Nobody to Watch Over Me (The Guardian / Dare mo mamotte kurenai)

In the event a minor commits a serious criminal offense...

police authorities may seek to shield the minor's family...

from excessive media scrutiny and public hostility.

This protection is given to prevent members of the accused's family...

from taking their own lives in response to the trauma.

Such suicides have occurred in the past.

Authorities have not admitted to this practice.

"Nobody to Watch Over Me"

January 24, 3:25 p.m.

Thank you for waiting.

I'll get your change.

You could buy love for that.

Quiet.

It's so not you.

It's for my daughter.

You'd score more points buying that for your wife.

Precisely why it's for my daughter. Now shut up.

Mishima

Get my change.

Katsuura-san!

Where've you been hiding?

You're looking good. Been eating well? Prospering?

Not so fast.

I've been looking for you, Toru.

Know that new Indian restaurant?

Yeah... I mean, no.

You had the nice folks in tears.

I don't know it.

Why don't we talk at my place?

It' II be fun.

I'd rather not.

Then stay away from that shop.

I will.

OK, Mishima. Release him.

Back to your river.

Damn, I crushed it.

Precinct's calling.

Katsuura here.

You think we're needed for that investigation that just opened?

No. It's not our division.

But we're being called in.

Not me. I'm off work in two days.

Family vacation, was it?

Possibly our last one.

Why's that?

My daughter tipped me off that my wife has divorce papers ready.

My blood's curdling.

That explains the nice gift for your daughter.

She's on my side.

She planned the trip to save the family.

That's touching. Can I ask her out?

If you have a death wish.

Now my blood's curdling.

I may be too late.

3:50 p.m.

Listen up! The guy that killed two grade school sisters is only 18.

He's a minor.

Keep that in mind when covering this story.

You're late, Umemoto.

I caught my son's cold.

The teen was arrested in his home.

They're already live!

The two grade sisters were stabbed to death...

in a nearby park last month.

Police are about to arrest an 18-year-old male.

We're outside his home.

Man, they're fast.

So go dig up something good.

I'll hit the victims' parents.

I already sent someone. Check out the suspect's area.

Talk to his family, their friends.

The suspect's?

You broke a government scandal. This should be easy.

Let's move.

I want final drafts in by 1:00 a.m.!

4:35 p.m.

"East Toshima Police Station"

The suspect's family?

Orders from Head of Investigations.

You're to protect the suspect's family.

Come again?

Why protect them? Why not the victim's family?

Like I said, "orders."

What do we protect them from, Chief?

You'll see.

Chief! I put in a request for a vacation starting day after tomorrow.

Cancel it.

I left good whiskey on your desk.

Where'd you get that?

It was forced on me. I don't take money.

This won't take two days. Let's go!

Chief!

If the trip is off...

the family is done for.

My blood's curdling.

5: 14 p.m.

What's this?

Moments ago, the man believed to have murdered two school girls...

is an 18-year-old boy who lives with his family in this home.

Word is he has just been arrested.

The 18-year-old boy has just been arrested.

This is what you protect against.

The media will prey on the suspect's family.

It could drive some to suicide.

But we need them alive for questioning.

Understood?

Coming through.

We're reporting live. The front door just opened!

He's appeared! The suspect, the young man, has appeared!

What was your motive?

Why'd you do it?

Apologize!

Did you target the sisters?

Did you know them?

Back door!

Hey, Mishima!

Violent Crime Division, East Toshima Precinct here.

Good, we've been waiting.

Come in. Quickly.

Keep it down!

A complaint.

Disconnect the phone. And the doorbell.

Get me a screwdriver.

Not our boy!

It's not possible. This is ridiculous.

It's some kind of mistake! Naoto wouldn't harm anyone.

Do you know what kind of life your son was leading?

I was a strict parent.

How's it outside?

Swarming with press.

They're having a field day!

They've arrived.

I'm from Family Court.

Toshima Ward Office.

Hurry.

The daughter?

What's going on?

Saori.

Saori!

Please, dear.

Before we begin the questioning, please know that...

we're here to protect you from the mass media onslaught.

Now, although your son is a minor...

it's possible his real name will be made public.

You may be viewed as the "killer's family" wherever you go.

We advise a divorce now to return your wife to her maiden name.

Divorce?

Just as a prudent measure.

We've brought the papers for you to sign.

Now hold on a second.

Sign here.

Murderer!

Show yourself, Funamura!

Come out and apologize!

Sign here.

People furious with your son will follow you.

They'll follow you forever.

Okay, ma'am.

OK, the divorce is finalized. Now for the new marriage registration.

We'll now enter the husband's name on the wife's family register.

Sign here.

Ma'am, here.

On this line.

As "Ono", yes.

Your family name has been changed from "Funamura" to "Ono."

Your son will remain on the old family register. Sign here, please.

I'm from the Education Board. Sign this, too.

Ordinarily, court permission is required.

But the court approves this divorce and marriage under a special provision.

That is all.

The daughter, too, assumes her mother's maiden name of "Ono."

Wait.

What is it?

What about my brother's name?

The police will announce it as "Funamura."

So he alone gets left with a different name?

He's family. We can't do that.

I'm afraid you can't attend school for a while.

Why? Why can't I go to school?

I'll confirm the paperwork over there.

We will be separating you for your own safety.

Take the father to the Tango Hotel for questioning. Avoid the media.

Take the girl to the Felicity Hotel. Don't forget a change of clothes.

A hotel? Not back to the precinct?

The media is already there. We don't want them photographed.

Plus, they are not suspects.

Questioning a minor at the station risks a civil rights infringement.

Understood.

Shall we go?

Mom, wait for him to come home. Let's wait for him here.

Mom?

Your mother will help us search the house.

Mishima, get the car.

Get what you need.

No, I want to stay. I have to stay!

Mom!

There's no time.

No!

Mom!

Don't run off! Apologize to the victims' family!