Original subtitles

marezora

You're getting transferred. They want you to leave the field and go to the operations department at the head office.

Operations department?

Welcome to the world of collusion.

We can't lose to Tokita.

Those people think that bribery is a necessary evil.

- The highest bidder is Tokita Construction. - 2.1 billion?

Just how big is the next subway construction project?

200 billion.

There's a "fixer." The Emperor.

The fate of our company absolutely depends on this. We have to get it.

Bones of Steel

The subway construction project will be around 15km from Shinagawa station to Hatsudai station.

Going underneath the current Yamate Street

and we would connect it directly to Hatsudai station.

The upcoming bid is for that first section.

The construction project is called "Subway Yamanote Line First Phase Construction".

Okay, go get a cost estimate.

But… This construction is worth 200 billion, more or less.

I think other companies will team up as joint ventures.

We'll go independently.

Huh?

We'll bid independently.

Can we win with just one company?

Manager, we're "The Ikematsu of Subways" aren't we?

We have nothing to fear.

- Excuse me. - What?

Will we make arrangements for this bid too?

This is nothing like small public works that are based upon bid-rigging.

If arrangements are made, it would only be as a last resort.

Take it as a competitive bid.

Ikematsu Group will aim to win the bid independently!

Yes sir.

Our company has unrivalled know-how and track record on subway construction.

Listen up.

Do everything in your power to win this bid.

Yes sir!

We're bidding independently, huh… Mr. Ogata's got guts.

He was cool. It's like he's going all-in.

But thinking about it rationally,

I'm not sure if he's got nerve or if he's being foolish.

It's a 200-billion project. The big players won't sit still.

Sometimes that guy really says crazy things.

I like that about him though.

How many companies do you think will join the bid this time?

Let's see… Around 10 to 15 companies,

will team up in joint ventures and such so…

Perhaps around 5 groups in total.

Well, I don't know if any other companies will go into it independently like us.

Now the problem is how to arrange them.

Will they really make such arrangements for this project too?

All the major companies with publicised anti-collusion stances will be participating, right?

They will.

But will an agreement be reached with mere discussions?

It's such a big project.

When an agreement can't be reached, it's time for the Emperor.

What kind of a person is he?

He's the Yamadate Group's advisor.

Super important guy who has slipped through many a bloodbath.

And then, backing him up is an even more important politician.

Thank you for your help with the Shibuya road construction.

Sure.

Good Governance Party / Member of the House of Representatives Shiroyama Kazuhiko

Thanks to your mediation, Sir,

we were able to be a nominated bidder and successfully won the bid.

Sure.

Also thank you very much for your help, Mr. Nagaoka.

No, no, it's the result of your hard work.

Right, Sir?

I heard that you made an unprofitable bid?

This project is just for us to build a track record.

I see, must be tough.

Sir, for the upcoming subway construction too… We humbly ask for your help.

How big is that one again?

It's estimated to be over 200 billion.

That is huge.

Manobe Group will do anything to win this project.

That's the same for every company.

Well, well. There's no rush.

It's not my time to meddle yet.

When the time comes, please.

Tokita Construction's president, Yamamoto, seems to frequent Shiroyama Kazuhiko's office a lot.

The president of the company that won the road construction project?

Yes.

So he was indeed backed by the big-shot of the Highway Tribe, Shiroyama?

There must be transfer of money.

We'll go undercover following two routes.

- Kitahara, investigate Shiroyama's funds with Shimano. - Yes sir.

Check on family businesses too.

Nomura, identify the general contractors that are part of the collusion network.

Yes sir.

The fixer, Mitsuhashi, is Shiroyama's brother-in-law.

If we arrest Mitsuhashi, we might be able to lure out the dirt on Shiroyama.

Got it.

Hello.

Hello, it's me.

Just wondering what you're doing.

Nothing in particular,

just thought I'd read a book and go to bed.

How was the bid?

We lost.

Tokita Construction won it.

I see.

Should I say sorry?

No... I'm sorry too.

No, it's okay.

By the way, are you free this Friday night?

It's... My mother is coming to visit,

I was wondering if you would join us for dinner.

Wouldn't it be better if I leave you two undisturbed?

Not at all.

My mother thinks the more the merrier.

She wants to meet you.

You two have been together since university, right?

Yes, we were in the same club.

If I'm not mistaken, you work in a bank?

Hakusui Bank.

It's the bank Ikematsu Group uses.

Oh my, that's a sticky situation!

If his company is doing badly, you're the first to know!

Not at all...

Sorry.

Sonoda

- Is it okay? - Yeah.

It's just my friend, I'll call back later.

Then, I'll be going.

- Okay. - Take care.

Okay. Have a good rest.

Good night.

- What a nice girl. - Yeah.

- Is it going well? - Well, yeah.

Then that's good.

- Be careful, Heita. - Umm?

Sometimes, we don't even realize when the people closest to us start moving away.

That girl is pretty after all.

It was a fun night!

Right?

- Well then, I'll go back to my room. - Okay, thanks.

- Good night. - Good night.

Hello, it's Tomishima.

- It's Ogata. - Good evening, sir.

Heita, are you free this Sunday?

Yes, I'm free.

Go to a horse race with me.

Horse race?

Hello?

Bid-rigging?

The police are starting to crack down on it.

There's a rumour that they'll be able to expose a huge operation somewhere in Kantō one of these days.

Ikematsu Group may be one of their targets.

If Ikematsu Group gets exposed, what would happen?

There's no way the operations department will come out unscathed.

Best case, dissolution. Worst case, people get arrested.

Your boyfriend may be in danger too.

Has he told you anything about this?

Nothing at all.

I see.

Thank you for your concern.

But if your boyfriend has not even a trace of remorse…

Then he doesn't deserve any sympathy.

He said that collusion is a necessary evil.

He might have already been infected then.

Nomura, you're no longer students.

Your way of thinking and values would have changed.

Isn't it better for you to reconsider?

In a straight line from Corner 4! No. 5, Isle Hat, coming in from the middle!

It's leading now! From a 1.5 horse length lead to 2 lengths!

The lead made the final sprint, and No. 5 Isle Hat is the winner!

What is this!

Excuse me, I'm Tomishima.

Mr. Tomishima, right this way.

For the third race we have two horses.

No. 2 Katase Reed and No. 7 Fountain Tiger.

These two horses will compete in the third race.

Please keep your betting tickets until the refund amount for each placing is confirmed.

Here.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you for inviting me here today.

No need to be so formal today.

- Sorry for asking you to come here on your day off. - Not at all.

Thank you for waiting.

We will now announce the refund amount for Race No. 10. - Thank you.

Single-choice betting ticket, horse No. 5, 680 yen.

- Nice view, isn't it? - Yes.

Do you come here often?

Sometimes.

Will anyone else from the office come today?

Nope.

Want anything to eat?

Yes, thank you.

- Shall I help you buy betting tickets? - Oh, yes please.

- Here. - I'll buy them now.

Oh, is that so? That's your horse?

- A pretty excellent horse, right? - Yeah.

- Care for another glass? - Thank you.

Hey, thanks.

He's our rookie.

- Good afternoon. - Good afternoon.

How nice, you have a subordinate who likes horse racing. I'm envious.

It's just that his hometown is a horse-breeding centre,

and it's a little sad to come alone so I invited him.

Horse-breeding centre? Whereabouts?

- Nagano. - Where in Nagano?

Ueda. My mother is from Saku though.

Oh? Your mother's from Saku?

Where in Saku?

The town of Usuda, do you know it?

Ah, yes. I'm from there too.

- My family were farmers. - What a coincidence.

So, your mother's family still lives there?

Yes, they run a tea shop called Yamano-ya.

Do you know them?

The Matsuyama family, right?

Yes.

Is your mother in good health?

- Yes, thank you. - What is she doing now?

Now, as we have a farm as a side business, she takes care of that.

I see.

Mr. Ogata, it looks like today will be a very interesting day.

- What's your name? - I'm Tomishima.

- Your first name? - Heita.

He's been assigned to our operations department, so please look after him.

Work hard.

Yes sir. Thank you.

No. 9 Samba Tick leads by one horse length.

Following closely, No. 11 Kinoura Night.

- Yes, overtake it! - Keep it up.

It pulled through and we have a winner!

Looks like you took all the luck today, Mr. Mitsuhashi.

Luck always comes and goes.

But, in this world,

there are some things that cannot depend on luck alone.

Please help us for the upcoming construction project.

We will be bidding independently.

What are you talking about, Mr. Ogata.

Who knows whether there's a need for me to meddle?

- Oh right, Heita. - Yes?

Please come to my home for tea some time.

Oh, thank you.

Sorry, I don't have my business cards today.

It's okay. Well then, I'll be off.

- See you. - Thank you.

"Mitsuhashi Manzō"

Yamadate Group's advisor, known in our industry as the Emperor.

You met the Emperor?

That's amazing.

So what's Mitsuhashi Manzō like?

He seems like a good guy,

like he could be a relative of yours.

A relative?

We have the same hometown, Shinshū.

Shinshū is the traditional name for Nagano.

From Nagano.

Yes, and seems like his family was neighbours with my mother's family.

What are the odds?

Well, this is Ogata we're talking about.

He probably knew from the start that Mitsuhashi was going to be there.

Huh?

Is that why he brought you there? Because you're from Shinshū.

We will make a project team with cost estimation department, civil engineering department, and procurement department.

For now, we'll have the operations department lead the team.

Yes sir.

Firstly, get rid of any hindrance to reducing costs.

At any rate, minimise cost. Push it to the lowest possible.

If any other company has lower costs, we lose.

Okay, let's start from the schedule.

Heita, just watch me and tell me if you notice anything.

- Yes sir. - Alright.

- Bidding - Win the bid, make contract - Check location again

When shall we have these ready…

We'll have to set deadlines for each of them.

I would like to proceed with this plan.

Any questions?

Well then, please lend us your support.

Let's work together.

Excuse me.

Thank you.

Looking forward to working with you.

Thank you.

Please give us the best numbers, thank you.

Looking forward to working with you all.

Please help us arrange for the machinery, thank you.

Thank you for coming today. Let's work together!

What are you doing? Spacing out?

Ah, I was just amazed…

How long do you think I've worked in this field?

Don't just space out, compile all this.

Yes sir.

The operations department is not a place where you can get by with mediocre skills.

The deputy manager, Nishida

got these because everyone recognises his capability and business sense.

The manager Kanematsu was someone who greatly improved the performance of other departments too, I heard.

But I'm different.

If I was only called in there to curry favour with Mitsuhashi Manzō…

I just feel kind of empty.

You're underestimating the operations department.

Even if it's someone who's had an illustrious career in business,

when he was a 4th year employee like you are now

there's no way he would have been able to perform satisfactorily in the operations department either.

It doesn't matter why you're there.

You got a job in the operations department at this young age.

The reason you don't know how to do your job now is not because you're incapable,

but because you're inexperienced.

If you have time for these trivial complaints, you'd better think about how to make use of this opportunity!

That project will be an enormous learning experience for you.

Give it all you've got and if you can't take it anymore,

just come back to my place.

I'll keep you company today.

- Yes sir. - Drink up!

Thank you.

Hello?

Do you know who I am?

Thank you for the other day.

No problem at all, I had fun.

Actually, I'm holding a tea ceremony. I was wondering if you'd join.

Tea ceremony?

That's nice. Go join.

Um, Sir… I…

I've never participated in a tea ceremony, I don't know anything about the proper etiquette.

Can you come with me?

Mitsuhashi called you.

Surely the one he wants to come is you, not me.

But what if I make a blunder,

what if I offend him and cause irreparable damage?

That will not happen, so don't worry.

Just copy what the person beside you is doing.

Go.

Understood.

Please excuse me.

Hakusui Bank

We are now serving customer #11, please come to the

Moe, sorry to bother you.

Can you help me with this transfer?

- Oh, sure! Just give it to me. - Thanks!

Sorry again! I feel bad that you always have to help me.

Don't be silly! We help each other, don't we?

Hey, those annoying guys are back.

What's that?

- The prosecutors. - Prosecutors?

Yes. They said they want all of these materials.

Transfer request forms (Past 3 weeks): real estate companies, transport companies, construction companies, hospitals, consultancies, trading companies, insurance companies

Transfer request forms? That many?

Thank you very much. Please leave them there.

Yes, sir.

Wait! Just leave them.

We'll do it ourselves.

I see. My apologies.

Understood.

It's over.

- Alright! Let's clean this up. - Yes Sir!

Great, we're almost done. Keep going everyone.

Yes, sir.

Name: Tokita Construction

I have a favour to ask.

Tokita Construction is one of your bank's clients, right?

- Thanks for your hard work. - You too.

Good work today. Good night.

Still at it?

Thanks for working so late.

This file had a sticky note attached to it.

"Tokita Construction."

This is probably what they were looking for, right?

Perhaps.

Mitsuhashi

Well that's true...

Excuse me.

Oh… I'm Tomishima from the Ikematsu operations department.

Thank you so much for having me today.

What? You're the guy from Ikematsu Group?

I saw your face and wondered what kind of company would send

a young guy like you here!

Coming to this tea ceremony at such a young age

He's got guts that's for sure. Are you trained in tea ceremony?

No, actually I don't know much about tea...

Incredible.

The Ikematsu Group must be in trouble.

You really think so?

Heita, you can relax.

You don't need to kneel formally.

Thank you, sir. I'll relax.

Thank you for the tea.

Sending someone like you here

makes me think that the Ikematsu Group is planning to give up on the next bid.

They also refused to do joint ventures, didn't they?

Well, actually this and that are separate issues.

Well then why didn't Ogata come here?

He's being rude to Mr. Mitsuhashi.

That's because I was the one invited today.

You? Is that true?

Well, it's good to push yourself.

But wouldn't it be better to know your place?

Oh... I'm sorry if I did something to offend you-

I'm just telling you to know your place!

Someone like you doesn't belong here.

There's no reason for you to speak so rudely to me.

I am not your subordinate.

I am here as a representative of the Ikematsu Group.

The Ikematsu Group has a lot of nerve!

Having this kid as their representative!

The stories about Ikematsu going under might actually be true!

- You're right! - Representative? What a joke!

That was hilarious...oh!

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to be here today.

We greatly appreciated your exceptional hospitality today.

Thank you very much.

Oh, that's great.

Shall we go?

Heita, how was it?

If I'm being honest, they weren't very easy to get along with.

They look down on others.

Humans usually hide their true selves from their superiors.

But in front of a young person like you,

they unconsciously let their guards down.

Well, that's just their nature.

Heita, do you think you can make it in this world?

I'm not confident.

But it was frustrating.

I feel like I want to prove I'm better than they are.

That's good.

They're all executives from various major general contractors.

Don't be like those guys.

What do you mean?

I mean exactly that.

Don't become someone like them.

Actually... there's one thing I'd like to ask you.

What was the purpose of this tea ceremony today?

I'm wondering if it has something to do with the upcoming

subway project?

Tea is Tea. It's a precious and fleeting chance to gather.

It's just relaxing and enjoying delicious tea.

That's all there is to it.

Really?

I think you have the wrong idea about me.

I'm just one advisor to the Yamadate Group, and I'm partly retired.

I don't act unless it's absolutely necessary.

But if it was necessary, would you make arrangements?

I wonder...

Let's cross that bridge when we come to it.

But this country can never improve,

with only bid-rigging.

So there was no talk of rigging even with all those executives present?

No, there was nothing.

Mr. Mitsuhashi told me this:

"This country can never improve with only bid-rigging."

Oh, did he?

What do you think?

I'm not sure.

It may be true that it's a necessary evil...

But Managing Director, what do you think?

Without collusion, this country would have no construction industry.

It's necessary to protect everyone's interests.

Doing it has helped this industry survive.

Well, until now.

Until now? What about from now on?

I wonder... but really I have no clue.

Tokita Construction

3 million?

What are you doing?

You're still preoccupied with this?

Please look at this.

Transfer Details: Tokita Construction Mishima Creative - 3,000,000

It's such a clean number.

Normally, a business transaction like this should have sales tax...

but this doesn't.

I think the prosecutors must have been investigating Tokita Construction.

I see.

Even so, you shouldn't be looking at our customer's transfer details for personal reasons.

I'm sorry.

Mr. Sonoda... um...

I'm wondering if I should tell my boyfriend

about the prosecutors.

I don't think you should.

Didn't your boyfriend get himself into this bid-rigging mess in the first place?

Then I don't see the problem.

If it gets out that you leaked information to the Ikematsu Group,

It would cause problems for our bank.

And of course, you'd be held responsible.

But more than that...

I don't want you to be involved in such a dangerous situation.

Kitano, here it is!

February 20th - 3 million yen from Tokita Construction

There's no doubt about it.

But Deputy Director, Mishima Creative

is a reputable company that deals with store design.

Would a company like that really get involved with Shiroyama's black market metalwork?

They would.

Mishima Creative works on

highway signage and many service area stores.

They receive far more orders than any of their competition.

Way too many for a company of their size.

Is it a result of Shiroyama using his influence?

Exactly. If you're smart, you would never use

an unsubstantial company to launder money.

If you did,

a sudden increase in the flow of money would be obvious.

That's why an unassuming company like this is worth using.

I see.

Something will definitely come to light.

Diligently try to observe the flow of funds.

- Yes Sir. - Yes Sir.

A Gathering for Usutani Tetsurō

I hope Usutani can become a minister as soon as possible.

I have a deep desire to support

the future of this great country!

- We're all counting on you! - Thank you.

Thank you for your speech Mr. Shiroyama.

- Hello? - It's Mobara.

Sorry for calling at a bad time.

We received a deposit from Tokita Construction.

It's the last one.

Oh really? Thanks.

Hello?

Heita, mom hit her head and had to go to the hospital!

What?

Heita.

Mom...

She briefly regained consciousness not long ago.

A traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage...

As long as the bleeding doesn't increase,

she can probably be discharged in 2 or 3 days without needing surgery.

I see.

Mom?

Mom?

It's me. Do you recognize me?

Of course I do. You're my son.

Did you take time off work to come?

Today is Sunday.

Sunday?

Recently, through work,

I met a man who is from around here.

A man called Mitsuhashi Manzō.

Manzō?!

You know him?

How is Manzō doing?

Yeah, he's doing well.

He lives in a really big house in Setagaya.

And he's even called "The Emperor of the Construction Industry."

He actually invited me over for tea recently.

I was able to learn a lot from him.

Apples!

Huh?

There are apple saplings in the field behind your grandmother's house...

You should bring one to him.

Apple sapling?

Those beautiful apple trees

all came from the one at Manzō's family home.

I see!

Wow...when I was little

I used to love eating those apples.

Thank you for bringing this all the way from Saku.

How is your mother's condition?

At this point, it's hard to say for sure.

For now, she's regained consciousness and can talk.

She remembered a lot about you

and it made her very happy. Hence the tree...

I see.

Please come in. At least have a bite to eat.

Thank you so much.

Is that Nozawana? Wow!

Nozawana is a Japanese leaf vegetable, usually picked. It is a specialty dish from Nagano Prefecture.

- Heita, please don't be shy. - Okay.

- Let's eat. - Thank you for the food.

- May I take some? - Of course!

My mother told me

that all of the apple trees on her property

originated from a tree that came from your house.

That was a long time ago.

I guess our families must have known each other well.

My father and your grandfather were old classmates.

I heard.

Back then we were all so poor.

But we were happy.

Would you like to go back to those days?

I don't think about that.

Now is the best time.

I always try to think like that and live in the present.

"Now is the best time"...

Exactly.

Mr. Mitsuhashi...

Are you still not planning to make any arrangements?

I told you before...

I won't get involved unless it's absolutely necessary.

And it's still not that time yet?

The Ikematsu Group hasn't abandoned the possibility of cost reduction, right?

Yes... that's true.

If you can get the costs down enough to make a profit even in

a legitimate competitive bid, there's no need for rigging.

Things are fine as they are.

And you should try to push yourself as much as possible.

If you can survive and win in an honest competition,

you'll be unbeatable.

Okay, I'll do everything that I can.

That's the spirit.

Excuse me.

Deputy Director! We have a list of all the attendees from last week's tea ceremony.

This won't work.

We can't reach our target number like this...

I'll keep working at it.

But don't the numbers from the cost estimation department

seem a bit unreasonable?

You're right.

Cost reduction relies too much on material costs and personnel costs.

We might need to fundamentally review some other areas.

Such as?

If we can't get the material costs or the personnel costs any lower,

we may need to find a way to lower the construction cost.

Construction cost?

Time to start renegotiating.

- Um, Nishida? - Yes?

The Managing Director said that we should think of ways to

- lower the construction costs, right? - Yeah.

What if we simply change the method of construction?

- The method? - Yes.

I'm thinking we should fundamentally review the methods.

Once, when I was on site at a condo development, we changed the construction methods

and we were able to cut costs immensely.

But that's condos. This is a subway.

You're like a kid with a new toy.

Oh, Niō!

Ikematsu Group / Civil Engineering Department Deputy Manager Niō Tatsuhiko

When I was working at the sites,

I loved watching the machines like this.

Really? Then let me tell you about it!

- This is our first shield machine and... - Um…

Actually I'm here to talk business.

I was wondering if the construction price

could be lowered for the next subway project.

For example, I'm thinking what if we completely overhaul he current construction methods?

Don't say that so casually!

I know that... But we're the "Ikematsu of Subways," aren't we?

I absolutely want us to secure this project.