All language subtitles for Riding.a.Unicorn.S01E09.JAPANESE.WEBRip.NF.en

I want to buy Dream Pony.

What?

In other words, a merger and acquisition.

Anybody of any age and nationality

can compete in the global EdTech market.

I recently realized this.

If there is a free
learning environment for everyone,

we could train new people
not being served by the current system.

If their ideas create new businesses,

it will foster entrepreneurship.

Which is why Cyber Mobile

wants to use our world-class
IT infrastructure

to enter the education business.

Are you listening?

I'm sorry, I'm just so caught off guard.

Give it some serious thought.

Okay.

-A merger and acquisition?
-Yeah.

It was so sudden.

I'm still shocked and confused.

Of course you are.

Why this timing?

We just got Study Pony Campus
up and running.

I can't even imagine letting go of
this company we fought hard to grow.

I want to continue
growing Dream Pony with all of you.

Me too.

I don't like someone else
owning Dream Pony.

Thank goodness.

Okay, then I'll tell her we decline.

Should we let everyone know
we had this proposal?

Yeah.

-Thanks.
-Sure.

So President Haneda tried
to take over Dream Pony?

That's terrible! If we get taken over
by a huge company like that,

they'd just make us ruin Dream Pony.

But in America, it's like a huge privilege
to get bought out by a big company.

There are a lot more CEOs selling
before they grow into unicorns now.

I know that way of thinking
is spreading in Japan.

But Dream Pony is like a part of me.

Which is why as CEO,

I want to keep growing
the company ourselves.

Well said as always, Sana!

Okay, I agree.

I'd like to respect
the founding members' wishes.

The three of you have protected
this company more than anyone.

Thank you.

Okay, that's all for now.

Uh-oh.

What?

The large real estate company
Suzaki Realty Group was hacked,

and over 4,5 million
client accounts were compromised.

The data includes credit card numbers,

Suzaki are taking the situation...

So, it made the news.

You knew about it?

Yeah.

Your dad's company

was a target of a cyber attack
and had client data stolen.

Won't that mean trouble?

But it doesn't matter to me, don't worry.

Okay, back to work!

Of course it matters.

It's your dad's company.

It's not like there's anything I can do.

Why don't you go home early today?

Go be by his side.

Sorry.

Thanks.

The press conference documents.

Dad.

Will you be okay?

Ko.

I'm sorry.

What?

Over 4,5 million accounts
were compromised...

Dad just apologized to me.

Why?

Because he's worked hard all this time.

He wants to hand the company
over to you at its peak.

What?

He's always worried
if the company causes a scandal,

that you'd get bullied at school.

He always wanted to be a father
you could be proud of.

That's how he's operated

ever since I can remember.

The press conference is about to begin.

We will now begin the conference
at the scheduled time.

I would like to acknowledge

all the trouble we've caused to our
customers and everyone involved.

We are deeply sorry.

The entire company is committed
to taking swift action

to ensure it never happens again
and regain your trust.

Once more,

I would like to deeply
apologize for this incident.

SUZAKI REALTY SEIICHI SUZAKI

Regarding the merger and acquisition,

we politely decline.

I am very happy Dream Pony's
ideals resonate with you.

However, we want to continue

growing our company ourselves.

I see.

That's too bad.

I thought you were a CEO
who had wider perspective.

What?

We'll forget this ever happened.

What did she mean?

Ko.

Hey.

Is everything okay?

Yeah. Sorry for all the concern.

You don't need to apologize.

-Let's go.
-Yeah.

Good to see you again, Suzaki, Narukawa.

That took way too long.

It's been forever.

Yes, Ko was still in college
the last time I saw you,

so that'd be three years.

I'm Wakamiya with Suzaki Realty Group now.

RIHITO WAKAMIYA

-Really?
-I'm Wakamiya. Yes.

Wow! Your dream came true!

Yes, after all my wishing,
I joined the company this year!

Suzaki's fan?

Yeah.

Apparently, Wakamiya's a geek for
Suzaki Realty Group buildings.

He used to follow Ko around in college.

"Please let me join
your father's company!"

Was how he begged.

What a gutsy young man.

I came here because I wanted to ask you
a favor regarding the data breach.

-Me?
-Yes.

Could you present this technology
to President Suzaki?

The dated security system has been
an issue at the company for a while.

Which is why I presented this
advanced tech from Key Protect

to my superior,

but they wouldn't listen.

Why not?

Because Key Protect is still a new
startup with no track record.

They don't trust it.

I mean, big companies have such
terrible communication.

My voice would never reach the president.

So would you mind bringing this
to him directly for me?

This tech could have
prevented this incident.

Please!

ENCRYPTS ALL FILES
PREVENTS INFORMATION LEAKS

That technology was impressive.

It reminded me of the past.

-The past?
-Yeah.

Right when we first started,
we had no track record.

No matter where we went,

people would doubt if
our company was even real.

My business card
went straight to the trash.

Yeah.

Then you said you'd make cards
so cute they couldn't throw them away.

Yeah, now that I think about it,
I was focused on the wrong thing.

But back then,
we could take on everything.

We had nothing to lose,
so we just looked forward.

I hope your dad's company

can take on new blood.

New blood?

You said that to me here.

I think all we can do now is bring in
new blood to help shake things up.

That was the catalyst

that brought Mr. Kotori and Kaito here.

Thanks to that, we were able
to develop Study Pony Campus,

secure investments, and grow our company.

Welcome home.

I want you to check this out.

One of your employees,
Wakamiya told me about it.

This will encrypt data for you.

Even if the data is stolen
again like this time,

it can't be deciphered.

You had a young employee with this idea,

but it didn't reach you.

Is that all?

-Huh?
-That's natural.

There's no way we can trust
a company with zero track record.

How can a new technology have one?

We prioritize certainty.

Everything needs to be deliberated on,
and its certainty verified.

That's why you have bad communication.

That's what it means to protect
a company with longevity.

KEY PROTECT

STUDY PONY CAMPUS
DREAM PONY

Look at this.

We're getting more reviews

for Study Pony Campus
from foreign users in Japan.

"I can imagine how hyped the kids
in my hometown would be."

"Can't wait till the launch
of the English version!"

That's great.

Yeah. So...

While a little sooner than scheduled,

I want to start moving for
a global release.

Our app to the whole world?

We'll need to research each country
before expanding globally.

Yeah.

Language isn't the only difference,
but culture and teaching styles as well.

We need to research carefully.

We'll need to reinforce our
infrastructure to scale.

It's endless work.

With our current setup,
we'll all be old by the time we're done.

Don't be a downer.

But Kaito is right that
it will take a lot of time,

so we'll need ideas.

This is frustrating.

There are people who need our app,
but we can't provide it to them.

FROM A PONY TO A UNICORN!

Cyber mobile wants to use
our world-class IT infrastructure

to enter the education business.

I thought you were a CEO
who had wider perspective.

What are you doing this Sunday?

Did Ms. Narukawa tell you?

About the merger and acquisition.

Yes.

I bet you were all piling up against me,

saying how I wanted
to take over the company.

Not at all.

Well, I wouldn't blame you.

Mergers and acquisitions
still have a bad image in Japan.

You once had your own fashion company

bought out by a major tech company,
didn't you?

Why was that?

Because it was precious to me.

I let go of it because it was
like a child to me.

What do you mean?

Mom! Kotori!

The day will come when Reo
will leave the nest.

It will be sad and painful.

But when I see him grow up
into a fine adult

after setting out on his own
and meeting his people,

I'd be most happy.

Same with a company,
rather than only growing it yourself,

I wanted to borrow some outside help
to grow it even bigger.

I see.

Despite what I say,
it's sad to let things go,

and in the end,
it's up to the CEO to decide.

JAPAN'S MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
HISTORY AND FUTURE

Huh?

Sana?

Oh Jiro! What are you
doing here on a weekend?

I forgot my wallet here yesterday.

Found it. So I came to get it.

What are you doing here?

Just a little studying.

MERGERS AND AQUISITIONS
CONSULTING PRACTICE

Huh?

What is this?

Why are you studying this?

When I was researching what others
did when entering the global market,

I learned this was a strategy.

It's just research.

But we already discussed the buyout.

Everyone respected our feelings,
and we decided to turn it down.

So why are you being all sneaky?

That's not what I'm trying to do.

But what about our users?

There are people abroad waiting
for our service.

If we want to address them as soon...

Then we can hire new people,
or work with the members we have.

But, sell out?

I didn't think you were that cold.

I'm against this.

If we end up letting go of this place,

I won't be following you.

SUZAKI REALTY GROUP SUFFERS
FROM STEREOTYPICAL THINKING

MANY YOUNG EMPLOYEES LEAVE
OVER DATED PRACTICES

What's wrong?

Sana is trying to betray us.

What?

She was looking into the acquisition
again behind our backs.

Can you believe her?

I see.

"I see"?

Huh? What kind of reaction is that?

I had a vague feeling
like something had to change.

I just imagined Sana
might be feeling the same.

Dream Pony

is the company we worked hard
to grow for three years.

It has memories you can't buy with money.

We should be protecting it ourselves!

What does it mean to protect the company?

Looking at my father's company,

is doing things the same way,

focusing so much on
keeping the status quo,

really protecting the company?

I can't believe you lost it too.

I'm starving.

Who wants lunch?

-I'm okay.
-Me too.

-Kotorin!
-I'm sorry.

I already ate.

It's kind of quiet without Kuriki.

For real, suddenly taking time off...

What's with that?

Kaito, I'll treat you.

Come. Cod roe rice ball, right?

-Yes, cod roe.
-I got you!

-I'll eat four.
-Sure.

Um, did something happen?

Huh?

How about working outside today?

Nothing like the library
to help you reset.

There was such a lovely space nearby...

-Let's go.
-Okay.

What happened?

I'm happy to listen.

I got in a fight with Jiro.

What? You too?

Yeah.

He told me you
were studying up on acquisitions.

I see.

I understand why Jiro's against it.

But I also understand how you're
looking for a new way forward.

So I don't know
what the right answer is either.

I've never seen Jiro get so mad before.

I know how important
the company is to him.

What should we do?

It's important to wrestle with
these decisions like this.

People may believe it's pointless,

but by stepping back to think
you can look at your past

and realize what's most important.

The fact that you're struggling so much

is proof that the three of you
really care about Dream Pony.

Yes.

I'll be on my way then.

Yes, thank you for today.

Mr. Kotori is always saving us.

Yeah.

I wonder where we'd be now
if Kotori weren't here.

He's the new blood we needed.

Yeah.

How's your father's company by the way?

Did he consider that new tech?

Not at all.

Tech from a no-name startup
was a hard pass.

If we could only learn more
about each other.

What do you mean?

Well, startups and big companies
are so different in nature,

there's a lot we don't understand
about each other.

So we have a hard time
accepting each other.

Right.

You're right.

Sana, I just had a good idea.

For real?

For real.

SUZAKI

Good morning.
Your meeting today begins at 11 a.m.?

That's right.

Then please just give us
one hour before then.

Ko?

It's nice to meet you,
I'm Dream Pony's CEO, Narukawa.

You are?

This your first time visiting a startup,
right?

We'd love for you to get to know
our company.

Not that I asked for this.

It's fine. Let's go.

It's not family day today.

I think they might be up to something.

This is the main work area.

Ko took the initiative and designed it.

It prioritizes the bright atmosphere,
our individuality, and colors.

Please enjoy your time here.

Thank you.

That's Kotori.

He's the one who told me
to bring you shochu.

Kotori changed careers this year,
and wasn't the most tech savvy.

Honestly, I had my doubts
that he was a good fit here.

But Kotori's life experience
keeps helping us in areas we're lacking.

He's a trusted friend.

Hello.

These are my coworkers Meg and Kaito.

Is this a play area?

No. We come to work every day

so we want to make it a space
that's fun to come to.

Also, engineers spend a lot of
time on computers,

so relaxing is important.

-Ah, Meg.
-Yeah?

That API you made,
could you add these parameters?

-Where?
-Could you show these calculations too?

That's a good idea.

Can you add it to the doc?

ATTEND MORNING MEETING

Morning meeting?

Every day, our CEO Sana

shares company issues and
missions to every member.

Every day? Why's that?

Instead of me thinking alone,
I believe getting input from everyone

helps us reach a better answer.

So we maintain a flat hierarchy
for better communication.

Kuriki, I gathered up some information
on a competitor's newest metaverse.

Could you take a look?

Thank you, it might be better
to include graphs along with the numbers.

I see!

The reason we can work like this

is because of people who believe in
our future instead of our track record.

Striving to meet their expectations
leads to our growth.

The creativity, speed,
and flexibility startups have

will surely be helpful to your company.

By filling in the gaps for each other,

I believe there is a path where
both companies can grow.

So please, really consider
this kind of technology.

Your company can find
an opportunity to change.

When I watched your press conference,

seeing you take responsibility
for the company,

I really thought you were cool.

So I don't want you faltering here.

I want you to show up your critics.

Your hour's up.

Thank you for coming today.

You've made an interesting company.

Thank you very much.

Send that presentation to my computer.

What?

SUZAKI REALTY GROUP
SEIICHI SUZAKI

I will.

Sana.

Yeah.

Thank you, everyone.

Can I help with anything?

No, I'm okay.

This is something I should do.

I understand, I'll be heading home then.

Yes, good work today.

Good work.

Did you sleep?

Yes, like a log.

Alright.

I wanted to talk to you all
about something today.

What's up, Sana?

The acquisition by Cyber Mobile,

I think we should positively consider it.

For real?

Why?

When you hear buyout,

you get that bad impression of
a big company swallowing you up,

and I was against it at first too.

But now I look at it like two businesses
working together as a team

so they both can continue to grow.

If we try to spread Study Pony Campus
globally on our own,

we're missing so many pieces
that it'll take ten...

No, maybe even twenty years.

Is that really the right decision?

What's most important to me,

is to get Study Pony Campus
which everyone worked so hard to create

into the hands of the people
who need it as soon as possible.

In order to do that,
I want to use all of Cyber Mobile's

tech, experience, and know-how.

Besides, our goal isn't
to become a unicorn company.

It's beyond that,

to create a place where everyone
can learn equally.

What do you think, Jiro?

I get where you're coming from.

But

I just can't.

I'm able to work and have fun here

because of our people and environment.

If a big company swallows us up,

we won't be Dream Pony anymore.

Yes,

there will be change.

As our company grows,

some sort of change will be necessary.

But is change

really that bad?

We started off just the three of us,

then Meg joined,

Kaito joined,

and Mr. Kotori.

They all inspired us to change and grow.

There were some
misunderstandings at first,

but by sharing our good qualities,

we went through wonderful changes.

And the more I researched acquisitions,

I learned that each one is different.

So we can just choose
the one that's best for us.

I'll still continue as CEO,

and Dream Pony's ideals

will absolutely never change.

I'll make sure everyone
can continue working here unchanged.

I promise to negotiate these terms
with President Haneda.

So

I want you to trust and follow me.

So unwavering.

Our CEO.

Of course we trust you.

I don't care as long as I can work here.

Okay.

I'll

follow you too.

Thank you.

You have snot.

Don't say stuff like that!

The reason Dream Pony is such
a warm company

is because of Kuriki, isn't it?

Yes.

He's a key founding member.

What are you laughing for?
Stop looking at me!

You're crying way too much.
You're gonna make me cry, so stop.

CYBER MOBILE X DREAM PONY
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE

What? No good?

President Haneda put it together for me.

No. It looks good.

Good.

I'm sure many of you have negative
impressions of buyouts.

We want to change that impression.

When a business with history

crosses paths with something new
and full of potential,

it will always
bring forth huge innovation.

By joining with Cyber Mobile,

Dream Pony will be able
to operate at new levels

with access to top-class IT infrastructure
and overseas pipelines.

Please look forward to the future
of learning we are excited to bring you.

-She's so cool.
-Yes.

I heard you helped a lot
in the negotiations.

Well, but I just did my job
as the Venture Capitalist in charge.

Thanks, "but" guy!

But, it's sad to see
Dream Pony leave our nest.

But, I believe Narukawa CEO
made a great decision.

You're still saying "but."

President Haneda,

why did you choose Dream Pony out
of the many EdTech companies out there?

The reason

is her.

I believed her charismatic,
entrepreneurial spirit

along with her
strong convictions and ideas,

would become a catalyst for us
and have a great impact.

By welcoming new talent
through this acquisition,

our business will boom.

I have high hopes for Ms. Sana Narukawa

as she makes her mark as one of
our next generation's new CEOs.

CYBER MOBILE DREAM PONY
JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE

SUZAKI REALTY GROUP
SEIICHI SUZAKI

Welcome home.

You dropped by again?

By the way, we decided to look into using
that security tech for our company.

Really? That's great.

Actually,

there are a lot of other startups
that could be interesting

to partner with your company.

Would you be interested?

What are they?

Okay, first there's this company
called Share Town.

Suzaki!

What?

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I've wanted to grab drinks
with you for a while.

I'm happy you invited me out.

I think I'm blushing.

So,

were you not scared changing careers?

Saying goodbye to your old coworkers,

leaping into a field you know
nothing about...

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared.

But I think that fear is part of what
makes life thrilling.

What do you mean?

When you feel scared,
it means you're challenging something new.

So I decided to be proud of myself for it.

Now it feels like I'm riding
a roller coaster every day.

You really are amazing.

Am I?

I started riding a kick scooter
because I admired you and Kuriki.

-That's why you were on one?
-Yes.

I can rest easy knowing you're there.

For Sana too.

Have some more.

Thank you.

Hey, look at this!

It's Cyber Mobile's in-house network.

-These big companies got the goods!
-Yeah!

Look, Kotorin!

-Wow!
-I can dream big now!

Sana.

Jiro.

Got a sec?

What's going on?

I'm thinking of quitting Dream Pony.

You're joking.

I wouldn't joke about this.

Huh? Why?

I spent my life doing what my
parents told me.

But after meeting you,

seeing you with your own dream,

walking on your own,

I wanted to be like you one day.

Your dream became my dream,

and you allowed me to see so many things
I never would've on my own.

But

I finally found a dream of my own.

So I'm going to work for my dad
and become a bridge

that connects big business with startups.

I'm sure

I only found this dream

because of the experience

I've had with all of you and my family.

So I want to give it a try.

So,

you already decided.

Yeah.

Well, damn.

How can I not support you?

Me too.

I respect your decision.

Thanks.

Good luck.

Sana.

Thank you for everything.

It's been fun.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING

I just want to focus on work for now.

You mean there's no reason
to be together now.

You're not just a CEO, you need
to take better care of yourself.

Subtitle translation by: Zensho Yamamoto