Original subtitles

WWW.MY-SUBS.CO

Give me a break.

Did you see this? A student is suing the school.

{n8}Arisawa's trial is today.

- Wonder how it'll go. - Will the rules change?

"First oral proceedings."

I will now ask you some questions about this incident.

FIRST ORAL PROCEEDINGS YOKOHAMA DISTRICT COURT

A trial?

I'm going to sue the school

to get rid of the romance ban.

You're at fault for breaking a rule, no matter what it was.

Now you're telling them to rescind your expulsion?

- That's self-serving. - Yes, but...

Stop obsessing over that school.

Find a new one and start over already.

My goal isn't to undo the expulsion.

I want to change the rules for students who are currently enrolled.

While at that school,

everyone hides their love lives and keeps close watch over each other,

stamping out something very precious.

I can't stand it anymore.

I only talked about money the other day.

But now my wish is even stronger

to protect everyone's right to romance.

I want to see that duty out to its end.

Will the witness please state their name and position at the school?

FIRST EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE

My name is Yoko Ikushima.

As principal of Asuran Academy,

I established the ban on romance between boys and girls.

{n8}COMPLAINT

{n8}A lawsuit will damage our reputation.

The fact that she filed a complaint all of a sudden

means she has no intention of talking.

Her goal must be to go through the court system

to make her claims widely known to the public.

Is she truly trying to make us abolish the rule?

Please tell us the purpose behind this school rule.

To protect the students.

They are physically and mentally immature

and must be protected from potential harm caused by romance

so they can focus on their main duty, which is studying.

The rule is indispensable for this purpose.

Are you familiar with the government guidelines

for high school education?

Of course.

The guidance calls for sex education that provides appropriate information

to allow students to make their own informed choices.

When you established the no-romance rule,

did you not think it might contravene this guidance?

As I'm sure you are aware,

private schools are free to conduct education

according to their own traditions and culture.

The ban infringes on students' basic human rights

concerning privacy and personal feelings.

The rule was established after a thorough discussion

based on the opinions of numerous experts.

Therefore, I concluded that it was reasonable.

This goes without saying,

but after expelling so many students, admitting you were wrong won't cut it.

Realistically speaking, can you win this?

Honestly, it seems uncertain.

I asked the lawyer, but she said this case is unprecedented.

Shame on you, man. Letting her fight all alone.

Your head's still messed up. Go home.

No way. This is Arisawa's house.

- Ichica, your friends are here. - Greetings.

That's a weird pair.

She gave me a ride here.

Here you go.

Wow.

- Looks good! - Are you sure?

LK helped me, after all.

Looks tasty.

And you listened when I needed to get stuff off my chest.

For now...

Here.

Use this.

See? This is your problem.

Trials cost money, right?

No, put it away. I can't accept it.

I want to testify at the trial.

- What? - What kind of testimony?

That the school rule is wrong.

What?

Come on, Fujino.

You were the Rabbit Hunter boss.

You were the most fired up about that rule, for sure.

Actually, I can't believe you're here.

That's why!

I got so mindlessly invested in the rule

and punished people for falling in love.

That's why

I want to face everyone properly one more time.

How about we start by having Arisawa and Maki dance?

- What? - Huh?

- What? - The LK dance.

Wasn't that you two dancing?

It was super cute!

You're right.

Okay, dance.

- Hard pass. - Please!

You want to see it?

- I do! - Yeah.

- Go on. - Dude.

I'm sorry

for making you handle the trial alone.

It's okay.

You're amazing, Ichica.

You even convinced your mom.

I don't think even I could convince your dad, though.

No romance, remember? I'm in the middle of a trial.

No more romance ban if you win.

Expulsion if you lose.

You make me stronger, Maki.

Yeah.

Asuran Academy has a website used for exposing information.

It started as a counseling site,

but students began submitting info about romantic relationships.

Did the school take any measures against this?

No.

I suggested closing down the site,

but my proposal was rejected,

and I was told that students monitoring each other was a good system.

As school counselor,

how do you think the romance ban affected students mentally?

The students differ individually in how interested they are in romance,

so I couldn't generalize.

But...

I feel that it had dire effects

on the minds of some students.

I got reported for romance too.

How did the school punish you?

They didn't.

It wasn't considered a problem.

Because the person I dated...

was male.

I wanted to talk to you in person, Yuma.

I'm going to testify in court.

You said you wanted to talk in person about your testimony.

Why was that?

Because we can't keep hiding.

When I was told same-sex romance didn't count,

I felt like my own existence was denied...

even though I'm right here.

As a member of the student council's Rabbit Hunters,

I cracked down on student romances.

We patrolled areas where couples were likely to go,

took photos if we found anyone, and reported them to the school.

When you say "patrol," do you mean on campus?

Outside too.

The principal instructed us to do so.

Hotels were our regular haunts since they offered the easiest prey.

Once I waited for two hours outside for a couple to come out.

But...

I regret it now.

Because I realized that no one has the right...

to deny anyone what it feels like to fall in love.

I want to apologize

to the people who were hurt and got expelled because of me.

When you were summoned to the principal's office,

what kind of photos were you shown?

Photos of me and a male student kissing.

What questions were you asked?

Well...

If we'd had sexual intercourse.

I was asked repeatedly.

Then I was told to take out my phone

and show all my messages and photos.

When questioning Ms. Ichica Arisawa,

did you demand to see the messages and photos on her phone?

It was not a demand.

It was merely a necessary check

in order to gain a clear understanding of the facts.

How did you feel when she said that?

She kept demanding in such a harsh tone.

I felt very frightened.

And my personal photos...

Having to show them like that

was extremely embarrassing

and difficult for me.

I saved some dinner. Are you hungry?

You don't have to forgive me.

I have a lot of regrets,

but my greatest is

I taught you the wrong way to love a person.

Cut that out already.

I said you make me sick.

Real love doesn't make you sick, nor is it dirty.

Even if you fall in love with someone

and find some ugly feelings within yourself,

I don't want you to get scared and never love anyone else.

When the schools merged, were the rules explained to you?

Yes.

Were you informed that excessive contact would be punished with expulsion?

Yes, I was.

Did you object to the romance ban at the time?

No.

At the time, I thought it felt safer.

I was grateful for the school's wish to protect the children.

But, well...

I'm sorry.

I'm no expert or anything.

I can't tell if the school rules are wrong or not.

But romance is...

How do I put it?

I think it's part of growing up.

Feeling that another person matters can foster compassion and kindness.

My daughter fell in love for what I think was the first time.

It's made her grow up a little.

She said she started this trial not for her own sake,

but rather to protect the love lives of students at the school.

It sounds a bit sanctimonious, but I think that was her main motivation.

That's why

I am now against a blanket ban on romance.

I see.

Is your daughter, the plaintiff, of the same opinion?

Of course.

She started this trial arguing that the romance ban is invalid.

However, your daughter took advantage of that rule in order to make money,

working with the male student she fell in love with.

Objection.

That has no relevance to this case.

I'm ascertaining the plaintiff's thinking as it relates to the case.

Objection overruled.

Please continue.

Your daughter argues that the romance ban is invalid,

but she sent photos as proof of students in romantic relationships

and threatened them with expulsion if they did not pay her.

Didn't your daughter do that

precisely because she recognized the ban as valid?

I'm very sorry about what happened...

She reaped the benefits of the rule,

but as soon as her own romance was exposed,

she argued that the rule was invalid.

Wasn't it, in fact, your daughter who made the other students suffer,

using the romance ban as cover?

- Objection! - Wait a second!

It started like that.

Ichica did it for the money.

She needed money to stay in school.

- Maki. - Spectators will remain silent.

But things changed along the way!

Seeing people in love changed her mind.

She wanted to help them regardless of the money.

Even risking exposure of her identity as LK.

- I order you to leave the courtroom. - Um...

Leave the courtroom.

Excuse me!

I was LK too. I worked with them.

That's why I know it was a deal, not extortion.

We helped students who would've been expelled otherwise.

- Stop this now! - Look at the messages and you'll see.

It wasn't extortion,

but a deal to protect students from the school rules?

Do you, too, wish to say that?

That's right.

You do understand that argument only holds up

if the students you helped were also aware that it was a deal?

Yes.

You haven't named a single student that you claim to have helped.

With no way to confirm the other party's view,

how can you declare it was a deal?

If that's your claim, please present evidence.

Which students did you help?

What are their names? Can't you tell us?

If not, then you can't argue that it was a deal rather than extortion.

Objection, Your Honor.

I'm done.

Spectators, refrain from interfering with the proceedings.

Feeling down?

What?

You're so quiet.

What about you? Sure you want to leave with me?

What?

Don't you have something to tell Ichica?

Like what?

You like her, right?

That's why you got pissed off and snitched on us.

It must be nice

being so simple.

- What? - I never trusted in love.

It seemed a stupid thing to lose control over.

I actually threw up in disgust at what I could do out of jealousy.

What?

In the end, I accepted that we can feel that way.

So I won't try to get between you two.

But I'm totally useless.

I can't convince my own family, let alone the court.

Ichica's fighting all the battles.

Publicly saying things she'd rather keep private,

facing all that blame, and I can't do anything.

I'm so pathetic.

Well, you could stand to grow up a little.

That's where you're supposed to cheer me up.

Ouch.

{n8}#ROMANCE-BAN-TRIAL

{n8}I was shocked to see the news about Asuran.

Making such a big fuss over a trial.

Honestly, it's deplorable how a high school student can act so wantonly.

What are her parents doing?

Indeed.

Wow, it's already busy.

- Hey. - What is it?

Come here.

Hey, do you have high blood pressure?

What?

Is your heart strong?

Yeah, I guess. Why do you ask?

In that case, good luck.

Hi!

I really am sorry.

Really.

Can you pay the debt?

I'll figure it out.

And the part you guys paid,

I'll repay that too.

Can she win?

She's expelled if not, right?

I don't know.

But...

I was wrong too.

I said I put Ichica in that school for her own sake.

But maybe I just forced her to be responsible for my life.

I just wanted her to be happy,

but I couldn't show her how.

You're a good parent.

The next hearing will be the final showdown with the principal.

She's tough.

Even after hearing all that in court, she remained completely unshaken.

That means she's very confident about the rule, doesn't it?

I was wondering about that myself, and I looked into it.

Why is Ms. Ikushima

so obsessed with banning romance?

The principal graduated from our school.

Her best friend died in her third year.

What?

She was pregnant.

TRAGEDY: FEMALE STUDENT GAVE BIRTH AND DIED ON RIVER BANK

She couldn't tell her parents

and tried to give birth secretly.

And because of that...

Seriously?

Maybe the principal has lived with regret all her life.

Because she...

didn't stop her best friend's affair.

FIFTH EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE YOKOHAMA DISTRICT COURT

Today, the plaintiff would like to hear directly from the witness.

She will question the witness with my support.

Is that okay?

Certainly.

During the course of these proceedings,

have you ever thought there may be a need to reconsider the romance ban?

No.

Several people have testified

about psychological distress caused by the rule.

Has that not changed your mind?

I admit that there were problems with how I handled things.

I apologize for that

and vow to improve.

But regarding the romance ban itself,

I still believe it is a necessary rule for the students.

That is unchanged.

Private schools are free to educate as they see fit.

However, with changing societal attitudes and the present focus on diversity,

do you not think the school rules need to be revised?

You mean to say

that we must change our school rules to meet society's demands?

Perhaps by issuing a blanket ban,

a school may fail to foster the autonomy required in today's world.

The outcome is obvious if students who are physically and mentally mature

were left to their own devices.

"Depriving students of human rights is problematic."

"Don't push adult values on kids."

"Let the students decide what's right and wrong."

These are empty theories peddled by armchair critics

and third parties who do not have to take any responsibility.

Excuse me.

What I'm trying to say is...

I want you to trust students more...

We wouldn't need rules if trust were enough.

The real world can't run on ideals alone!

When something irreparable happens,

who will take responsibility?

As you say, Ms. Ikushima,

we are immature.

But prohibition isn't what we need.

Don't we need you to provide proper guidance

to avoid the irreparable situations you're talking about?

"Do the things only high school students can do."

That's what adults say.

But that applies to romance too.

Objection, Your Honor.

This is not questioning. She is stating her opinion.

I never said don't fall in love.

Even so, if a school bans romance,

people will feel that falling in love is bad.

- Arisawa. - I...

I don't think my love is a crime. That's why...

I don't regret it.

Let us decide our feelings for ourselves...

our experiences and failures too,

so we won't grow up to regret being smothered by overprotection.

The plaintiff will settle down. The defendant's objection is sustained.

Do not state your opinions. Please stick to the facts of the case.

The school is not allowed regret either.

Ms. Ikushima.

Back then,

if they'd banned it properly...

Even if they had to tie her up to stop her...

it might have prevented so much harm.

She might not have had to go through what she did.

The school

cannot be allowed regrets like that!

No matter what, the school must protect students until the very end!

Please.

People are free to be in love

and free to not be in love.

Please.

Have the courage...

Have the courage to trust in us.

Today I went to pay my respects at your new school.

I've decided already.

Here's the school brochure.

Take a look at it.

Listen, dear.

I need to talk to you.

You made this?

Yeah.

It feels like ages ago.

Whether you win or lose the trial, make your own decisions from now on.

Don't worry about me.

Because I trust in you.

"We won't have any regrets if we decide for ourselves."

Is that true?

I don't think people are that strong.

{n8}I'm sure we'll always have regrets when things don't work out.

But we still want to trust in ourselves.

We want to learn to like ourselves.

People sure are a greedy bunch.

All rise.

I will now pronounce the verdict.

Main text. One.

The court confirms that the plaintiff

is a student of Asuran Academy, a school run by the defendant.

Two.

The plaintiff's other demands

are all dismissed.

I heard Arisawa didn't win the trial.

I see.

I want to apologize to Arisawa and Maki.

But... I can't find the courage.

I never thought I was this kind of person.

Getting jealous of people.

Framing them.

I'm so heartless.

First of all,

you should accept yourself as you are.

Then take it slowly,

making sure you don't hate yourself,

and think about what you want to do.

Will you still continue the trial?

Yes.

Isn't this enough?

Your expulsions have been revoked.

Other students who have been expelled can also return if they so wish.

But... the romance ban is still in effect.

Nothing will change if you keep suing us.

The court found the rule reasonable

for encouraging you to focus on your studies.

- But... - The rule will not change.

If you disagree,

then leave the school.

Excuse me.

- Save it for later. - Well, it's just...

Sorry to interrupt.

I was dating Mr. Maki.

I'm planning to announce that on social media.

What? Wait.

- Greetings. - Wait. Greetings.

Hey. Miyama, wait.

What's the meaning of this?

Did you come here just to tell us about going public?

If you get rid of the romance ban,

I won't go public.

What are you saying?

What's going on?

What are you doing?

Let's go.

What?

I know I'm being foolish,

but I can't find any other way not to hate myself.

At any rate,

I cannot give in to such threats.

Hey! I said stop!

Hey, wait!

Come on! Jeez!

Why are you here?

We've gathered signatures.

Please abolish the romance ban.

Seriously?

I'm not interested in romance.

Frankly, it's a pain, and there are other things I want to do,

but I think it's wrong to forbid those who want it.

I don't want romance, but the school shouldn't decide for me.

Falling in love gave me the courage to step forward.

And I learned how to identify unsuitable men.

Like, romance is totally awesome.

I don't think it's wrong to fall in love.

There's no good or bad in how each of us live our lives.

Please trust in us.

Please trust in us.

Please abolish the rule.

Please abolish the rule!

Please abolish the rule!

This is where you vote.

Please state your school year, class, and student number.

FOR

AGAINST

Please state your school year, class...

{n8}AGAINST - FOR

Two for, one against.

Two for, one against.

Okay.

FOR 33 - AGAINST 28

It's okay. It's not over yet.

Are you satisfied?

Ms. Ikushima.

Do you remember Ema Komori?

She had a child.

She seems happy.

So, she already gave birth.

You knew?

The results should be in soon.

No matter how it goes,

that rule was necessary.

You too...

will understand soon enough.

THREE MONTHS LATER

Dear Maki.

How are you?

Hope you're not messing about and getting into trouble over there.

I'm doing all right, as usual.

YOKOHAMA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

I'm studying hard for university entrance exams.

I'm even getting along with the rich girls.

The Rabbit Hunters were disbanded,

but romance is still banned at the school.

The romance ban didn't go away that day...

FOR 239, AGAINST 258 ABSTENTION 41

...because a majority of the students

decided that this school doesn't need romance.

They thought about what mattered the most to them

and what kind of environment they needed for that.

I think they chose for themselves.

Like you did, Maki.

I'm...

gonna study abroad.

All my life, I've just been rebelling against my dad.

I felt ashamed when I saw you fight in the trial.

That's why

I'll study on my own.

You're serious about it.

But...

we had some good times, didn't we?

Yeah.

Well, take care.

Ichica!

Wait for me.

I won't wait.

Let's talk every day.

Go study on your own!

Thank you, Maki.

P.S.

I also

now have a dream.

{n8}CREATE AN AMAZING SCHOOL THAT EVEN THE POOR CAN ATTEND!

If there's no path for you, make your own.

My life, my rules.

HELLO, WE ARE LK THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WORK

AND BY LK, WE MEAN "LOVE KILLER"

YOUR LOVE IS UNDER SURVEILLANCE

{n8}PREPARE 500,000 YEN IN CASH IMMEDIATELY OR BE REPORTED TO THE SCHOOL

{n8}CHASTITY HIGH

{n8}Subtitle translation by: Helen O'Horan