Thursday at 1 1 :50 AM, I was in the middle of proofreading.
I was at my desk like usual when a call came in from the property manager of my apartment.
Ah, Matsukata-san, I'm glad you made it!
She informed me of a potential leak in the apartment above mine.
I rushed home.
I was just passing by the 7th floor when I noticed water flowing into the hallway.
It was really that bad?
When I saw it, I started wondering if it was leaking down into your apartment, Matsukata-san.
Rain can fall, even through a ceiling.
I suppose nothing is certain in this world...
Shigutu dekiru utuku sure ga kanuju no kunumi A man who can work, that's the type she likes
Kiai irate tsutumeta no daga I psyched myself up and got down to business
lsugashii wa tsuman nai wa But I'm always so busy and so bored
lma no kaisha kanari level takai huu dashi The company I work at now is pretty high level
Oyaji garami nu kune mu aru Kara And my dad has a lot of connections there
Yameru wakya nai shi So there's no way I can quit
ltsumu huku wa hituri kiri I'm always all by myself
Furo ni haitte neru ﬂake I just take a bath and fall asleep
Nagameru kutu sae dekinai I can't even take the time to admire
Kimi no kami u aruku sugata u Your hair or [he way you walk
Nerukutu shika dekinai If all I can do is sleep
Semete fume no naka de demo Then at least in my dreams
Kimi ni aitai I want to see you
Nevertheless, Hataraki Man
"Nevertheless, Hataraki Man."
Nevertheless, Hataraki Man
I need to get to Gokokuji. As fast as you can!
I made some temporary fixes at the apartment and headed back to the office.
Oh, I forgot to call the office and let them know!
My battery is dead?!
On top of that, rush hour?!
I'm such an idiot...
I shouldn't have relied on the expressway...
I told you this was due at 3 PM, so why are you here now'?
Everyone was waiting.
Right...
If you're going to be late, then be late, but you have to let me know ahead of time.
I'm very sorry.
Proofread...
Matsukata.
Those articles we discussed about Hoshikawa and Chinese diplomatic relations...
They're finished, right?
Because they're going STRAIGHT into next issue. Sorry to keep you waiting.
Th-those were...
I had gathered the evidence and interviews for those articles 3 months ago.
"Behind the Curtain of Chinese-Japanese Relations."
And also, "Following the Missing Money: Former Minister Hoshikawa's History in Health and Welfare."
They were all ready to go.
And of course... both of them were inside this computer.
I still have the interviews and other documents on file, but...
At this point, I have no willpower left to clean the apartment... so may I please stay with you tonight?
No, I'll come to you.
If we don't get your place cleaned tonight, it will ruin your floor.
Call lime: 2 minutes 31 seends
Our first call in over two weeks... and that's all we talk about.
Call lime: 2 minutes 31 seends
The fact that the leak is mainly coming from above your sink probably means
this pipe in the apartment above broke, or part of the connector joint came loose.
Yeah...
Tomorrow the company responsible for repairs will send their staff to check it out.
It'll be okay, they should compensate you for all the damage.
Let's put down some towels.
Hiro.
Let's put down some towels.
Ah... okay.
It's been so long since I've seen Shinji in my apartment...
When did it reach the point that we stopped seeing each other unless we specifically set a date?
How's your new job in sales'?
Well, I'm just as busy as I was before.
How about you, Hiro'?
When did our conversations become so aimless and superficial?
I... got reprimanded today.
Why is that?
I suddenly left in the middle of proofreading to come home, remember?
On top of that, my phone's battery died so I couldn't call the office,
and my taxi got stuck in rush hour.
You didn't tell them about the apartment leak?
That has nothing to do with work.
I'm oddly defensive about explaining my personal circumstances.
Because of people like Kaji-san and Yumi-chan, who can easily explain their way out of anything.
But... that's not something I can make him understand.
I don't think you have to be that strict about it.
I mean, you're a lady, so-
This is exactly why I said I wanted to stay at your place!
I'm tired of dealing with it!
But if we just leave it like this today then things will just be worse later...
like the bed and the computer!
Not to mention all my clothes!
What should I do'?! I can't take this!
Calm down, Hiro!
I just want it to all go away!
Shinji Yamashiro (so) Sales Employee at a Major Construction Contractor
When I'm with her... I can't say I feel relaxed, but rather...
although I want to see her, it's rough to be in the same room together... is how I feel, lately.
Come on, I'm begging you, Yamashiro-san!
Yesterday I couldn't come up with anything to talk about!
What's this? You bailed during the party last night?
Ah, not exactly. Urn... a friend called me to help with a leak in their apartment.
That's the most made-up excuse I've ever heard!
No, really! Our company built the apartment building.
So, I thought it would be best to see the damage for myself.
I see. In the end, you still haven't given up being a foreman.
I get it.
That's not the real reason!
The "friend" is actually his girlfriend, right?
Where's she live?
In Hal-came. The Typose building in Nakameguro to be specific.
Ah, Moriyama-san was the foreman in charge of that one.
He must be headed over there soon. He'll definitely get a call about it since it's his responsibility.
Hold on a minute, isn't Moriyama-san...?
Yeah.
He was my instructor.
Oh! Long time, no talk. What're you up to?
Yeah. I'm heading there now.
What's that? Your friend?
Yes. Yesterday, I actually took a look at the apartment below the one that leaked.
I noticed the straight pipe below the sink wasn't properly put into place with supports,
so I think it's likely the connector joint on the upper floor came loose.
Huh'? Did I say something weird?
Why do you sound so excited about it? I thought you were in sales now.
Do I really sound excited?
Yes. Please help her out.
Looks like the entire ceiling and all the wallpaper will need redoing.
What should we do with the floor?
If you have a preference...
That will take a lot of time, right?
Well... we'd have you choose a few days that work best...
I can't afford to take time off for that.
Then just leave it as-is.
If possible I'd like the ceiling and wallpaper to be done in one day...
Unfortunately, it will take longer than just one day.
I'd estimate two days at the least.
Huh?! Then just do the ceiling by itself.
I have to get going really soon.
Then, how about this?
We'll just have you check the work in the mornings,
and in the evenings, the manager can lock everything up.
Sure, I can handle that.
It's depressing to come home from a day of work to a ruined apartment, don't you think?
N-no... but...
Well... I heard that you're an acquaintance of Yamashiro, who works at our company.
Actually, I was his direct instructor when he started.
He called me earlier to tell me about you.
Shinji's... instructor?
Counidmvn 0o "no Z001 FIFA World Cup In Japan and KOYIII I83 Buy: Rlmulnlng
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Shinji! Did they assign you to a construction site yet'?
They did, they did! An entertainment hall site.
An entertainment hall?!
Congrats! That's just what you wanted!
Yeah, and my instructor is going to be this man named Moriyama-san.
He's really amazing!
Really? What kind of person is he?
Note: A. famous Japanese actor Icnovrn for It's rule as the blind SII-'O rdsman, "Zatoichi. " Imagine if you took the actor Shintaro Katsu and watered him down with milk.
What kind of description is that?
Well he looks really intimidating, but he loves cute character merchandise!
That's hilarious!
I'd love to meet him.
He loves cute character merchandise...
The actor Shintaro Katsu watered down with milk...
Are you... Moriyama-san?
Yes.
I know you!
Wow! It's true, you have a cute rabbit strap on your phone!
For 2 years after he joined that company, this guy was all Shinji would talk about.
I'm sorry, I've just heard so much about you.
Well, Yamashiro and I have about 2 years of history together.
Although he's working in our sales division now.
That's pretty rare, a transfer from site work to sales.
He's working fairly hard at it.
Well then, I'll be back again with my crew.
On Sunday.
Thank you for taking care of all this.
Of course, see you again.
Ah... thank you very much!
Now that I think about it, since he moved to sales, he never talks about work anymore.
Gnhansha Publishing
This is bad! Mogi-sensei's plane...
they're saying it crashed!
The plane Mogi-sensei was riding on just crashed near the Himalayas!
It was just reported on the Fuji Network home page!
Matsukata.
You've got some free time, right?
I need 3 pages, the theme is tax increases. By tomorrow!
Huh?!
Are you crazy, Editor-in-Chief?
But Narita said you're the only one with enough time to get it done.
Everyone's been rattled by the news about Mogi-sensei, too.
I'm also pretty rattled by it, you know...
I should have just told them about what happened from the beginning.
Now I'm just having a pity party for myself.
Fine. I'll do it.
If I think that simply admitting "I can't" do something is giving up, then I just have to do it.
I want to become a real adult.
Hey!
Who said you could eat in here?
I mean, I'm hungry...
And here I was ready to break out some wine for us...
Huh'? I don't need any.
I have work to do.
You drink it, Masami.
Here.
Oh, thank you.
You're as selfish as always.
Waltzing into someone e|se's place to do your work.
Shinji has it rough.
Yeah, maybe.
I might just be imagining it, but our conversations have become really dull lately.
Lovers don't need stimulating conversation when they can just pinch each other's nipples instead!
We haven't been pinching at all, either.
We've been less and less physical...
and feelings about work suddenly seem to differ.
Now this...
More importantly, why did you even come here when you could be staying with Shinji?
I'm not sure...
It's too bad... On the surface, you two seem like the perfect couple.
Thank you for coming!
Alright, I'm headed this way.
I'll see you tomorrow.
Oh, good work today.
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KEEKLT JIDﬂI SPECIAL ISSUE ‘II-IE FIFTY QHFIIIBJI
Well, I'm working on a special issue called "The Fifty Samurai," but...
Vnuyuki Mimurl Well, I'm working on a special issue called "The Fifty Samurai," but...
Ynsuyuki mam-n
It's too bad... On the surface, you two seem like the perfect couple.
I feel like the strings keeping us together are slowly being cut away.
One after the other... Love is something
Those thin strings snap and arc through the air into the darkness. Love is something
Those thin strings snap and arc through the air into the darkness.
Those thin strings snap and arc through the air into the darkness. Known through tears
Known through tears
It looks like a totally different room...
And joy is
We'll have it back to normal real soon. And joy is
Okay. And joy is
The light that illuminates us
Just one board and one sheet of wallpaper hides away all the cold steel surrounding this room. The light that illuminates us
The light that illuminates us
Even if they put it back to normal, I've already seen the truth that lies behind it.
See, just take a look
Behind the facade of a warm and inviting apartment... See, just take a look
You can hear the voices of the children
In this same old town
The view around us will oblige our past and future
We're done with the work for today. The view around us will oblige our past and future
We're done with the work for today.
Thank you very much.
Once again someone is singing tonight
The stars light up the night sky
Okay... just a little bit left. The stars light up the night sky
Okay... just a little bit left.
Who's there?!
Shinji!
Man, this work looks absolutely beautiful!
Moriyama-san really is the best in the business!
Uh, no, this was all done by the workers...
WORKERS ONLY DO THEIR BEST WHEN THEY WORK UNDER SOMEONE THEY RESPECT!
I can hear you! Please don't yell!
It's 2 in the morning!
It's all cleaned up now... that's good... so good...
Ah, be careful!
What happened?!
It's Sunday but you're wearing a suit and absolutely wasted...
I've never seen you like this.
I was working.
GOING OUT FOR DRINKS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF BEING A SALESMAN!
EVEN ON SUNDAYS, IT'S A MUST!
Shh! You don't have to yell!
Not everybody has a job where they just create things like you do, Hiro...
It's not as if I'm actually creating anything new.
I just pick up pieces of information and pass them along...
Then tell me why!
Why do you always take it so damn far?!
People suffer when you set the bar so high!
Even though they know it's not your fault!
I can't... be at your level.
When I look at you, Hiro,
all I can do is be frustrated with how incapable I am!
I... never intended...
IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT, HIRO!
It's not your fault, Hiro...
It's not your fault, Hiro.
We should...
just break up.
Nothing is certain in this world.
Yeah... you're right.
Our time together was always short, so we avoided voicing any complaints.
Explaining the details of our lives became a pain, so we gradually stopped sharing them with each other.
February 19th Issue of JIDAI ‘Behind the Curtain of Chinese-Japanese Relations‘
I'm finished...
Can I send this to print now'?
Whoa! You're so fast!
Matsukata, what's wrong?
You look like a statue.
Huh'? No, nothing's wrong.
I wonder what happened... It's rare to see her like that.
I bet she's still thinking about the accident that happened yesterday.
Senpai!
If you've got puffy eyes from a lack of sleep, use these!
Cold spoons!
Ouch...
Time for the meeting.
Why is it that despite everything that's happened... I still insist on working?
Kaji-san!
Apparently Mogi-sensei is alive!
He was supposed to be on that plane,
but his secretary came down with a fever so they didn't make it!
Instead they ended up going to a hospital in Bangkok,
which is why they weren't able to get a hold of us until now!
What a relief!
So these kinds of crazy coincidences really do happen.
Yeah, I remember how pale everyone looked after that call yesterday.
He really can't be more lucky than that!
Matsukata.
Just because you focused on your job, doesn't mean it caused harm. Okay'?
It'll definitely play a role the next time you fall in love.
Sugawara-san...?
Flnttr Kill flnttr Kill
Natto rolls...'?
Thanks for getting these...
It's because you like it, this job.
Huh?
Why is it that despite everything that's happened... I still insist on working?
Shangri-la
Yume no naka de sae umaku waraenai kimi no kolo Even in my dreams you can't manage a proper smile
Dame na hitutte shikari nagara aishiteitai I just want to chide and love a hopeless person like you
Weekly 1mm February 12m Issue Dame na hitutte shikari nagara aishiteitai I just want to chide and love a hopeless person like you
Weekly JIDAI February 12th ISSUE
Keitai denwa u kawa ni utushita yo I dropped my cell phone in the river
Sasahune no yuuni nagaretetta yo It got swept away just like a toy boat
Ahh... ahh...
Weekly JIDAI February 12th ISSUE Kimi o omouto kyou mo nemurenai Today I thought about you and now I can't sleep
Eukura duke he mukauuka Where shall we go'!
Ahh... ahh...
Shangri-la
Shiawasedatte sakende kureyu Let me hear you shout "|'m happy!"
Ijippari na kimi no nakigau misete kureyu Let me see the tears underneath your tough exterior
Shangri-la
Kimi o omouto kyou mo nemurenai hoku no koto Today I thought about you and now I can't sleep
Dame na hitutte shikarinagara ashitekure Please chide and love a hopeless person like me
Gimme JIDAI. Dame na hitutte shikarinagara ashitekure Please chide and love a hopeless person like me
That'll be 340 yen. Dame na hitutte shikarinagara ashitekure Please chide and love a hopeless person like me
Dame na hitutte shikarinagara ashitekure Please chide and love a hopeless person like me
Yes?
Today, the police are going to execute a search warrant on Former Minister Hoshikawa's house.
Can you get there?
I'm in Shibuya now, so I can be there in no time.
Great!
Sugawara is already en route, so rendezvous with him there.
Yessir!
All of the things I've lost from doing this job...
...some nights I cry over them.
But...
Taxi!
There are also mornings when I feel this job is what truly...
...liberates me.