Original subtitles

July 15, 1991

Satoru Ichijo

And the defendant is ordered to pay all legal costs.

The explanation for this verdict can be found

in the report for this case.

This court is officially adjourned.

Good afternoon, I'm Miho Tachibana,

reporting to you live from the Tokyo Dome.

The Satoru Ichijo at the Tokyo Dome event is happening here,

later this evening, and already, there are crowds

who are hoping to be the first inside.

Satoru?

Have seen the promotional ads

- in the newspaper. - Hmm.

Chiaki, do you know him?

Yeah, a bit.

We went to the same college.

Oh.

As I'm sure you're all aware,

the media coverage of him and the growth

of Taiyoukai has been nonstop, to say the least.

Oh, ho! I see you made it.

Can I get you something to drink?

- Four beers, please. - I'll be right back.

Took your time getting here.

- It's been a while. - This is great.

Our favorite watering hole.

You got that right.

It's good to see you again, Hiratsuka.

So you're a professor now?

Not anytime soon.

All I do is write my thesis

and give lectures, and that's it.

Sounds like a lot of work.

And you, Yamamoto, tell me,

are you busy at the Ministry of Finance?

Oh yeah.

You're a prosecutor,

and you work for the defense agency, huh?

Sure do.

Looks like we're all doing okay in our career choices.

Who would've guessed that?

Here you go!

- Ah, thank you. - Pass it over.

- Here. - Here you go.

- Thank you. - Thanks.

All right then, to our reunion.

Yeah.

Cheers!

Not just the spiritual world.

He has written about other subjects as well,

like mindsets, theory of life-

That's good.

So I guess he's not gonna show, huh?

I don't think that he can.

Tell us about his career

on the lecture circuit.

Yes.

Although Mr. Ichijo has published many different books,

he's well known as a lecturer

and gives speaking tours all over Japan.

Of all people, who would've guessed him.

He just took off, didn't he?

Completely out of our reach now.

Attending the event here today.

This is by far the largest crowd

that Mr. Ichijo has ever given a lecture to.

It will be interesting to hear the message

that he'll be giving us all tonight,

right here at the Tokyo Dome.

It's really quite a feat to be able

to hold an event of this scale.

You have to have incredible drawing power

to pull that off there.

Mm-hmm.

Mr. Ichijo is clearly a man of enormous charisma,

but what kind of people does he seem to be attracting?

Miss Tachibana?

Miss Tachibana, will you answer that?

Huh? Uh, yes.

I saw...

To Ms. Chiaki Minase

On the World of Values in Hannah Arendt

"My dearest,

why don't we listen for the voices of the wind?

On a cold hill in Umegaoka,

it blows from nowhere,

telling me restlessly that our love may go astray.

Kawashima, Tokushima Prefecture

Why don't we listen for the voices of the wind?

Yoshino River

Hair Salone Ichijo

Please, God, may Satoru be successful.

Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to an evening with Satoru Ichijo at the Tokyo Dome.

Your attention, please, soon we will start the event.

- During the lecture- - Oh, Mr. Hinata!

- Mr. Hinata! - Mr. Hinata!

- Ah! - This way!

Miss Nakamura.

Have a seat here.

- You sure? - Uh-huh.

Wow.

It's been a long time.

You haven't changed at all.

Mia, you're so big now.

- Yes. - Middle school?

No, I'm in high school.

Toho Company Co., Ltd. 70th Anniversary Party

Welcome.

We are pleased to celebrate the 70th anniversary

since our foundation.

And we owe all of it to the hard work and devotion

of every single employee.

I thank you all.

Because of each and every one of you,

our once small trading house has become a very large one.

We are now one of the top seven in the world in sales.

Now that we've reached this major milestone,

we can all be very proud.

But rather than rest on our laurels,

we're going to continue to grow and expand.

Thank you very much.

Thanks.

Here you go.

See you tomorrow. Bye.

What did you think?

It was great, wasn't it?

He was even more charismatic today.

Let's come again.

Absolutely.

Mr. Satoru Ichijo,

you're not the person that I used to know.

Twiceborn

Executive Producer & Original Story by Ryuho Okawa

Screenplay by Sayaka Okawa

General Producer Hisaaki Takeuchi

Producers Taiki Fujigaki Hidetoshi Momiyama Yoichi Utebi

Music by Yuichi Mizusawa

Directed by Hiroshi Akabane

Satoru Ichijo Born on July 7, 1956

Satoru, you were born

in this humble home in Kawashima.

Who knew that one day the whole world would know about you?

I'm your mother,

but even I never imagined that.

God taught us that we choose how to live our lives

and that it's imperative we choose a virtuous life

of our own free will.

You understand?

Well, that will be all for today.

Thank you very much for the lesson.

Satoru, get your hat.

It's chilly tonight.

Come on.

It's freezing.

You were such a mischievous boy.

But once you started elementary school,

you spent hours studying, to everyone's surprise.

And you were always the top student in your class.

Still, you'd say, "I have to study three times

as much as everyone else. "

You were very disciplined.

And you continued working hard.

Hey, Satoru, don't forget to eat this later.

Thank you, Father.

Good work.

Satoru, I heard that you scored the highest in the class.

Yeah.

But there are lots of people all over Japan

who are at the top of their class.

The people at the top are always special,

even those who are in the countryside, you know.

There are lots of people in this country.

Who knows how many geniuses are

among the top students out there?

When you were 10 years old,

My Dreams: 1. Scholar 2. International person

you had two dreams.

One of them was that you wanted to be a scholar

and share your thoughts with the world.

Another one was that you wanted to work internationally

so that you would be able

to expand your horizons as a person.

Works of Ogai Mori

Strait Is the Gate by Andre Gide

Satoru's been elected president of the student council?

Yes, also the captain of the tennis team

and the chief editor of the school newspaper.

Plus, he's always our top student,

leading the second by more than 50 points.

Not to mention he was top in the recent nation mock exam.

I hope he is not hurting himself

by working so very hard like this.

And there's more, Mrs. Ichijo.

Top students tend to get picked on by others,

but for some reason, just one word from Satoru,

and everyone listens to what he's saying.

They'd follow him anywhere.

Such a smart student,

and popular as well.

Just being his teacher makes me so proud.

Tokushima Prefectural Tournament

Match!

You entered Jonan High School,

the top school in the prefecture,

while undergoing intense training in kendo.

You also studied furiously during the two-hour round trip

on the train, every day.

I just went out today.

I was a bit concerned after yesterday.

Oh, you can say that again.

Hello, sir.

Sit here.

Oh.

Thank you very much.

But, uh, I'm okay.

Tomei University Law School

And...

A11467!

Satoru Ichijo

You're number's there!

- Yeah! - It's there!

You're number's there!

Let's go! Let's go!

- Congratulations! - Let's go!

Let's go!

Ready!

Go, go, go!

Congrats on getting into Tomei Univ! The future depends on you!

You got into the prestigious Tomei University.

I hardly did anything.

You did it all by yourself.

And then you left for Tokyo.

Hey!

- You! - Hey.

Hey.

That's a tough book you're reading.

It's not even one of the books that's on the exam, is it?

Yeah, I'm just reading it for myself.

Oh.

Are you from the countryside?

Listen, in college, it's all about

how well you use the notes the past students left behind.

Really?

- Uh-huh. - To land a good job,

when you're outta here, you got to be efficient.

The more A's you get, your chances are better

of getting into a ministry.

Hey, look!

That's Chiaki Minase.

Her dad's a Tomei alum and a judge, and he's famous.

Morning.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Man, she's hot.

Chiaki Minase.

I'll never forget you, Satoru.

Every one of us would eventually become aware

of your extraordinary insight and genius.

Become the wisest man in Japan!

All right, here we go.

I want to learn,

and I want to use what I learn for something.

Those two passions carried me all throughout my youth.

Then one day...

Yes?

Mr. Ichijo, a telegram.

Oh, thank you.

Father in critical condition. Come home ASAP.

No.

So how is he?

Oh, he's fine, no worries.

He'll be released

from here soon.

He's good. I see.

Nobutada Ichijo

How is he?

He's got an acute stomach ulcer.

Luckily, we got here quickly,

so they could save his life.

But they told me that he'll have to stay here

for at least a whole month.

Oh, really?

Uh-huh.

I'm glad he's alive.

Father?

Hey there, Satoru.

Oh, Satoru.

Mom must be relieved and happy if you're around.

Seriously, you need to look after Mom more,

while I'm away.

Your school's nearby.

Oh, oh, yeah, sorry.

Satoru.

God forbid, if anything happens to your father,

I want you to know this.

Don't worry about us.

We'll be just fine, okay?

If you want to study, you can work part-time

and still be able to go to graduate school.

Mother.

Mm-hmm.

What an ungrateful son I've been until now.

If Father can't work anymore,

maybe I should give up on becoming a scholar

and get a job to help out back home.

Mr. Ichijo, how are you feeling, today?

- Hello, doctor. - Huh?

I really have cancer, don't I?

Until we do more tests and an endoscopy, I can't tell.

Please tell me the truth, doctor.

Well, just let me do my job, all right?

You worry way too much, you know.

Look at this fine son you've got here.

You need to try harder to get well for him.

What are you reading?

Max Weber.

Oh, that's fantastic.

That's a great book to start with.

- Your, uh- - Yes.

Future is bright.

Thank you.

He was way smarter than any of us were back then,

so I thought he'd become a scholar or a politician.

Yeah, but he's the type who goes

for what he thinks is right.

Mm-hmm.

In a way, he might be the most successful of us all.

Honestly, though,

what he's doing now is totally beyond me.

He was always doing things way beyond our understanding.

You remember, that paper he wrote

for Professor Ohara's class?

- It was so complex. - Ah!

- I remember that one. - I think it was

on "The Origins of Totalitarianism," wasn't it?

By Hannah Arendt, that's it.

Hm, that's right.

He said, "Brilliantly unlocking the secrets of Nazism,

there's no question who the leading philosopher

of the 20th century is, Hannah Arendt. "

Your work is mature.

On the World of Values in Hannah Arendt

If you can double the length of this paper,

in terms of an acceptable thesis,

it would be considered well

above the level needed for passing.

Uh, thank you.

That being said,

since you're capable of such philosophical thought,

I wonder if you're suited for a pragmatic subject like law.

Tell me, are you devoting time to studying law?

Uh-huh.

Oh.

It was like I was living in a moment forever.

My dearest

I'm sorry. After you.

Why don't we listen

Oh, no, after you, I insist.

For the voices of the wind?

Here you go.

I can't.

It's okay.

On a cold hill

Thank you.

In Umegaoka

It blows from nowhere

Telling me restlessly

That our love may go astray

Dear Miss Chiaki Minase,

My dearest...

Why don't we Listen for the voices of the wind

See how vivid

The lingering snow looks

What blows over it

Is an everlasting

Gentle wind

To Ms. Chiaki Minase

Oh, there is something there

"My dearest, why don't we listen

for the voices of the wind?

On a cold hill on Umegaoka, it blows from nowhere,

Oh, my dearest

telling me restlessly that our love may go astray.

It's too immature

Why don't you listen for the voices of the wind?"

To call it love

Yet it's too awkward to Call it friendship

Our hearts are

At the mercy of the wind

Out of nowhere it brings An eternal feeling

On the World of Values in Hannah Arendt

That resembles noble sadness

"For Arendt, living humanely and freely are the same thing.

To live freely is to join political activities.

In other words, having political freedom makes you human.

If you don't have it, you're living like an animal

or a slave, at your core.

After the rise of Marxism,

the society gave undeserved praise

to labor as a political value.

It's a shame that people are now working like slaves. "

This is difficult.

I understand exactly what you're saying, Professor,

but I don't agree with your view on the Cold War.

Honestly, I think your view

- is completely wrong. - Hey.

Wow.

Maybe you are right, Satoru.

But it's not wise to challenge the professor

in front of the class like that.

But there is no doubt that communism will collapse soon.

I just said what I knew to be correct.

Hey, criticizing the professor's gonna hurt

your grades, you know.

They say that silence goes further than eloquence.

What?

Too much talking will cost you.

I'm talking about you.

I remember the joy of walking

in the summer evening.

I loved being engrossed in a book on a warm autumn day.

I experienced such happiness repeatedly.

An Inquiry into the Good by Kitaro Nishida

You've been sending your poems to Chiaki Minase?

Are you serious?

Mm-hmm, and I sent her my paper

on Hannah Arendt, the other day, too.

- Whoa. - Seriously?

You sent that out of the blue to her?

That's brave.

When I read your paper, it gave me such a headache.

Yeah, I guess it's a little difficult for you guys.

Uh...

Listen, Satoru.

I think you're making it difficult

for Chiaki to respond to you.

Well, that's not what I want,

'cause to me, she's like a personification of eternity.

Uh-huh.

I want her to never forget that I existed in this world.

That's all that I ask.

Anyway, we'll put in a good word

to Chiaki for you, as well.

My dearest Chiaki

Let's take a walk together quietly

Let me hold the sleeve of your Yukata

And tell you a fairy tale

But you're looking away

Watching only fireflies

My dearest Chiaki

At dusk of the early summer

Putting my arm around your shoulder

I never feel lonely

Nothing makes me lonely

I never

Dear Satoru, I am very sorry,

Feel sad

but I'm not the ideal woman that you imagine I am.

Nothing makes me sad

Satoru, know that I think of it.

Those letters were letters for the future.

Your 13 letters were filled with clear yet eternal words.

They were telling me to remember you in your youth.

Perhaps I was being tasked to serve as your time capsule.

Here you go!

- Ah, just in time. - Thank you.

- Yours. - Thanks.

It was difficult to see him heartbroken.

And, Kurosawa, what you said

to him was unnecessary.

Oh, yeah, I felt bad about that.

I just stoked his competitive fire

by telling him you're not really a law student

if you don't even try to take the bar exam.

Imagine my surprise

when he suddenly started studying for the exam really hard

because of what I said.

Yeah, I remember that, even then,

he was trying to find the right path for himself.

And it really seemed

like college classes were not a challenge.

According to Karl Popper, and I quote:

Closed societies believe in the unprovable,

like gods and the afterlife.

The society that's free from superstition

and believes in science is an open society.

A theory from the empirical sciences-

What's the matter?

Oh, nothing.

Do you think that it's acceptable to be teaching

about atheist theory and philosophy at a university level?

Well, I'm a Christian myself.

But to be honest,

I don't get this whole afterlife.

I see.

There might not be any professor I can learn from here.

Mock Bar Exam Top student in April: Satoru Ichijo

Mock Bar Exam Top student in May: Satoru Ichijo

Mock Bar Exam Top student in June: Satoru Ichijo

You got top score on the exam six times in a row.

Yeah.

I passed the short answer part easily,

but then I criticized the existing law in my essay.

- You did that again? - Huh?

What did we tell you about doing that on exams?

You know you're gonna fail

when you criticize existing law on the exam like that.

Though I didn't pass the essay part, either.

It's just that I can't help myself

but to point out what is ideologically wrong.

So what are you going to do now?

You want to be a professor.

You should continue here at the lab.

But you've read like 1,400 books.

Are you okay not staying here?

Political science and jurisprudence can't teach us

what's right and what's wrong.

I'd rather unify all the different philosophies

and create a new ideology that will last forever.

Not sure what you mean,

but it doesn't sound you're lookin' to land a job,

at least not right away.

But you are going to work somewhere, aren't you?

Mm-hmm.

For starters, I'm gonna look for a job near my house.

- What? - Huh?

Remember how worried we were

when he said he was joining a trading company?

- That's right. - Oh, yeah!

And he doesn't even drink or play mahjong.

With the professor's referral,

he could've been at the Maicho paper or Bank of Japan.

- Ah! - Such a waste!

Didn't he say,

"I want to test myself by starting out from zero?"

Yeah.

Well, I guess he did really.

In the end, it looks like everything happened

just the way it was supposed to.

With a law degree.

Mr. Ichijo started working for the Toho Trading Company,

only to leave at age 30 to establish Taiyoukai.

I'm less than optimistic about our future.

Yes.

If only he was still here to get us through this.

Hmm? Him, huh?

What's done is done.

Nothing we can do.

I should've paid better attention.

Me as well.

I'm just as guilty.

I'm the one who insisted that we absolutely had to hire him.

I feel exactly the same.

At his job interview,

I tested his patience by speaking way too harshly to him.

But he didn't even flinch.

Look at you.

You're the public servant type.

You're not suited to work for a trading house.

You rarely come across a young man

as tough as he was.

I take it that's why you called upon me

to recruit him personally, huh?

At that time, he was...

Mr. Goto.

Why the pinstripes?

I really like it.

Oh, so you are Satoru Ichijo?

We are actually looking for unique individuals like you.

It might sound unusual for a Tomei graduate

with a law degree to be a trader,

but you see, I graduated from Tomei like you.

Then tell me, why did you decide to work here?

Weren't you offered other professional choices,

like banking maybe?

Mr. Ichijo, that's no way

- to speak to a- - Ah, it's all right.

Ah.

Why did I choose to work here?

Banking is mentally stimulating.

That's for sure.

But trading's more than that.

It's also stimulating, but you can dream big.

Dream big?

Obviously, you're intelligent.

But at the same time,

you're a dreamer.

Someone like you should come work in trading.

Intelligent and a dreamer.

Hmm?

Ichijo, we'd be honored

to have your talents at our company.

Mr. Goto, please, you don't have to do that.

Happiness Essays by Carl Hilty

I want to be a thinker, after all.

With graduation drawing near,

I could feel my passion growing.

Ooh, ooh, ooh!

Ooh!

All right.

Got a good haul today, didn't we?

Satoru, what's wrong?

The life of a fish is fragile or transient.

I should look back on my life and reflect on that.

When I read your paper,

it gave me such a headache.

Yeah, I guess it's a little difficult for you guys.

Mom must be relieved and happy if you're around.

Seriously, you need to look after Mom more,

while I'm away.

Your school's nearby.

Oh, oh, yeah, sorry.

Why did I say things

that hurt other people's feelings?

When did I throw away their acts of kindness?

Where does this selfishness come from?

God forbid, if anything happens to your father,

I want you to know this.

Don't worry about us.

We'll be just fine, okay?

If you wanna study, you can work part-time

and still be able to go to graduate school.

Satoru is a really good guy.

He's just super honest

- and straightforward. - Uh-huh.

So pretty please.

Could you please answer his letters, just once?

Father, Mother, my friends,

I've been given so much in my life,

but all I was focused on was my own success.

When did I ever cast aside my needs,

and just how much have I ever devoted myself to others?

Once more, want to restart,

want to be reborn.

I can say that that was when I experienced my first death.

It meant that I had to bury my false self.

March 23, 1981

Is someone trying to tell me something?

What?

Good news.

Good news?

Is it like the Gospel in Christianity?

Who are you?

Tell me your name.

Nikko.

Nikko?

The first spirit to contact me

by automatic writing was the monk Nichiren's disciple Nikko.

On that day, my life was completely turned around.

One week later, Nichiren started contacting me.

Please tell me.

What am I supposed to do with my life?

Love people, nurture people, and forgive people.

Love people, nurture people, and forgive people.

So this means this is my mission

and what I have to accomplish in this lifetime.

From now on,

you're going to prove the existence of the afterworld.

Nichiren

Your work will bring happiness to all people in this world.

I do understand what you're telling me.

But I, I'm not sure if I'm ready to do such a mission now.

I think, at first, I need more experience

and to establish my professional career.

I understand.

My task is to herald the beginning

of your spiritual communication.

You'll be visited by various other spirits soon.

Socrates

This is how I learned of my mission

to spread the truth about the spiritual world.

Does this mean that more than half of them are

under the influence of evil spirits?

You are right.

How can they protect themselves?

The law of the same wavelength?

So their state of mind attracts evil spirits.

Here you go.

Mr. lida, is it true what they say,

that you worked with Mr. Ichijo?

- Yeah. - Wow.

Were you friends, too?

No, I was always giving him a hard time.

But I couldn't hate him.

No matter how harshly I treated Satoru,

it never bothered him.

He was as strong as steel.

Take care of this.

Right away.

Exports and Foreign Exchange Div.

Hey, you'll only make enemies reading books like this.

Don't be cocky 'cause you're a Tomei grad.

Sorry, sir.

The Miracle of Mind Dynamics

Satoru, come here!

Yes, sir.

What are you doing?

You wrote $27 million instead of 27 million yen.

Are you out of your mind?

- Oh, so sorry. - You're in currency exchange!

You're a Tomei graduate!

Don't you know the difference between yen and dollars?

I'm very sorry, sir.

I'll fix it right away.

Could you be slower?

Learn to use an abacus!

I'm sorry.

I never learned to use an abacus in college.

No more excuses!

Oh, Mr. lida.

He indeed gets crazy angry like that,

but he said no excuses.

Remember, he's right about that.

Thank you very much.

Oh, so even he had a freshman moment.

Yeah, for the first year at least, but he learned,

so quickly he surprised everybody.

If you're a man

Even if you make an enemy

Of the whole world

There're times

Hello, it's Satoru.

Your message, I received it.

Yes.

Thank you.

Satoru, did you finish that document for me?

Yes.

There's

Here you go.

Nobody

You can count on

Make it simpler.

Because

This world might

Right away.

Turn against you

And deny

Everything

Hello, foreign exchange division.

About you

Yes, thank you very much.

At that moment

How do you fight your way?

Toho Company Co., Ltd. First Kashiwa Dorm

Faith is

Mother Teresa visits Japan. Unseen

Trading and a Letter of Credit Love is easily broken

Dream is fragile, but still...

You have to go the distance

If you're a man, fight it out

Sage Ninomiya's Evening Talks

You must not lose

Operation Manual: I. General Theory

Because you have a mission

There must be someone

You did this?

What is it?

Who believes,

I made an operation manual on foreign exchange.

Supports, and loves you forever

This should make it clear to anyone

who needs to know how our business works.

Hey, take a look at this.

Somewhere in the universe

You've mastered it already?

Yes.

It was for my own sake as well.

But if you're a man...

That surprised me.

It was simple and easy to understand.

He had written a manual explaining everyone's job

in the department.

So he was highly competent after all.

What about that special ability he has?

Well, there were rumors he was conducting exorcisms

on days off, but it didn't interfere with his work here.

I never thought that he'd beat me

in the trading business examination,

and I'd lose my chance to go to New York.

Yes.

The office was a tough environment for me,

because I had psychic abilities.

How many times do you have

to make the same mistakes?

- I'm really sorry, sir. - Hey, you moron!

Don't sorry me.

- You stupid now? - I asked you

when are you gonna get it done?

- Tell him to get goin! - No apologies!

- Right now! - Right now!

- Hey, did you hear me? - Now I said!

You idiot!

That's awful.

Oh divine spirits in heaven,

give me the light.

Nichiren

Goddess Amaterasu

You are clearly different beings.

And what each of you tells me is consistent.

So there's no question that the spirit world really exists.

But who would believe me if I tried

to tell the world about this?

Nichiren

There's no better time than right now

for you to teach the whole world the truth.

So you said there were different spirits coming

to visit you.

Is it still going on?

Yes, it is.

But in this world, I'm a very busy businessman.

But they keep talking to me, regardless of that.

Amazing.

It must be tough for you, working there,

when you're so spiritually sensitive, you know.

You really are a trooper.

Hmm, thanks, Father.

Oh.

We have been having conversations

through automatic writing.

But I wonder if these spirits could use my lips

to speak and tell what they think.

Wow, really?

So are there any spirits visiting with you today?

Mm-hmm.

But it might be hard believing me.

You see, it's Jesus Christ who's here today.

Before I gain the spiritual power,

I didn't go under a waterfall or ever go in a cave.

I only did one thing.

I looked within and tried

to correct the mistakes in my mind.

Toho Company Co., Ltd. First Kashiwa Dorm

Satoru, can I sit here?

Of course.

Recently, my shoulders feel really heavy.

Am I possessed or something?

What?

I'm more spiritual than the others.

Suffer! Suffer!

You're right.

You may be possessed.

I knew it.

Can you see it now?

Suffer!

Do you think that it can be removed?

Hmm?

I can try to exorcize it.

I think that'll make it go away.

But to keep the evil spirit from returning,

you must tune in to God with your mind

and start living positively.

It's the only way it won't come back.

I got it.

I promise.

I won't tell anyone.

Get rid of it, please.

Mm.

Evil spirit who possesses this man,

I command you to leave his body right now.

It feels so much lighter now.

Thank you, Satoru.

Satoru.

In July 1981, my subconscious opened up,

and then Buddha spoke sternly and passionately

about my mission to spread the truth.

You're the Buddha reborn.

Your mission is to save all people by spreading the truth.

Buddha

Unify all religions on earth,

to establish a new world religion

and open a path to a new civilization.

If that's my mission, it's incredible.

But the way that I am now,

I don't have the experience and life-training

to teach and guide others.

Besides that, I need more time

to deepen my understanding of the spirit world.

But despite my inner conflicts,

my life was about to take an unexpected turn.

To New York?

Yes, just for a year as a trainee.

Congratulations.

On the trading business exam,

you had the highest score in the finance section.

So now you'll learn about finance, internationally.

Mr. Ichijo, congratulations on your move to New York.

Thank you.

- This is so great. - Congratulations.

All right, time for a toast to Satoru's move to New York.

Cheers.

Cheers!

Congratulations.

Way to go.

- Congratulations. - Well done!

Thanks.

It looks great.

I didn't think you'd beat me

in the trading business examination.

So tell me, while you're in New York,

will you continue doing exorcisms?

Huh?

Don't play stupid now.

Do you really think you're going to be able

to work as a trainee there?

It isn't over.

I haven't given up on this yet.

Now what?

Uh, hey.

Mr. lida,

it's just that I've never been overseas.

Really? That right?

And somehow, I was the one chosen

to take the job in New York.

You're right. Am I really able to do it?

Seriously, you kidding?

I have never heard of a business trader crying

over being sent to New York.

- Stop it. - Listen!

When you get sent to New York,

it means the company put you on the fast track.

You get promoted earlier,

one year for London, two for New York, if...

Oh, wait.

Don't tell me.

You didn't know?

Huh?

Hey!

Aren't you friends with Timmy?

Timmy?

Satoru.

Oh, yes.

I never thought that that would ever happen.

I said all those rude things to him.

New York, 1982

Understood.

Hello.

Hi, what was the buying rate this morning?

I just need to make sure to hedge the exchange risks.

Pardon?

Any English speakers?

Satoru, it's okay. I got it.

Hey, Timmy!

You went to Tomei, and you can't even speak English?

Test scores don't mean anything if you can't speak English.

What the hell am I supposed to do with you?

I'm sorry.

Hello.

Hello, I'm Tom, the loan officer from New York Bank.

Can I talk to Mr. Tomonaga

about the deal we made the other day?

Is there anyone who can speak to me about-

I can.

I'm in charge of finance here.

How can I help you today?

That's how my battle in New York started.

Uh-huh.

Ah ha ha Ah ha ha This is the Big Apple

I came here

This is the Big Apple Oh oh

I love New York I love New York

Because this city changed my life

If you imagine A spotlight from the universe

It certainly hits New York

With eight million people Having each story to tell

Life has ups and downs

People from all over America

Full of ambition to make it to the top

Gather like

Here you go.

Wild animals

Thank you.

Keep fighting In this concrete jungle

People from Asia, Africa Europe, and Australia

Become New Yorkers

All right, according to the textbook,

please describe the process

for starting your own business or project.

Okay, there are five steps to launching a new venture.

And what are the five steps?

Uh, develop concept, uh, research market, uh,

create business plan, obtain funding,

If I fall, no one cares

and put staff in place.

- Perfect. - Thank you.

If I give in to the pressure That's only as far as I can go

Are you afraid of Caucasians?

All right, both exchange rates

Are you afraid of Harvard?

and interest rates are interrelated to domestic monetary

You think you can survive in this city Being afraid of them?

Now divergencies among countries do indeed occur.

It has to do with the policies and divestment

in the countries' exchange rates and interest rate movement.

By blonde Caucasian women

Fight it out if you're a man

Keep your heart unbreakable

Tiger, it's your mission

A Japanese tiger

Run through this city

Hi, this is Ichijo, returning your call.

Climb up to the top Of the Empire State Building

About your request, I've already spoken to them,

so don't worry, everything is under control.

Beat King Kong

Thank you.

Ah Ah

And about the issue of the shrimp situation

and the problem with an approved route to Japan, I-

Sir?

Currently, we're building a shrimp farm in Ecuador,

and we're trying to establish a trilateral trade block

with the U.S. on board as a buyer,

to sell the product to Japan.

Right. Next.

Yes.

Budweiser beer goes down relatively easy

and is popular in the U.S.,

but it's not available in Japan yet.

If we streamline all the production line

and establish an import route to Japan,

we can expand the base of our customers.

- I'm sure of it. - So, Timmy!

Sir?

Can you drink this beer?

No, I don't drink.

In New York,

he was studying international finance in grad school,

and while working as the company's youngest finance officer,

he oversaw trade for a trillion yen

and foreign exchange for the trade block,

as well as the company's domestic interests.

Amtrak train number 69!

Have a good day.

Dear Satoru, Long time no see. We're doing well.

Please take care. Love, Mom.

Mother.

Thank you.

Do I really have a mission to spread the truth

to people all over the world?

You do.

Jesus Christ

Right now, conflicts and wars are breaking out

all over the globe.

That's why you need to tell the world, right away,

what true love is.

- Give me the bag! - No, no!

- Come on, I need the bag! - Stop it!

- Give me the bag! - Get away!

- Come on! - Get away from me!

- Hey! - Stop!

Let her go!

- Somebody, help - I'm calling the police.

Are you okay?

Thank you.

Satoru?

Chiaki?

Satoru, thank you for saving my life.

Of course.

I'm just glad that you're okay.

Um, so tell me what brings you to New York.

I'm here on a short-term study program,

to learn about the U.S. legal system.

Oh, interesting.

And why are you here?

Uh, I'm here as a trainee at the New York facility

of our trading house.

You ended up working in the trading business?

That's just so hard to believe.

Surprised, are you?

A little.

I'm curious.

Do you still write your poetry?

No, I haven't been able to find the time for that.

Oh, I see.

Satoru, thank you so much for tonight.

No, thank you.

We didn't really talk to each other much back in college,

so this is kind of our first real conversation.

I guess so.

So I'd be glad to walk you to your home, if you'd like.

Oh, no, that's all right.

Someone's coming to get me.

Over here!

Let me introduce my fiancé, Miura.

Satoru, it's been a while.

We were in the prefectural association at Tomei, remember?

Ah, Miura, that's right.

Chiaki and I are here together for a short-term program.

We are hoping to get married by the end of this year.

Well, that's great.

I'm happy for you.

My father likes him, too.

You see, like my father, Miura is also a judge.

Oh, I see.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

I hope you find happiness.

I'm sure that you will.

- Right, let's go. - Mm-hmm.

Bye.

Oh my dearest, it's too immature to call it love,

yet it's too awkward to call it friendship.

Our hearts are at the mercy of the wind.

Why don't we listen for the voices of the wind?

Good morning.

Ah, good morning.

Hey, Satoru,

you're different than the other elites from Japan, you know?

You're always modest.

- You think? - Yes.

I've never met anyone like you before.

You're fast and accurate in your work,

but you never show off.

Your American colleagues have begun

to notice your work ethic.

And it seems to me they're now feeling like they need

to raise the level of their work performance.

I'm just trying to do my best.

Hey, have you gotten a chance to go to Blue Note yet?

Hey, Ichijo!

Yes, sir.

Can you take care of this?

Of course.

Hey, about what we discussed.

Still workin' on it.

- I'm counting on you. - I'm on it.

- Mm-hmm. - I'm sorry to interrupt you.

Sir, will you stay as well?

Mm-hmm.

Are you planning to use commercial paper

to finance a local project here in the United States

without the proper approval from the Japanese bank,

in order to avoid the higher interest rate?

So what?

Totally unacceptable!

Don't we need to have head office approval

for this type of transaction?

Yes, but there's no way the head office would approve

of this if we asked.

We want to finance this project locally with Sunny Bank,

without bothering the head office.

We'll get a huge infusion of funds at a cheaper rate.

Ends justify the means.

With all due respect,

we need to at least speak with our main bank about this.

They have a branch right here in New York City.

If they think we've gone behind their backs,

they're sure to retaliate.

Japanese banks are inflexible and not worth the trouble.

The foreign banks work a lot faster.

We can't do this!

They finance us with billions.

If we make them lose face, by doing this,

our relationship will be ruined.

You have to look at the big picture,

not just see what's beneficial now.

Looking back now,

I guess he had the better judgment.

The head office was furious with us.

And I was sent back to Tokyo because of it.

I remember.

I heard that he was the only one who opposed the deal.

One mistake will get you sent home, right away,

which you'd want to avoid.

He came back and declined the offer

to become a resident officer.

A resident officer?

No one has ever been offered that.

If you decide to take it,

it's five years in New York.

Five more years?

Can I afford to stay in New York for five more years?

What's wrong?

I'm honored that you've offered me this.

You, you turned it down?

Do you know it's a huge promotion when they ask you

to be a resident officer?

I know, Tina.

But I need to go back to Japan.

Is that really what you want?

It's okay, Tina.

Thanks for everything.

Hey, Timmy!

You've been such a pain in the neck over the past year,

but I think I understand now.

It's not that you're a bad person or anything like that.

You're just a country bumpkin.

It's his way of complimenting you.

Here, let me pin it on you.

Thank you.

Mr. Goto, congratulations, it's well-deserved.

Mr. Isobe, so good to see you.

President of Sumiyoshi Bank, right?

Thank you so much for coming tonight.

I truly appreciate your presence.

I'm glad to be here.

The Toho Company has always been a special client

of our bank.

Thank you so much.

Do you still remember when we gave your company loans

at the prime rate for the first time in history?

Ah, that was because of Satoru.

I'm sure that he's greatly missed

by all in your company.

Sumiyoshi Bank, Ningyocho Branch

Tokyo, 1983

Back in Japan, Satoru worked

in the finance division as a negotiator

in charge of 20 major banks.

Can we please discuss the interest rate?

The prime rate is what we'd like to have.

The prime rate, huh, really?

I don't think that can happen.

In an environment rife with variables,

I'm afraid most companies have exposure to risk,

so we can't just-

However, the prime rate is

what you offer the most creditworthy companies.

Isn't that right?

Our trading firm has sales that rank seventh in the world,

and we're very strong with our cash flow

and firm financial footing.

I believe we're among the most creditworthy.

It's all in the report in front of you.

While it's true the prime rate is occasionally offered

to a few of the most creditworthy companies in our business,

the truth is we only offer it to our own affiliates.

That doesn't make sense.

The prime rate is meant for blue chip companies

who are strong enough to borrow from banks

with minimal risk to you.

If you can offer that rate to us,

we'll make you the first bank of choice for all

- future financial needs. - That would be

quite unprecedented, coming here alone

and making a demand like that without company backing.

Excuse me, sir.

I do not lie ever.

On behalf of my company,

when I say yes, the deal's done,

when I say no, it's finished,

there are no other choices.

My decisions are absolute.

I came here with full authority to make a final decision.

Finance Division

Please excuse me, ma'am.

Could you tell me

where Mr. Ichijo's desk is?

Of course.

Right there.

Thank you.

That's the Sumiyoshi Bank branch manager.

The branch where all of Sumiyoshi's execs are assigned?

Isn't he a board member too?

Hello.

I like how you drink up that way.

Mr. Isobe.

You must be Satoru Ichijo, correct?

Yes.

I'm told my staff was unable

to counter your argument the other day.

I'm not sure what to do.

Mr. Isobe, as I said the other day.

I'm fully aware that your profits

from us will decline a little.

But we are as creditworthy as Sumiyoshi Trading,

your affiliate, or any company with which you do business.

There's no rule that says the prime rate can only be offered

to your affiliates.

You're required to post all the companies

that receive the prime rate from you.

I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Isobe.

How can we be of help to you?

I'm good.

I only came here to see what kind of person he is.

I was just leaving.

Ah, okay?

You've got a good man right there.

Ah.

Satoru, how have you been?

I've been visiting publishers,

showing them your spiritual messages.

But because of the content,

I haven't been able to find one that will publish your book.

They all say that with so many messages from God,

it's too good to be true.

But I'll keep doing what I can.

Don't get discouraged.

And keep working hard.

Love, Dad.

Buddha

The Developmental Stages of Love

Eisaku Isobe, Branch Manager

My mind's made up.

If we're gonna lose, let's be graceful about it.

We will apply the prime rate for you.

Thank you, sir.

We'll have less return from your company,

but I think that we can cover the loss

from our other contacts.

I'll talk to our main office

and get you contracts right away.

Thank you very much.

Although, what do you want in return?

In return, we want nothing.

Personally, though, I would like

to see you rise to great heights.

That's what I want from this.

Sumiyoshi Bank is giving us the prime rate now?

That has never happened before.

Yes, the other major trading companies,

well, they only get subprime rates.

This is highly unusual.

Who negotiated the deal?

Satoru Ichijo from finance.

Oh, that guy who was in New York.

So he got the request approved by the bank?

He's a real go-getter, isn't he?

Yes.

Yoshizawa got two billion from the Fujiyama Bank.

And he got that with interest of 6.8%.

But Satoru got the exact same two billion,

except he got 6.3% interest from the Sumiyoshi Bank.

That saves us 50 million yen in five years.

That's just exceptional.

Do you know his career track?

Yes, the executive track.

Next month, he goes to Nagoya branch,

which is like a more compact headquarters,

so he'll learn management there.

It'll be a great place for him to learn the next step.

In Nagoya,

I met the kindest people of all my days at the company.

But I didn't know, by a twist of fate,

I would end up suffering the most.

Toho Company Co., Ltd. Nagoya Branch

Mr. Satoru Ichijo, it was like you came down from heaven,

just to appear before me,

but only for a brief moment.

This is Miho, the branch manager's secretary.

I have an executive from the Owari Bank holding on the line.

When I told him that the manager wasn't here,

he asked if he could speak with you instead.

You can put him through.

Thank you very much.

Hello, this is Satoru.

Can I help you?

Mr. Ichijo again?

Yes.

He gets all the calls directly from bank executives.

It sure seems that way, right?

He's the elite of the elites, don't you think so?

You don't get to meet a single Tomei grad every day,

and he's good at his job.

What more can you ask?

I guess.

It's really just that I wouldn't like him at all

if he was just another money-grabbing,

aggressive financial toady person.

What do you think, Miho?

I don't know.

Well, whenever I talk to him on the telephone,

he seems like a nice enough guy.

Hey, look, it's Miss Hard-to-Get, Miho Tachibana.

She is something.

She's the one who's turned down dates

from just about everyone here.

Yeah, but she's so gorgeous.

Excuse me, but the deputy manager would like to see you

in the conference room, by the end of the day.

Okay, I'll see him later.

Have a good day.

Satoru, let's go eat.

Mr. Hinata.

Ryotaro Shiba, nice.

Ry么ma! Volume I

Looks like we have the same taste in books.

Wow, that means a lot, coming from you.

Thank you very much.

So what's goin' on?

I see that Miho's been coming

to your desk quite often lately.

Oh no, it's not like that.

She's just doing her job, paperwork.

Oh!

I wish I were young again.

Let's go.

Uh, sure.

While Satoru was climbing

up the bright career ladder,

things were far from glamorous here in Kawashima.

Spiritual Messages from Kukai

So, by the way,

I'm thinking about opening a tutoring school.

A tutoring school?

Mm-hmm.

And once we get our business going,

we'll be able to support you, and you can leave your job.

I mean, the one thing I was good at

was studying, at least.

So the two of you think you're ready

to start a new business.

Starting a business

doesn't always guarantee success, you know.

With this business plan,

you'll go bankrupt in three years.

Don't do it.

Toho Company Sept / Oct Issue '82

Contributed Articles

By Satoru Ichijo, New York Branch

Sharing the greatest legacy.

As a legacy to the next generations,

I may not leave them my money, business, or thoughts,

but I hope people will tell the story

of a man named Satoru Ichijo who was born in Japan

to serve the next generations.

His courageous yet graceful life became a legacy

for the world.

That's how I want to be remembered.

Incredible.

You have quite the philosophical side to you, Mr. Ichijo.

Huh?

I read your article

in the company newsletter, the other day,

which was published a while ago.

Oh no, I didn't know it was sent here.

No, I think it's amazing.

Hmm?

I'd like to make a difference in this world,

something meaningful to let everyone know

that I was here and existed.

Oh, is that right?

Actually, I'm thinking about leaving this company

and be independent someday.

Independent?

Yes, I used to think

that I would eventually find a special someone

that I would want to devote my life to

and of course get married,

but I can't seem to meet anyone.

Oh.

I want to move in another direction

and work on honing my skills.

Oh, please, promise me you won't tell anyone about this.

Oh, of course not.

You're really smart, talented,

and a person beaming with confidence.

I'm sure you'll be successful in whatever field you choose.

- Oh, you think so? - Mm.

Maybe I could be a journalist.

It would be amazing

to tell the world everything I've learned

and all that I've discovered.

That would be amazing.

But why are you telling me your dreams?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I don't know why.

But, for some reason, I just,

I just felt like telling you.

Oh.

I knew you'd come to this event, Miss Nakamura.

Of course.

What I recall, Satoru was like god himself.

That's how I saw him.

You see, back then,

actually, in the dorm, I was bullied a lot.

Look what you did!

Why are you so slow?

Get back to work now!

Mom, no, don't do it!

I'm sorry, so sorry.

Good morning.

I should end my life

and my daughter's.

Hey there.

Stay strong.

What?

I'm going.

But I'll be back by six.

That sounds good.

Have a good day.

Here, I'll take that.

Ah, thank you.

See you later.

He must know everything about me.

Hi there.

I'm back now.

Oh, welcome back.

Listen.

I told the department you did nothing wrong.

So don't worry, you'll be fine.

You really did that for me?

Oh, I cannot thank you enough.

If I were to lose my job here,

I wouldn't be able to support my daughter.

Don't worry.

You've been so very kind to me.

I really appreciate that.

Thank you.

Miss Nagoya Beauty Contest!

Shh!

Oh, sorry.

There's a chance that it just might help my career

in the future.

So I'm thinking about entering the contest.

Oh, I see.

I really respect your courage doing something like this.

But do you think I have chance of winning?

Yeah, I'm sure you'll be the next Miss Nagoya,

or at least you'll be the first runner up.

Mr. Ichijo, would you mind taking me to the venue.

I don't know why, but if you'd come along,

I feel like I might have a chance of winning.

You mean, you pointed out the flaw of Mako Bank's logic?

Yes, the 8% fixed rate was outrageously high.

They'd been demanding that for way too long,

and it's costing us.

We're losing money on a bad deal.

They're too arrogant for us to keep on as clients.

You are a hard negotiator, Satoru.

I guess that means we're going to have to cut them off.

We gonna be okay?

Don't worry about it.

I'd never make a decision

that could hurt this company in any way.

Hmm.

We may lose Mako because of this,

but I've already had a meeting with Maruyama Bank

to fill the void.

Ah, congratulations.

Thank you.

But I didn't win the top prize.

Yeah, but I told you, Miss Nagoya or runner-up.

And you were right.

By coming in second, you'll stay humble

and prepare for the next opportunity,

so you can fly even higher

and achieve a bigger success in the future.

And that's one way to look at it, I suppose.

I must say you really are stoic, Mr. Ichijo.

Oh, let me take your picture,

just one or two.

Maybe right over here?

Okay.

I got it.

Thank you.

A little bit to the left.

Okay.

Ready?

Now.

One more?

Say cheese.

Let's see what we got.

The developmental stages of love?

The love I speak of is the kind

of love you keep giving to others,

unconditional love.

But I believe there are four stages of love.

"Fundamental love, nurturing love.

After that, there's forgiving love.

And finally, you will reach love incarnate.

This is my theory of the development stages of love. "

Ah, don't read it out so loud.

No one has ever written about love before,

especially not in the company newsletter.

Actually, I don't think there's anyone like you,

at our company or any other company in the world.

Are you giving me a compliment?

Yes, of course.

Hey, according to this,

love between a man and a woman is part of fundamental love.

So does that mean it's just the first stage of love?

Mm, that's right.

Romantic love or neighborly love is the most basic stage.

It's the easiest for everyone to practice.

The most basic stage.

Then there's nurturing love.

It guides people to a better place.

Forgiving love teaches you to forgive your enemies.

When one reaches love incarnate,

your very existence becomes the spirit of the age,

the highest form of love in the developmental stages.

Okay.

I guess that, for you,

romantic love is a very low level of love.

Uh, sorry, that's not true.

It's not true?

Well, I mean,

the time that we get to spend together is important,

at least, to me, it is.

You're just being nice to me.

Should we go back now?

Yes.

Ah, thank you.

Hello.

Ah, Father.

Yeah, I'm really good.

I'm home!

Yeah?

You finally found a publisher?

Ichijo Tutoring School

It's a small independent called Ryubin Publishing Company.

They say they'll publish your spiritual messages.

Spiritual Messages from Nichiren

You can use my name if you want,

so your company won't find out about it.

It's happening.

Amazing, that's great.

Father, thank you.

Mm, yeah.

Yes!

Oh, Mr. Hinata,

- good night. - Huh?

Yeah, I used to think that I had him all figured out.

But I realized that I didn't know him at all.

Yeah, but I think

that we both felt something about him was special,

and it turns out he was.

Yeah, there's one time,

when his colleagues went to a hostess club,

Satoru had a car, so they talked him into driving them

to the place, that night.

Ah.

But then, on the way to the club,

they decided to make a U- turn and head home.

Being with him made them feel a little bit guilty

about doing it,

like clubbing with a monk.

He worked so hard, as a businessman

and was even studious in his private life.

He sure was.

Yeah.

Oh my.

Satoru continues to buy more books.

Oh, I had no idea, Satoru.

Poems by Satoru Ichijo "Love: Before and After"

Self-publish!

I've been writing poems since college.

I wanted to publish them as a book.

That's fantastic.

That's awesome.

All right, I'm gonna go out and promote them.

Oh, thanks so much.

Listen up!

Who wants to read Satoru's poems?

Satoru writes too?

- Huh? Satoru? - You really need

to read this.

Maybe I'll give it a read.

- Okay, I'll take a look. - And you too!

You wrote this one for a girl you were

in love with in college, didn't you?

What?

How'd you know that?

It's pretty obvious when you look at it.

In any case, I'm sure that she was happy to be loved by you.

I don't know.

Hey, is this about me?

Sacred Girl

Why no, of course not.

Sorry, I gotta go.

Spiritual Messages from Nichiren

Nobutada Ichijo

Satoru Ichijo

I'll take this.

Thank you.

It's 980 yen.

Would you like a cover?

- Yes, please. - All right,

let me get it for you, I'll be right back.

So what was it

that made him decide to leave our company?

Was he upset about being sent to Nagoya?

No, that wasn't it.

He was back in Tokyo for a while.

After that, we were talking about sending him

to Germany for a little while.

Hmm?

If I remember correctly,

didn't he write a future plan for the company

while he was in Nagoya.

Am I correct?

Yes, it was a fantastic proposal.

That's why we called him back to Tokyo.

This is gonna be passed way up the ladder.

My only concern is what the CEO will say.

Basically, in the long run,

property prices will go down.

If we keep investing heavily in property,

it'll lead to financial instability.

The exchange rate is currently 240 yen per dollar.

In a few years, it'll be under 200, in the 190 yen range.

That's so ridiculous.

It'll be 250, or it might go back to 300 yen.

No.

I'm thinking, eventually, it might even be under 100.

We need to plan ahead, just in case.

I'm not sure the CEO will approve

of such a drastic change right now.

The final decision is his.

But for the future of the company,

I think he should at least listen

to his staff's recommendations.

Well, at this point,

I don't think that your idea is gonna be approved.

But I have high expectations for you.

Keep working hard at your job,

and you'll be leading this company in the near future.

Spiritual Messages from Nichiren From Kukai

Jesus Christ Goddess Amaterasu

Socrates Ryoma Sakamoto

I'll take this.

Thank you.

Spiritual Messages from Nichiren

Did you know this is Satoru's book?

I know.

So you bought one, too, huh?

Yup, I was curious.

Hey, Miho, have you seen this?

Satoru Ichijo

When will I be ready

to start teaching the truth to the world?

Should I follow my calling?

Or should I stay and follow the path of my career?

Soon the dharma wheel will turn.

In heaven, Tathagata and Bodhisattvas are preparing

Princess Kozakura

to help you.

It's just...

You're kind-hearted,

so you feel like you owe the company

for investing so much into you.

Yes.

Oh.

Satoru, are you in there?

Yes.

Can I come in?

Mr. Hinata.

Ah.

You seem to be a little down, lately.

I'm a really good listener.

Thank you.

But I'm fine, thanks.

So, what's this?

A broken heart, possibly?

Oh, no.

It's not what it seems.

Miho sure is cute.

Honestly, I wonder,

if any woman can live up to someone as virtuous as you are.

Huh?

What do you mean by that?

Yeah, not that I know anything.

But you work 10 times harder than all of us.

And you're always studying at some insane level, too.

I mean, look at this room.

If Miho saw it, I bet she'd be horrified.

That's true.

Oh, oh, sorry.

Are you okay?

You see?

I'm so sorry.

You've got so many books here.

You've read them all, right?

Yes.

That's incredible.

Toho Company Co., Ltd. Christmas Dance Party

Look, Satoru's sitting alone.

And Miho is, too.

Bring them over here.

Okay.

Hey, Satoru, you need to go over

and ask Miho to dance with you.

Oh, no, I could never.

Sure, you can.

We're just the guys to help you out.

Hey, Miho, will you dance with this guy, please?

Yes.

- Huh? - Good for you.

So what are you laughing at?

It's, it's just that you're actually

- a really good dancer. - No.

I told you that if I met someone

that I could devote my life to,

I wouldn't have to have a career myself.

Do you remember me saying that?

I'm starting to think that maybe I don't have

to become a journalist.

What?

You're the Buddha reborn.

Your mission is to save all people by spreading the truth.

Buddha

Unify all religions on earth

to establish a new world religion

and open a path to a new civilization.

You've been working hard towards your dreams,

and I think that I like that Miho better.

So,

are you sure?

I am, yeah.

I can't bear to see you leave everything you've strived for,

for the dreams of another.

Tell me.

Who are you really?

I can't say yet, not even to you.

Then when will you tell me?

Please, just give me a little more time.

Understood.

Hey, can you foresee my future?

You can actually see it, can't you?

What are you talking about?

Please.

Won't you do it just this once?

All right, just a little.

Please let me see it.

Show this person's future.

KTT Flash News time.

Miho Tachibana reporting from the studio.

Okay, great!

Thanks a lot.

- Thank you. - Good job.

- Thank you so much. - You did great.

Really?

Yeah, can we do a little meeting after this?

What is it?

Did you see something that was horrible?

Oh, no, not at all.

It looked like you'll be

a successful television broadcaster.

And you'll also be blessed with a nice family.

Did you see who it is I'm going to be with?

No.

I'm sorry.

I couldn't see that.

I see.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's so late.

I'll take you home.

What?

It won't open.

If it won't open, that means...

It's no problem.

I can get home on my own. Don't worry.

Wait a second.

I'm sure I can get it open.

I hate to say this.

It looks like we'll have

to go our separate ways now, Satoru.

Thank you for a wonderful time.

Goodbye.

Ah, I live my life with faith in you

It's so fragile

So hard

So vain

If I am allowed to

Do what I could do

At all cost

I'm starting to think

that maybe I don't have to become a journalist.

I will devote my life

Who are you really?

It looks like we'll have to go our separate ways now.

Thank you for a wonderful time.

To you

Let my love

Goodbye.

Burn inside

How could my longing

Possibly be your obstacle?

Oh no

I can't forgive myself

Ah Ah Ah I have to let go of my love

That must be

Good work.

The way

Need a ride?

No, thanks. I'm okay.

I have to

Okay.

Choose

Take care.

No matter where I am in this world

All right, pack it up.

Satoru, your prediction came true.

My soul

Will be

But on that day,

weren't you trying to tell me something important?

Guiding your way

December 8, 1985

Maybe I should stay at the company until I'm 45.

Then when I leave as a company executive,

it'll be easier for people to trust and follow me.

Absolutely.

You'll most likely be an executive in your 40s

and may eventually become president.

By staying there, you'll make many people happy.

The happy couple!

Is that my future if I keep my job?

If you quit now,

it will all have been for nothing.

You'll betray those who trusted you.

We are putting our heads together now,

working on a solution.

We're trying our best to minimize the loss now, sir.

Your family will be reduced to poverty.

You won't be able to make Miho Tachibana happy.

If you can't even make the woman you love happy,

how can you make the world happy?

Stop it!

It's my job to bring happiness to everybody.

Keep your job and get promoted to the top.

You should earn a sufficient income

and marry the one you love.

You've worked so hard.

You deserve respect and power.

That's what real human happiness is.

That's what real human happiness is?

I know now.

You're the devil!

Insolent boy, how could someone like you become a savior?

Through my entire life,

have I lived in a way that causes me

to be targeted by the devil?

No, I've always been diligent and done my best.

Nevertheless, a powerful devil came to obstruct my path.

This, in fact, is proof that my mission is real.

Devil, the fact that you're attacking me

so fiercely now means that it's time for me

to stand up for what I believe in!

I will destroy this devil.

And I will attain enlightenment here and now.

You, devil, get away now!

Get away now!

I don't need an income.

Die for the truth.

I won't be afraid of losing my life.

I don't need a career.

I don't need a reputation.

I don't care what others say about me.

I'll abandon everything I have in this life

and die at this moment.

This was my second death, at the age of 30.

I decided to give up everything

and start empty-handed.

Here you go.

Ah, thank you.

I'll be right back.

Kantoh TV made me an offer.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Mm.

Hey, let me buy you lunch today.

Thank you.

Then I'll have the curry.

Are you sure that's all you're going to eat?

Mm-hmm.

- Is it good? - Mm-hmm.

It's good.

Mm!

It is good.

I had fun today. Thank you.

Next time, it'll be on me.

Okay, but not the curry.

All right.

So, see ya.

Yes.

I had no idea that day was going

to be the last time I'd see him.

He was aiming for something I couldn't even imagine.

And on that day, he disappeared from my life.

Mr. Osamu Hinata

Mr. Hinata, I'm being sent back to Tokyo.

But I wanted to tell you that I'm planning

to quit the company.

Alongside my work at the company,

I've been in contact with heaven

and publishing messages from spirits.

I apologize for hiding my activities from you, my friend.

But it's time for me to leave.

For the next several decades,

I'll be teaching the truth to lead humanity to happiness.

I am destined to become a religious leader.

Please understand.

P.S., please give my regards to Miho.

Letter of resignation

Please.

Hey, is this-

Thank you for everything.

No, wait.

Hey, Satoru, come back!

Satoru!

Mr. Goto!

Satoru submitted this.

Did you stop him?

I tried.

How could you let this happen?

Spiritual Messages from Jesus Christ

Hey, Timmy!

Tell me this isn't true.

I only speak the truth.

That is what actually happened.

Sorry for insulting you,

it's just I had no idea you were so holy.

And me as well.

I thought you were trying to get a promotion.

It was July 15th, 1986.

I had just turned 30 on July 7th.

I quit my job and took a step forward into freedom.

The Laws of the Sun

I decided to devote my life

to teaching the truth to the world.

The activity that started

from my tiny studio apartment quickly spread far and wide.

The Ushigome Public Hall

The Hibiya Public Hall

Ryogoku Kokugikan

Makuhari Messe

Now is the time to spread God's words

to the whole world.

July 15, 1991

Because I am your eternal master.

Provided by explosiveskullomskull

That was

And that is

A very harsh path

No one understands me

Not even my best friends

Not even my family

Not even my girlfriend

No one understands me

I must go with myself

I must go with myself

How could I tell anyone

How tough it is

I am all alone

Training myself over and over

I must walk this path alone

From the midnight darkness

I come out

Believing

Daybreak will come

I must go with myself

I am lonely

I feel loneliness

I must go with myself

When I walk alone

No one knows my loneliness

Father, Mother, Brother

My colleagues, my boss

My beloved

You'll only see me from a distance

As I gradually

Fade out of your sight

In the dark before daybreak

Not knowing where I go Or which path I take

Which river I swim across

Whether I attain the enlightenment

I never know

The future is not yet to be seen

Be persistent

Be indomitable

That is how I must live

Only my will can help

And encourage me

All I can do is just to walk

Toward daybreak

Yes, for sure

The sun shall rise again

The sun shall rise again

Ah Ah Ah

My twiceborn will come

I believe it will

Ah Ah Ah Ah