Original subtitles

-Where are you? It starts in five minutes. -Five minutes?

I'm still in Shibuya.

It'll take me ten more minutes.

You'll be too late. Go faster.

I can't. I'm already at the speed limit.

Park at the front when you get here.

It's been a while, Mr. Aso.

It's nice to see you again, Ioka.

You've been doing well.

Thank you.

Keep it up, Chief.

Mr. Aso's moving to the stage wing. Hurry.

Any luck, Chief?

Mori found one that fits. She's bringing it now.

How could they just change outfits at the last minute like this?

Saki.

Was this Ms. Yoko's idea?

It's not for you to worry about.

You're up in five minutes.

-Okay. -Okay.

-Kagawa, come with me. -Okay.

HIDETO ASO KURYU FUJIWARA

Saki.

Saki!

Are you being serious?

We have no time. I'll go get the coat.

Yeah, but that's--

We can't lose to a petty tactic like this.

-I get that, but isn't this going a bit-- -Kagawa.

Welcome, Ms. Yoko.

-Welcome. -Welcome.

-It's nice to see you. -Likewise. This way, please.

Yes? Yes, it's fine. I have their number.

I'll get to it soon. Bye.

-Mori! -It's in the back.

Thank you!

Hello?

Is this Ms. Mori's number?

That was the first episode of Proof of Recollection,

a show commemorating JBS TV's 70th anniversary.

We hope you enjoyed it.

Thank you.

PROOF OF RECOLLECTION

The filming is still ongoing,

but both of the lead actors are here for this event today.

Please welcome--

Please wait.

Please wait a moment.

Ms. Yoko.

What's this? Some technical issue?

I apologize.

The lighting equipment is malfunctioning. We'll fix it promptly.

Try not to make our Aso look bad, okay?

Of course, ma'am.

Fix it now!

Yes, sir.

I apologize for the delay.

It looks like we're ready now,

so please welcome both of them to the stage.

Kuryu! Hurry up!

Saki.

To celebrate JBS TV's 70th anniversary, we have invited Mr. Aso and Mr. Fujiwara.

Wait.

Give them a round of applause!

Be confident. You can do it.

This way, please.

Thank you.

Let's see.

I think the teamwork between the crew and the cast

comes through in the final product.

I think it will be worthy of the 70th anniversary…

Ioka.

Sorry about the coat.

Ms. Yoko made the last-minute change.

It's just harassment.

I couldn't let Kuryu go on stage with the same outfit as Mr. Aso.

I think you really struck a nerve

by bypassing her and getting the chairman on board with Kuryu's return to TV.

Yeah, I underestimated her.

I didn't expect all this in return.

Be careful, okay?

Your boss is the reason I have to be careful.

Let's get some comments from Mr. Fujiwara now.

I believe this will be your first role in a drama after going independent.

Well, to be honest,

these last few years, it hasn't been easy.

But I am overjoyed to get the chance

to be on a JBS TV drama again.

That jacket.

It suits him well.

Thank you.

Kuryu's looking more dependable now.

Ever since he left us and joined you, he's been doing great.

Ms. Yoko.

Thank you for letting Kuryu co-star with Mr. Aso.

Don't thank me.

Shouldn't you be thanking the chairman instead?

Not at all. I'm also grateful to you.

I guess so.

You got to make the industry think that we are on good terms, after all.

Chief.

Excuse me. Can I talk to you?

Excuse me.

You bought enough time. Thank you.

Sure, but the thing is…

What's wrong?

A reporter from Weekly Buncho called me.

One of their articles this week will be a scandal involving Kuryu.

A scandal?

Good night.

Good night to you too.

Bye.

Hey.

Saki wants to talk to you. She's waiting in the car.

Okay, got it.

-You did well. -Saki.

You too.

-Hey, Kuryu. -What?

Anything strange happen recently?

Where's that coming from?

What? Did something happen?

A reporter from Weekly Buncho called us.

Weekly Buncho?

They said they'll publish a scandal.

Is it about me?

What kind of scandal?

I don't know yet.

They'll mail us the details tomorrow.

If you know anything, tell me now.

So we can prepare.

I don't.

-Are you sure? -Of course I am.

-Anything involving women? -Come on, Saki!

I just had a child.

How about any drugs, gambling, or some kind of violent--

Saki!

After I went independent, you've known me better than anyone.

It's probably nonsense.

Right.

Sorry about that.

It's okay.

Let me know the details once you get them tomorrow.

Okay, I will.

Good night.

Good night.

Before I forget, I have an announcement for you all.

My baby products brand, Twinkle Hug, has been working on some new pacifiers,

and they're finally ready!

Check these out. Aren't they cute?

There's more with other designs too.

I'll share the full details on an official post later.

That's all for today.

See you next time. Bye-bye. Thanks for watching!

Welcome back.

I'm home.

How was the event? It was a big topic online.

It went pretty well.

That's good. Could you hold these real quick?

-What? -And stand here.

Okay. What are these?

Here you go.

Oh, the samples are ready?

Yeah, preparations for the launch event have been going smoothly too.

You have to help with the marketing too.

Yeah, sure. I will.

All good. Thanks.

Just went to sleep.

Did I wake you?

I'm home.

Yes?

Sorry for calling so late. I'm Ioka, representing Rafale.

Thank you for the call. I'm Hirata from Weekly Buncho.

I didn't expect the CEO to call me directly.

I wanted to talk about the matter with our talent, Kuryu Fujiwara.

I'll mail you the details tomorrow.

I would like to meet you in person.

In person?

I would like to confirm as many of the details as possible.

To avoid any misunderstandings.

Alright. Visit our office at ten o'clock tomorrow morning.

Understood.

I'll be there together with an associate named Kagawa.

Goodbye then.

YURI HARA'S SUICIDE

Give my Yuri back!

You monster!

-Sorry, I used a business card as a note. -It's fine.

-Who was that? -Ms. Ioka.

-The CEO of Kuryu Fujiwara's agency. -Kuryu Fujiwara? Why did she call?

He's going to become the top story for this week.

Top story? That's pretty sudden.

The editor-in-chief insisted.

He must have wanted it to coincide it with the drama interview.

You think so?

INCOMING CALL: R

-Who was that? -What?

Nothing.

I'm tired.

I need a shower.

Fujiwara said he doesn't know?

Yeah, he said it must be some nonsense.

I see.

Now is a bad time for some absurd article to get printed.

-We have to make them cancel it. -Right.

BUNCHO OFFICE

Thank you.

They're waiting over there.

Sorry for the wait.

I'm Hirata from Weekly Buncho.

I'm Ioka from Rafale.

I'm Kagawa, the vice-president.

-Sorry about the sudden appointment. -It's fine.

-Would you prefer coffee or tea? -Neither.

I'd like to get to business right away.

As you wish.

-Can you get us three coffees? -Just a moment.

We believe that Kuryu is clean.

If this article has no basis,

we are prepared to take strict legal action in retaliation.

It's well-founded.

Six years ago, Mr. Fujiwara married Mirei Yoshikawa

who was an idol at the time, right?

Yes.

They're a famous couple,

and the wife even started a baby products brand recently.

So you've done your research. What of it?

My article is about Mr. Fujiwara's affair.

An affair?

Our company received a leak.

It said that five years ago,

he stayed overnight at a hotel with a woman he met at a bar in Yokohama.

Five years ago?

Mr. Fujiwara was still affiliated with Kodama Productions back then,

and I hear you weren't managing him then.

-It's natural that you don't know. -Hold on.

You're writing an article based on just that?

That information has no credibility, and also, where did that leak come from?

In terms of confidentiality,

I cannot share my source or their personal information.

Maybe so, but without knowing that, we have no way to--

Have a look.

Is this…

That's Kuryu Fujiwara, right?

Seem more credible now?

Will these pictures be in the article?

Of course.

This is an important period for him.

What's the point of digging up dirt from five years ago?

The public deserves to know.

You just think it'll sell!

You even timed it to match with his return to TV dramas.

So you agree that it's Mr. Fujiwara in those pictures?

I'll mail you a questionnaire later.

This week's issue goes on sale Thursday.

Please respond by noon tomorrow.

You can have that copy.

To confirm with Mr. Fujiwara.

Excuse me. Here's your coffee.

-Welcome back. -Thanks.

-Hirata! -Yes?

How's the Fujiwara thing going?

Smoothly so far.

I'll go do some field work today.

What field work?

I just need to look into something.

Finish the advance copy today, okay?

Got it.

I'm going out for research.

Research?

Ninomiya!

Yes?

You got a minute?

Yes.

I made the deposit for you-know-what.

Thank you.

Hello, ma'am.

Kuryu.

This is Mr. Tozaki, our legal advisor.

I'm Tozaki.

Ms. Ioka brought me up to speed, but I need to confirm a few things.

Okay.

Can you confirm that you are the one in these pictures?

That's--

I cannot protect you if you don't answer truthfully.

Are you the one in the pictures?

Saki. I swear, I didn't--

Answer his questions.

Mr. Tozaki specializes in entertainment industry affairs.

And he can help you, provided you're honest with him.

Kuryu.

It's me.

How long did you stay at the hotel?

What?

I was drunk, so I went to sleep.

Until morning then. With this woman?

Yes.

That's awful.

But I swear, I didn't do anything!

Fujiwara, please…

It's the truth! I didn't do anything!

I admit that I went to the hotel.

But I…

I was really drunk.

I went to the hotel with her and entered the room,

but I went to sleep while she was taking a shower!

-I woke up the next morning. -Is that really all?

Any chance you forgot because you were drunk?

None.

I swear, I didn't do anything. It's the truth!

Even this picture.

She took this without permission while I was asleep!

When I woke up, I realized my mistake.

I apologized to her and sent her home on a taxi.

If so, why is she naked in the picture?

I already told you.

She took a shower, and I went to sleep first!

I'm wearing a shirt in this! I'm wearing clothes!

I'm telling the truth!

You have to believe me!

I regretted going there and ended things immediately.

Trust me!

I didn't cheat on my wife.

Okay, I will trust you.

-Saki-- -But the public won't.

You spent a long time in a hotel with this woman,

and could have engaged in sexual acts.

Even if a magazine calls it adultery, it will be hard to sue for libel.

-But… -The issue isn't whether you did it.

If they call it adultery in an article and the public believes what's written,

the facts won't stop it from becoming the truth.

But that's just…

Can we negotiate with the publisher and get them to retract the article?

It will be tough for a company of your size.

Maybe Kodama Productions could do it.

In addition, while you could claim it's a violation of privacy,

the law permits the act of reporting on public personalities like yourself.

If you did in fact stay at the hotel with her,

we can't stop the article.

If the article blows up, you will most likely lose your drama role.

Not to mention,

you have advertisement contracts with companies that operate nationally.

You might have to pay huge sums in reparations.

What? But…

Why? But wait, that's not…

Why? It doesn't make any…

I didn't even…

I already told you.

Going to the hotel in itself is the issue, even if you did nothing.

Mori, call the production companies we're working with.

Cancel all filming from tomorrow onward.

We can buy a few days if we say he caught the flu.

Okay.

-Kagawa, come. -Yes, ma'am.

What do we do?

If we can't stop it, we have to minimize the damage.

We won't know how bad it will be until it comes out.

Then we…

We'll do whatever we can.

Hello, this is Ioka speaking.

Are you at the TV station, Mr. Noguchi?

I need to talk to you about an urgent matter.

Yes, can I come over there now?

Okay.

I'm very sorry for the trouble our Fujiwara has caused you.

An apology doesn't exactly help us.

I know.

An adultery scandal at this time?

Is that article really coming out? Couldn't you stop it?

We're trying, but it seems difficult--

What will you do about this?

You're the one who pushed this casting choice, Noguchi.

I'm sorry, sir.

Does Ms. Yoko know about this mess yet?

No, not yet.

Man, why did this have to happen before I got reshuffled?

At any rate, I will report this.

Man…

I'm really sorry for the trouble.

It's not always a given

that an adultery scandal will lead to a show getting cancelled.

It's all up to the public's reaction.

Will the drama be able to air if the article doesn't blow up?

I think so.

But it'll be bad if it gets too much attention

and the sponsors get concerned.

I'll try to handle that too.

In any case, I have to tell Ms. Yoko.

I'll contact her on my end too.

Goodbye.

-Hello? -I checked the advance copy.

SHAMEFUL NIGHT IN YOKOHAMA

How is it?

The rest is fine.

So fill in the conclusion and send it to me again.

Then I'll send it for proofreading.

Got it. Can you wait on the proofreading, though?

I might rewrite parts of it.

What?

All right, but where are you right now?

Sorry, I'll call you later.

You don't say.

Kuryu, huh?

I am deeply sorry.

You were gracious enough to grant him an opportunity,

and the drama with Mr. Aso was just getting started.

And?

What will you do?

I want to stop it from being covered by news programs.

If we can manage that, the damage will be minimized.

So you came to ask me a favor.

Chairman, there's no need for you to act.

Yoko.

I heard about the thing with Kuryu.

It's a shame.

But do you remember what you said when you left us?

You can't nurture actors by giving them lead roles that they haven't earned.

I will nurture actors with a different method.

You said you would survive in this industry with methods

different from ours.

Those were your words.

Considering that, your actions now are far too self-serving, aren't they?

Please.

How pitiful.

He's a talent under your wing. You should be fixing his mess.

That's what your job is.

Excuse me.

Ioka.

Don't be so quick to lower your head.

Akashi?

Kuryu's spot is opening up in that drama.

Compile a list of potential substitutes and send it to me.

Hello?

Ms. Ioka, this is Hirata from Weekly Buncho.

It's past the deadline for the questionnaire.

Did you fill it out?

I'm Saki Ioka from Rafale.

Over there.

Thank you for coming.

First of all, I would like to confirm your answers to the questionnaire.

Is the man in the picture Kuryu Fujiwara?

Does Mr. Fujiwara admit to engaging in infidelity?

How will your agency respond to this?

If you're willing to confirm the claims made in the article,

the wording and tone used in it can be adjusted to an extent.

This is?

It's two million yen.

You're trying to bribe me into silence?

I can't say. You're recording this, aren't you?

You don't have a clue, do you?

With all the attention around Kuryu Fujiwara,

how much do you think this article will make?

Magazine sales, online views, licensing fees from news media.

Up to 100 million yen is a safe bet. And you just offer two million?

What's the point of this article?

All it will do is damage Kuryu and his family!

Let me ask you.

Why do you think magazines sell so much?

It's simply retribution.

Retribution?

Entertainers sell an image, including their private lives.

In return, they get to lead luxurious lives.

If they abuse their position and secretly engage in foul behavior,

they should pay the price for it.

And it's our duty to expose their deception.

That doesn't justify ruining someone's life.

His wife and child are the biggest victims, right?

Don't act like he's the victim here.

Mr. Fujiwara is the one who brought this upon himself.

Once again,

can I take it that your agency admits the person in the photo is Mr. Fujiwara?

Ms. Ioka?

Excuse me. I have to leave.

Come in.

Well?

I'm sorry.

I don't want an apology.

I want an explanation!

It's true that I went to the hotel.

I was drunk and went to sleep. That's all that happened.

That's all?

What do you mean?

You went to a hotel with a woman and all you did was sleep.

Do you think anyone will believe that?!

Who's going to buy any of this?!

Who'd want to use baby products sold by an adulterer and his wife?!

Mirei!

Who would ever buy these pacifiers?!

Ms. Mirei!

Calm down!

Get off me!

Get out!

If only Kuryu had never gone to you.

If only he had stayed with Ms. Yoko, it would never…

This article would never have seen the light of day!

It's all over now!

It's all over!

How could you?!

How could you do this?!

What will I do now?

It's not over yet.

I won't let this be the end.

Chief, are you serious about holding a press conference?

I asked Mr. Tozaki to create a list of mock questions.

We'll make sure the reporters are all on our side.

But why? Won't this just add more fuel to the fire?

We'll devalue the Buncho article.

If we share the facts ourselves before the article comes out,

we can prevent any false rumors from spreading.

The article will get less attention.

-But-- -It's our only option!

Kuryu.

Wait.

I would like to thank you all

for gathering here today on such short notice.

Today, I wanted to directly tell you about an important…

Press conference by Kuryu Fujiwara.

They got the jump on us.

Our sales are going to take a big hit.

So where's our reporter for this story?

Five years ago,

at a friend's bar in Yokohama,

I got some drinks and later stayed overnight at a hotel…

with a woman who was at the bar.

An article about that occasion will be published tomorrow by Weekly Buncho.

On that night, I was heavily drunk.

I fell asleep immediately after entering the hotel room.

Nothing happened between me and that woman.

EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE

Nevertheless, I was a married man at the time,

and I deeply regret my unfaithful actions.

Once the article is out,

many people will have to deal with a lot of trouble as a result,

so I wanted to explain it in my own words.

I am deeply sorry for bringing this upon all of you.

And after thinking long and hard

about who I had hurt most with my thoughtless actions,

I talked with her.

And per her request,

my wife will be joining me for the remainder of this conference.

Whoa!

The two of you already settled this issue five years ago.

-I want you to go with that story. -What?

In the case of a cheating scandal,

whether you can recover or not depends on public reception.

The most effective way to resolve this

is for you to present the impression that it's already water under the bridge.

But why should I?

I understand how you feel.

Even if nothing ultimately happened,

Kuryu betrayed you by going to a hotel with another woman.

Your anger is justified.

But this is for your sake too.

What?

At this rate,

the reputation of your baby products brand will be dragged through the mud.

But if you appeal directly to the public,

you can create a perception of yourself

as a woman who chose to work through her husband's betrayal

and mend her marriage!

This could be your chance to turn things around.

Please. We need you.

Well…

Back then, when he told me what had happened,

I remember being very hurt.

But we talked things out as a couple.

And I have already moved past it.

That's why we wanted to make things clear

by telling you all what happened.

That's why we called you here.

Thank you all for coming.

We'll take questions now if you have any.

-Yes! -Yes!

Go with the Weekly Journal first.

How about you, over there?

I'm Fukumoto from Weekly Journal.

I have a question.

Sorry, I didn't notice you.

Can I have your card? Thank you.

Ms. Ninomiya, is it?

Based on what your wife said,

I take it that you immediately told her

that you had spent the night with that woman at the hotel?

Is that correct?

That is correct.

I felt a strong sense of guilt, so I told my wife as soon as I got home

and apologized to her.

And you two have already resolved this between yourselves?

Yes, that interpretation is correct.

Thank you.

We'll take another question.

Next is Net Prime.

You may ask your question.

I'm Nakamura from Net Prime.

While you were with that woman, did your wife go through your mind at all?

At the time,

I was very drunk and do not recall things clearly.

However, I strongly regret the thoughtless actions I took.

I see. Thank you.

Mori, you there?

Yes.

Post the comments.

Roger.

DIDN'T EVEN NEED TO HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE

#KURYUFUJIWARA SO THIS IS ALL JUST OLD NEWS?

We'll take one last question.

-How about-- -I have a question.

I'm Hirata from Weekly Buncho.

-What? -Wait, what?

-Well… -Kagawa, end the conference.

Actually, we--

You say that nothing happened between you and the woman,

but is that actually true?

Well, that's…

Yes, that's true.

How can you be sure?

You just said your memory is hazy because you were drunk.

That's a contradiction.

Do you really think the public will accept such a vague explanation?

That's right!

What do we do? The comments are getting heated too.

Answer the question!

Why…

does it matter if the public accepts it?

Pertaining to this issue,

if you were to consider who, if anyone, is the victim here,

it would be me.

And I trusted him and accepted his explanation.

If anyone deserves to judge Kuryu,

it's neither the public nor you!

By no means was it easy for me to reach the point I'm at now.

It was a struggle, but I pushed through.

That's why…

I'm requesting you…

to not make it any more difficult.

Please!

Aside from spending a night at a hotel with another woman,

have you committed any other

immoral acts that would betray your loyalty to your wife?

None.

Nevertheless, what I did was a betrayal of her trust.

I plan to keep making amends for it.

So please…

give me a chance to do so.

I have no more questions.

SO RUDE WHAT'S WITH THIS REPORTER?

I FEEL BAD FOR MIREI SHAME ON BUNCHO

That's it?

What was Hirata thinking there?

CHEATING SCANDAL

EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE

You did well. Thank you.

I'll try to think of it as good marketing.

We did what we could. Let's wait and see what happens.

Go get some rest. You did great.

Okay. Thank you.

That went really well!

It did, though I did get thrown for a loop when the reporter from Buncho showed up.

This should weaken the impact of the article tomorrow.

I'll try to keep Fujiwara in his drama role.

Thank you.

I'll call you later.

Chief Ioka.

That was an outstanding press conference.

Sorry for ruining your scoop.

I remember what you said

about scandal articles being retribution for entertainers.

I disagree.

It must feel so good

to condemn others for their mistakes while you get to be safe yourself.

But I think it's just sad.

I think the true immoral ones are you tabloid journalists.

In the press conference, it was stated that

there was no problematic conduct, adultery, or otherwise.

Is that correct?

Yes, that is correct.

Goodbye.

The woman he was with was 19 years old at the time.

In other words, Mr. Fujiwara was drinking with an underage girl.

Would you consider that an immoral act?

Thanks to today's press conference, everyone's thinking about Kuryu Fujiwara.

I wonder how it will be tomorrow.

KURYU FUJIWARA DRANK AND CHEATED WITH AN UNDERAGE GIRL

WEEKLY BUNCHO

PREVIEW

-Three hundred million?! -That's…

We'll go under if we have to pay that.

IOKA IS DRIVEN INTO A CORNER

I don't think people want to see him…

I shouldn't have let you coax me into it.

I guess it completely backfired, huh?

There might be one way to avoid it.

WHAT IS THE ONE SOLUTION?

If we can prove that, we might avoid paying indemnities!

I'm not happy about it either.

I wasn't the one who gave the pictures to the magazine.

The one who sold the pictures to Buncho wasn't Moeka Tanabe.

Then who was it?

A NEW MYSTERY SURFACES

I feel like she's hiding something.

No!

Leave the Fujiwara story alone.

Maybe there's a reason he doesn't want you to dig deeper.

DEEPER INTO THE SCANDAL

You just don't get it, do you?

What do you mean?

SOMETHING BIG IS SET IN MOTION

None of you people have any clue, huh?

Let me tell you something juicy.

We won't let things end like this.

COMPENSATION, RESIGNATION, SLANDER

WHAT CAN IOKA DO TO TURN THIS PREDICAMENT AROUND?

WHAT IS THE NEW MYSTERY?

Subtitle translation by: Saim H.