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Hagetaka: Episode 3 Recap
Hagetaka Recap: Episode 3 (Bid to Select Sponsors)
Link to Episode 1 Recap
Link to Episode 2 Recap
ETA 6/7/15: Made some minor revisions in bold after doing another rewatch of the episode and spotting a few errors and omissions in my recap.
***
Link to Episode 1 Recap
Link to Episode 2 Recap
ETA 6/7/15: Made some minor revisions in bold after doing another rewatch of the episode and spotting a few errors and omissions in my recap.
***
There is a brief sequence of recap scenes over the narration: "Someone said there are only two kinds of tragedies in life. One is the tragedy of having no money. The other is the tragedy of having money." (Same words as in Episode 1, but this time the speaker sounds like Osamu.)
The episode begins with Yuka standing outside the Sunday Toys headquarters. (As with the last recap, "Sunday Toys" will be abbreviated to "ST".) She is reporting on the former president's dismissal, and how new president Nobuaki is applying for civil rehabilitation to rebuild the company.
Meanwhile, Okochi Mizue is watching the report in her office, fiddling with a wooden block in one hand. It is a square block with a large round hole in the center. (This will turn out to be significant later on.) She angrily turns off the TV.
A team of lawyers arrives and the one in charge, Toyama, informs Okochi that she has to vacate the office now that she is no longer President. They also have a court order for her to turn over her corporate seal, bank seal, bankbook, and checkbook. (In Japan, legal documents are stamped with an official seal belonging to the individual person or business who is signing the contract.)
***
The Horizon team is also watching Yuka's report, and Nakanobe comments that Mitsuba moved faster than they expected.
Murata shows up with more bad news: Iron Ox is the new sponsor for ST. (He heard it from Kusakabe at Iron Ox. Kusakabe shows up later in the episode during the bidding war, and I mistook him as being with Mitsuba Bank.)
Alan asks, "Iron Ox?"
Murata replies that it's a fund associated with Mitsuba, and says, "Shibano outwitted us."
"What do we do?" Nakanobe asks.
"We'll declare ourselves a sponsor too as the major creditor," Washizu replies. "We have a legal right. We won't back down."
Later, he holds a press conference, and walks into a room filled with reporters. (Yuka and her colleague Nonaka are among them). He takes a seat at a table covered with microphones, while Alan and two other American men from the Horizon staff stand next to the table on one side, and Aya on the other. (Apparently, only Washizu will actually be speaking to the press, so I'm not sure why they're present, unless it's to emphasize his importance/position by having an entourage? Maybe this is standard for business press conferences in Japan?)
One of the reporters (a man) asks why the change of heart, since he has been declining press conferences until now.
"I wanted to properly explain our plans to all of you," Washizu replies.
A female reporter asks, "Washizu-san, what is your reason for stepping forward as Sunday Toys' sponsor?"
A different male reporter chimes in, "Wasn't there a problem with how you acquired Sunday Toys' debts?"
Washizu asks coolly, "What are you getting at?"
The third reporter says, "We heard you forcibly bought out Sunday Toys' payables." Washizu replies that they were legally obtained.
The first reporter Nonaka says, "In short, aren't you trying to take over the company by becoming their sponsor?"
"I don't understand where that's coming from," Washizu replies. (Obviously a lie, since regardless of his intentions towards ST, he must realize how Horizon is coming across to the public perception.)
Nonaka says, "Business acquisitions by foreign funds are targeted at monetary profits."
"What is your name?" Washizu asks him.
"I'm Nonaka with Toyo TV," he replies.
"In that case, I have a question for you, Nonaka-san," Washizu retorts. "Is it wrong to make money?"
That causes a stir among the reporters, who look up in surprise.
"Is it wrong?" Washizu demands. "What I'm doing is legal restructuring of the business. Is there a problem with that?" He starts to lose his temper and his normally emotionless voice sharpens with anger. "Isn't Japan a capitalist country? Is there a problem with what I'm doing? Well, is there?"
Alan glances over at Washizu uneasily. He starts to open his mouth, but closes it without saying anything. (At this point, being interrupted by a subordinate in public would probably cause Washizu to lose face and make things worse rather than better, but Alan is clearly wondering if the boss is losing it. And Washizu's actions are usually well-planned and calculated, but I think he genuinely lost control here.)
With a small laugh of disbelief, Nonaka says to Yuka, "He's something else. He's serious." Yuka says nothing, but looks uncomfortable and troubled. (Despite her apparent hatred for him, it's almost like she feels a little sorry or embarrassed for Washizu, although that's only my interpretation.)
***
In the next day's newspaper, there is a caricature cartoon of Washizu as a vulture, hovering over Okochi and Nobuaki, who are duking it out over ST.
The camera pulls back, and we can see Nobuaki frowning down at the paper.
Shibano is with him, and says, "We'll need to revise the consolidated statements. We need to add more details to give a better picture of the company's situation."
Nobuaki says more confidently (trying to convince himself as well as Shibano?), "There's panic because Horizon stepped forward as a sponsor. Don't worry, the public is on our side."
***
Washizu and Alan walk into the Horizon office. Alan is reading the same paper as Nobuaki, and he fumes, "Who's the vulture? Damn them! They're always trying to blame the foreign funds." He throws the paper down in disgust.
"The foreign funds devour the Japanese?" Nakanobe asks. "They like to paint things simple."
"Okochi Mizue is on TV," Murata informs them.
The TV screen shows Okochi giving a tearful interview saying that her ouster by Nobuaki is a misunderstanding and that he must have been tricked. "I always thought about the company 24/7," she claims. "My father founded the company..."
The four of them have moved into Washizu's office, where they watch the interview with cynical skepticism, analyzing her performance. Washizu sits behind his desk, while Murata stands next to the desk, and Nakanobe sits in an armchair. Alan perches on the edge of Washizu's desk, idly fanning himself with a paper fan.
(It's a casual and almost insolent gesture, although Alan doesn't seem to intend any disrespect towards his boss, and Washizu doesn't seem bothered by it. Possibly it implies a degree of familiarity between them, since most workers don't just sit on the boss's desk like that? Or perhaps it's meant to indicate to the Japanese viewers that Americans are more casual and less rule-bound? Or probably, I'm over-analyzing the whole thing, but the implied familiarity fits into my shippy vision of Washizu/Alan.)
"She's amazing," Nakanobe says with grudging respect. "She intentionally wore a conservative suit."
"The greatest cause appears to be the greatest victim," Alan observes scornfully.
On the TV screen, Okochi is saying, "The thought of it going to people who only care about money..."
Washizu has been watching silently up until now, but looking thoughtful. He suddenly says, "Let's use her."
"Hm?" Alan says, as he, Murata, and Nakanobe all turn to look at Washizu in surprise.
***
Washizu arrives at Okochi's luxurious hotel room. We can see flowers, plates of food, and champagne in the room, as well as boxes and packages that seem to indicate she's done some shopping.
"I'm amazed you found me," Okochi says.
"Information and speed are important to our business," Washizu replies. (Remember Alan's "time is money" statement from Episode 1?)
"So what do you want?" Okochi asks. "Did you come to mock me for being kicked out of my house?"
"Absolutely not," Washizu assures her. "I saw your interview on TV. I was moved."
"Yeah, right," Okochi scoffs. (She may be corrupt, but at least she's smart enough not to fall for his flattery.)
"I have a proposal for you," Washizu says.
"What now?" Okochi asks, still skeptical.
"Would you be interested in becoming president again?" Washizu asks, and she turns to stare at him in shock, a look of desperate hope on her face.
***
At the ST office, Momose rushes in, shouting, "President!"
"What is it?" Nobuaki asks.
"Horizon is supporting former President Okochi Mizue."
"What?" Nobuaki exclaims. Shibano, who is also there, looks worried.
***
Both sides attend a mediation session. It's not fully explained, but it seems that there is a court-appointed team of attorneys that will decide the issue. (ETA: upon the second rewatch, I noticed that this is the same team of attorneys who kicked Okochi Mizue out of her office.) For ST, Shibano,Numata Kusakabe, and Nobuaki sit on one side of the room, while for Horizon, Washizu, Okochi, and Alan sit on the other side, with the mediators' desk between them.
The chief mediator (Toyama) says, "It's hard to say which restructuring plan is the better between the two. With consideration that Horizon is the major creditor, we decided to choose the sponsor by bid. We'll be using the sudden death bidding procedure. One side will show its bidding price, and the other side has to submit a higher price within twenty minutes. At the point where one side cannot raise the bid, the bidding ends. Meeting adjourned."
***
At Mitsuba, Iijima is asking, "We have to bid?"
"I'm sorry it came to this," Shibano apologizes.
"What is our chance of winning?" Iijima asks.
"The amount of the bid depends on Sunday Toys' future growth," Shibano replies. "It's a matter of estimating how much profit we can anticipate from the restructure."
Numata Kusakabe from Iron Ox adds, "Under Mitsuba's name, we can't force any major layoffs. In that respect, we may be at a disadvantage."
The scene cuts to the Horizon office, where Washizu is asking, "Well?"
"Almost done," Alan replies, as he types away on his laptop, intently focused on calculating figures. The other members of the team are also seated at the conference table, going over figures and looking over documents.
Nakanobe says, "Close the salon, sports club, and theme park. Terminate 150 employees. Make use of their game software development. Plan on converting to a software company down the road."
Cut back to Mitsuba, where Iijima says, "With all the public attention, we cannot lose. Take it as far as you can."
Cut back to Horizon. Alan says, "Under this plan, when Sunday Toys becomes publicly traded in three years, it'll be worth $300 million."
"What is the most we can bid?" Murata asks.
Cut back to Mitsuba.Numata Kusakabe says, "If we consider the profitability to some extent, the maximum we can bid is...
Cut back to Horizon, where Alan is still typing. The final figure that comes up on his laptop is 19,000,000,000 yen.
Cut back to Mitsuba, whereNumata Kusakabe says, "$190 million."
Cut to Horizon, where Alan also replies, "$190 million."
Cut to Mitsuba. Iijima says, "$190 million, huh?"
Cut to Horizon. Washizu shows no reaction other than his usual serious expression. (Perhaps he looks a little tense, but it's hard to tell.)
***
Later that night, Yuka is waiting outside the Horizon building, talking on her cell phone. "Yes, all right," she says into the phone, then hangs up. She sees Washizu walking out of the building alone. He has taken off his glasses and his suit jacket; he is holding the latter in one hand. He looks tired and less formal than usual. He hails a cab, and Yuka quickly hails another to follow him.
She finds him at a small, dimly lit bar, where he is playing on a piano in an idle, half-hearted fashion. (The music is, I think, in a minor key and sounds a bit ominous and melancholic, and Washizu looks tired and depressed.) His half-filled glass is sitting on top of the piano.
(A review of the Hagetaka novel that I came across said that Washizu once tried to become a jazz pianist, after leaving Japan but before becoming an investment fund manager for Horizon. However, nothing is said in the TV show about it.)
Washizu looks up to see her standing in front of the piano, and he asks, "Are you still working at this late hour?"
"So you're finally talking to me?" Yuka asks.
"You give me no privacy," Washizu says in a tone of weary resignation, as if he's too tired to keep running from her. He gets up, taking his drink with him, and moves over to sit at the bar counter. "Where do you get such passion?" he asks. "Is it out of hatred for me?"
Yuka moves over to sit beside him with a drink of her own. "It's just economics. Our politics and culture don't make world news. But the news of replacing a president for an automobile manufacturer gets world attention. I can also see how a single screw has an impact on society and the world." (This is obviously a reference to what we learned in Episode 2, that the Mishima Factory made screws for an automobile manufacturer. At the time, the young and idealistic Washizu believed that even a single screw was important and shouldn't be wasted.)
After a long pause in which Washizu remains silent, Yuka asks, "Washizu-san, what is your passion? Is it earnings?" She imitates the tone of voice he used at the ill-fated press conference. "'Is it wrong to make money?' That's what you said at the press conference. Is that how you honestly feel?"
"I am only doing what I think is right," Washizu replies.
"And that saves people?" Yuka asks. "What about the people who died in the process? I still think about my father sometimes. Even when he was depressed that the bank wouldn't lend him money, he would say, 'Washizu-kun is not at fault. The bank that refused to lend is the one at fault.'"
"Let's not talk about the stupid past," Washizu says dismissively, taking a sip of his drink.
Yuka gets up to leave, saying, "I'm going." She leaves behind a couple of bills on the counter to pay for her drink.
On the way out, she turns to look back at him and says, "Please don't betray my father's trust in you."
(She seems much less hostile in this scene, like she truly wants to understand what he's thinking, and is hoping that the old Washizu is still inside him somewhere. As for Washizu, he seems weary and burdened by his past guilt, letting down the cold, confident front that he puts up in public.)
Sitting at the bar, Washizu remembers Yuka's father, and there's a brief flashback showing President Mishima's smiling face.
***
Yuka meets Osamu at the construction site where he's working. Then the scene flashes forward to them sitting together in a booth in what looks like a family restaurant, presumably after Osamu has gotten off work.
A waitress brings a pizza for Osamu, who is already working on a full meal (he seems to be eating some sort of fish plus various side dishes). He's eating like he's starving, while Yuka merely sips at a drink (probably a cola, judging by the color).
"I won't hold back," Osamu says. (Apparently Yuka is treating him to dinner.)
"You haven't been eating properly?" she asks. He says that he's been eating ramen every day to save money, and she asks what he's saving the money for.
"I'm going to start up a company, so I need capital for that."
Cut to a scene of Osamu in his apartment, working at a computer. The screen shows some kind of graph. (He might possibly be tracking stocks, but I can't make out the words on the screen, so I'm not sure.)
Cut back to Yuka and Osamu in the restaurant. He says, "I'm working on a software now. There's going to be a boom in IT. I'm like you."
"Huh?" she says.
"People afflicted with foreign investments," he replies. "If you're working on that, you must still be at the bottom."
(Actually, I assume she's working in the financial section because of her obsession with Washizu. Judging by the conversation between her colleagues in Episode 1, she's probably good enough and passionate enough about her work to be promoted to a more prestigious assignment if she really wanted it.)
Whatever the reason, Yuka looks disturbed by Osamu's words. (I think she's more worried about him than the implied insult towards her.) "Say..." she says hesitantly.
"What?"
"What do you think of Washizu?" Yuka asks.
"No comment," Osamu replies. (That is how it was translated in the TV subtitles, but he actually says, "Betsuni," which means "nothing" or "not particularly". In this context, his reply could also be translated as "Not much," or "I don't really think about him.")
"Don't you hate him?" Yuka asks.
"No, I'm grateful to him," Osamu replies.
"Grateful?" Yuka echoes in confusion.
"He took over our inn," Osamu says. "If he didn't show up, I would have ended my life at that country inn. A company can go under very easily."
***
Washizu is meeting with Okochi at her hotel room. He picks up a wooden block that is sitting on the desk, the same square block with the round hole that Okochi was toying with at the beginning of the episode when she was kicked out of the ST's office. Okochi is sitting on the couch, staring at a framed photo of herself holding a toddler Nobuaki, both of them laughing, Nobuaki's face open in a wide "O" shape. Her fingers run across the picture slowly as if she's caressing it. (A sign that she really does loves her son and not just her company?)
She sets down the photo and says, "Hey."
"Yes?" Washizu asks.
"If they win, will that restructuring plan be approved?" Okochi asks
"Yes, without a doubt," Washizu replies. Okochi asks if he thinks they can win, and he replies, "To be honest, it's fifty-fifty. We must be on our toes."
"I see," Okochi says. She takes some documents out of a shoebox--they're hidden under an actual pair of shoes--and hands them to him. "Use this." Washizu asks what it is, and she says, "I must be reinstated as President. Didn't you approach me for that?"
Washizu looks over the papers, casting a sidelong glance at her.
Later, when he's alone in his office at Horizon, he pulls Yuka's business card out of a desk drawer.
Sometime later, the two of them meet, sitting on a bench (I think outside the Horizon building, though I'm not sure).
"What a surprise to have you call me," she says.
He hands her a large envelope, saying, "Sunday Toys' President Okochi Nobuaki was embezzling company funds. He collaborated with CFO Momose and was depositing the money in Momose's wife's company. That's the proof for it. Mitsuba Bank was most likely aware of it. Momose's former boss is Iijima. Sunday Toys' CFOs have always come from Mitsuba Bank. Mitsuba has been milking it all this time. Only your company knows. You'll have an exclusive scoop."
(And now we see that Nobuaki was not an innocent victim after all, and that Mitsuba's been bleeding the company even as they're supposedly trying to save it. Maybe they're the real vultures, not Horizon.)
"I can't report this without checking on it first," Yuka protests, looking shocked by the news.
"Please report it," Washizu says.
"What is it with you?" Yuka demands angrily. "If I report this, Horizon will have the advantage of becoming Sunday Toys's sponsor."
"Probably," Washizu agrees.
"Are you trying to use me?" Yuka asks.
"Don't you hate the bank?" Washizu replies. "It's up to you whether or not you want to publicize it or not." he turns and walks away without waiting for a reply or trying to persuade her further.
***
Yuka is meeting with Shibano, who looks over the documents that Washizu gave her. "Is it true?" she asks. "If it is, I"ll have to publicize it. Is it true?"
"Please give me more time," Shibano says. "I'll responsibly look into it."
"What then?" Yuka asks.
"If it's true, then I'll take appropriate measures," Shibano promises. He bows and starts to walk away.
"Can I trust you?" Yuka calls after him.
"Of course," Shibano replies, then continues on his way. However, Yuka still looks uncertain about whether she can believe him.
***
At Mitsuba, Shibano is consulting with Iijima about the alleged embezzlement. "This is well-investigated," Iijima says. "It probably came from Okochi Mizue. Who would've thought she would betray her own son?"
"Why didn't you tell me beforehand about this?" Shibano demands.
"It's your fault for not finding it," Iijima retorts. "What a relief that the information source is your friend. Which reporter is it?"
(The word translated as "friend" is "shiriai," which actually means "acquaintance"--I don't think that the relationship between Shibano and Yuka is really close enough to be called friendship. But either way, the implication is that Shibano has a personal connection to his source.)
"Toyo TV," Shibano replies.
"Crush that information," Iijima orders.
***
Later, Shibano and Numata are drinking at a pub; Shibano seems to be a little drunk.
"Iijima is testing you," Numata says. "If you handle this well, you'll be promoted to General Manager, and eventually President."
"Don't be ridiculous," Shibano tells him.
"You were thought to be a presidential candidate before, but now you'reon off the elite course," Numata insists. "This is your opportunity."
"I'm sick of it; I've always had to do these things," Shibano says. He stumbles as he rises from his seat.
"What do you expect?" Numata demands, raising his voice angrily. "That's your job."
"Job?" Shibano retorts. "This is what I do as my job?" He bangs his fist on the table. "This is my job?"
They're beginning to attract the attention of the other customers, and Numata nods apologetically at them. "Hey, just sit down," he says, pulling Shibano back down onto his chair. "How old are you? Who can proudly say 'this is what I do'? In any job, more or less, you do things that are wrong, or feel guilty of. Drinking it away at the bar and moving on is part of your work."
***
Later (the next day?) Shibano meets with Yuka, who asks, "It isn't true?"
"There was no truth to that rumor about President Nobuaki and the affiliated parties," Shibano replies.
However, Yuka doesn't seem to believe him and asks sharply, "Are you telling me the truth?"
"Yes, I am," Shibano insists, although he is facing away from her and is avoiding her gaze.
"Did your superiors tell you to persuade me?" Yuka asks, and Shibano still refuses to look at her. "Is that how you hid various things until now? The Mishima name is just one of the million cases you handled. Didn't you destroy other evidences of wrongdoing? My father is Mishima Kenichi who committed suicide seven years ago when Washizu-san rejected his loan request."
Shibano bows his head slightly at that, looking sorrowful, or perhaps guilty, or maybe both. "I haven't forgotten about your father," he says. "My job is to protect the bank. I am a banker." He finally turns to face her and says firmly, "There's no truth to the president of Sunday Toys embezzling funds. There's no truth to Mitsuba having a part of it, either. If you'll excuse me now."
As he leaves, Yuka shouts after him, "What are you doing?! What are you people doing?!" She runs after him and grabs him, but he pulls away and continues walking. "Is this what you want? Is this really what you want?" She screams, "Shibano-san!"
***
At the Toyo TV office, Yuka looks at a photo of herself and her father. Nonaka comes by and asks, "Were you able to verify the truth of that scoop?"
"Any time changes for the news report tomorrow?" Yuka asks. Nonaka replies that it will be at midnight, and Yuka says, "All right." Nonaka asks if it will be for the last news report, and Yuka asks him to let her stick it out. He agrees, and tells her to get the facts directly from ST or Mitsuba, saying that he'll talk to their superiors and will be waiting till the last minute for her report.
***
The Horizon and Mitsuba representatives meet at the mediator's office. The mediator (Toyama) tells them, "The bidding will include all the businesses of Sunday Toys. We'll be using the sudden death procedure. It will end when one side cannot raise the bid. Horizon, please submit a bid higher than $120 million. The bid must be increased by $1 million or higher. Is that clear? That's all I have to say."
(Caption reads: "5:00 pm")
Washizu hurries to a room that has been set aside for Horizon, where his subordinates are busy making calls and doing calculations.
Meanwhile, Nobuaki and Shibano and Kusakabe are meeting in a similar room with various Mitsuba employees, who are asking, "What's going on with the securitizations?" and "I wonder what they're going to bid?"
Washizu writes out his bid on a sheet of paper with a black marker. He goes to the mediator to present his bid of $121 million. The mediator accepts the paper and says, "I will relay that to the other party."
Washizu returns to Horizon's room, and the mediator's subordinate goes to inform Mitsuba of the bid and tell them that they have 20 minutes to make a counter offer.
"They're being tight with their bidding," saysa Mitsuba official named (Iron Ox's) Kusakabe. "Shall we raise it by $10 million?"
"No, how about $5 million?" Shibano replies, smiling and looking confident.
"Let's use up the entire 20 minutes, then," Kusakabe says, also looking confident and unworried, although Nobuaki just nods nervously.
Exactly 20 minutes later, Kusakabe presents their bid of $126 million to the mediator.
Washizu responds (20 minutes later, of course) with $127 million.
***
Meanwhile, Yuka is confronting Momose at ST, trying to get him to comment on the allegations.
***
Back with the Mitsuba team, Nobuaki paces back and forth nervously, then turns off the TV, which was playing a news program.
"Let's go with $140 million," Shibano says.
Washizu comes back with a bid of $141 million.
Mitsuba bids $146; Washizu again raises the bid by the minimum to $147 million. The bidding continues back and forth with offers of $150 million from Mitsuba, $151 million from Horizon, $155 million from Mitsuba, $156 million from Horizon, $160 million from Mitsuba, and $161 million from Horizon.
By now, the mediator's voice is sounding a bit strained, as if he's making an obvious effort to sound calm and unemotional--the bidding has probably dragged on longer than he expected. "$161 million? All right," he says.
(Caption reads: "7:00 pm")
In the Horizon room, Alan is speaking in English to one of the other American men. This portion wasn't subtitled, and it's basically background noise going on behind other conversations and the sounds of ringing phones and the tapping of computer keys, so it's a bit hard to make out. However, he says something like, "Eric, go talk to VCA." (Or possibly "BCA"? Maybe some sort of business terminology, or a subsidiary office or client they need to confer with?)
Eric replies (in English), "All right. I'm right on it, boss." He leaves the room, talking on his cell phone. I can't quite make out what he's saying except for "four thousand"--maybe something like "I need four thousand"? (Although four thousand what, I'm not sure. I don't think it really matters except to show that all the Horizon employees are busy negotiating and calculating during the bidding process.)
(This scene also shows that Alan is pretty high-ranking in the Horizon Japan hierarchy--possibly second-in-command behind Washizu. When I first started watching the show, I thought he was merely Washizu's assistant, but he seems to be trusted enough by Washizu to be given the responsibility of taking part in negotiations alongside him. And, as seen here, Alan is high ranked enough to be called "boss" by his coworker. His exact rank is hard to determine since they don't call each other by titles like "section chief" or "department head" as is standard in most Japanese companies. Alan is addressed by his first name by the others; Murata and Nakanobe are always addressed by their last names + "san". Even Washizu is usually addressed as "Washizu-san" by his subordinates, although Aya calls him "President" in Episode 5. That episode takes place 6 years after this one, though, so I'm not sure if Washizu currently holds the title of "President" at the moment. But clearly, he's the head of the Horizon Japan office, and it's very unusual for a boss that high-ranked to be addressed as just "san" by his subordinates. I'm assuming that the team is more casual about ranks and titles because that's how they operated in New York. I picture Washizu as being the type to be more concerned about results than formalities and rigid rules of etiquette.)
Back in the Mitsuba room, Nobuaki complains, "They keep tacking on $1 million more. How long is this going to continue?"
Someone (not sure who, but it's not Shibano) replies, "Don't panic, that's what they want us to do. That's their tactic."
"Why aren't you raising it big?" Nobuaki demands. "You can afford to pay more, can't you?"
"That will be strangling your own neck," Kusakabe replies. He takes off his jacket.
(In the Horizon room, most of the men had also taken off their jackets, presumably getting more comfortable as they settled in for the long haul, although Washizu keeps his full suit on throughout the bidding process.)
Shibano looks thoughtful, while Nobuaki impatiently checks his watch, saying that the 20 minutes are almost up.
"Let's go with $165 million," Shibano decides.
Washizu, of course, bids $166 million. The mediator responds in that strained, carefully neutral voice, "I'll relay that to the other party." (He has also taken off his jacket, and is looking tired.)
***
It's now 8:30 pm, and Nonaka calls Yuka, asking if she's been able to talk to anyone and what their response is.
"I don't know," Yuka replies. Nonaka tells her that they're on standby on his end, and she asks him for a little more time.
"Are you sure you can come through?" he asks.
"I'm pursuing it now," Yuka says.
***
(Caption reads: "9:00 pm")
TheMitsuba team is mediators are eating ramen some kind of rice and meat bowls (possibly katsudon or oyakodon? I can't quite figure out the exact dish), which they must have had delivered.
The scene cuts to a lounge area, where Nobuaki is smoking and some Mitsuba people are getting drinks from a vending machine. Kusakabe gets a canned drink from the machine and turns around to see Alan standing in line behind him, glaring down at him. They stare at each other for a moment, then Alan's lips curve up slightly in a small, (snide? hostile?) smile. Behind him, one of his American coworkers is talking on his cell phone about "buying and selling".
In the Mitsuba room, Shibano clicks his pen nervously, looking at their list of bids, currently at $171 million, with a "+1" written next to it. He writes out a bid of $173 million.
Washizu writes out a bid of $174 million. Alan warns him, "Bidding any more will add pressure to Sunday Toys' restructuring plan."
In theMitsuba room mediator's office, someone Toyama complains wearily, "How long are they planning to continue?" The bowls of ramen are now empty and stacked up in a corner of the room.
(Caption reads: "10:00 pm")
In the Horizon room, Alan (not wearing his jacket) is frowning at a bulletin board tacked with various papers (presumably business documents and financial figures). His usually perfectly styled hair is looking a little limp, and he's biting his thumb nervously. Washizu is watching the news on the TV as someone in the background says (in English), "Get that at seventy-five."
Meanwhile, Nobuaki is fidgeting nervously in his chair. Kusakabe tells him, "After a certain point, they can't move any money. Their headquarters in the US won't approve it. We call them foreign vultures, but they are merely employees. But we have our pride to uphold. President, even if it incurs a loss, we will win this bid."
Shibano looks troubled. Kusakabe says, "Shibano-san, lets go with $186 million." Shibano nods and agrees, but continues to look troubled.
Washizu responds with a bid of $187 million. The mediator accepts it, looking even more weary than before. (The time is currently 11:00 pm.)
***
Yuka confronts Momose at his home, frantically begging for a comment.
***
The Horizon team, watching through the window of their room, sees Kusakabe heading to the mediator's office with the bank's bid. They all look tense and tired.
"If it's over $190 million, we're out," Alan says, but the mediator's subordinate delivers a bid of $189 million.
Reaching for the phone on the conference table, Alan anxiously says, "I'll call Claris back in the US."
"It's useless!" Washizu snaps.
"But--" Alan protests, looking a little panicked.
"We can stick it out until 11:40 pm," Nakanobe says gently, and just as gently, takes the receiver from Alan's hand and places it back on the phone.
Meanwhile, in the Mitsuba room, Kusakabe is on the phone, saying, "I have a request regarding that matter..."
"Shibano-san, it's not easy being a president," Nobuaki says anxiously. "You have to skillfully manage the people and company. I'll do as you told me to. Forget tradition. Let's go for it! Right, Shibano-san?" (He seems almost like a child, looking for reassurance from a parent or teacher.)
Shibano abruptly rises from his chair, and Nobuaki asks what's wrong.
"I'm excusing myself for a bit," Shibano says.
Just after he leaves the room and walks down the hallway, Washizu comes out of Horizon's room to take his bid to the mediator.
Shibano goes to the lounge, which is now empty. He fumbles for coins to put in the vending machine. However, they keep falling through to the change slot, even though he keeps trying to put them back in.
Washizu presents his bid of $190 million to the mediator, while Shibano remembers his confrontation with Yuka, and the accusations that she screamed at him.
***
At Toyo TV, they're getting ready to run the filler tape since Yuka hasn't come through with her scoop. The people in charge of the news show are angry, and Nonaka has to apologize to them. "All this effort for nothing," one of the news staff grumbles.
Yuka arrives and apologizes to Nonaka, who walks past her without replying. Just then, her phone rings with a call from Shibano.
***
Suddenly energized, Washizu returns to the Horizon room, ordering his team, "We need $10 million more. Appraise the Sunday Toys properties for high!" And although they were looking defeated earlier, they catch his energy and immediately jump into action, grabbing documents and doing calculations.
"How much further is he going to go?" a frustrated Alan asks, then exclaims in English, "Jesus Christ!"
In the Mitsuba room, Nobuaki says frantically, "It's almost twenty minutes!"
"Shibano-san," Kusakabe says, "We're going below the break-even point. We're going to forge ahead. Is that clear?"
Shibano remains silent, looking as if he's in a daze.
"Shibano-san!" Nobuaki shouts, and Kusakabe slams the paper and pen down in front of Shibano.
Back in the Horizon room, the reporter on the TV is saying, "We have a scoop..."
"Washizu-san, look," Nakanobe says.
The TV reporter continues, "It's become clear that the management of Sunday Toys were embezzling company funds."
Alan jumps up and runs out of the room.
In the Mitsuba room, Kusakabe and Nobuaki are stunned by the news; Shibano still looks dazed and almost devasted by what he's done.
The news report goes on: "It's believed that new president Okochi Nobuaki and the CFO were involved in it. This is going to be damaging to Sunday Toys, as they were heading toward reorganization. According to internal testimony, the company paid a total of $2.5 million over five years to a..."
***
At the Toyo TV studio, Yuka is watching the news report.
"...management consulting firm owned by the CFO's family member. However, there were no existing contracts or dealings with this company."
***
Alan returns to the Horizon room, saying, "Iron Ox backed down." Then in English, he shouts exuberantly, "Guys, we did it!"
The room erupts into cheers as the team flings papers into the air and congratulates each other, shaking hands and clapping each other on the shoulder. Even the normally quiet Nakanobe is laughing in relief as he flings a handful of documents into the air. Only Washizu remains silent and unsmiling, remaining seated in his chair. At the moment, no one seems to notice that the boss isn't celebrating along with the rest of them.
(It's difficult to read his expression--he looks tired, perhaps too exhausted to celebrate? But he definitely doesn't look happy; it's as if he takes no pleasure in bringing down the Okochi family, however much they might have deserved it.)
***
In the Mitsuba room, Nobuaki lets out a wordless cry of despair, and Kusakabe flings something (a book?) down on the table in angry frustration. Shibano bows his head.
***
Osamu and Yuka meet at the same diner as before.
"Hey, you did well," he congratulates her. "I saw the news. Wasn't that your scoop?" When she remains silent, he asks, "What's wrong? Why are you down?"
"I wonder if I helped him," Yuka replies.
"Helped him?" Osamu asks. "The guy with Horizon?" He laughs and says, "Don't think too deep. You did great work; it's all right." Then he says, "Tah-dah!" and pulls out a bundle of cash he has tucked away in his helmet (that he wears working on his construction job). Yuka's eyes widen in shock.
"I profited from an IT stock that was dropping," Osamu says. "I finally have my capital. I have $30,000. Surprised?"
Yuka is still too shocked to reply, and Osamu laughs. "I'm going to start my own company," he tells her. "I'm going to challenge him."
***
The next day (or rather, later that morning), Washizu is meeting with Okochi Mizue in her office at the Sunday Toys headquarters. He's examining a wooden toy on her desk as they talk.
"Oh my, how embarrassing," Okochi says with false coyness. "My measly hotel bill of $24,300 last month exceeds the balance in my bank account. If this continues, I'll go bankrupt. You'll arrange for money, won't you?"
"What's your collateral?" Washizu asks calmly.
"What?" Okochi asks.
"I can loan you the money, but do you have collateral?" Washizu replies.
Okochi laughs. "You're a funny man, aren't you? I'm your collateral."
"Then I can't lend you the money," Washizu says. "You're not worth the $20,000."
"Hey...are you joking around?" Okochi asks.
"No, I'm not," Washizu replies. "Aren't you the joke? Who'd lend $20,000 without collateral? Please go ahead and file for personal bankruptcy."
Okochi flings the hotel bill down on her desk angrily.
"Just know that if you do that, you can't be the President/CEO," Washizu tells her. "You'll automatically lose your position as President."
"That's ridiculous!" Okochi snaps.
"It's the Commercial Law Act," Washizu replies.
Realization dawning on her face, Okochi says, "In anticipation of this, you reinstated me as President." Furious, she begins hitting his chest with her fists.
(I had been wondering what he was planning to do with her, since the same problems would obviously arise if she stayed on as President. But he used her, planning all along to discard her when she was no longer needed--quite devious, ruthless, and brilliant. I like to imagine that this is why Alan admires him so much.)
"Okochi-san, please realize that the company is not your toy," Washizu says, pushing her away. "Everything is clear now, please leave."
"What do you mean?!" Okochi protests. "This is my--"
She grabs at his arm as he walks over to the desk and picks up something out of the camera's range. "Didn't you make this?" he asks, holding up a square wooden block with a hole in the center, the same one that was on her desk at the beginning of the episode. (I told you it would be important!)
"Sunday Toys doesn't use toy parts that could go through this hole," Washizu says. "It's to prevent children from swallowing them."
Okochi gasps in recognition, and Washizu continues, "The size of this hole is the size of Nobuaki-san's mouth when he was a child." He sets the block back down on the desk. "A wooden toy that is the origin of Sunday Toys. Nobuaki was going to discard that. That is the very reason why you decided to cut out Nobuaki."
With a look of sorrow on her face, Okochi slowly walks over to pick up the block, handling it carefully, almost tenderly. "He doesn't realize anything, that boy," she says.
"Some love can't be understood...even between parent and child," Washizu replies.
Okochi picks up the framed photo of herself and Nobuaki as a toddler, and caresses it gently with her fingers. The look on her faces shows that she realizes what she's lost between herself and her son. Washizu watches silently as she begins to weep, then turns his head away. (As if he feels he shouldn't be watching such a private/vulnerable moment?)
"We will rebuild Sunday Toys," he says. "You can be assured of that. Thank you for being President until now." He bows to her, then leaves.
***
In a conference room at Mitsuba, Iijima is meeting with Shibano and Numata.
"Will you explain?" Iijima asks Shibano. "I had Numata-kun look into it, and as a result..."
"I called Toyo TV," Shibano admits.
"Why?" Iijima demands.
"I've caused you and Mitsuba Bank a lot of trouble," Shibano replies. "I deeply apologize for that."
He bows deeply, but Iijima isn't pacified, and demands again, "I'm asking why you did that."
"The cause of this is Nobuaki's embezzlement, whom I supported," Shibano replied. "I decided to assume responsibility for what I sowed."
"Would that benefit Sunday Toys?" Iijima retorts. "Would that benefit Mitsuba?"
Shibano bows his head and pulls out a letter of resignation from his jacket pocket. "I'm very sorry," he says, laying the letter on the table. "I would like to start over."
He bows, and Numata says in concern, "Shibano."
"I am forty-four years old," Shibano says. "I'm past the turning back point, but...I don't want to make excuses for the rest of my life."
(Going to interrupt with an observation right now: the line about him being 44 was really jarring, because the actor looks at least 10 years older. I looked up his bio, and the actor who plays Shibano, Shibata Kyohei, was about 56 when the show originally aired in 2007. Washizu's actor, Omori Nao, is also older than his character is, but he looks young enough not to strain belief. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that in the book, Shibano was 44, so it was written into the script that way. But when they cast an older actor, I think that they should have either upped Shibano's age or just dropped the reference to his age completely. It jolted me out of the show for a moment, because I couldn't help thinking, "There's no way that he's 44!")
"You're cool," Iijima tells him, though it doesn't sound like a compliment. "You're always cool. That's why you fail. Never mind already." As he walks out of the room, Shibano bows deeply, but Iijima never looks back.
"Are you really going to quit?" Numata asks.
"Yeah," Shibano replies.
"You don't see it," Numata tells him. "Rather, you refuse to see it. Even if it means to grovel or be slighted, doing the duties you were given, one by one...only after doing that can you see the next level. I'm going to stay by Mitsuba until the very end. It takes courage not to quit, Shibano."
Shibano smiles and nods, saying, "Thanks for everything, Numata."
The ending theme song starts to play as Shibano leaves the bank and walks down the street.
Washizu's voice-over narration that usually plays at the beginning of the episodes is repeated here now: "Someone said there are only two kinds of tragedies in life. One is the tragedy of having no money. The other is the tragedy of having money."
Washizu is watching Shibano from a car parked beside the sidewalk near the bank. The door opens and he gets out.
"I heard you resigned," he says.
Shibano continues to walk past him, saying, "It's none of your business."
"How about working for us?" Washizu asks, and that causes Shibano to stop. "That was amazing, how you got the Okochi family removed from management," Washizu continues. "You're not an ordinary elite--you've got courage and strategy. Let's buy out Japan together. This country is still too naive."
"I'm not like you," Shibano replies, and starts to walk away.
"We're alike," Washizu calls after him. "We think alike."
"What are you saying?" Shibano asks.
"You are me," Washizu replies.
The voice-over narration continues: "The world revolves around money. Money invites tragedies."
The ending theme song plays over the credits.
Link to Episode 4 Recap
***
Final thoughts on this episode: The parallels drawn between Shibano and Washizu become even more explicit in this episode. It's interesting, the different choices they made when their ideals were shattered: Washizu became cynical and chose to pursue the path of money and power, while Shibano did the noble and self-sacrificing thing by telling the truth even though it cost him his job (and cost Mitsuba the Sunday Toys contract, although I don't have any pity for the bank).
It's even more interesting that the narrative doesn't seem to laud Shibano as a hero. I don't think the show is trying to say that his decision was wrong, but Numata (a sympathetically portrayed character) criticizes his choice as being somewhat selfish and cowardly, with his comment that it takes courage not to quit. I get the feeling that we're meant to respect Numata's loyalty to the bank, while not necessarily thinking that supporting the bank's corruption is the right thing to do. This show is filled with shades of gray, where it's very hard to say that someone is completely right or wrong, and that's what I like about it.
On a more trivial note, I've noticed that Alan's wardrobe seems designed to make him stand out in subtle ways. Washizu and the other men at Horizon dress in conservative, sober colors, mostly black or gray. In contrast, Alan wears slightly more colorful and flashy clothes: for example, it's hard to see his shirt clearly in this picture, but it's white with thin pink stripes, paired with a lavender tie. I think it actually looks pretty good on him, but notice the contrast to Washizu's more typical business look. Or Alan might wear something like a yellow tie and/or handkerchief, adding a splash of color to an otherwise typically conservative suit.
I probably only noticed because I was shipping Washizu and Alan almost as soon as they appeared on the screen together, so I was paying closer attention to Alan than your average viewer would. Possibly it's to make him stand out because he's the only one of the American actors who gets a significant role in the series, and/or to hint that he'll be playing a more important role in the second half of the series? Or possibly it's to indicate that Americans are less conservative than the Japanese? Although the other Americans on the Horizon staff, both the men and the women, usually wear typical conservative business suits, too. Caroline does wear pink in the love hotel scene in Episode 1, but it was a humorous, more lighthearted scene in which she and Nakanobe were doing an undercover investigation of sorts, and it's not what she typically wears.
The episode begins with Yuka standing outside the Sunday Toys headquarters. (As with the last recap, "Sunday Toys" will be abbreviated to "ST".) She is reporting on the former president's dismissal, and how new president Nobuaki is applying for civil rehabilitation to rebuild the company.
Meanwhile, Okochi Mizue is watching the report in her office, fiddling with a wooden block in one hand. It is a square block with a large round hole in the center. (This will turn out to be significant later on.) She angrily turns off the TV.
A team of lawyers arrives and the one in charge, Toyama, informs Okochi that she has to vacate the office now that she is no longer President. They also have a court order for her to turn over her corporate seal, bank seal, bankbook, and checkbook. (In Japan, legal documents are stamped with an official seal belonging to the individual person or business who is signing the contract.)
***
The Horizon team is also watching Yuka's report, and Nakanobe comments that Mitsuba moved faster than they expected.
Murata shows up with more bad news: Iron Ox is the new sponsor for ST. (He heard it from Kusakabe at Iron Ox. Kusakabe shows up later in the episode during the bidding war, and I mistook him as being with Mitsuba Bank.)
Alan asks, "Iron Ox?"
Murata replies that it's a fund associated with Mitsuba, and says, "Shibano outwitted us."
"What do we do?" Nakanobe asks.
"We'll declare ourselves a sponsor too as the major creditor," Washizu replies. "We have a legal right. We won't back down."
Later, he holds a press conference, and walks into a room filled with reporters. (Yuka and her colleague Nonaka are among them). He takes a seat at a table covered with microphones, while Alan and two other American men from the Horizon staff stand next to the table on one side, and Aya on the other. (Apparently, only Washizu will actually be speaking to the press, so I'm not sure why they're present, unless it's to emphasize his importance/position by having an entourage? Maybe this is standard for business press conferences in Japan?)
One of the reporters (a man) asks why the change of heart, since he has been declining press conferences until now.
"I wanted to properly explain our plans to all of you," Washizu replies.
A female reporter asks, "Washizu-san, what is your reason for stepping forward as Sunday Toys' sponsor?"
A different male reporter chimes in, "Wasn't there a problem with how you acquired Sunday Toys' debts?"
Washizu asks coolly, "What are you getting at?"
The third reporter says, "We heard you forcibly bought out Sunday Toys' payables." Washizu replies that they were legally obtained.
"I don't understand where that's coming from," Washizu replies. (Obviously a lie, since regardless of his intentions towards ST, he must realize how Horizon is coming across to the public perception.)
Nonaka says, "Business acquisitions by foreign funds are targeted at monetary profits."
"What is your name?" Washizu asks him.
"I'm Nonaka with Toyo TV," he replies.
"In that case, I have a question for you, Nonaka-san," Washizu retorts. "Is it wrong to make money?"
That causes a stir among the reporters, who look up in surprise.
"Is it wrong?" Washizu demands. "What I'm doing is legal restructuring of the business. Is there a problem with that?" He starts to lose his temper and his normally emotionless voice sharpens with anger. "Isn't Japan a capitalist country? Is there a problem with what I'm doing? Well, is there?"
Alan glances over at Washizu uneasily. He starts to open his mouth, but closes it without saying anything. (At this point, being interrupted by a subordinate in public would probably cause Washizu to lose face and make things worse rather than better, but Alan is clearly wondering if the boss is losing it. And Washizu's actions are usually well-planned and calculated, but I think he genuinely lost control here.)
With a small laugh of disbelief, Nonaka says to Yuka, "He's something else. He's serious." Yuka says nothing, but looks uncomfortable and troubled. (Despite her apparent hatred for him, it's almost like she feels a little sorry or embarrassed for Washizu, although that's only my interpretation.)
***
In the next day's newspaper, there is a caricature cartoon of Washizu as a vulture, hovering over Okochi and Nobuaki, who are duking it out over ST.
The camera pulls back, and we can see Nobuaki frowning down at the paper.
Shibano is with him, and says, "We'll need to revise the consolidated statements. We need to add more details to give a better picture of the company's situation."
Nobuaki says more confidently (trying to convince himself as well as Shibano?), "There's panic because Horizon stepped forward as a sponsor. Don't worry, the public is on our side."
***
Washizu and Alan walk into the Horizon office. Alan is reading the same paper as Nobuaki, and he fumes, "Who's the vulture? Damn them! They're always trying to blame the foreign funds." He throws the paper down in disgust.
"The foreign funds devour the Japanese?" Nakanobe asks. "They like to paint things simple."
"Okochi Mizue is on TV," Murata informs them.
The TV screen shows Okochi giving a tearful interview saying that her ouster by Nobuaki is a misunderstanding and that he must have been tricked. "I always thought about the company 24/7," she claims. "My father founded the company..."
The four of them have moved into Washizu's office, where they watch the interview with cynical skepticism, analyzing her performance. Washizu sits behind his desk, while Murata stands next to the desk, and Nakanobe sits in an armchair. Alan perches on the edge of Washizu's desk, idly fanning himself with a paper fan.
(It's a casual and almost insolent gesture, although Alan doesn't seem to intend any disrespect towards his boss, and Washizu doesn't seem bothered by it. Possibly it implies a degree of familiarity between them, since most workers don't just sit on the boss's desk like that? Or perhaps it's meant to indicate to the Japanese viewers that Americans are more casual and less rule-bound? Or probably, I'm over-analyzing the whole thing, but the implied familiarity fits into my shippy vision of Washizu/Alan.)
"She's amazing," Nakanobe says with grudging respect. "She intentionally wore a conservative suit."
"The greatest cause appears to be the greatest victim," Alan observes scornfully.
On the TV screen, Okochi is saying, "The thought of it going to people who only care about money..."
Washizu has been watching silently up until now, but looking thoughtful. He suddenly says, "Let's use her."
"Hm?" Alan says, as he, Murata, and Nakanobe all turn to look at Washizu in surprise.
***
Washizu arrives at Okochi's luxurious hotel room. We can see flowers, plates of food, and champagne in the room, as well as boxes and packages that seem to indicate she's done some shopping.
"I'm amazed you found me," Okochi says.
"Information and speed are important to our business," Washizu replies. (Remember Alan's "time is money" statement from Episode 1?)
"So what do you want?" Okochi asks. "Did you come to mock me for being kicked out of my house?"
"Absolutely not," Washizu assures her. "I saw your interview on TV. I was moved."
"Yeah, right," Okochi scoffs. (She may be corrupt, but at least she's smart enough not to fall for his flattery.)
"I have a proposal for you," Washizu says.
"What now?" Okochi asks, still skeptical.
"Would you be interested in becoming president again?" Washizu asks, and she turns to stare at him in shock, a look of desperate hope on her face.
***
At the ST office, Momose rushes in, shouting, "President!"
"What is it?" Nobuaki asks.
"Horizon is supporting former President Okochi Mizue."
"What?" Nobuaki exclaims. Shibano, who is also there, looks worried.
***
Both sides attend a mediation session. It's not fully explained, but it seems that there is a court-appointed team of attorneys that will decide the issue. (ETA: upon the second rewatch, I noticed that this is the same team of attorneys who kicked Okochi Mizue out of her office.) For ST, Shibano,
The chief mediator (Toyama) says, "It's hard to say which restructuring plan is the better between the two. With consideration that Horizon is the major creditor, we decided to choose the sponsor by bid. We'll be using the sudden death bidding procedure. One side will show its bidding price, and the other side has to submit a higher price within twenty minutes. At the point where one side cannot raise the bid, the bidding ends. Meeting adjourned."
***
At Mitsuba, Iijima is asking, "We have to bid?"
"I'm sorry it came to this," Shibano apologizes.
"What is our chance of winning?" Iijima asks.
"The amount of the bid depends on Sunday Toys' future growth," Shibano replies. "It's a matter of estimating how much profit we can anticipate from the restructure."
The scene cuts to the Horizon office, where Washizu is asking, "Well?"
"Almost done," Alan replies, as he types away on his laptop, intently focused on calculating figures. The other members of the team are also seated at the conference table, going over figures and looking over documents.
Nakanobe says, "Close the salon, sports club, and theme park. Terminate 150 employees. Make use of their game software development. Plan on converting to a software company down the road."
Cut back to Mitsuba, where Iijima says, "With all the public attention, we cannot lose. Take it as far as you can."
Cut back to Horizon. Alan says, "Under this plan, when Sunday Toys becomes publicly traded in three years, it'll be worth $300 million."
"What is the most we can bid?" Murata asks.
Cut back to Mitsuba.
Cut back to Horizon, where Alan is still typing. The final figure that comes up on his laptop is 19,000,000,000 yen.
Cut back to Mitsuba, where
Cut to Horizon, where Alan also replies, "$190 million."
Cut to Mitsuba. Iijima says, "$190 million, huh?"
Cut to Horizon. Washizu shows no reaction other than his usual serious expression. (Perhaps he looks a little tense, but it's hard to tell.)
***
Later that night, Yuka is waiting outside the Horizon building, talking on her cell phone. "Yes, all right," she says into the phone, then hangs up. She sees Washizu walking out of the building alone. He has taken off his glasses and his suit jacket; he is holding the latter in one hand. He looks tired and less formal than usual. He hails a cab, and Yuka quickly hails another to follow him.
She finds him at a small, dimly lit bar, where he is playing on a piano in an idle, half-hearted fashion. (The music is, I think, in a minor key and sounds a bit ominous and melancholic, and Washizu looks tired and depressed.) His half-filled glass is sitting on top of the piano.
(A review of the Hagetaka novel that I came across said that Washizu once tried to become a jazz pianist, after leaving Japan but before becoming an investment fund manager for Horizon. However, nothing is said in the TV show about it.)
Washizu looks up to see her standing in front of the piano, and he asks, "Are you still working at this late hour?"
"So you're finally talking to me?" Yuka asks.
"You give me no privacy," Washizu says in a tone of weary resignation, as if he's too tired to keep running from her. He gets up, taking his drink with him, and moves over to sit at the bar counter. "Where do you get such passion?" he asks. "Is it out of hatred for me?"
Yuka moves over to sit beside him with a drink of her own. "It's just economics. Our politics and culture don't make world news. But the news of replacing a president for an automobile manufacturer gets world attention. I can also see how a single screw has an impact on society and the world." (This is obviously a reference to what we learned in Episode 2, that the Mishima Factory made screws for an automobile manufacturer. At the time, the young and idealistic Washizu believed that even a single screw was important and shouldn't be wasted.)
After a long pause in which Washizu remains silent, Yuka asks, "Washizu-san, what is your passion? Is it earnings?" She imitates the tone of voice he used at the ill-fated press conference. "'Is it wrong to make money?' That's what you said at the press conference. Is that how you honestly feel?"
"I am only doing what I think is right," Washizu replies.
"And that saves people?" Yuka asks. "What about the people who died in the process? I still think about my father sometimes. Even when he was depressed that the bank wouldn't lend him money, he would say, 'Washizu-kun is not at fault. The bank that refused to lend is the one at fault.'"
"Let's not talk about the stupid past," Washizu says dismissively, taking a sip of his drink.
Yuka gets up to leave, saying, "I'm going." She leaves behind a couple of bills on the counter to pay for her drink.
On the way out, she turns to look back at him and says, "Please don't betray my father's trust in you."
(She seems much less hostile in this scene, like she truly wants to understand what he's thinking, and is hoping that the old Washizu is still inside him somewhere. As for Washizu, he seems weary and burdened by his past guilt, letting down the cold, confident front that he puts up in public.)
Sitting at the bar, Washizu remembers Yuka's father, and there's a brief flashback showing President Mishima's smiling face.
***
Yuka meets Osamu at the construction site where he's working. Then the scene flashes forward to them sitting together in a booth in what looks like a family restaurant, presumably after Osamu has gotten off work.
A waitress brings a pizza for Osamu, who is already working on a full meal (he seems to be eating some sort of fish plus various side dishes). He's eating like he's starving, while Yuka merely sips at a drink (probably a cola, judging by the color).
"I won't hold back," Osamu says. (Apparently Yuka is treating him to dinner.)
"You haven't been eating properly?" she asks. He says that he's been eating ramen every day to save money, and she asks what he's saving the money for.
"I'm going to start up a company, so I need capital for that."
Cut to a scene of Osamu in his apartment, working at a computer. The screen shows some kind of graph. (He might possibly be tracking stocks, but I can't make out the words on the screen, so I'm not sure.)
Cut back to Yuka and Osamu in the restaurant. He says, "I'm working on a software now. There's going to be a boom in IT. I'm like you."
"Huh?" she says.
"People afflicted with foreign investments," he replies. "If you're working on that, you must still be at the bottom."
(Actually, I assume she's working in the financial section because of her obsession with Washizu. Judging by the conversation between her colleagues in Episode 1, she's probably good enough and passionate enough about her work to be promoted to a more prestigious assignment if she really wanted it.)
Whatever the reason, Yuka looks disturbed by Osamu's words. (I think she's more worried about him than the implied insult towards her.) "Say..." she says hesitantly.
"What?"
"What do you think of Washizu?" Yuka asks.
"No comment," Osamu replies. (That is how it was translated in the TV subtitles, but he actually says, "Betsuni," which means "nothing" or "not particularly". In this context, his reply could also be translated as "Not much," or "I don't really think about him.")
"Don't you hate him?" Yuka asks.
"No, I'm grateful to him," Osamu replies.
"Grateful?" Yuka echoes in confusion.
"He took over our inn," Osamu says. "If he didn't show up, I would have ended my life at that country inn. A company can go under very easily."
***
Washizu is meeting with Okochi at her hotel room. He picks up a wooden block that is sitting on the desk, the same square block with the round hole that Okochi was toying with at the beginning of the episode when she was kicked out of the ST's office. Okochi is sitting on the couch, staring at a framed photo of herself holding a toddler Nobuaki, both of them laughing, Nobuaki's face open in a wide "O" shape. Her fingers run across the picture slowly as if she's caressing it. (A sign that she really does loves her son and not just her company?)
She sets down the photo and says, "Hey."
"Yes?" Washizu asks.
"If they win, will that restructuring plan be approved?" Okochi asks
"Yes, without a doubt," Washizu replies. Okochi asks if he thinks they can win, and he replies, "To be honest, it's fifty-fifty. We must be on our toes."
"I see," Okochi says. She takes some documents out of a shoebox--they're hidden under an actual pair of shoes--and hands them to him. "Use this." Washizu asks what it is, and she says, "I must be reinstated as President. Didn't you approach me for that?"
Washizu looks over the papers, casting a sidelong glance at her.
Later, when he's alone in his office at Horizon, he pulls Yuka's business card out of a desk drawer.
Sometime later, the two of them meet, sitting on a bench (I think outside the Horizon building, though I'm not sure).
"What a surprise to have you call me," she says.
He hands her a large envelope, saying, "Sunday Toys' President Okochi Nobuaki was embezzling company funds. He collaborated with CFO Momose and was depositing the money in Momose's wife's company. That's the proof for it. Mitsuba Bank was most likely aware of it. Momose's former boss is Iijima. Sunday Toys' CFOs have always come from Mitsuba Bank. Mitsuba has been milking it all this time. Only your company knows. You'll have an exclusive scoop."
(And now we see that Nobuaki was not an innocent victim after all, and that Mitsuba's been bleeding the company even as they're supposedly trying to save it. Maybe they're the real vultures, not Horizon.)
"I can't report this without checking on it first," Yuka protests, looking shocked by the news.
"Please report it," Washizu says.
"What is it with you?" Yuka demands angrily. "If I report this, Horizon will have the advantage of becoming Sunday Toys's sponsor."
"Probably," Washizu agrees.
"Are you trying to use me?" Yuka asks.
"Don't you hate the bank?" Washizu replies. "It's up to you whether or not you want to publicize it or not." he turns and walks away without waiting for a reply or trying to persuade her further.
***
Yuka is meeting with Shibano, who looks over the documents that Washizu gave her. "Is it true?" she asks. "If it is, I"ll have to publicize it. Is it true?"
"Please give me more time," Shibano says. "I'll responsibly look into it."
"What then?" Yuka asks.
"If it's true, then I'll take appropriate measures," Shibano promises. He bows and starts to walk away.
"Can I trust you?" Yuka calls after him.
"Of course," Shibano replies, then continues on his way. However, Yuka still looks uncertain about whether she can believe him.
***
At Mitsuba, Shibano is consulting with Iijima about the alleged embezzlement. "This is well-investigated," Iijima says. "It probably came from Okochi Mizue. Who would've thought she would betray her own son?"
"Why didn't you tell me beforehand about this?" Shibano demands.
"It's your fault for not finding it," Iijima retorts. "What a relief that the information source is your friend. Which reporter is it?"
(The word translated as "friend" is "shiriai," which actually means "acquaintance"--I don't think that the relationship between Shibano and Yuka is really close enough to be called friendship. But either way, the implication is that Shibano has a personal connection to his source.)
"Toyo TV," Shibano replies.
"Crush that information," Iijima orders.
***
Later, Shibano and Numata are drinking at a pub; Shibano seems to be a little drunk.
"Iijima is testing you," Numata says. "If you handle this well, you'll be promoted to General Manager, and eventually President."
"Don't be ridiculous," Shibano tells him.
"You were thought to be a presidential candidate before, but now you're
"I'm sick of it; I've always had to do these things," Shibano says. He stumbles as he rises from his seat.
"What do you expect?" Numata demands, raising his voice angrily. "That's your job."
"Job?" Shibano retorts. "This is what I do as my job?" He bangs his fist on the table. "This is my job?"
They're beginning to attract the attention of the other customers, and Numata nods apologetically at them. "Hey, just sit down," he says, pulling Shibano back down onto his chair. "How old are you? Who can proudly say 'this is what I do'? In any job, more or less, you do things that are wrong, or feel guilty of. Drinking it away at the bar and moving on is part of your work."
***
Later (the next day?) Shibano meets with Yuka, who asks, "It isn't true?"
"There was no truth to that rumor about President Nobuaki and the affiliated parties," Shibano replies.
However, Yuka doesn't seem to believe him and asks sharply, "Are you telling me the truth?"
"Yes, I am," Shibano insists, although he is facing away from her and is avoiding her gaze.
"Did your superiors tell you to persuade me?" Yuka asks, and Shibano still refuses to look at her. "Is that how you hid various things until now? The Mishima name is just one of the million cases you handled. Didn't you destroy other evidences of wrongdoing? My father is Mishima Kenichi who committed suicide seven years ago when Washizu-san rejected his loan request."
Shibano bows his head slightly at that, looking sorrowful, or perhaps guilty, or maybe both. "I haven't forgotten about your father," he says. "My job is to protect the bank. I am a banker." He finally turns to face her and says firmly, "There's no truth to the president of Sunday Toys embezzling funds. There's no truth to Mitsuba having a part of it, either. If you'll excuse me now."
As he leaves, Yuka shouts after him, "What are you doing?! What are you people doing?!" She runs after him and grabs him, but he pulls away and continues walking. "Is this what you want? Is this really what you want?" She screams, "Shibano-san!"
***
At the Toyo TV office, Yuka looks at a photo of herself and her father. Nonaka comes by and asks, "Were you able to verify the truth of that scoop?"
"Any time changes for the news report tomorrow?" Yuka asks. Nonaka replies that it will be at midnight, and Yuka says, "All right." Nonaka asks if it will be for the last news report, and Yuka asks him to let her stick it out. He agrees, and tells her to get the facts directly from ST or Mitsuba, saying that he'll talk to their superiors and will be waiting till the last minute for her report.
***
The Horizon and Mitsuba representatives meet at the mediator's office. The mediator (Toyama) tells them, "The bidding will include all the businesses of Sunday Toys. We'll be using the sudden death procedure. It will end when one side cannot raise the bid. Horizon, please submit a bid higher than $120 million. The bid must be increased by $1 million or higher. Is that clear? That's all I have to say."
(Caption reads: "5:00 pm")
Washizu hurries to a room that has been set aside for Horizon, where his subordinates are busy making calls and doing calculations.
Meanwhile, Nobuaki and Shibano and Kusakabe are meeting in a similar room with various Mitsuba employees, who are asking, "What's going on with the securitizations?" and "I wonder what they're going to bid?"
Washizu writes out his bid on a sheet of paper with a black marker. He goes to the mediator to present his bid of $121 million. The mediator accepts the paper and says, "I will relay that to the other party."
Washizu returns to Horizon's room, and the mediator's subordinate goes to inform Mitsuba of the bid and tell them that they have 20 minutes to make a counter offer.
"They're being tight with their bidding," says
"No, how about $5 million?" Shibano replies, smiling and looking confident.
"Let's use up the entire 20 minutes, then," Kusakabe says, also looking confident and unworried, although Nobuaki just nods nervously.
Exactly 20 minutes later, Kusakabe presents their bid of $126 million to the mediator.
Washizu responds (20 minutes later, of course) with $127 million.
***
Meanwhile, Yuka is confronting Momose at ST, trying to get him to comment on the allegations.
***
Back with the Mitsuba team, Nobuaki paces back and forth nervously, then turns off the TV, which was playing a news program.
"Let's go with $140 million," Shibano says.
Washizu comes back with a bid of $141 million.
Mitsuba bids $146; Washizu again raises the bid by the minimum to $147 million. The bidding continues back and forth with offers of $150 million from Mitsuba, $151 million from Horizon, $155 million from Mitsuba, $156 million from Horizon, $160 million from Mitsuba, and $161 million from Horizon.
By now, the mediator's voice is sounding a bit strained, as if he's making an obvious effort to sound calm and unemotional--the bidding has probably dragged on longer than he expected. "$161 million? All right," he says.
(Caption reads: "7:00 pm")
In the Horizon room, Alan is speaking in English to one of the other American men. This portion wasn't subtitled, and it's basically background noise going on behind other conversations and the sounds of ringing phones and the tapping of computer keys, so it's a bit hard to make out. However, he says something like, "Eric, go talk to VCA." (Or possibly "BCA"? Maybe some sort of business terminology, or a subsidiary office or client they need to confer with?)
Eric replies (in English), "All right. I'm right on it, boss." He leaves the room, talking on his cell phone. I can't quite make out what he's saying except for "four thousand"--maybe something like "I need four thousand"? (Although four thousand what, I'm not sure. I don't think it really matters except to show that all the Horizon employees are busy negotiating and calculating during the bidding process.)
(This scene also shows that Alan is pretty high-ranking in the Horizon Japan hierarchy--possibly second-in-command behind Washizu. When I first started watching the show, I thought he was merely Washizu's assistant, but he seems to be trusted enough by Washizu to be given the responsibility of taking part in negotiations alongside him. And, as seen here, Alan is high ranked enough to be called "boss" by his coworker. His exact rank is hard to determine since they don't call each other by titles like "section chief" or "department head" as is standard in most Japanese companies. Alan is addressed by his first name by the others; Murata and Nakanobe are always addressed by their last names + "san". Even Washizu is usually addressed as "Washizu-san" by his subordinates, although Aya calls him "President" in Episode 5. That episode takes place 6 years after this one, though, so I'm not sure if Washizu currently holds the title of "President" at the moment. But clearly, he's the head of the Horizon Japan office, and it's very unusual for a boss that high-ranked to be addressed as just "san" by his subordinates. I'm assuming that the team is more casual about ranks and titles because that's how they operated in New York. I picture Washizu as being the type to be more concerned about results than formalities and rigid rules of etiquette.)
Back in the Mitsuba room, Nobuaki complains, "They keep tacking on $1 million more. How long is this going to continue?"
Someone (not sure who, but it's not Shibano) replies, "Don't panic, that's what they want us to do. That's their tactic."
"Why aren't you raising it big?" Nobuaki demands. "You can afford to pay more, can't you?"
"That will be strangling your own neck," Kusakabe replies. He takes off his jacket.
(In the Horizon room, most of the men had also taken off their jackets, presumably getting more comfortable as they settled in for the long haul, although Washizu keeps his full suit on throughout the bidding process.)
Shibano looks thoughtful, while Nobuaki impatiently checks his watch, saying that the 20 minutes are almost up.
"Let's go with $165 million," Shibano decides.
Washizu, of course, bids $166 million. The mediator responds in that strained, carefully neutral voice, "I'll relay that to the other party." (He has also taken off his jacket, and is looking tired.)
***
It's now 8:30 pm, and Nonaka calls Yuka, asking if she's been able to talk to anyone and what their response is.
"I don't know," Yuka replies. Nonaka tells her that they're on standby on his end, and she asks him for a little more time.
"Are you sure you can come through?" he asks.
"I'm pursuing it now," Yuka says.
***
(Caption reads: "9:00 pm")
The
The scene cuts to a lounge area, where Nobuaki is smoking and some Mitsuba people are getting drinks from a vending machine. Kusakabe gets a canned drink from the machine and turns around to see Alan standing in line behind him, glaring down at him. They stare at each other for a moment, then Alan's lips curve up slightly in a small, (snide? hostile?) smile. Behind him, one of his American coworkers is talking on his cell phone about "buying and selling".
In the Mitsuba room, Shibano clicks his pen nervously, looking at their list of bids, currently at $171 million, with a "+1" written next to it. He writes out a bid of $173 million.
Washizu writes out a bid of $174 million. Alan warns him, "Bidding any more will add pressure to Sunday Toys' restructuring plan."
In the
(Caption reads: "10:00 pm")
In the Horizon room, Alan (not wearing his jacket) is frowning at a bulletin board tacked with various papers (presumably business documents and financial figures). His usually perfectly styled hair is looking a little limp, and he's biting his thumb nervously. Washizu is watching the news on the TV as someone in the background says (in English), "Get that at seventy-five."
Meanwhile, Nobuaki is fidgeting nervously in his chair. Kusakabe tells him, "After a certain point, they can't move any money. Their headquarters in the US won't approve it. We call them foreign vultures, but they are merely employees. But we have our pride to uphold. President, even if it incurs a loss, we will win this bid."
Shibano looks troubled. Kusakabe says, "Shibano-san, lets go with $186 million." Shibano nods and agrees, but continues to look troubled.
Washizu responds with a bid of $187 million. The mediator accepts it, looking even more weary than before. (The time is currently 11:00 pm.)
***
Yuka confronts Momose at his home, frantically begging for a comment.
***
The Horizon team, watching through the window of their room, sees Kusakabe heading to the mediator's office with the bank's bid. They all look tense and tired.
"If it's over $190 million, we're out," Alan says, but the mediator's subordinate delivers a bid of $189 million.
Reaching for the phone on the conference table, Alan anxiously says, "I'll call Claris back in the US."
"It's useless!" Washizu snaps.
"But--" Alan protests, looking a little panicked.
"We can stick it out until 11:40 pm," Nakanobe says gently, and just as gently, takes the receiver from Alan's hand and places it back on the phone.
Meanwhile, in the Mitsuba room, Kusakabe is on the phone, saying, "I have a request regarding that matter..."
"Shibano-san, it's not easy being a president," Nobuaki says anxiously. "You have to skillfully manage the people and company. I'll do as you told me to. Forget tradition. Let's go for it! Right, Shibano-san?" (He seems almost like a child, looking for reassurance from a parent or teacher.)
Shibano abruptly rises from his chair, and Nobuaki asks what's wrong.
"I'm excusing myself for a bit," Shibano says.
Just after he leaves the room and walks down the hallway, Washizu comes out of Horizon's room to take his bid to the mediator.
Shibano goes to the lounge, which is now empty. He fumbles for coins to put in the vending machine. However, they keep falling through to the change slot, even though he keeps trying to put them back in.
Washizu presents his bid of $190 million to the mediator, while Shibano remembers his confrontation with Yuka, and the accusations that she screamed at him.
***
At Toyo TV, they're getting ready to run the filler tape since Yuka hasn't come through with her scoop. The people in charge of the news show are angry, and Nonaka has to apologize to them. "All this effort for nothing," one of the news staff grumbles.
Yuka arrives and apologizes to Nonaka, who walks past her without replying. Just then, her phone rings with a call from Shibano.
***
Suddenly energized, Washizu returns to the Horizon room, ordering his team, "We need $10 million more. Appraise the Sunday Toys properties for high!" And although they were looking defeated earlier, they catch his energy and immediately jump into action, grabbing documents and doing calculations.
"How much further is he going to go?" a frustrated Alan asks, then exclaims in English, "Jesus Christ!"
In the Mitsuba room, Nobuaki says frantically, "It's almost twenty minutes!"
"Shibano-san," Kusakabe says, "We're going below the break-even point. We're going to forge ahead. Is that clear?"
Shibano remains silent, looking as if he's in a daze.
"Shibano-san!" Nobuaki shouts, and Kusakabe slams the paper and pen down in front of Shibano.
Back in the Horizon room, the reporter on the TV is saying, "We have a scoop..."
"Washizu-san, look," Nakanobe says.
The TV reporter continues, "It's become clear that the management of Sunday Toys were embezzling company funds."
Alan jumps up and runs out of the room.
In the Mitsuba room, Kusakabe and Nobuaki are stunned by the news; Shibano still looks dazed and almost devasted by what he's done.
The news report goes on: "It's believed that new president Okochi Nobuaki and the CFO were involved in it. This is going to be damaging to Sunday Toys, as they were heading toward reorganization. According to internal testimony, the company paid a total of $2.5 million over five years to a..."
***
At the Toyo TV studio, Yuka is watching the news report.
"...management consulting firm owned by the CFO's family member. However, there were no existing contracts or dealings with this company."
***
Alan returns to the Horizon room, saying, "Iron Ox backed down." Then in English, he shouts exuberantly, "Guys, we did it!"
The room erupts into cheers as the team flings papers into the air and congratulates each other, shaking hands and clapping each other on the shoulder. Even the normally quiet Nakanobe is laughing in relief as he flings a handful of documents into the air. Only Washizu remains silent and unsmiling, remaining seated in his chair. At the moment, no one seems to notice that the boss isn't celebrating along with the rest of them.
(It's difficult to read his expression--he looks tired, perhaps too exhausted to celebrate? But he definitely doesn't look happy; it's as if he takes no pleasure in bringing down the Okochi family, however much they might have deserved it.)
***
In the Mitsuba room, Nobuaki lets out a wordless cry of despair, and Kusakabe flings something (a book?) down on the table in angry frustration. Shibano bows his head.
***
Osamu and Yuka meet at the same diner as before.
"Hey, you did well," he congratulates her. "I saw the news. Wasn't that your scoop?" When she remains silent, he asks, "What's wrong? Why are you down?"
"I wonder if I helped him," Yuka replies.
"Helped him?" Osamu asks. "The guy with Horizon?" He laughs and says, "Don't think too deep. You did great work; it's all right." Then he says, "Tah-dah!" and pulls out a bundle of cash he has tucked away in his helmet (that he wears working on his construction job). Yuka's eyes widen in shock.
"I profited from an IT stock that was dropping," Osamu says. "I finally have my capital. I have $30,000. Surprised?"
Yuka is still too shocked to reply, and Osamu laughs. "I'm going to start my own company," he tells her. "I'm going to challenge him."
***
The next day (or rather, later that morning), Washizu is meeting with Okochi Mizue in her office at the Sunday Toys headquarters. He's examining a wooden toy on her desk as they talk.
"Oh my, how embarrassing," Okochi says with false coyness. "My measly hotel bill of $24,300 last month exceeds the balance in my bank account. If this continues, I'll go bankrupt. You'll arrange for money, won't you?"
"What's your collateral?" Washizu asks calmly.
"What?" Okochi asks.
"I can loan you the money, but do you have collateral?" Washizu replies.
Okochi laughs. "You're a funny man, aren't you? I'm your collateral."
"Then I can't lend you the money," Washizu says. "You're not worth the $20,000."
"Hey...are you joking around?" Okochi asks.
"No, I'm not," Washizu replies. "Aren't you the joke? Who'd lend $20,000 without collateral? Please go ahead and file for personal bankruptcy."
Okochi flings the hotel bill down on her desk angrily.
"Just know that if you do that, you can't be the President/CEO," Washizu tells her. "You'll automatically lose your position as President."
"That's ridiculous!" Okochi snaps.
"It's the Commercial Law Act," Washizu replies.
Realization dawning on her face, Okochi says, "In anticipation of this, you reinstated me as President." Furious, she begins hitting his chest with her fists.
(I had been wondering what he was planning to do with her, since the same problems would obviously arise if she stayed on as President. But he used her, planning all along to discard her when she was no longer needed--quite devious, ruthless, and brilliant. I like to imagine that this is why Alan admires him so much.)
"Okochi-san, please realize that the company is not your toy," Washizu says, pushing her away. "Everything is clear now, please leave."
"What do you mean?!" Okochi protests. "This is my--"
She grabs at his arm as he walks over to the desk and picks up something out of the camera's range. "Didn't you make this?" he asks, holding up a square wooden block with a hole in the center, the same one that was on her desk at the beginning of the episode. (I told you it would be important!)
"Sunday Toys doesn't use toy parts that could go through this hole," Washizu says. "It's to prevent children from swallowing them."
Okochi gasps in recognition, and Washizu continues, "The size of this hole is the size of Nobuaki-san's mouth when he was a child." He sets the block back down on the desk. "A wooden toy that is the origin of Sunday Toys. Nobuaki was going to discard that. That is the very reason why you decided to cut out Nobuaki."
With a look of sorrow on her face, Okochi slowly walks over to pick up the block, handling it carefully, almost tenderly. "He doesn't realize anything, that boy," she says.
"Some love can't be understood...even between parent and child," Washizu replies.
Okochi picks up the framed photo of herself and Nobuaki as a toddler, and caresses it gently with her fingers. The look on her faces shows that she realizes what she's lost between herself and her son. Washizu watches silently as she begins to weep, then turns his head away. (As if he feels he shouldn't be watching such a private/vulnerable moment?)
"We will rebuild Sunday Toys," he says. "You can be assured of that. Thank you for being President until now." He bows to her, then leaves.
***
In a conference room at Mitsuba, Iijima is meeting with Shibano and Numata.
"Will you explain?" Iijima asks Shibano. "I had Numata-kun look into it, and as a result..."
"I called Toyo TV," Shibano admits.
"Why?" Iijima demands.
"I've caused you and Mitsuba Bank a lot of trouble," Shibano replies. "I deeply apologize for that."
He bows deeply, but Iijima isn't pacified, and demands again, "I'm asking why you did that."
"The cause of this is Nobuaki's embezzlement, whom I supported," Shibano replied. "I decided to assume responsibility for what I sowed."
"Would that benefit Sunday Toys?" Iijima retorts. "Would that benefit Mitsuba?"
Shibano bows his head and pulls out a letter of resignation from his jacket pocket. "I'm very sorry," he says, laying the letter on the table. "I would like to start over."
He bows, and Numata says in concern, "Shibano."
"I am forty-four years old," Shibano says. "I'm past the turning back point, but...I don't want to make excuses for the rest of my life."
(Going to interrupt with an observation right now: the line about him being 44 was really jarring, because the actor looks at least 10 years older. I looked up his bio, and the actor who plays Shibano, Shibata Kyohei, was about 56 when the show originally aired in 2007. Washizu's actor, Omori Nao, is also older than his character is, but he looks young enough not to strain belief. I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that in the book, Shibano was 44, so it was written into the script that way. But when they cast an older actor, I think that they should have either upped Shibano's age or just dropped the reference to his age completely. It jolted me out of the show for a moment, because I couldn't help thinking, "There's no way that he's 44!")
"You're cool," Iijima tells him, though it doesn't sound like a compliment. "You're always cool. That's why you fail. Never mind already." As he walks out of the room, Shibano bows deeply, but Iijima never looks back.
"Are you really going to quit?" Numata asks.
"Yeah," Shibano replies.
"You don't see it," Numata tells him. "Rather, you refuse to see it. Even if it means to grovel or be slighted, doing the duties you were given, one by one...only after doing that can you see the next level. I'm going to stay by Mitsuba until the very end. It takes courage not to quit, Shibano."
Shibano smiles and nods, saying, "Thanks for everything, Numata."
The ending theme song starts to play as Shibano leaves the bank and walks down the street.
Washizu's voice-over narration that usually plays at the beginning of the episodes is repeated here now: "Someone said there are only two kinds of tragedies in life. One is the tragedy of having no money. The other is the tragedy of having money."
Washizu is watching Shibano from a car parked beside the sidewalk near the bank. The door opens and he gets out.
"I heard you resigned," he says.
Shibano continues to walk past him, saying, "It's none of your business."
"How about working for us?" Washizu asks, and that causes Shibano to stop. "That was amazing, how you got the Okochi family removed from management," Washizu continues. "You're not an ordinary elite--you've got courage and strategy. Let's buy out Japan together. This country is still too naive."
"I'm not like you," Shibano replies, and starts to walk away.
"We're alike," Washizu calls after him. "We think alike."
"What are you saying?" Shibano asks.
"You are me," Washizu replies.
The voice-over narration continues: "The world revolves around money. Money invites tragedies."
The ending theme song plays over the credits.
Link to Episode 4 Recap
***
Final thoughts on this episode: The parallels drawn between Shibano and Washizu become even more explicit in this episode. It's interesting, the different choices they made when their ideals were shattered: Washizu became cynical and chose to pursue the path of money and power, while Shibano did the noble and self-sacrificing thing by telling the truth even though it cost him his job (and cost Mitsuba the Sunday Toys contract, although I don't have any pity for the bank).
It's even more interesting that the narrative doesn't seem to laud Shibano as a hero. I don't think the show is trying to say that his decision was wrong, but Numata (a sympathetically portrayed character) criticizes his choice as being somewhat selfish and cowardly, with his comment that it takes courage not to quit. I get the feeling that we're meant to respect Numata's loyalty to the bank, while not necessarily thinking that supporting the bank's corruption is the right thing to do. This show is filled with shades of gray, where it's very hard to say that someone is completely right or wrong, and that's what I like about it.
On a more trivial note, I've noticed that Alan's wardrobe seems designed to make him stand out in subtle ways. Washizu and the other men at Horizon dress in conservative, sober colors, mostly black or gray. In contrast, Alan wears slightly more colorful and flashy clothes: for example, it's hard to see his shirt clearly in this picture, but it's white with thin pink stripes, paired with a lavender tie. I think it actually looks pretty good on him, but notice the contrast to Washizu's more typical business look. Or Alan might wear something like a yellow tie and/or handkerchief, adding a splash of color to an otherwise typically conservative suit.
I probably only noticed because I was shipping Washizu and Alan almost as soon as they appeared on the screen together, so I was paying closer attention to Alan than your average viewer would. Possibly it's to make him stand out because he's the only one of the American actors who gets a significant role in the series, and/or to hint that he'll be playing a more important role in the second half of the series? Or possibly it's to indicate that Americans are less conservative than the Japanese? Although the other Americans on the Horizon staff, both the men and the women, usually wear typical conservative business suits, too. Caroline does wear pink in the love hotel scene in Episode 1, but it was a humorous, more lighthearted scene in which she and Nakanobe were doing an undercover investigation of sorts, and it's not what she typically wears.