Original subtitles

Brother is sleeping on the sofa.

His mouth is open!

It's 7:15. Time for breakfast.

I want some too!

Here's the news.

Yesterday, a woman's body was found in the Fueno River, Yamanashi Prefecture.

The police are investigating the possibility that

the body is Aoi Tachibana, who has been missing since the 3rd of this month.

- We're live on the scene. - Mom?

Mr. Nishiuchi?

What was that?

- A glass broke! - What happened?

There's trouble!

- A glass broke. - A body was found in the Fueno River.

The police are investigating the possibility that

the body is Aoi Tachibana, who has been missing since the 3rd of this month.

- Aoi Tachibana left home with her son… - This is…

Lion?

- What is it, Michito? - I'm going to the bathroom.

Is your toilet broken?

No, it's not.

Lion won't come out of the bathroom.

- Lion is scared of the news. - The news?

AOI TACHIBANA, AGE 36

It can't be…

What about the news, Michito?

Lion's mother has died.

What?

Are you okay?

My stomach hurts.

Your stomach?

I'm going to sleep.

How is your stomach?

I have to go to work soon.

What should I do…?

Hey, Lion.

About that news report…

Shut up!

That back…

seemed to say,

"Don't come any closer."

PLEASE ELIMINATE SOUJI YOKOBE.

PLEASE ELIMINATE SOUJI YOKOBE

APPROVE

Can you eat breakfast?

You're not feeling up to it…?

- It's 8:00. The van's coming. - Already?

I can't go right now. Mi, can you go ahead?

It's 8:00. I'm heading to work.

Mi! Did you take water?

What's wrong?

You have a fever…

It's high!

Wait…

DO NOT TAKE IF YOU ARE UNDER 15 YEARS OLD

I'm the first one here again today.

It's because I switched to a bike with six gears.

I might be a little late today

or I might even have to take the day off.

Why? Are you feeling unwell?

Yeah, the fever is pretty high, and there's no medicine.

Are you okay?

Should I go to the children's clinic?

What?

Why would you go there?

You should go to a primary care clinic.

It's for a kid.

Oh, for a kid?

What!?

You have a kid?

Ah, yes.

You never told me you had a kid!

Come on, aren't we friends?

He has a fever, but he doesn't have an insurance card.

Calm down. You can sort that out later.

Just get to the hospital quickly.

Yeah. Thanks.

A secret child?

What a mysterious guy.

BUNGO PUBLISHING

Huh?

- Who's this? - Shougo Tachibana, the husband.

We took this picture while his wife and child were missing.

So?

- Something smells fishy. - Why?

He's smiling a lot.

Huh?

So what?

Does someone whose family has gone missing have to look sad all the time?

No, that's not what I meant.

Maybe he was so worried about his wife and kid

that he tried to take his mind off them by drinking?

Yes.

Young people move on their assumptions too quickly and that's why they fail.

Kudo!

Yes?

What's going on with the scoop on Kamegaya's affair?

I already sent you the photos of him entering the hotel.

That's weak.

He's juggling six relationships. Get photos of all six!

But this case seems more serious at the moment.

We're a weekly magazine.

You can't do whatever like you're still working for a newspaper!

Leave this to the newspapers

and get me some scandalous, buzz-worthy gossip!

Maybe I went too far.

That was almost harassment.

I came all the way back to Tokyo just to get lectured.

What should we do about the scoop on Kamegaya?

I don't want to write cheap articles just to stir people up.

I agree.

I want to write

about things that truly matter to the world.

What did you say?

Never mind! Let's go all out and get sushi for lunch!

Sushi?!

"Go all out?" It's conveyor belt sushi…

Well, it's still good though.

Hey, it's rude to use your phone while you eat,

especially on a date.

This isn't a date, though.

Besides, you're just checking social media.

I'm leaving.

Sorry. Did I say too much?

I want to go back to Yamanashi to check something, so hurry up and eat!

Okay!

Alright.

Sit here.

Do you have the child's health insurance card?

Sorry, I forgot to bring it today.

You'll have to pay the full amount. Please bring it next time.

Okay, I'm sorry.

Then please fill this form out.

DATE OF BIRTH, MEDICAL HISTORY, ALLERGIES…

I don't know any of this.

LION KOMORI

I shouldn't write this in katakana.

Are you alright?

Yes, I'm fine. Sorry.

AGE

Hey, Lion.

Can you at least tell me how old you are?

We need to get you some medicine.

He won't tell me…

Six?

Has he been under any stress lately?

He's been living apart from his mother.

He could be tired from the change in environment.

I'll prescribe some medicine so keep an eye on him.

Thank you very much.

Is there anything else I can do at home?

Just make sure he gets plenty of rest.

Alright.

You can sit up now.

No need to worry, as long as Dad stays close to his son.

Wait here.

Dad…

Delicious!

This squid ink is delicious!

Oh?

You don't like it?

No, it's good, but…

I was supposed to come here with Mr. Komori.

What?

Am I not good enough?

Correct.

That was blunt!

I'm hurt.

Just kidding.

Thanks for hanging out with me.

You're too easygoing.

Even so, you should stay away from him.

What do you mean?

He has a kid, you know.

What?

This morning, he called me in a panic because his kid had a fever.

So, that means he has a secret wife too, right?

You're not surprised?

You knew?

He's currently looking after the child of a family member.

- Is that so? - Yes.

What the heck?

You and Mr. Komori joined the office at the same time,

but I know more about him than you do.

Now you're showing off.

Has he been under any stress lately?

Of course he has.

If…

my sister really has passed away…

What's wrong?

Bathroom?

I'm sorry.

Huh?

I'm sorry you couldn't go to work.

You don't need to apologize for that.

- Goodbye. - 5:34:38 p.m.

- Goodbye. - 5:34:39 p.m., 5:34:40 p.m.

Mi's brother is setting a new record for being late.

5:34:43 p.m.

- 5:34:44-- - Mi.

Your brother just called.

He said something urgent came up and he can't leave the house.

He won't be able to pick you up today.

He can't pick me up?

So, I'll drive you home today.

Brother won't be able to pick me up.

Michito.

You came by yourself?

Mr. Funaki drove me here.

You've had a completely different routine today, haven't you?

Brother and Lion aren't here.

Yeah, they were too busy to make it.

Alright, I'll get your meal ready,

so have a seat.

What's wrong?

Don't like being alone with me?

It does feel a bit lonely.

Lion is the one who feels lonely.

His mom died.

Dying is lonely.

It's sad.

Of course…

It was tough when you went through the same thing.

Here. It's roasted pork.

Today is the day we eat fish!

- Today, we eat fish! - Mi, sit down.

We eat fish with Mom and Dad.

Mi!

- But Mom and Dad aren't here. - It's okay, Mi!

I'm grilling some now.

Stop it, Mi!

You've really matured.

Lion is sad.

Then you'll have to cheer him up.

Welcome home, Mi.

Sorry I couldn't pick you up.

Lion isn't here.

He wasn't feeling well, so he's sleeping in there.

Dying is lonely.

It's sad.

Mi.

Ms. Kudo, do you really have connections with the police?

Yeah.

I just happened to meet him by chance.

Is there anywhere around here where I can get something to eat?

Shall I take you there?

Mr. Takada, how are you?

Hey, hey.

Why are you running?

- I asked you not to come here. - Well, you don't answer when I call.

Of course I don't. You're a tabloid journalist, right?

So, what's the result of the autopsy?

Is it definitely Aoi Tachibana?

I can't tell you that.

Here I go!

Please, enough already. Please.

Bar-hopping and karaoke that day was fun, right?

I didn't think police officers got that drunk.

You got me drunk on purpose, didn't you?

And?

How about the DNA test?

Not yet.

The injury is so severe, they need to do the autopsy first.

I'll come back tomorrow.

Wait, the video!

I ate at Grandpa Tora's place.

I ate a hamburger by myself.

Thanks for everything.

I think I'll just make curry.

Oh, right. I used the rice for porridge.

- Good evening. - Ms. Makimura, what brings you here?

You didn't treat me to lunch today so I came to file a complaint.

Come on in.

Just kidding.

Here.

How is Lion doing?

I brought a cooling sheet and some jelly for him.

And this is some yakitori from a place I like.

I thought we could all share it together.

There's pudding for dessert.

Amazing.

That's a big help.

Let me get some money.

No, no, it's fine.

I'll find us a fancier place for our next lunch.

As expensive as you want.

Mr. Komori, you look a bit tired.

Huh?

That's understandable.

It takes a lot of energy to take care of someone.

Mr. Sadamoto said

he wants to bring his kid over to visit your place soon.

My place?

He misunderstood and thought you had a kid,

so I told him it's a family member's child.

Sorry for all the confusion.

I hope Lion gets better soon.

Lion's fever went down.

I hope he gets better soon.

He won't get better.

It's sad when your mom dies.

Mi,

is that what you thought after watching the news?

Is Lion's mom

in a grave?

Stop it.

But you're right…

It'll be hard for him to feel better.

Especially being in such a lonely situation at only six years old.

Lion is five years old.

But he said he was six at the hospital today.

Lion is five years old.

Just like Douga, he's five.

- Lion told you that? - Yes.

When did he say that?

On September 10, 2024.

Fuji Zoo has a male African lion named Douga who is five years old.

Five?

That's the same as me.

So he must have turned six

between that day and today.

Lion went from five to six.

From five to six.

He didn't even tell us about his birthday.

Birthdays are happy days.

Birthdays are party hats.

Grandpa Tora's cake and flowers.

We have parties for birthdays.

That was our rule with Mom.

Yeah, it's always been that way.

Alright.

Let's celebrate Lion's birthday together.

It's a birthday party. Let's have a birthday party!

Alright, that's all.

- Good work today. - Thank you.

Shougo.

Yes?

Are you alright?

- Maybe you should take a break? - I'm fine.

Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?

I'll going to the library, the bakery, and then the park.

And lastly today,

you should buy flowers for the party at the flower shop near the station.

I'll buy flowers for the birthday party at Flower Nagisa.

Yes, and call me right away if anything happens.

Okay.

The bus comes at 11:06. I can't miss it.

Are you guys alright?

Huh?

The recent news

about the missing people.

Isn't that about Aoi and the boy?

I thought it was strange

when you suddenly said you were taking care of a child.

Hey,

is it really okay to throw

a birthday party at a time like this?

You have a point, but…

It was even on TV,

so it's a big deal, right?

But I feel like there must be a reason why Lion was left in my care.

So,

I can't just abandon him.

- But still-- - It's because it's times like these…

I thought we should at least smile and celebrate a birthday.

So,

I'm counting on you!

I see. Well…

I understand.

I'll make the most delicious cake ever for him.

Thank you.

He brought it.

It's here.

Alright, here you go.

You don't want any?

Then, shall we play with this?

Ta-da!

Here!

Where are Hiroto and Mi?

They'll be done soon,

so wait with me a little longer.

Welcome.

Welcome.

Is this a present?

Birthdays are happy days.

- A birthday present? - Yes.

If that's the case, the bouquet here--

No.

The color of a lion.

- What do you mean? - The color of a lion.

This is 7621C,

Ruby Red.

54.85,

Yellow PY12 41.75 and Black 3.40.

He's a little late.

He actually bought them!

Hello, Ms. Makimura?

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Understood!

Ready, go.

Happy Birthday, Lion!

Happy sixth birthday!

What's this?

I heard it was your birthday recently.

How did you know?

We're part of the same pride.

We're part of the pride.

Is this for me?

Sure is.

Everything is for Lion.

Today, you're the star of the party, Lion.

Birthdays are party hats.

Birthdays are happy days.

- Mi made this for you. - Yes.

- Mi also bought these flowers. - I bought them.

They're flowers for your birthday!

- They're Lion's flowers! - Amazing!

Thank you!

Today, we're having

all your favorite mayonnaise dishes!

I want to eat!

We also have the Sadamoto family's special chicken!

Who are you?

I apologize for the late introduction.

I'm Mr. Komori's closest friend,

Sadamoto!

And,

this is my son, Eitaro.

Eitaro.

- Alright, let's eat! - Let's eat!

Let's eat!

Let's eat.

Mi, where are you going to sit? Here?

FROM X YOU HAVE ONE NEW MESSAGE

Wow, it looks delicious!

Let's dig in.

Have some cake!

Make sure to enjoy the cake!

You've got some on your face.

It tastes good.

- What? - Nothing.

I just thought it was nice.

Nothing can beat a child's smile.

We adults have to protect kids.

Yeah.

How is it?

You've got cream all over you.

Stop it!

Come to think of it,

we used to have birthday parties when my sister was around.

Here.

Who is this for?

It's for Sister.

Aoi, this is from Mi.

Here.

I don't want it.

I'm not a kid anymore.

What are you saying? You're the star of the day!

That's right. Birthdays are happy days.

Let's eat lots of delicious food and have fun!

- Let's take a group photo. - Yeah.

Come on.

9, 8, 7,

6, 5, 4, 3…

- 2, 1. - It looks nice on you. Cheese!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AOI!

Hiroto?

Huh?

What is it?

Did you wake up?

What are you doing?

I was looking at

some old photos.

Photos?

Yes.

Photos of us

when our sister was still here.

Want to look with me?

Yeah.

This is our sister.

Are there any more?

What's that?

I wonder.

Mom.

What?

Mom…

Why did she die?

Why are you crying?

Now's not a good time.

Are you on social media again?

Too much of it and you'll get addicted.

YOU HAVE ONE NEW MESSAGE

It's finally arrived.

Mr. Takada!

So? Are they out yet?

I told you I can't say anything so stop coming here.

Are you sure?

- I might send this to someone important. - Why?

- Why do you even have that? - Come on, tell me.

They are out, right?

The DNA test results.

ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH THE GODPARENT SYSTEM?

GODPARENT SYSTEM FOR RELATIVES

Hello?

This is Kudo from Weekly Shinsou. Is this Mr. Komori?

We met in Yamanashi, right?

How did you get this number?

Kudo uses all kinds of methods to gather information.

- Quiet. - What?

Sorry.

Uh, I have a small request.

A request?

Do you have any recent photos of your sister?

Why do you ask?

We've lost touch completely.

Then even older pictures are okay.

Can we meet up later?

What for?

This is personal information and I have plans--

Even if I told you your sister might still be alive?

What?

I'll text you the location.

See you.

Why do you need a picture of Aoi Tachibana?

There's a certain account that I'm curious about.

That's why you've been on social media?

Mr. Komori.

Thank you for coming.

About the possibility that my sister might still be alive…

Mr. Komori, please come with us.

Huh?

I'll get straight to the point.

Is this post that you made about seeing Mrs. Aoi true?

HUH? I SAW HER TODAY LOL

Yeah, yeah. This.

I saw her.

What?

Is it really true?

I was pretty close to her so I'm sure.

So, how do you know Mrs. Aoi Tachibana?

She worked part-time with me back in my hometown.

Our shifts overlapped a lot, so we talked quite a bit.

Was it at the dry cleaners?

Exactly.

I moved here for college,

and I ran into her in Shinjuku the other day.

Sorry, are you alright?

Huh?

Huh? Mrs. Aoi?

Long time no see! Remember me?

We used to work together…

I was a bit sad that she didn't recognize me.

But then, I saw the news and was like, "What?!"

Mr. Komori, can you show us her picture?

Sure.

Here it is.

So, is this the Mrs. Aoi you saw?

Yes, that's her.

Thank you for your help, Mr. Komori.

Um…

Is my sister…

She might still be alive.

It seems the body found in the Fueno River wasn't her, after all.

Is that true?

Yes, I believe the DNA test results are out.

It should be on the news soon.

Well, we'll be on our way.

Um…

Why are you investigating my sister?

Well…

I don't think it's a regular missing-person case.

What do you mean?

It's just a hunch as a reporter.

But why are you suddenly so interested in your sister, Mr. Komori?

Huh?

You said you lost touch with her long ago.

Well…

Because she's family.

Well,

let's talk about it more next time.

The body…

wasn't my sister.

I'm home.

Welcome back, Hiroto.

Did you eat lots of Grandpa Tora's food?

Yeah.

I see.

Mi, sorry I couldn't pick you up again today.

It's fine.

Mr. Funaki drove me home.

I should thank him.

What are you doing?

Playing savanna.

I see.

Hey,

Lion?

Yes?

Um,

about that news…

You know…

It seems it wasn't about your mother.

The police investigated it and it was someone else.

And…

someone said she saw your mom,

so I met with her today.

Is she alive?

She might still be alive.

That's great.

You're so energetic all of a sudden.

I feel so tired.

What? What's wrong?

You're crying, Hiroto.

No, I'm not.

I just yawned, that's all.

Are you crying?

No, Mi.

Mi!

It's not tickle time!

The body discovered in the Fueno River, Yamanashi Prefecture,

has been identified as Namiko Matsuwaki from Minami City.

The police confirmed her identity earlier today.

Aoi Tachibana, who has been missing since the third of this month,

and her son Shuuto, have no connection to the case.

The police continue to search for the two.

My sister is alive somewhere.

Is Lion's mom our sister?

Aoi Tachibana is alive.

This plan will come to nothing.

I'm planning to go see Lion's mom.

Lion is in danger!