Original subtitles

Manager.

I'm back from today.

Oh, Ms. Hiramatsu. How was your summer holiday?

Fine.

Did you travel?

No. I only took time off because employees are entitled to annual leave.

Manager, here is your coffee.

Thanks.

GENERAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT MADOKA YOKOYAMA

GENERAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT YUKARI HIRAMATSU

AN UNEASY ATMOSPHERE…

Please process this request for approval.

Installing a coffee machine?

Yes.

One moment, please.

Can I see that pamphlet for a second?

Here you go.

- A coffee machine? - Yeah.

QUOTATION 68,472 YEN

It makes more than coffee, huh?

It makes green tea and black tea too.

Is this a new company we're using?

Yes.

Understood.

Thank you.

- Wow. - You can mix coffee with sparkling water.

- Who does that? - What?

HOME

Mom? It's not like you to call at this time.

Well…

I got a physical exam, and they found an issue

with my large intestine.

What?

So today was my follow-up.

When will you get the results?

Maybe the week after next?

Tell me as soon as you find out.

I can't agree with this.

What do you mean?

You decided on this

without even asking us.

Honestly, having female employees

walk around serving coffee to the men is a little…

There are people who appreciate it,

and I do it because I want to.

Suit yourself.

But don't make others feel like they have to as well.

You're the only one who thinks that.

Plus, it's tradition in general affairs

for the women to serve coffee to everyone.

You know it's the Reiwa era, right?

Ms. Moriwaka!

Ms. Hiramatsu wants to install a coffee machine,

but some of us think it's unnecessary.

I, too, feel like

I can brew

coffee for everybody like I've always done.

Right?

I mean, that's a form of communication,

and I think that can even lead

to better work performance.

If we have a coffee machine, whoever wants coffee can make it themselves.

You know they wash and put those away each time?

After work, too. They get overtime for that.

She submitted a request for approval on her own

before the department could reach a verdict.

Ms. Moriwaka, what do you think?

I didn't do it on my own. The manager approved. Is there a problem?

Please discuss it amongst general affairs first.

Please.

Manager Niijima!

Why on earth did you stamp it?

Put it on hold, please.

Yeah, okay.

And so, this has been put on hold.

Manager Niijima has no say, huh?

You know,

being a department manager is a tough job.

Ms. Madoka is naturally a helpful person.

She goes around serving coffee to the men, but it's not a chore for her.

She actually enjoys it.

- Here. - Thanks, as always.

She's always carrying a huge bag,

and if you need anything, she will bust out with it.

Okay.

Like sewing kits, stain removers,

and even a portable iron.

It's like a 4D pocket.

- Found it. - Speaking of,

I've seen Ms. Yokoyama washing teacups and coffee mugs after hours.

After hours?

She's working overtime to wash dishes?

Apparently.

Actually, she comes into work early to make coffee too.

I don't know how I feel about that…

Maybe it's time we do things a little more efficiently?

One vote for Hiramatsu's machine.

- I agree. - Two votes.

What about you, Ms. Moriwaka?

I don't mind, either way.

One swing voter.

Mr. Kamamoto, thanks for your hard work.

I was just thinking of getting coffee.

- You're so thoughtful, Madoka. - Here you go.

Mr. Yamazaki!

Yes?

Mr. Yamazaki,

here you go.

Enjoy.

Thanks…

- I'm back. - It's good.

- Taiyo Yamada, how about you? - What?

Do you want someone to brew your coffee, or do you want a coffee machine?

Either one is fine.

Please vote for me.

- Perfect. Give me some coffee. - Of course.

- Thank you for your hard work. - Thanks.

Enjoy. It's freshly brewed.

Freshly brewed?

Delicious.

Manager Yoshimura, do you want a coffee machine?

We don't need that!

Nothing better than a cup of coffee that someone brewed for you.

- Right? - Of course!

There's nothing better than that.

- Right? - Yes.

- I completely agree. - Right?

- It's good. We don't need a machine. - Very good!

Nope!

Ms. Sanako.

There's something I want to give you.

If it's a receipt, please bring it after my break.

‪Here.

What is this?

A tomato.

I can tell that.

I wanted to share some with you.

Mom sent a bunch of tomatoes from the countryside.

I mean, they say a tomato a day keeps the doctor away,

but she sent way too much. I'd get sick from eating all that.

I wonder why moms are always so extreme?

Ms. Sanako?

Do you not like tomatoes?

No, I'll take it.

Okay, here you go. Here.

Yeah.

The public relations division

is split between team Hiramatsu and us.

- They have a lot of girls, that's why. - How about sales?

We've got it covered.

We got Manager Yoshimura on our side.

I'm not surprised.

How is accounting?

Our manager and Mr. Yu are team Hiramatsu.

Of course, I'm on your team.

ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

And most importantly, what about her?

Oh, she's a swing voter.

Swing voter…

MORIWAKA - SWING

Why is Ms. Moriwaka so important?

She holds

quite a lot of power in the accounting department, doesn't she?

That's true.

Our manager and Mr. Yu are always willing to listen to what she says.

She's capable and reliable.

But it's just coffee, no?

On the outside, yes.

But this is

really a power struggle in the name of a coffee war.

The future of female employees is on the line.

There is no way we can lose this battle.

- Right? Right? - Yes.

Right?

Moriwaka!

Mitsuki. Why are you all dressed up?

What do you think?

- It's not like you. - I know, right?

I'm meeting my boyfriend's parents.

He said I should dress like this.

Did you tell me you were dating?

No, I didn't.

He… prop…

What?

He did what?

Oh, but we're not getting married just yet.

Well, see you!

MARRIAGE…

Mitsuki is getting married…

Mom had her follow-up…

So much going on…

I promise I will pay you.

Pay?

I would appreciate it if you could wait a little.

I swear I'll pay you on my next payday.

Payday?

That would be great. I'm really sorry. I will definitely pay you.

A debt?

Not to make up for it,

but I'll make sure that I give you business,

Ms. Minami.

Business?

Ms. Hiramatsu!

ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL

Representative director,

Minami.

REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR AMI MINAMI

I'll make sure that I give

you business, Ms. Minami.

She's ordering from a company to repay her debt?

Good morning.

Good morning, Manager Shibata.

You're the first one here?

What will you do about the request for a coffee machine?

Well…

This coffee war is a real pain in the neck.

Obviously, we should stick with what we have.

Manager Yoshimura.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Isn't it lovely that we

have female employees who selflessly serve us coffee?

You have a point.

Manager Yoshimura, depending on the company,

what you just said right now could get you

sued for power harassment nowadays. Right?

We're a company that upholds good ole traditions, so it's fine.

I'd be careful if I was you.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

Good morning.

We don't know whether our young new hires will agree

with that. Good morning.

I'm not going to make young new hires do it.

The girls in general affairs who do it now are enough.

First of all, if you want coffee, go make

- yourself a cup. Right, Manager Niijima? - Yeah…

Serving tea and coffee is not listed anywhere on the job description

for the general affairs department.

Do you enjoy finding fault with others that much?

No.

All I'm doing is sharing

the general opinion, or more like, common sense.

But I guess

everything will depend

on Manager Niijima's decision.

A cold drink…

Damn it!

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Manager, I'll need the cashbox.

- Okay, give me a second. - Okay.

- Manager Shibata. - Yes?

Let's say a Tenten employee personally owes someone money.

And although they say it isn't

to make up for that debt,

the employee places orders with the company they're indebted to.

What will happen then?

So they're borrowing money in exchange for a bribe?

That's corruption. That's serious.

It's not corruption.

We're not government employees.

If it's a third-party vendor,

it could possibly be considered

a breach of trust.

Right…

Breach of trust?

To put it simply,

it's a violation of duty.

I might've heard it on the news.

- Either way, it's serious, isn't it? - Yeah.

Who are you talking about?

Ms. Hiramatsu from general affairs

and President Minami

from South & Star,

the coffee machine company.

PROVIDING A LUXURIOUS BREAK TO YOUR OFFICE

What? Ms. Hiramatsu--

I don't have hard evidence,

but I just happened to overhear her.

I'll make sure that I give you business,

Ms. Minami.

Whatever it is, there's not much we can do without evidence.

But wouldn't it be hard to find evidence of someone's personal debt?

Unless you ask them.

Isn't there any other way?

I don't know…

If we can't find evidence of the debt,

and Ms. Hiramatsu and Ms. Minami

just know each other, would there be any problem with that?

No, if they're leasing the coffee machine for a reasonable price,

and there's nothing dishonest about their relationship, it's no problem.

The lease wasn't particularly expensive compared to other companies.

But I don't know if this should be ignored…

Well, let's just keep this in mind.

Along with the possibility of breach of trust.

Okay?

You're right.

Here's the cashbox.

- Thank you. - Thank you.

THEIR RELATIONSHIP

Ms. Moriwaka.

Good work today.

You too.

If I remember correctly,

you like watching movies, right?

If you'd like,

please take these.

Jaggyman 2. Have you watched it already?

Um…

I see. But I have this one too.

Burn, Jupiter!

This one hasn't come out yet, so I'm sure you haven't seen it.

There's nothing scarier than something free.

It's fine.

Don't worry. Go with your family or something. Okay?

Give them to your friends. I'm okay.

It's fine!

Don't worry.

You always take good care of me.

Don't worry about it. I have so many of them. Okay?

Enjoy the movie.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

LOCK YOUR LOCKERS

Good call. It's best to return them.

Nothing scarier than being indebted to someone.

What?

You don't want her to act

like you owe her something over some movie tickets.

I watched your interview video for job applicants.

"Even." I like that word too.

- Right… - It made sense to me.

For many years, I've seen how you work

and have noticed that you're impartial.

You don't take sides within the office

and just calmly fulfill your duties.

Thank you.

There is this thing

called a lifestyle seminar for working women.

Are you interested?

A lifestyle seminar for working women?

That's right.

For example,

have you ever thought of starting a business?

No.

- That's a lie. - What?

Everybody thinks about it at least once.

Of course, it may not be in detail, but at least a vague idea.

Even if you're not struggling,

very few people are satisfied with their current situation.

Um, I'm…

Do you have any plans?

Wait, right now?

I have an extra ticket. Want to go?

This must be some kind of destiny.

Why am I here?

Good evening, everyone.

Thank you very much for coming today.

I will be your instructor for today.

My name is Ami Minami.

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL

REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTOR AMI MINAMI

All of you here

have a high level of awareness.

Most single women in today's society

look for a marriage mate before putting in the effort

to improve themselves.

Women who recognize how odd that is…

Those are the type of women who are joining

this lifestyle seminar for working women

instead of attending parties to find someone to marry.

Every time I hear the word "housewife",

it gives me the chills.

I mean, being a housewife is the biggest gamble.

It means you are entrusting your whole life to your husband.

What do you think?

It's worrying.

Right?

What if your husband is unreliable?

What if your husband suffers a setback?

Or gets sick?

You'll both be doomed.

Marriage does not equal happiness.

Are your parents doing well?

I got a physical exam, and they found an issue with my large intestine.

If you think

your parents will still be healthy no matter how old they get,

you are gravely mistaken.

Who here works for a company?

Thank you.

You never know

when your company will go under.

And even if the company is financially stable,

you may find yourself caught up in office politics

and left with no choice but to quit.

Turns out, life is full of pitfalls.

Well then, what are you supposed to do?

That is…

find a place where

you really belong and can shine.

Are you satisfied with your current job?

Are you able to show

your true talent at your current job?

Did you waste time again today, just out of habit?

Your future…

Your brilliant possibilities…

Are you letting them go to waste?

How will you live

your life from now on?

MY LIFE FROM NOW ON

Hey, what do you like, Ms. Moriwaka?

What do I like?

- Anything. Like what you do on weekends. - I watch movies.

- Three DVDs will be 30,000 yen. - Thank you.

Wow…

Yeah.

I own all of them already.

What else?

You must have something.

Manicures?

A nail salon, huh?

That market is a bit saturated.

You have to create a place where you can shine.

No one knows what the future holds, you know?

No one…

Especially nowadays, you never know what will happen.

Well, let's keep looking for a better path.

Ms. Hiramatsu.

Um, the other day,

I accidentally overheard you talking on the phone.

At the bus stop.

I promise I will pay you.

I would appreciate it if you could wait a little.

I swear I'll pay you on my next payday.

I didn't intend to eavesdrop.

You were talking to the organizer of this seminar,

Ms. Minami, right?

Thank you!

Please shake my hand!

Me too!

- May I have your autograph? - Me too, please!

That's right.

You're borrowing money from her?

I hate to brag,

but I've never been in debt in my life.

- Then… - It's an investment.

Investment?

Yes, I'm planting seeds for my future.

I just asked them to wait for my payment. That's all.

Investment, huh?

It was my misunderstanding.

Ms. Hiramatsu from general affairs

was not in debt to South & Star's President Minami.

Is that right?

So we don't have to change the company for the coffee machine?

- Yes. - Okay.

So the seminar you went to with her was organized

- by the same Ms. Minami? - Yes.

What kind of seminar was it?

A lifestyle seminar for working women.

Ah, those pretentious ones. How was it?

It was good.

2ND FLOOR FLOOR PLAN

We received the layout for the wiring.

They suggested that we run wires through the third and fourth floors too.

I see.

What's the cost?

Manager Niijima.

Thank you for your hard work.

I used a different brand of coffee beans.

I'm sure you'll love it.

Thank you.

Oh, I just remembered something…

Oopsies.

- Lunchtime. - I'm hungry.

Where should we go?

What did you pack for lunch today?

Ms. Moriwaka.

Want to get lunch…

with me?

Yes.

- You don't know? - What?

Sesame oil is much lighter…

Emergency!

Ms. Moriwaka went out for lunch. With Ms. Hiramatsu!

What a trivial emergency.

Excuse me. It's a huge emergency.

It must be so peaceful here.

Ms. Moriwaka, you're turning 30 soon, right?

Yes.

Your future, money, your career…

It's around the time you think about those things.

In ten years, you'll be 40 just like me.

How do you picture yourself?

Are you free tomorrow?

Tomorrow?

It's part two of the seminar.

Ms. Minami asked if you'd like to come.

What? Ms. Moriwaka?

Is she talking to…

- She's eating lunch with Ms. Hiramatsu! - You're right!

Actually, the other day, I happened to see…

Ms. Hiramatsu was inviting Ms. Moriwaka somewhere.

What!

What? To a pretentious seminar?

That's what I heard.

That is so surprising.

Ms. Moriwaka, huh?

- She's into that stuff? - Ms. Moriwaka?

Maybe she's troubled about something?

Capable people like her

tend to get stuck in a rut.

I guess…

I wonder what kind of seminar it was?

If something is troubling Ms. Moriwaka,

it's probably the supermarket…

Ms. Sanako.

Good work today.

You too.

Um, I…

I would love to help you if you need anything.

I have a lot going on.

A lot going on? Like what?

In order to live alone,

I need to be resolved.

And I have to think about what I need.

Live alone?

Yes.

Why are you deciding that for yourself?

You might get married someday, right?

You're not yourself. You're not acting like yourself.

Not acting like myself?

What does it mean to act like myself?

Don't talk about

living alone like that. That's so sad.

You're not alone, Ms. Sanako.

I'll stay with you for as long as you like.

I'll stay with you forever, even.

Forever?

Yes. Forever.

I appreciate your concern. Goodbye.

AMI MINAMI SEMINAR

SOUTH & STAR

BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE PLANNER

I WENT TO A SEMINAR

BY THE BEAUTY AND LIFESTYLE PLANNER AMI MINAMI

I WILL BECOME AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN

HOW TO WORK "FOR YOURSELF"

I FINALLY GOT MS. MINAMI'S BOOK

I BOUGHT ALL OF HER DVDS

I'LL FIND A PLACE WHERE I REALLY BELONG AND CAN SHINE

I'm so glad to hear that.

Thank you very much.

DIRECTORY

SOUTH & STAR

LIFESTYLE SEMINAR FOR WORKING WOMEN

Welcome, Ms. Sanako Moriwaka.

Good evening.

Part two is in the form of personal counseling.

Counseling?

How was it? Did attending the seminar change your perspective?

Yes.

I'm glad!

Since you are Ms. Yukari Hiramatsu's friend,

I'll make an exception and work with you one-on-one myself.

I will take responsibility

and help you change your life.

Thank you very much.

Let's find your purpose in life and your source of motivation.

That will lead to a fulfilling life.

That's what I believe.

And if that leads to your own business

and supports your future, wouldn't that be wonderful?

I will take good care of you from now on.

So, will you become a member?

Member? How many members do you have?

Let's see…

Right now, I think we have about 300.

When we started this membership program last year, 200 people signed up.

This year, about ten new people have been joining each month.

Oh, right. I should explain the fee.

Fee?

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM

FEE 500,000 YEN

- Five hundred thousand yen? - Changing your perspective

means changing your life.

It can even change your lifetime earnings.

Whether you view this as cheap or expensive

depends on your values.

- Thank you so much. - Thank you.

- Why don't we schedule you for next week? - Okay.

This is an investment.

You're planting a seed for your bright future.

It's an investment.

I'm planting seeds for my future.

Can you show me the breakdown for this 500,000 yen?

Huh?

An itemized statement.

We don't have one.

You don't?

I don't want to limit myself

on how I can help people.

So there's no breakdown.

No thank you, then.

Huh?

I can't tell if this price is expensive or cheap.

But spending money

on something intangible and nonspecific

is not a decision I can easily make.

So I refuse.

Are you

really Ms. Yukari's friend?

What?

You're not easily swayed,

and you stand your ground.

Just between you and me,

people usually can't refuse when they're put in this situation.

Do you

want to become a staff member?

Staff?

Manager Yoshimura, here you go.

Thank you.

You're always so thoughtful.

Delicious!

Oh, that reminds me.

We're having dinner with our client. Want to come?

- They have some promising, handsome guys. - Dinner?

- I can? - Of course!

Hopefully, the coffee war will end if she gets a boyfriend.

I want that coffee machine.

Wow…

But using work to look for a marriage partner is a little…

You turned Ms. Minami down?

Yes. There was no breakdown for the fee.

Really.

Well, I guess everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But what a waste.

Ms. Hiramatsu, you paid 500,000 yen?

Of course.

Ms. Minami said

that it was an initial membership fee.

Does that mean…

Yes.

- How much have you paid? - About three million.

It's fine.

It's naive to think that you can gain something

without investing in it.

To me, it's worth the price.

I'm planning on quitting my job here eventually.

And what will you do then?

I'll go to Ms. Minami's company.

She asked if I wanted to be vice-president.

Ms. Minami wants me to be her partner.

That's what I'm preparing for,

and that's the future I'm planning.

Are you really Ms. Yukari's friend?

Just between you and me,

people usually can't refuse when they're put in this situation.

Um…

Maybe you should think about it--

I already am. You don't need to tell me.

Ms. Sanako!

Good work today.

You too. Hey…

How have things

been since then?

Mr. Yamada.

Yes?

If you were told that paying 500,000 yen

would guarantee you a bright future,

would you pay?

Guarantee a bright future?

Well, that's impossible.

I mean, I'm the one who chooses my own future.

Obviously, not everything will work out,

and I might complain.

I'll make tons of mistakes.

But I'm living in this moment.

First of all, I believe the present is brighter

than the future.

I might be bald in ten years anyway.

That's true.

I agree.

Right?

"THIS MOMENT" IS MOST IMPORTANT…

- Ready? - Yes!

Here you go.

Thank you, as always…

You're welcome.

The request for the coffee machine

is still on hold.

What are your thoughts?

Give me a little more time. Okay?

Yes.

Thank you.

Ms. Yokoyama pours me coffee

at least three times a day.

That often?

Yes…

She's doing her best in her own way.

It also has to do with the jinx.

Jinx?

Everyone who's been in charge of making coffee has married a rich man.

People like company directors, bank presidents,

and even our president's relatives.

Really?

Can I have this?

The truth is…

I actually…

hate coffee.

What?

But I'm served it three times a day.

It's a living hell.

I see.

People who like coffee should just drink it on their own.

Honestly, I think so too.

I didn't know coffee machines nowadays were so advanced.

In what way?

They don't just make coffee, they can make

black tea and green tea too.

I didn't know that.

That sounds so nice.

I know, right?

Should I?

Huh?

Should I approve it?

I'm sure it'll cause an uproar, but…

I can pretend it was a mistake.

Once it's approved, it's too late!

Just between us…

It's been decided that we're going

to approve the coffee machine.

Why is it "just between us"?

Well…

"Hey, it says it's approved.

Maybe it's some mistake?

Oh, but since it's approved already…

Oh well."

Something like that.

That's what we're going to do.

How dirty.

Right? Hey…

So we're going to do business

with South & Star?

I suppose so.

Um, the truth is,

I attended part two of the seminar.

What? You went a second time?

Yes. I was

invited to sign up as a member

and quoted a 500,000-yen counseling fee.

Five hundred thousand?

I knew it. That's how those pretentious seminars work.

Did you pay?!

- No! - I thought so.

President Minami is a charismatic person.

The way she speaks

is so articulate. And I agreed

with many things she said. However…

You are personally

not sure if we should do business with such a company?

Exactly.

Manager, what should we do?

You have a point…

That's what I was told.

Ms. Yokoyama, you're so funny!

They are a new client, after all,

so we do need to do a credit check.

In this case,

we should be stricter than usual

and ask for their financial statements maybe?

What?

They might not give it to us.

Then we can turn them down.

Manager.

Okay, let's do that then.

Thank you.

AND THE FOLLOWING DAY

FINANCIAL REPORT

We asked South & Star for financial statements,

and they surprisingly gave it.

Thank you.

Did you find any issues?

- Not at first glance. - Really?

But still…

How trustworthy is a company that charges 500,000 yen for a seminar?

Yeah…

What's wrong?

INCOME STATEMENT

76,052,178 YEN

How many members do you have?

Right now, I think we have about 300.

When we started this membership program last year, 200 people signed up.

This year, about ten new people have been joining each month.

INCOME STATEMENT

COST OF GOODS SOLD

The cost price is included.

This is an investment.

You're planting a seed for your bright future.

I'm planning on quitting my job here eventually.

She asked if I wanted to be vice-president.

Don't chase the rabbit. Don't…

Don't…

DON'T

Don't!

DON'T DON'T

- Manager Shibata. - Yes?

I will meet with President Minami one more time.

We received a lot of feedback from the attendees

of last week's seminar.

The most frequent comment we got was…

Excuse me.

I heard about the approval.

I'm glad.

We submitted our company's

financial statements to your accounting department.

Looks like we'll be doing business with Tenten.

I look forward to it.

About that.

I had a few questions.

What is it?

Based on the number of members that you told me about

and the counseling fee…

your gross sales amount

seemed a bit off.

Off?

You had about 200 people sign up last year.

The membership fee for the counseling is 500,000 yen.

So that alone should be about 100 million yen.

The gross sales amount

of 76 million

on the financial statement seemed low to me.

What's your point?

I was wondering

if you were intentionally hiding your sales.

I'm sorry about that.

I exaggerated a bit when I said 200 people.

And apart from the personal counseling

that I offered you,

we have other courses.

And those are a bit cheaper.

That's right.

Stop making stupid accusations. It's not like you, Ms. Moriwaka.

Then what about your merchandise sales?

Huh?

When I attended the seminar,

there was a long line at the merchandise corner.

But in the financial statements that you submitted,

the merchandise sales don't seem to be included.

The day you came was a little different.

Normally, we hand those out for free.

Well then, how do you explain this?

These are comments from people who attended last year's seminar.

Everybody

is saying that they "bought" your merchandise.

Last year,

one textbook was 5,000 yen.

One DVD was 10,000 yen.

Where can we see these sales?

What are you?

I…

I am Moriwaka from

Tenten Corporation's accounting department.

I believe Tenten Corporation

will deem South & Star untrustworthy

as a business partner.

Excuse me.

Here.

- Possible understating of sales? - Yes.

Basically, they were hiding their gross sales.

You mean like tax evasion?

Simply put, yes.

And so, please lease the coffee machine

from a company other than South & Star.

- Understood. - Okay.

I'm very sorry for causing trouble

- during your busy season. - No worries.

Thank you for your hard work.

Do you think we'll make the last train today?

- Let's try! - Yeah.

Let's all work together and finish it up.

Manager, you still have to check documents, don't you?

Just me?

Manager, please finish it up yourself.

What!

- Yes. - About number two…

- Can you bring it here? - Sure.

- Number four is over there. - Okay.

- We'll have it here. - All right. Right here?

Let me pour you a cup of tea.

The request for approval for the coffee machine

should go through as long as you change the company.

Why did you want to install a coffee machine?

I wanted to show Ms. Minami that I was useful. That's not a lie.

But, for example,

wouldn't it be nice to have a coffee machine at times like this?

I agree.

People should be able to drink whenever they want to drink.

It's as simple as that.

Having female employees check in on everyone

and go around pouring coffee

and praising them for being attentive and thoughtful

is a waste of time and plain stupid.

Rather than being praised for that,

isn't it better to be praised for doing your job well?

I understand.

But at the same time,

I also agree that this promotes communication,

which creates a good atmosphere and helps work

go smoothly.

Oh man…

So this is reality, huh?

My self-investments and future plans are all ruined.

That plan of me becoming vice-president

was probably all a pipe dream.

The shrew of general affairs is all I'll be.

When I heard Ms. Minami's speech for the first time,

I also became very anxious about my future.

I began to wonder if I needed to change the way I am.

But I think…

everyone has those worries.

Fortunately for us,

we have a place to work, called Tenten Corporation.

We do our jobs and get paid in return.

That reality…

That kind of life is not so bad.

That's how I feel now.

Even if you don't stand out, even if you don't get praised…

No one knows what the future holds…

But that means there's a possibility

that your future is full of light.

That's true.

Mom, how was your follow-up exam?

Oh yeah, it was all okay.

Thank goodness.

I'll visit you this weekend.

Yeah.

3,851,792 yen. Yes, that's right.

It's already this late. I have half a page to go.

I'll sit back down. All right!

They're doing construction.

Oh right, they were saying they're installing wires.

We can't get in, huh?

Too bad, huh?

Shall we go home?

I'm hungry.

- Thank you for your hard work. - You too.

Manager Niijima, you hate coffee, don't you?

What?

I can tell by looking at you.

I see…

Ms. Yokoyama doesn't know.

I'll look for a different company.

All right.

I hope Manager is okay by himself.

He'll probably email us, so let's turn off our phones.

Ms. Sanako!

He calls you "Ms. Sanako"?

Not that I gave him permission.

Good work today.

You stayed late, huh?

Good work.

Accounting must be busy.

Want to get some ramen?

- Yes! Let's go! - Sounds good.

- We must! - I'm hungry!

- All right. - Yes!

Ms. Moriwaka?

Come on, Ms. Moriwaka.

No…

Ms. Sanako,

let's go.

No.

I'll go.

Okay, let's go!

CHINA TOWN

Is Ms. Sanako still here?

Taiyo, the shark fin ramen is over there.

But I like that one better.

Oh?

Kumai?

What's wrong, Mr. Yu?

Well, I just saw someone from the Shizuoka factory.

A business trip, maybe?

- Yeah… - Ms. Sanako!

Yes… Yes…

Barely staying afloat with advances?

Are you suspecting something?

I've known Yutaro since high school.

Don't chase the rabbit. This is Mr. Yu we're talking about!

- This perhaps? - What are you talking about?

What happened to Ms. Moriwaka?

I can't leave you alone. I want to be with you.

PREVIEW

Subtitle translation by: Kiko Morita