LOVED ONE (ラブドワン)

I'm sure you're aware Japan's ratio of determining the cause of death

is much lower than in other countries?

Yes.

To improve that,

we're going to experimentally introduce the American medical examiner system.

Medical examiner?

The biggest difference from Japan's system is that medical examiners,

or forensic pathologists, have investigative authority.

What?

Does that mean doctors can investigate cases like the police?

No, not in exactly the same way,

but they can conduct investigations to determine the cause of death.

They also have the authority to determine the need for an autopsy.

I see…

So,

we're bringing in Dr. Masumi Mizusawa,

who has worked as a medical examiner in the US for 15 years.

And Ms. Kiryu,

you'll be the director of Medical Examiner Japan.

Okay.

What?

Why am I being demoted?

I mean, there's no way a policy change

is going to increase the rate of determining the cause of death.

And you know,

I became a bureaucrat because I wanted to create systems

that let everyone in this country live their lives smiling.

This topic is not even my specialty.

I don't have the knowledge.

And I'm supposed to be in charge on-site?

There's no way I can do it.

CENTER DIRECTOR MAHO KIRYU

Oh! Dr. Mizusawa?

I'm Masumi Mizusawa.

Call me Masumi.

I'm Kiryu.

- Pleasure to meet you. - Same here.

Huh?

- Did you just come from the airport? - Yes.

Are you okay with your jet lag?

Well… I don't know.

You know, jet lag is like rigor mortis.

Jet lag is like rigor mortis?

What do you mean?

Well…

Jet lag doesn't happen just because of time.

It depends on light exposure and the amount of sleep.

Rigor mortis isn't determined by time alone either.

It changes based on temperature, humidity, and posture.

In other words, both depend not just on time, but on conditions.

Oh, okay.

Right…

Good.

It finally starts tomorrow, the medical examiner system.

Ms. Dojima, should we call them?

Call who?

You know, the new system starting today,

where we have to report all abnormal deaths

to that, uh, medical examiner.

Oh, that ridiculous system.

No need to call them.

Yes, ma'am!

At this hour, no one would even answer the phone, right?

Call them then.

It will prove that we tried to contact them.

Yes, ma'am! I will call them!

They answered!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

It's fine.

Decomposition doesn't progress much at this hour.

What?

Hello.

Who are you? What are you...

Hey, stop!

- He's the medical examiner. - Huh?

What's that? I wasn't told about it.

I'm the supervisor, Kiryu.

With the new system, any unusual deaths

must first be examined by a forensic pathologist.

The medical examiner will...

Um…

The deceased's mother was the first to discover the body.

His clothes are wet.

Keitaro Aikawa, 17 years old.

He didn't come home by dawn,

so his mother got worried, searched the neighborhood, and found him here.

She called 119 and performed CPR.

They determined he was clearly already dead, so he wasn't transported.

Found a smartphone.

The pond is about 40 centimeters deep.

- This is murder. - Yes.

There's no way someone drowns in a pond this shallow.

I'm sorry to bother you at a tough time.

May I ask about the situation when you found your son...

Hey, don't… I'm sorry, Ma'am.

Back off.

Doctor.

Could you stop interfering in the investigation?

I'm not interfering.

What?

You just did.

This is a legitimate investigation based on the authority

granted to a medical examiner.

Supervisor.

Care to explain what's going on?

In order to determine the cause of death,

medical examiners are granted investigative rights.

Are you playing detective?

Also, under this system, all abnormal deaths must be evaluated,

and the medical examiner decides if an autopsy is needed.

It's clearly a murder.

It is, it is a murder!

We still don't know whether it's a homicide.

You're in my way.

Why is a bureaucrat the director here?

What?

Do you even have a medical license?

Do you?

No, I don't, but this is not only a medical institution, it's also part of

the country's policy in determining the cause of death.

There's a document from the Ministry about autopsy regulations, right?

Yes.

Created by the department overseeing the medical system.

That document is completely useless in the field.

You don't say.

Really?

Of course, it is.

It was made by bureaucrats who don't understand the field.

Let's begin.

Are you okay?

I'm totally fine.

The cause of death is drowning.

In a 40-centimeter-deep pond?

- Yes. - How could he have drowned there?

So he drowned somewhere else and was moved there?

No, that doesn't add up.

The plankton in the pond water matches what was in his lungs.

That means he was alive when he entered the water.

So he was assaulted, lost consciousness, and then thrown into the pond?

There were small abrasions on his palms.

Possibly defensive injuries from when he fell.

That suggests he was conscious, trying to defend himself.

It doesn't add up.

So then, he was pushed into the pond while conscious?

The pond is 40 centimeters deep. He should have been able to stand up.

It doesn't add up.

Then maybe someone held his face down while he tried to get up.

That would leave marks on the head, neck, and shoulders.

It doesn't add up.

So then how did he drown in a 40-centimeter-deep pond?

Who knows?

I wonder.

It's a mystery.

Well, whatever.

Then,

what about signs of assault?

There are injuries to the head and chest caused by external force.

First, on the head, the marks are concentrated in two places.

Likely left by a great external force, such as from a weapon.

As for the chest fractures, there are three patterns.

One was caused by CPR.

There was no bleeding or vital reaction.

In regard to this area,

it shows a significant loss of blood, and was very likely caused by assault.

And the last one

is one that can't be explained by either of the other two.

It does not show a strong vital reaction, but there was something.

This mark shows the slightest amount of vital reaction.

Is that the clue to determining it was homicide?

I don't know if it will or not.

But it might be a piece of the puzzle to solve the mystery.

Anyway, solve it quickly.

- Supervisor. - Yes?

Do your job and supervise.

What's that?

The content of the notebook by the pond.

The phone next to it

was the one that belonged to Keitaro Aikawa.

Then the phone in the pond…

Still being verified.

Does anyone know what this means?

For now, it's a mystery.

We identified the owner of the phone.

- What? - Ryoya Sakagami, 17 years old.

One arrest for marijuana dealing.

He's a member of a group

based out of Club Heads that engages in fraud and drug dealing.

Why are you running away?

Hey!

Police! Nobody move!

When was the last time you saw Ryoya Sakagami?

You were having him sell marijuana, were you not?

Don't know him.

Cut the crap! Don't cover for a murderer!

Murderer?

Ryoya?

Who did he kill?

- Aikawa... - A 17-year-old boy.

You don't mean…

Keitaro?