Paranoia Agent (妄想代理人)

I'm very sorry,

but unfortunately I don't have time for this project.

I'm kind of tired, so I'll have to pass. Sorry!

I'm sorry, but the road is completely packed now.

Unfortunately, it looks like I'll be late.

Oh, I'm very sorry that it happened.

But our client told us to do that.

Believe me. I didn't want to do that.

I swear I didn't know about it at all.

I was too busy.

I told you, that's not what I wanted!

You gotta be kidding me!

I didn't have any other choice!

I have an upset stomach,

so I'm taking the day off.

Sorry, but I can't work within such a small budget.

You know, I'm working hard, too!

Don't blame me!

I don't trust anybody anymore!

It's his fault!

That's not my fault!

Huh?

Tsukiko!

Huh?

So... any new ideas?

You're gonna soon, right?

You'll show us all a newborn star

to follow-up our big moneymaking doggie, Maromi.

Well...

Aww, don't act so pessimistic.

I'm sure you can do it!

Everybody's excited.

We can't wait to see your next miracle, Tsukiko!

-- Chief! --Huh?

You got a call on line two from the producer at Coco Factory.

I wish... I need a miracle.

Hello, this is Hatomura.

Oh, yes, yes!

You need to see the idea for the new character design?

And you want to see it by next Monday?

Of course! It's no problem at all.

Yes, yes. Tsukiko will be happy to take care of it.

Yes, of course!

I have no doubt that it'll become a big hit,

even bigger than Maromi!

Miracle, miracle, miracle.

Hey, Maromi, can you make a miracle?

-- --

Oww...

Yes, hello, M & F.

Yes, I'm sorry, but I...

No, we don't have any information

about it either.

Like I said, I'm going to the hospital

to find out what really happened.

The victim of this violent street assault

has been identified as Ms. Tsukiko Sagi,

the famous creator of the popular character Maromi.

Let's go over this one more time.

You sensed someone behind you and looked back.

Then you ducked quickly right after you saw a glint of metal.

Come on, miss.

Sure that's the only thing you can remember?

Ms. Sagi, any kind of small detail would help us.

Don't you remember something about the assailant?

Hm?

Red...

My red bag...

It was my favorite.

Were you carrying a red bag?

Did the assailant take it?

He took it, right?

Hmm?

What was inside the bag?

A wallet, or anything important?

It's golden...

Maybe...

...a baseball bat...

Oh, you mean the weapon!

The momentary glint of metal that you saw

was the bat, wasn't it?

Do you remember anything else?

Like the suspect's outfit or height...

He was short...

Fifth or sixth grade maybe.

An elementary school kid?

Stop this bullshit!

I'm sick of you bringing flowers!

Mr. Kawazu, you gave me your word

that you would pay me at your next visit.

Well, am I right?!

I'm so sorry.

After I get paid for my next article...

Your next article?!

Are you a famous writer?!

Can you get enough to cover what you owe me? Huh?!

Anyway, if you won't pay for my father's

hospital bills and suffering,

I'll be forced to take legal action again!

I'm really sorry.

You rat bastard.

Investigating some case?

What? Are you here to cure that filthy mind of yours?

Oh, so your victim is staying at this hospital.

Who cares about that old fart

when I'm the one suffering since I hit him.

So what brings you here?

I don't have anything to feed a vulture like you!

Why don't you get a real job and pay your debt off?

Oh, excuse me.

Uh, well, how could my partner have been so careless.

He forgot to ask the most important thing.

About, you know...

Oh, you must be talking about the patient in room 510.

It would be really bad to get beaten by that.

Only if you really were beaten.

What are you saying? You think she's making it up?

Why would she...

I agree that she's a bit strange, but...

She's not just "a bit"!

You shouldn't be so rash.

For girls like her

who unconsciously act so fragile and sensitive,

you have to be patient and treat her gently.

Like the way you peel a ripe peach, yeah?

So do you want to peel her peach?

You know, women hate dirty jokes.

Sheesh!

Don't know if you remember. There was a similar case.

What case?

A phony street assault.

That's a bit harsh.

Is that your detective's intuition?

Something's really suspicious.

You know, we're living in the 21st century.

Let's investigate this scientifically.

Let's bet whether it's real or phony.

Loser buys dinner.

Hmph! You're on.

Hey, how much longer?

Oh, sorry about that.

I'll bring it back for you.

And here we go, all set.

There it is!

So, what do you wanna know?

Returning to the street assault case

of character designer, Tsukiko Sagi,

the creator of the popular character, Maromi.

More information about the assailant has been given.

And the facts are very shocking.

It's widely known there has been

anincrease in juvenile offenders in our society,

but it is hard to believe that an elementary school...

I'm sure it's not my son.

You must be making a mistake.

Our repressed society is having the worst impact

on those who are most vulnerable.

Most of whom are children, and this...

Yeah, I knew it.

It figures the attacker is some little brat.

Brats these days. They're so weird.