can't prove it had anything to do with the mass stabbing.

But the story changes if we can find Mazaki's body.

The police will be forced to act.

Do you have any idea where it could be?

Do you know anyone else who could be involved in this?

There should have been one other person with him when Mazaki took that video.

Sugita said Emilio did a small job for Mazaki.

But he's in Brazil.

Takigawa knows Mazaki has an accomplice.

But he doesn't know who that accomplice is. Right?

Yes.

We might be able to put even more pressure on Titus and them…

by using Mazaki's unknown accomplice.

What is this place?

An abandoned parking garage.

What about the fake samples?

I had them made using the data Nakasako sent me.

He also gave me the phone number.

What about Odajima?

He's on board.

Since this will be a game-changer for him too.

The route here is all perfectly set too.

Where are the lights?

Over there.

This is the hideout, the final stage of our trap.

We have to get Takigawa to come here.

Head up first. Take this too.

Okay.

- Ouch. - You okay?

Come on.

I'm taking the stairs.

I'll take that.

- Thanks. Okay. - I'll wait for the elevator.

He's…

- Where's Soma? - He went up first.

- Soma! - What the hell?

It's him.

Soma!

Stop!

I'm coming with.

It's my responsibility to keep you safe.

Stay back!

Soma…

Soma.

Soma.

Soma.

Can you stand?

Easy now.

I have an emergency patient for you.

Okay.

I should've went up first.

That should've been me.

You're not the one who blew up Soma like he's a piece of junk.

It's the bastards who think it's okay to kill us just for getting in their way.

So stop it with that petty guilt.

Stop acting like a kid and get it together.

Okay?

It's not too tight? Okay, we're done here.

Be sure to take it easy. I only gave you first-aid.

This is a very strong painkiller. Wait four hours between doses.

If Takigawa comes, you...

I know already. He won't come here this quickly.

He's a tall man.

Huh? What?

- My side. - Your side?

Sorry.

- Thanks for helping us. - Be careful.

Excuse me.

Yes?

We're going to Izu.

There's a place we can hide out in.

We're sticking to the plan.

What?

I don't stick to plans that are doomed to fail.

I'm not going to die.

Run to the end of the lot.

What are you doing? You can't.

Hey.

No walking.

Run!

Stop!

I said run!

Soma.

Stop! Come on! Stop.

- Hey. - Whoa.

You think you can arrest Takigawa like that?

Listen.

If you die, Shuji dies too.

I have a plan.

Trust me.

You finally made a friend. Don't get him killed.

I'll text you the address in Shanghai later.

All right, thanks.

Don't worry.

It's an ex-colleague's place, so they probably won't find it.

You'll tell me what this is all about when we get back.

I will.

I'm going to go pack, okay?

Atsumi.

At the zoo in Shanghai,

you'll get to see lots of Milly's friends.

Really?

Yeah.

Milly, take care of Atsumi for me.

Yes, this is Soma.

What's gotten into you?

I never imagined you'd leave me a voicemail.

I want your help with a case.

So you're saying it's a dicey case.

It'll be a big one if we close it.

Where are you now? I'll come to you.

No.

Meet me at Yoyogi Park.

In an hour.

What are you saying?

No way a guy with serious injuries could move around.

How did…

you know?

I can tell from your voice.

You'd never ask for my help otherwise.

I see.

That kind of hostel.

Shinjuku?

I knew you'd figure it out.

Aoki Inn.

In Shinjuku.

Got it.

I know where he is.

This is all the information I'll tell the inspectors tomorrow.

All right. I'll leave it in your hands.

The sample batches were the only ones that used the problematic carrots, right?

Yes, it was limited to the samples.

There's no need to worry.

Make sure it goes well tomorrow.

Director Morimura, a call for you on line two.

You can leave the coveralls there. I'll throw them out.

This is Morimura.

Murderer.

Don't forget about the four people that were killed at the station plaza.

Please wait for me in the hall.

Mr. Hattori.

Can we meet right now?

I must see you today.

Hello?

Yes.

Understood.

Thank you.

That was Nakasako.

Hattori's on the move.

Just like you planned.

Next is Shuji's turn.

Hey! Let me go!

Shit! I said let me go!

Get off of me!

It was really horrible.

The two men he was with had already left.

These two?

Yes.

Then some man came and grabbed him.

This man?

No, someone else.

Someone called Morimura.

It was most likely Kunio Sasaki.

Mazaki had an accomplice.

Kunio Sasaki wasn't just one person.

The press conference is tomorrow.

He deliberately waited until today to call.

Of course he must have something he wants.

If he knows the truth behind the mass stabbing,

he would already know about me and Takigawa.

I might be overthinking it,

but I think I am his target.

I will meet with Morimura later today.

Stay alert.

Yes, sir.

Takigawa will be guarding me.

It's just like you predicted.

Takigawa was at the inn.

Okay.

We're going. Get in.

Move your butt.

Chop, chop.

We've got tons of things to do.

That detective, Hirayama.

He sold you out to Takigawa.

They must have dangled some tasty bait in front of him.

But that Takigawa guy's really something.

How did he figure out you were involved?

Maybe it wasn't that hard for him.

After all, he uses people's hopes to manipulate them.

The target is pulling over.

Good. Hattori's leaving.

Just as planned.

Now next is…

Got it.

NEW MESSAGE

UNKNOWN CALLER

Yes?

I'd like to negotiate in person.

- When? - Now.

Now?

Look up at the pedestrian overpass.

If you leave my sight, the discussion is finished.

- Stop the car. - Yes, sir.

Are you Kunio Sasaki?

I'll sell you the sample and witness you all want so badly for a good price.

How much do you want?

500 million.

You already killed four witnesses.

Every news outlet will be talking

about Melted Face Syndrome and that letter tomorrow.

There are all sorts of ways to explain it away.

I'm saying the press will come knocking on your door for a comment.

I'll tell them I'm just another victim of that accusation letter.

The ones who should be criticized are Shogo Mazaki and Kunio Sasaki,

for purposely using those five people as unsuspecting witnesses.

You saw the photo of Shuji Shigeto's face.

I can make yours look just like his.

The image of you

wearing bandages and sunglasses to hide a broken nose and black eye

will be splattered on every TV set tomorrow.

Or would you go into hiding?

But if you do,

the public will think you ran away due to guilt.

Huh. So this is where you guys have been camping out?

The stunt you pulled at the inn with Shuji and special effects makeup were perfect.

Yeah.

And Isobe?

- Did he say he'll pay? - Yes.

With this, our trap is set.

In two days' time, it's your show.

Then, let's talk about my cut.

Stop it with the jokes.

I gave it some thought.

There's no reason I should walk into danger for you guys without compensation.

This isn't for us. It's for you.

So you can have a glorious comeback.

Then you can get the news broadcast vans and publicity without me.

If this gets out,

it will be you they arrest for extorting Isobe.

He'll never admit to paying that money.

If he can get 500 million yen in just over a day,

then it's coming from his backdoor donation slush fund.

He'll be arrested for taking bribes

under the Political Funds Control Act if that comes to light.

But you knew that. Isn't that why you blackmailed him?

How much?

Hey.

100 million.

Odajima.

You should get your cut too.

I don't need it.

Well?

Fine.

What?

But…

you must do your part perfectly.

Great.

I'll go shoot some footage.

I need to make an excuse for taking out the broadcast van.

You all better do your jobs right too.

Like hell we'd screw up.

Let's go, Toriyama.

Okay.

Kunio Sasaki wants

you and me to bring the 500 million.

Was the sample in the photo real?

It most likely is.

Kunio Sasaki.

Isobe.

Only a few people know Isobe's phone number.

Hello?

Good evening.

I apologize for calling so suddenly.

Tomorrow night,

can you come to the place where we met last time?

Even if the link between the samples and Melted Face Syndrome is uncovered,

we can't prove a connection to the mass stabbing without your testimony.

We need to cover all our bases.

Sorry.

There's somewhere I need to be tomorrow.

It's okay.

Yes.

They'll be perfect for spring bike rides.

It's a great present.

BACILLUS F50 FOUND IN TITUS FOODS?

These were sent to all news outlets throughout the country.

The baby food factory in question

will undergo an on-site inspection by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare.

BACILLUS F50 - POSITIVE

We have a live feed from the factory.

The inspectors are entering the facility.

Hello.

INSPECTION OF TITUS FOODS FACTORY

The accusations made in that anonymous letter are baseless.

It is clearly an act of malicious harassment.

But the period between the sample distribution dates

and the onset of the Melted Face Syndrome matches the syndrome's incubation period.

All the patients attended the same day cares listed in that letter.

We believe the outcome of today's factory inspection

will clarify the reason for that.

TITUS FOODS

Does the fact that it is limited to Fujisawa Plant

mean there is someone in your organization who knew about it?

We have not received any such reports at this time.

Representative Isobe.

Did Mommy Palette obtain the Smile Kids certification in a mere two months

because you used your position to pull some strings in the Ministry of Health?

- Please let him through. - Representative Isobe.

Did you show…

Chairman Tomiyama's address book…

to Nakasako?

Yes.

He said he needed…

to contact someone.

The funeral's guest book only listed their name…

but he needed the phone number.

So…

I see.

Understood.

Nakasako passed on the information to Kunio Sasaki.

It'll be fine, right?

Yeah.

- You're back? - Yeah.

Everyone did well today.

The accusation will be cleared up once the inspection results come out.

Right?

Then, we'll be going.

- Great work today. - You too.

See ya.

Since the press is still outside, let's go out the back.

I'll bring my car around.

- Thanks. - I'll be right back.

HANZAISHA: CRIMINAL

Translated by: Annie Chen