Original subtitles

No!

One year ago,

an art teacher in Akamine attempted to rape a student.

In order to find out the truth,

Kaori Ogawa met with an unforeseen accident and died.

The person who caused that accident

was Toshifumi Kijima, Akamine Middle School's principal.

He did it to hide the sexual assault incident.

And finally,

there is still one unsolved mystery.

Are you all right?

It's not over yet.

What?

I've been thinking about

what Kaori was thinking then.

She isn't someone who would trample on her student's heart.

Even more so when it comes to

students who have deep emotional scars like Mizuki Wakui.

So you're saying that this incident is much more complex?

I want to know

what Kaori was investigating

and what she did.

Shimada.

We have to take you in for questioning regarding assault.

EPISODE 9

Superintendent Ozaki!

I'm sorry that you have to visit us personally.

Who would've expected him to come at a time like this?

The school's been in havoc the entire week, after all.

But now that it's been exposed,

don't you think things will calm down sooner?

I don't like it when you're this crafty!

But I was surprised by Mr. Shimada too.

I didn't expect him to be Ms. Ogawa's lover.

But why would he come here to find out the truth?

He should have better things to do!

Doesn't that show his love for Ms. Ogawa?

I think that's praiseworthy…

Good morning.

Mr. Shimada!

Did they lift your suspension?

-For now. -The superintendent is here.

I know.

My superiors warned me to apologize to him.

The superintendent is asking for you, Mr. Shimada.

Is Shimada going to get fired?

Well, he definitely won't be let off easily.

In all my years in this line of work,

I've never come across a school with so many problems!

I'm truly embarrassed.

The same goes for you.

You don't carry out your duties and poke your nose elsewhere.

It's unacceptable to mix business with private affairs.

Kijima…

He doesn't plan to sue you for assault,

but I'm not that easy.

I've insisted to the police that you should be heavily penalized.

You will do your best to regret smearing mud on my name.

And do you have

no plans to assume responsibility?

I refuse to be involved in the affairs of a useless teacher.

-Vice-Principal Fukushima. -Yes.

I've received Kijima's resignation through his lawyer.

For now, you'll be the acting principal.

I understand.

What will happen to the principal?

He was arrested by the police,

so he's definitely fired.

Will we be fine?

-About what? -Our transcripts.

It'll be outrageous if we get filtered just because we're from Akamine.

-Exactly. Right? -Hey, Inoue!

I didn't see you on yesterday's drama episode.

It was edited out.

You're known as a child prodigy in elementary school,

but I guess it was just for an instant!

Right! I was so proud of you!

She totally fell from grace!

-That's right! -Shut up.

Who do you think you are?

Ignore them, Futaba.

-I'm so scared! -Will everything be fine?

Is he fired?

Really? We just got closer to him too.

All right, let's go find him!

Why would you?

Homeroom is starting! Take your seats.

Let's go!

The parent and child meeting will begin after school today.

I will narrow down the schools that you can enter

based on the career guidance form everyone submitted last week.

Really? I haven't heard about that.

TOYO ART UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED HIGH SCHOOL

Need something?

What did Ms. Ogawa ask you?

What?

It was after Okabe got chased out of the school one year ago.

I heard that Ms. Ogawa kept trying to talk to you.

I hope you can tell me the truth.

Who knows?

I don't remember.

You're hiding something about Okabe's sexual assault incident, right?

Ms. Ogawa realized it, and so she approached you.

I said I don't remember.

Then try to remember.

Is that a threat? I'll sue you.

Do you think that

adults get scared when they hear that?

I'll reveal your true face.

See you!

Inoue did not write her future career.

Ms. Asamura.

I plan to let her attend a correspondence high school.

Correspondence?

I want her to focus on her acting after graduating from middle school.

But…

there are schools she can attend while acting.

This will give her more future opportunities.

I'm saying that's not needed.

Ms. Asamura.

I want her to become

a great actress in the future.

In order to achieve that, I'm prepared to sacrifice everything.

Right, Futaba?

Yes.

Sagara's first choice is

Towa Girls' High School, right?

We don't intend to enter Towa Girls' High School.

Her first choice is Toin Medical College High School.

That's what you want, right?

Let's hear what your daughter says.

I know. She doesn't have to say.

There must be a lot of returnee children there.

You were in America until sixth grade, right?

Yes.

Our family runs a hospital,

and she has to take over the business.

I don't want her to mix with the other returnee children

and get led astray by them.

Kyoko.

What's with that expression?

I'm saying this out of consideration for you.

You just need to listen to your mother!

Isn't that bad?

Kyoko Sagara's mother

is just pushing her beliefs onto her daughter.

That's the typical toxic parent.

Right. She even said the magical phrase.

"This is all for your sake."

Sagara's father is a doctor too,

but he's more interested in working in America,

so he has no intentions of returning.

I think that might also be why Sagara's mother is so desperate.

Career guidance is tough, isn't it?

You want to prioritize what the students want,

but you can't ignore their parents either.

What's scary is how it will affect their studies.

They won't be in the mood to study if they have negative thoughts.

This sucks! I'm done!

Mr. Shimada.

Why didn't you sue me?

I want to end this never-ending cycle of hate.

There's something I want to ask.

Why did Kaori want to reveal the sexual assault incident?

I already told you.

-It's because of her self-righteousness-- -You're wrong.

Kaori would never corner a student who harbors deep emotional scars.

I'm sure there must be another reason.

You must know

the real reason, right?

Even if that's true,

you think I'd tell you?

I told you before.

What I'm protecting is the students' future.

I dirtied my hands in order to do so.

I don't intend to wash off the dirt now.

Come out already.

I'll force you to talk, even by force.

"Towa Girls' High School."

They don't do well in medical college admissions.

MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 12% PASSED LAST YEAR

What's wrong?

Did something happen again?

Oh, it's nothing.

I'm doing career guidance for students now.

There's a parent who greatly objects to her child's high school choice.

Oh, that.

I'd like to help her somehow.

Honestly, I don't know how I can interfere.

I'm sure that Ms. Ogawa

would know how to deal with this.

It's rare to see you drunk, Kaori.

-Hey, Ryuhei. -Yes?

Even parents can make mistakes too, right?

What?

There are times where their love is wrong, right?

If the child is suffering,

you have to protect them.

Let them walk a path that they choose for themselves.

I'm sure that's what Kaori would have said.

"That makes me sad."

Sagara.

It's an English class.

You can't work on anything else.

Take out your textbook now.

It's useless even if I do.

What?

English in school is so simple,

it's not even worth studying.

Your pronunciation is awful.

You're right.

I admit that my accent isn't at native level.

However,

I can't let you study something else alone.

If you don't like that, leave the classroom.

Let me tell you.

Your transcript will reflect

your attitude in class too.

If you really wish to leave the classroom,

I will write this down in your transcript.

-Wait… -Hey!

-Seriously? -She's crazy.

Ms. Mizuho.

Sagara has returned to the classroom.

I'm so sorry about that.

I'm sorry to trouble you.

Don't worry.

During this time, many students tend to feign sickness

and work on something else in the nurse office.

But who would expect her to refuse attending class like this?

That would make her a "monster child."

Well, students in prep schools have probably covered

all the topics we are going through.

It's no wonder they think it's a waste of time.

So are you saying we should close one eye?

I'm not saying that.

We can't acknowledge something like that.

It's not a good example to the other students either.

You're right.

Sagara has never taken

this sort of attitude towards classes before.

Ms. Asamura. Do you think that her actions could be

a form of rebellion against her mother?

Ms. Mizuno…

She has no intentions of letting you do what you want in the classroom.

But…

the lessons are just torturous for me.

Why are you suddenly saying that?

Don't tell me.

Are you trying to rebel against your mother's selfish wish?

If you are,

I'll try to get more time for you. Let's have a talk, just the three of us.

There's no use talking!

What?

I…

I've never been praised by my mom as a kid.

Even if I score 98 points for a test, she'd say I'm 2 points short.

Even when I'm nice to people, she'd say I'm pretentious.

She would deny everything I do and push her expectations on me.

The same goes for my future.

She would never acknowledge my dream!

Is there something you want to do?

If possible…

I want to have a job that uses English.

Then let's have a talk with your mother again.

I'll help you too.

That's impossible.

Mom would never listen.

She should just die.

Sagara!

Jackal, an IT company,

will be holding an English speech contest soon.

The theme will be

"Myself ten years from now."

Would you like to try out?

But…

If you win,

you'll be able to prove

your ability and determination to everyone!

If that happens,

I'm sure that your mother

will understand how serious you are.

Ms. Asamura…

It'll begin at 4:00 p.m. next Tuesday.

Feel free to

do as you like, Sagara.

27TH JACKAL MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH SPEECH CONTEST

School Police?

Hey.

Where's Class 3-1?

Excuse me, but may I know who you are?

Mizuki Wakui's father.

I'm here for the parent-and-child meeting.

-Ms. Asamura. -Yes?

When will the SP leave?

Well, I don't know about that.

Why are you asking that?

Just felt like asking.

I'll lend you an ear if you're having any trouble.

It's nothing.

Dad?

Hey.

Your mom is sick, so I'm here instead.

It's nice to meet you. I'm Asamura, the homeroom teacher.

I'm Mizuki's father.

Thank you for looking after my daughter.

Let's begin the career guidance now.

There's no need for that, Ms. Asamura.

She'll be attending a public school that doesn't require transport fees.

But we have to respect Mizuki's wishes too.

Ms. Asamura…

To be honest,

I think just being a middle school graduate is fine.

If she has the time to attend school,

I'd rather she go to work instead.

So it really doesn't matter

where she wants to go.

What do you think,

Wakui?

Is there anything you want to tell your father?

It's pointless to talk to him.

Hey.

What did you say?

Repeat it, I dare you!

How dare you act so cheeky?

-Please stop! -Get lost!

Hey, who do you think

fed and clothed you…

It hurts!

If you continue, I'll arrest you for assault.

It hurts!

It hurts! Let me go!

Let go!

That hurt!

Just you wait!

Damn it. What's with him?

What's with that father?

I've heard that he's short-tempered, but I didn't expect him to

inflict violence on his child in front of people.

I'm surprised that he didn't get involved

during the attempted sexual assault.

Oh, my.

I believe he doesn't know about the incident.

-What do you mean? -When Principal Kijima and Ms. Ogawa

were discussing this incident,

only the mother was present.

Maybe she also thought that the incident would blow up

if the father gets wind of it.

Seriously!

Mizuki.

I'm sorry that I couldn't come to school today.

Oh, don't worry.

Your dad looked mad.

Did something happen?

He got involved with the School Police.

What about that incident?

It's okay. He doesn't know.

We have to

hide that incident from him.

What should we eat for snack time today?

Chocolate.

Right. Chocolate it is!

Hey, look at this.

"Architectures All Over the World."

Kasumi Ozaki?

It says it's 828 meters tall!

What? That's tall!

It's the tallest!

-I knew it. -Right?

-That's why it uses concrete. -I see.

-Wow. -Amazing!

Look at this!

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND FAMOUS ARCHITECTURES IN JAPAN

It's my first time seeing this!

I know about that!

I like this!

Me too!

-It's really beautiful! -Right?

SUMIHAMA DISTRICT AKAMINE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Really?

That's really messed up.

Hey, are Kasumi Ozaki and Mizuki Wakui close?

-Of course. -Right?

It doesn't look like it.

I've never seen them alone together.

Me neither.

Those two…

They're in different cliques.

How's Kasumi Ozaki? Is she a serious student?

Yes, since she's our class monitor.

Well, she's like your typical model student.

She's always the first in our year.

How about club activities?

She's not in one, like me.

What do her parents do?

How would I know?

Is something up with her?

No.

Ozaki and Wakui?

They went to the library together yesterday.

What? Were you following Wakui?

-Don't look at me like I'm a stalker. -But what you're doing resembles one.

I heard that they never talk to each other in class.

Now that you said it, I think so. I don't really see them together often.

But from what I saw, they looked very close.

And yet, they avoid each other in school.

Isn't that strange?

You're right.

Is there anything off about them?

It doesn't need to be recent.

Maybe a year ago, when they were in their second year.

Now that you mention it…

What is it?

That day,

when Wakui was assaulted…

Wait.

Was she there?

Kasumi Ozaki?

Yes.

At that time, I thought it was just a coincidence.

Kasumi Ozaki.

You met Mizuki Wakui in the library yesterday, right?

It was just a coincidence.

You two looked like you were having fun.

I mean, we are classmates.

Yet you two never talk in school.

I think that's normal.

A year ago…

Didn't you witness

Wakui being assaulted by Okabe?

Or was that a coincidence too?

It was a coincidence.

I just saw it by chance.

Please excuse me.

SUMIHAMA DISTRICT AKAMINE MIDDLE SCHOOL

PREP SCHOOL FOR ART UNIVERSITIES EKIWA ART SCHOOL

Please excuse me.

Did you call for me, Principal?

I heard that

the police came to talk to you today.

What?

-That's… -I heard everything from the secretary.

I never expected that

you had been fired once due to a sexual harassment incident.

I'm sorry!

-I didn't intend to hide it, but-- -Hey!

What are you saying?

You definitely tried to hide it!

I'm truly sorry!

It's too late.

Some students were eavesdropping,

and they're spreading the news on social media platforms.

I've already received a complaint from a parent.

If we don't fire you,

they won't let their child attend our school.

You're fired. Get out right now.

No way…

Principal!

I'm getting married soon.

I need to have my job!

That's none of my business!

-Principal! -Get out this instant!

Are you going back already, Mr. Okabe?

What?

Wasn't that Okabe?

Hello, Miki?

You perverted teacher!

I got doxed online because of you!

What?

I'll hate you forever.

Miki, wait.

This is good.

Oh, I see. That's right.

You're good.

Hello?

The SP saw us

together in the library.

Be careful, Mizuki.

Got it.

Have a seat.

Your classes ended late.

My prep school always ends

around this time.

Welcome. Here's the menu.

This month's money.

How's your mother? Is she fine?

You're not even interested.

Just go back.

Your kid…

They have a major exam this year, right?

You're so unlovable, just like your mother.

It's good that I don't take after you.

I don't care what you think about me.

I don't intend to act like your father now.

You're going to be busy with studies, right?

Let's stop our monthly meeting.

I'll transfer you the child-support fee.

Are you annoyed that I'm a snide to you all the time?

And you think that would make me uncomfortable?

Your criticisms are nothing but noise.

I don't hear them.

If you think I'm such a bother, then you shouldn't have birthed me!

I didn't want you.

Your mother did.

COMMUNITY SAFETY DIVISION

How did Kijima's interrogation go?

He admitted to the instigation charges.

But we're still investigating for more evidence.

Do you think you can do it?

I wonder…

Kaori Ogawa's death

has already been concluded as an accidental fall near her apartment.

He may be released on a non-indictment basis.

Hey.

Please don't beat him up again right after he's released!

Don't worry. I'll do it where no one can see.

Sure, go ahead.

Do you think I'll really agree to it?

If this continues,

you'll be giving the teachers and students more trouble!

Oh, I see.

You're in the Juvenile department.

Why do you say that now?

From your perspective,

how do kids these days appear to you?

What's with that all of a sudden?

They may act like an adult,

but they're still immature deep down.

They do outrageous things in an impulse,

and they are weak to temptations.

But in some rare cases,

there are some so evil, they put adults to shame.

Bad?

They have strong determination and faith,

and they'd sacrifice anything to achieve what they want.

They're like monsters.

Please read this letter!

Thanks.

I'm so happy you mustered your courage!

I'm sure he'll know how you feel!

-Really? -Yes.

All right, that's a wrap!

-Let's pack up! -Good work today.

-Good work. -Thank you.

-Thank you. -Your acting was great.

-Thank you! -Thank you!

Could you please put in more cuts of Futaba?

-I'll think about it. -Thank you so much.

Please take care of Futaba!

Let's go, Mom.

You have a drama audition at Toto TV at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

Here's the script. Make sure to memorize your lines.

I'll fail anyway. There's no point in doing it.

You have the talent.

Believe me.

I want you to realize my dream.

Okay? Let's work hard.

I'm home.

What are you doing, Mom?

What is this?

Did you search my bag without asking?

I'm asking what this is!

I got this from Ms. Asamura.

She asked if I was interested.

What's with that homeroom teacher?

It's an important time for you.

How could she give this to you?

I'm your mother.

Ignore what your homeroom teacher says!

Heard that?

Go study right now!

Morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Morning.

-Nice. -Hey, Inoue!

You updated your profile photo again on your website?

See?

You should stop already.

You're not cut out for it.

Anyway,

the website view count is only one digit!

Wow!

-It's so obvious that you're not popular! -Stop it.

Do you want to see it? Over here.

-Please stop. -The count's zero.

I'm telling you to stop!

I'm just telling the truth!

Stop it, Nishida.

That hurts.

You don't even stand out, but you keep clinging on.

It's better to just give up. You're not cut out to be an actress.

I know it the best.

What?

I said I know that better than anyone else!

I didn't want to do this either!

I know I'm not talented!

But if I don't, my mom will cry!

She'd say she spent so much money on me

and to give her back the time she spent!

I want to stop too!

I just want to take the exams, like everyone else!

Stop it, Futaba!

Stop looking at me!

Just leave me alone!

Stop that!

Hey!

-Mr. Shimada? -It's fine.

It's all right.

NURSE'S OFFICE

Are you all right, Futaba?

Get away!

I won't listen to you anymore, Mom.

Hey. What about today's audition?

You already memorized the lines. It would be a waste to not go.

I'm taking Futaba home.

-Come on, let's go. -No!

-I refuse! -Please wait, Ms. Inoue!

-No! -What are you saying?

Please stop, Ms. Inoue!

Please. Think about Futaba's feelings.

Bystanders should just shut up.

This only concerns me and Futaba.

You're right.

It only concerns you two.

Mr. Shimada?

However,

it's an exception in child abuse.

Abuse?

You cornered your child

until she displayed self-injurious behavior.

What are you saying?

-It's all for her sake-- -You're wrong.

You made use of your child

to try to relive your life again.

This girl is just

a victim of a selfish mother.

Ms. Inoue.

Futaba…

I'll send her home today.

Please return.

I'm counting on you.

Thank you for siding with Inoue just now.

Some parents will never realize it

until you make things clear.

Can I talk to you, Ms. Asamura?

What's wrong?

Please…

Hold on to this for me.

This goes against the Firearms and Swords Control Law.

I'm sorry.

Why do you have this?

Yesterday,

Mom stopped me from entering the speech contest.

I planned to stab her if she stopped me.

But…

I got scared after seeing Futaba.

I don't want to listen to Mom anymore!

But what will happen if I refuse?

If you keep thinking about what happens in the future,

you won't achieve anything.

If there's anything you want to do, just try it.

Who cares about the results?

Worst case scenario,

Ms. Asamura will come wipe your ass.

Please don't make such a gross analogy.

I think you can still make it for the contest.

Go ahead.

Yes.

I won't let you go, Kyoko.

I had a bad premonition, and here we are.

Mom?

Kyoko…

Why won't you listen to me?

You make the decision.

Kyoko!

Let me go!

I won't listen to you anymore!

Kyoko!

It's all because of your unnecessary actions!

Kyoko…

She's trying to decide her future by herself.

I beg of you.

Please support Kyoko's wish in her endeavors

in a brand new world!

I beg of you.

Family pathology will stay with you forever.

If you don't stop this now,

she will grow to hate you forever.

And when that happens,

she will follow in your footsteps.

Are you fine with that?

Ms. Sagara?

Ms. Sagara.

I wonder what happened to Ms. Sagara?

Perhaps she remembered something that happened to her

during her childhood years.

What?

27TH JACKAL MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH SPEECH CONTEST

I failed

the competition.

Of course you would!

It's impossible to win it with last-minute cramming.

You're right.

Next year…

Try it again.

What?

There are a lot of native English teachers in Towa Girls' High School.

They will train you well.

Mom…

Just now…

I suddenly recalled

my childhood days.

-Your childhood days? -Yes.

I was like you.

Your grandmother

destroyed my lifelong dream of

becoming a pastry chef.

What?

It's the first time I've heard this.

That was why

I hated your grandmother,

even after she died.

I was about to

make you experience the same thing she did to me.

I'm sorry.

I pushed my feelings onto you selfishly.

Don't be.

Thanks.

For acknowledging me.

SUMIHAMA POLICE STATION

Thank you very much.

Mr. Kijima!

Just because you're released

doesn't mean that you're innocent.

I don't need you to tell me that. I know it.

If you know…

Then apologize to Ms. Ogawa in front of her grave.

While we don't have enough proof,

Ms. Ogawa could have died

due to the bicycle accident.

If you can't,

your life as a human is over.

What a busybody!

Principal Kijima.

Mr. Okabe.

I was fired from the prep school.

What?

The police came to talk to me about the incident a year ago.

You're the worst.

Just when I finally got engaged with a wealthy girl

and I thought things are calming down, it all disappeared.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Principal Kijima.

What are you saying?

This is different from what you promised!

Wait, don't do this!

I didn't tell anyone!

You're a liar.

I was a fool to believe you.

Wait a minute…

I won't forgive you.

SCHOOL POLICE

Inoue's mother…

She locked herself up in her room, and I couldn't meet her.

She probably got all weak after hearing what her daughter said.

It might take some time,

but I'll try to convince her.

Why are you looking at the student career form?

I don't see Kasumi Ozaki's career guidance form.

Where is it?

Oh, Ozaki just handed hers in today.

It's Toyo Art University Affiliated High School…

It's the same as Wakui's.

What kind of school is it?

It's a public school.

The university just set up

an affiliated high school this year.

TOYO ART UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED HIGH SCHOOL

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COURSE

Architectural Design…

-That's why it uses concrete. -I see.

-Wow. -Amazing!

Look at this!

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND FAMOUS ARCHITECTURES IN JAPAN

It's my first time seeing this!

-It's amazing! -It's so special.

Hello?

Ex-Principal Kijima was shot with a gun

and is in critical condition.

According to witness testimonies,

there's no doubt that it was Masahiro Okabe.

Okabe shot Kijima.

What?

Why would Mr. Okabe do that?

No idea.

But the fact that Okabe did that

meant that Kijima did something unforgivable.

Something unforgivable?

When they were discussing the incident,

only the mother was present.

To be honest,

I think just being a middle school graduate is fine.

I'd rather she go to work instead.

They have strong determination and faith,

and they'd sacrifice anything to achieve what they want.

They're like monsters.

We might have been

deceived by those two girls.

THE SCHOOL POLICE'S LAST DAY

Please be careful, Shimada!

I feel like Mr. Shimada taught me a lot of valuable lessons.

What you gained from trickery is worthless!

Return it to me.

Bring it over right now!

Apparently, Okabe said to Kijima, "This wasn't what you promised."

All teachers are to guide the students!

Sorry for causing you trouble in the end.

Was it worthwhile

to protect these students?

Isn't it your duty

to protect these students?

Hurry up and go!

Subtitle translation by: Qianni Lu