Night Raid 1931 (閃光のナイトレイド)

March 1931

Kobe Harbor

Do you really think I can do it?

I'm nervous because it'll be my first time being photographed.

Me too.

Yo.

Hey, you.

Are you here by yourself?

Do you need something from me?

Wow, you have a piercing stare.

Are you an actress?

Why don't you just return to...

the ladies waiting over there?

They're just actresses for the shoot that Kouyou Cinema is taking on this boat.

I'm their cameraman, Miyoshi Aoi.

Nice to meet you.

And you?

My name is Sonogi Yukina.

This may sound rude, but I believe it's pretty strange to start a conversation with someone you don't know.

Sorry about that.

Well, you were just standing there by yourself, so I got curious.

Oh... you weren't by yourself.

He said he was a cameraman for Kouyou Cinema.

Yes.

So it seems.

On the Nanasakimaru, commissioned in 1923.

Before coming into port on it's voyage from Kobe - Nagasaki to Shanghai,

a grown woman disappeared.

According to the information I gathered,

The only thing the women had in common...

is that they came in contact with a scout for a Shanghai movie company.

I have someone keeping an eye on Kakinuma - the president of Kouyou Cinema based in Shanghai.

We know that there is a Chinese buying syndicate operating in the shadows.

I'll make sure that Kakenuma and a photography crew are on the boat to Shanghai with you.

When the time comes, we will need your powers.

I understand.

Please leave it to me, Mr. Sakurai.

However...

I have only one goal.

When we reach Shanghai, I trust you will fulfill the matter we discussed about my brother.

Yes.

Of course.

I'm counting on your powers.

Action!

Ni hao.

We meet again, Miss.

Yes...

Um... I... don't know you very well.

Then how about we grab a cup of coffee and...

Yeah...

Get it over with.

Cut!

Mr. Fujima.

This is the main branch's first all-verbal movie-

Nobility, right?

I know!

That was usually enough when I couldn't remember the lines.

President, good morning!

Thank you for coming!

Thank you very much for this opportunity.

How is the filming coming along?

Hello, President.

Yes. It's going well.

I would like to watch for a while.

Please come this way.

Hey, she's a real beauty.

Yeah. That's President Kakinuma's favorite Chinese coordinator, Sai Seirin, right?

That's what they say in public, but there's a rumor that they're lovers.

Ready...

And...

Action!

Then how about we get to know each other over a cup of coffee?

I can't trust a man who would try to court a lady so easily!

Cut! Cut!

Okay. Fix her make-up.

We'll film the next scene after a five minute break.

Yo!

We meet again.

Sonogi Yukina-san.

You're... Mr. Miyoshi.

I thought you weren't interested because you were so curt.

Did you come to see me?

Of course not!

I did not come here to see you!

I...

hate easy-going gentlemen!

Excuse me.

Man, this is exhausting.

How many times are they going to retake it?!

Good work. You were great!

You made my heart skip a beat.

Excuse me.

You're late, Kazura!

I apologize.

Here you are.

That girl had some potential.

Did she pique your interest?

I liked her spirit.

You're so passionate about your work.

What? Are you jealous?

President!

We have a problem, President!

What's wrong?

Akizuki-san had sudden abdominal pains.

According to the doctor's diagnosis, she needs 2-3 days of rest.

What?!

Akizuki's scenes are all on this boat.

Should we choose a stand-in from the extra actresses?

I know it'll be a stretch, but if we consider our schedule and budget...

Yeah...

There is a suitable girl.

I can't be a stand-in for a movie.

Please reconsider!

Please leave me alone.

There were several other actresses there.

They're all amateurs who were recently scouted.

Being extras is all they can do.

We asked you because you fit the image.

In the end you declined?

Of course.

We need to wait for Mr. Sakurai's orders.

On another note, Kakinuma had a Chinese coordinator named Sai Seirin with him.

She may be related to the incidents.

And those actresses...

They were recently scouted amateurs.

If it plays out as Mr. Sakurai said...

they may be sold in Shanghai.

There's a message for you.

It's from Mr. Sakurai.

About the stand-in role...

you should accept it?

It's unfortunate for the innocent bystander, but I decided to make a move.

Kagiya, keep an eye on Kakinuma and Sai Seirin while you pose as Yukina's attendant.

Report as you see fit.

Left- Price: 120 Right- Price: 130

They're our precious merchandise.

Can't you do a little better than this?

For more than this...

I'll have to ask my boss first.

When we get to Shanghai, please do.

Hey!

Are you alright, old man?

Water...

You're hopeless...

I'll bring some, so just wait here.

Kakinuma and Sai Seirin were negotiating the prices of the actresses.

I was able to confirm,

the prices written on their profiles.

But I wasn't able to confirm their connection to the disappearances.

Sai Seirin...

is the mediator between Kakinuma and the buying syndicate.

It's more probable to presume that she belongs to the syndicate.

We still have time.

Leave them be for now.

Understood.

There's something else.

This may be unrelated to the incident but...

The cameraman named Miyoshi Aoi...

There's something about him.

Okay.

Please report if you hear of something else.

That'll do it.

Kazura, take the pin out.

The hairpin.

Hurry.