Coffee ya no Hitobito (Ippai no Coffee / 珈琲屋の人々)

"That the shop located at an old shopping street on the fringe of Tokyo...

...was where he was born and raised."

But if you meet him now, your life will once again be changed.

Why? He is the criminal that killed my husband.

Answer me!

You can't do it

You can't do it

A cup of coffee can sometimes change your life...

"Today, I return to living the life of a human being.

There is but one thing I am certain of.

No matter what happens, from now on...

...I have to live my life for myself."

- It's good, right? - Eh?

It's good that he is such a person, right?

We've renewed the homepage here and there.

That's great.

- This is the era we are living in now... - Aah~ I am troubled.

- Over? - Mo-ney. Money.

Eh? You are troubled over money, Shimaki-san?

Ehh!? Because of me, your profits have increased, no?

You have almost zero rent and personnel costs.

And yet you are saying you have no money. What have you been spending on?

- I am worrying about the neighborhood council's levies. - The shopping street's?

Yup. In such times, sometimes...

Yes. The few thousands of levies, some are unable to pay.

What I'm about to say remains within these four walls.

The Japanese sweets shop. - Owariya?

In the past, people will place an order for Japanese sweets for celebrations and corporate gifts.

Nowadays, times are different.

They cannot even afford to pay the levies? They're in deep trouble...

You talking about us? What is it?

Oh! As usual, you look so good in school uniform, Shoko-chan.

Really! Really! Later I will drop by your shop to buy me some mitarashi dango.

Sure. That's not very important

Uncle, I'm borrowing the use of your toilet.

- What would you like to drink? - Nothing for me.

- It's my treat. - I don't like coffee.

Here you go.

- She hates this. - She's here to put on make-up.

How come?

Her parents get angry when they see her putting on make-up at home.

Owariya-san was complaining to me. Said she is out till late each night.

- Oh! That reminds me. Recently, a strange person turned up at Owariya. - Strange person?

He was wearing a suit, but he didn't seem like a salaryman. Perhaps he was a debt collector...

As I'd thought, they are in debts.

Ack! Sorry. I was speaking without thinking...

It's fine.

Thank you. Mitarashi dango, right?

Thank you! Please come again.

- Welcome... - Where's your husband?

The mitarashi dango are out.

Keiji! A moment...

What is it?

You didn't know about the money here?

- I didn't! - You're not lying, right? - I told you, it wasn't me!

- It could be brother. - Impossible. Not that kid.

Then, who could have done it?

- F*ck you! - You are going to use violence on a parent?

Stop it!

Stop it!

Ouch!

Oh look! Isn't it Shoko's fan?

- What's up with that fella? - Right? Let's go.

Uwaa~ It's Mom. Nevermind, I shall not answer it.

- Are you sure? - Yup

- You scared me! Yumiyo-chan! - Don't dash out like that.

- Sorry. Where are you off to? - Cram school.

She said cram school.

- She works as a go-between in order to attend cram school... - Ehh?!

You didn't know? She has such a serious face.

- Isn't she amazing? - For real?

But I can understand. Yumiyo is very smart.

Without doing it herself, she earns money.

- Does she not give you that kind of vibe? - Hmm. You're right.

- Aah~ such a nag. - Your mother?

It can only be another call to lecture. I shall turn off the power.

Hey...

You killed someone before, right?

I have someone I'd like to beat to death too...

Under normal circumstances, even if we use all our strength, we can't cross the line from beating to killing.

What does one do to cross over to a kill?

When you kill someone...

... you are no longer human anymore.

You....

So, you're out.

I'm home.

Dad! Mom! You're not home?

Shoko-chan, what's wrong?

Shoko-chan! Shoko-chan!

Dad! Dad! Dad!

- Mom! - Shoko!

Shoko, your Dad... he has disappeared.

- Find him! Find him! - I will.

Dad. What... what should we do?

- It's okay. - Your Dad, he's disappeared.

Shoko-chan!

Dad!

-Owariya-san! Owariya-san! - Dad! Dad!

Dad! Dad!

- Dad! - Dad! Wake up!

Dad!

Wake up! Open the door!

Dad!

We're opening the door. Please wait awhile.

- Dad! - Are you able to understand me? We're at the hospital.

Exhaust fume inhalation. Possibly self-inflicted.

- What were his vital signs upon your arrival? -His vital signs have stabilised.

- Level 200 (on Japan Coma Scale), in comatose state. - Are you able to understand me? We're at the hospital.

Dad!

Dad...

Erm...

He is sleeping now. It's alright now.

It's good that he was discovered early.

Are you okay?

- I'll send you home. - Sorry.

Well then, please take care of him.

Let's go.

To Masako. I have but one request...

... should Shoko says that she wishes to attend university, then please let her do it.

With whatever life insurance we can get, please do it. Please take good care of Shoko.

My only hope is for the child's future. I wish she will be blessed with good fortunes.

A go-between? Me?

You don't have to pretend to be innocent.

I won't tell anyone.

I... would like to do it too.

- Eh? You do? - Yup.

- For real? - Yup.

I'm in a bit of trouble.

If word leaks out, you'll be in trouble.

It's fine.

How much are you asking for?

I don't know.

- Are you a virgin? - Eh?

- Does it matter? - It does. You won't be able to lie anyway.

You'd be found out anyway.

I am a virgin...

- Really? - Yup. Really.

- If that's the case, we can settle this now. - Eh?

"High school girl. Virgin. Looks ranked A".

- Failed again. - What a woose.

- Keiji, let's go! - Ah..ah.

Confirmed. Your client is a dentist. This Friday at 6 p.m., Tower Hotel.

- 30, ok. - Eh?

Since he is rich. Request for cash. My cut is 20%.

30... you mean 300, 000 yen?

Yes. If you don't want to do it, say so now. What's your decision?

I'll do it.

Wait! Let me take a photo of you.

I've sent it over. Well then, Friday at 6.

Erm...

Don't come over.

How do you feel?

Yes... I'm sorry for all the trouble I have caused.

It's okay. Please have a good rest.

Erm...

Thank you.

He has just come to.

Hello.

- It was wrong of me... - No.

Shoko-chan is holding up well.

Really?

It's tough to make a living, right?

You're right.

But since we still have to live... (do your best), right?

I will...

Wow, such a serious matter.

I just met Shoko-chan, but she's unexpectedly nonchalant about it all.

She's probably just pretending.

For sure she is hurting.

She is probably feeling very sad over her helplessness.

No matter what it is, surely death is not the only answer.

Anyway, I'm going home.

I'm home.

Here you go.

I had a drink. Hmm? I reek of alcohol?

- Fumie-san, you need the washroom? - Yes.

- There was a girl just now. - Eh? She's probably visiting.

At this hour...

- A girl of high school age. - High school?

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be closed for business for a while.

It's been a while.

Yabe-san?

Long time no see.

What are you doing here?

Are you still doing the same thing as before?

Ah... I'm here for work.

- You heard about this shop owner's incident, right? - Yes.

Is the same thing happening again?

Do you feel good doing this? Driving countless people to the wall?

That's what my job is about.

I never knew.

What my husband and all of you were doing...

If I'd known, I would have done everything within my power to put a stop to it.

If I had done that?

That person would still be alive.

If only he's still alive, you don't know how often I keep thinking that.

Welcome.