Tower of Sand (砂の塔～知りすぎた隣人)

Even if the world is against you I'm on your side.

Something unfortunate's happened hasn't it. I can tell by the way you look.

A secret friend and a ball... What if the criminal...

is a minor, that's a possible line of thought isn't it.

Ah, here's just fine.

Thank you.

Do you think you'll be able make peace?

Yes, we're family after all.

Ah, that's right, I really should apologize to Yumiko-san.

Yumiko-san? You met her when you came by,

Ah...

Apologize? Did something happen with her?

It's really embarrassing but

I was suspicious of her.

I thought she might be keeping an eye on us.

Keeping an eye on you?

Sora was mucking around and said something odd.

There were lots of things like tellys.

You could see inside peoples homes,

I could see you too mummy.

Spying on you?

Of course there's no way she'd be doing that, right.

You're not to blame.

After all...

Children can't choose their parents.

Nobody wants

to be born to terrible parents, do they.

I was suspicious of her.

I thought she might be keeping an eye on us.

Why can't you at least get on better with the other mothers?

I'm trying, I just can't seem to!

I'm home.

It's mummy!

Mummy. Yes.

I'm really sorry.

No... um... rather...

I said too much too.

Where's Kazuki?

You didn't come back with him?

Kazuki! I'm really sorry. We must have just missed each other.

I was just about to go looking for you...

Kazuki?

Kazuki, what's the matter? Did something happen?

Hey Kazuki?

The number of victims to date is 4. The number of strong leads is zero.

But looking at the modus operandi thus far certain features can be considered.

They've detailed information about the mother groups,

furthermore they're skilled at handling children

this fourth child as well...

A secret friend?

They took the name of 'secret friend'

and lured her out. Hmm, I guess

the criminal could well be a woman perhaps...

But, if we say the mothers aren't keeping a close eye on the children

that might be because it's someone closer in age to the child.

Yumiko-san?

Are you acquainted? You mean Sasaki Yumiko yes?.

She runs a flower arranging class.

What kind of person is she? Well...

I heard that her husband is in New York,

I believes he works for Suzushiro Trading.

Why did she stay in Japan?

I don't really know. We don't discuss private matters,

but it seems she's got a fair bit of money.

Is that so?

Actually, I wanted to buy the apartment she moved into

as an investment. But she cut in

offering an unbelievable amount of money.

Unbelievable amout of money... It's just a normal apartment you know.

It's directly above Takano Aki's apartment you know.

Directly above?!

You're being annoying!

Why aren't you listening to me!

Kazuki's late isn't he.

Yeah... I might try and give him a call.

Okay.

That's strange, he usually picks up.

Maybe he's playing with his friends. What?

Ah, that reminds me,

I've never asked him if he's made any new friends at school.

Kazuki, I'm sorry.

I'm going in.

What are you doing?

Don't look in people's room without asking.

Kazuki, do you think it's okay to talk to me like that?

If you'd be so good as to not look in my room without asking, please!

Happy?! Happy...

Cut it out!

Answer me properly, where have you been?

What does it matter. You're the one keeping secrets.

Secrets? Don't play dumb.

I saw you. You saw me?

I saw you get all excited about getting a scarf.

You were there?

Wait, it's a misunderstanding. We didn't do anything for you to be suspicious of.

We?

What's this 'we'?

Stop talking in such a gross way.

You're having an affair right. You should just admit it.

No...

Women sometimes lie.

For instance, if you love someone

you have to try to trust them completely.

However, if deep in that person's heart

you discover an unending darkness.

Even so,

can you still believe in them?

Can you say that

you trust your loved one to the very end?

A contract for 10,000,000.

That's right! We're holding an enormous match-making event.

And so I will put in an order with you to deal with all the catering.

Thank you very much!

But, I have a little something to discuss with you.

We're friends aren't we?

I got you out of the shit you were in didn't I.

I'm very grateful for that. Yes, yes.

So, as a friend I'd like you to help me with something.

What is it?

Actually I have a secret side business I'm running.

A side business?

Good morning.

Good morning.

Aren't you going to have breakfast Kazuki?

I'm off.

That's unusual, have you had a fight or something?

No, not a fight more of a misunderstanding.

A misunderstanding?

Anyway it's fine. I'll sort it out soon.

Thank you very much for this. You didn't have to...

Ah, well then, next time.

What is it? You're acting strange.

If something's happened, please tell me.

I told you, I'm on your side.

Kazuki... my son...

He's suspicious of us.

He said we were having an affair. An affair!

This has never happened before,

I don't know what to do...

Shall I talk with him?

I'll say that there's nothing going on. It's too late for that.

He won't believe anything I say any longer.

It's that bad?

I'm sorry. Talking like this is a problem for you as well.

I'm nothing but a nuisance to you.

You're not to blame.

You've been really encouraging of me.

It's...

made me happy.

Kazuki's just getting to be

that sort of age so...

I won't see you anymore.

What?

I'm really very sorry.

Even though I knew your family was more important to you than anything

I've got in the way. No, it's...

I won't see you anymore.

Hello. Is that Takano Kazuki's mother?

Yes that's right?

Kazuki hasn't come into school...

Actually, it's not just today. Pardon?

September 28th, 1st October

and the 5th and 13th...

And also the October the 29th he was absent without leave.

That can't be right.

He's not the kind of child to do that... Takano-san

It's true his results are good and he's well behaved.

But, are you aware?

During break times, he talks to no-one and

he's always on his own.

Could there be something troubling him he feels he can't talk to anyone about?

Absent without leave.

During break times he's always on his own.

Don't look in people's room without asking.

Goodbye. Goodbye.

I thought she might be keeping an eye on us.

I was suspicious of her.

I heard her husband's in New York.

I believes he works for Suzushiro Trading.

Hello Suzushiro Trading.

I have an inquiry I'd like to make.

Do you have a Sasaki-san working at your company?

Which branch would that be at?

Erm... I understand he's located in New York.

Please bear with me one moment.

Sorry to keep you waiting, there's no-one called Sasaki-san located in New York.

I see.

The apartment she moved into, is directly above Takano Aki-san's.

A new pupil?

He said he want's to learn flower arranging and

he just had to have the same teacher as me?

What kind of person are they?

Welcome.

He said going to a class filled with women was embarrassing

so he'd like to be taught one-on-one.

He's cute isn't he.

Very cute.

Please come in.

Do you live here alone?

Yes, it's just me.