Stand My Heroes: Piece of Truth (スタンドマイヒーローズ PIECE OF TRUTH)

This way!

Can you hear my voice?

Someone please help!

Are you okay?

This brand-new investigation agency is intended

to specialize in the unsolved drug-related cases

that are increasing in prevalence recently.

We call it "STAND."

You are the elite few chosen to establish this force.

Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare Drug Control Department

and MPD Investigation Section One,

we're counting on you.

Seki. I expect you'll be responsible

for scouting additional members.

With all due respect, sir,

the department I already work in is pretty new as it is.

It might be kind of difficult for me to take that on.

But STAND will require the best of the best

to operate at its full potential.

We need someone to recruit qualified members of the police,

the DCD, and civilians to join us,

regardless of their current assignments.

It's an extremely pivotal role.

Needless to say, we would feel much better

if you'd accept the job, Seki.

As I'm sure you can tell,

this guy isn't interested in moving up the ranks.

Well, if it's of any help, I know someone else

who'd be perfect as a scout.

Rei Izumi?

I know that girl.

Isn't she the enforcement official put on probation

for botching a premises check a few days ago?

We can't afford to trust a rookie like her

with such an important position.

Forgive me, sir.

But you're wrong.

She's got the right ideals,

and she'll always make sure justice is served.

But most importantly,

she has a talent that's hard to come by in the DCD.

As her mentor, I will personally vouch for her.

She's exactly who we need.

Hey, good morning!

Uh... No one?

Good morning, Rei.

I'm glad you escaped.

Escaped? Don't say that.

Here, want some coffee?

Uh... Oh, yes.

Thank you so much.

So, uh, now what?

Mr. Seki and Mr. Itsuki haven't arrived yet.

I'm sure you want to get the lecture out of the way,

but you'll just have to wait.

Natsume.

Don't tease the poor girl to death.

Anyway, morning.

Oh, sorry. I gave her your coffee.

Uh...

This is yours? Take it!

Heh! No, please, ladies first.

You pulled an all-nighter, right?

Why don't you cut down on the caffeine

and get some sleep instead?

No, thanks. I'd prefer not to take naps at work.

Is he okay?

He was saying he couldn't sleep because

he was thinking about you, Izumi.

Something along those lines.

Don't twist it.

Sorry.

He meant that he was worried while you were on probation.

All of us were, to tell you the truth.

It's good to have you back.

Ah, here they are.

I take it the meeting went well?

Mm-hmm.

Rei. Long time, no see.

Mr. Seki.

Please accept my apologies for all the trouble I caused.

As of now, my probation's finally been lifted.

Right. I'm glad.

What's wrong?

You're looking kinda down today.

Ta-da! It's everyone's favorite, as a little surprise present

from yours truly.

It'll be great.

That came from Henri Charpentier.

They call it "The Shortcake."

You mean you're familiar with it, Itsuki?

It's famous.

So am I dumb for not knowing?

Oh, that's right.

Watabe. Don't you have to get back to the MFA?

Aw, let me hang out!

Did you forget what a big help I was in that meeting?

Hey. I know.

Why don't we make some more coffee?

Sure!

So, it's not police or DCD.

But a brand-new agency, and they're calling it STAND?

Yeah, they're planning to put together an elite team.

That's the rumor, anyway.

And to think they're considering some civilian candidates,

as well. I'm surprised.

It sounds like it's gonna be a pretty intense job.

Since we're discussing it... Izumi.

Huh?

There's something I'd like you to do.

Really? What's that?

It's a list.

Read it carefully.

Those are all candidates for STAND.

From this point on, you'll be the one responsible

for scouting new members.

Huh?!

Hey. That's a smart choice!

I wish you could have heard the glowing reviews

you were getting from Aoyama, here.

We expect great things.

Work hard, okay?

Hey, watch it.

But... Sir, I--

Refuse?

No. I'll do it.

Try your best.

Hurry up and eat, then.

Now that you're on board, we've got no time

to waste.

I have to take you somewhere.

All right. But can I ask where we're going?

Take a look at that again. Closely.

I'm not entirely uninvolved with this assignment.

I'll do everything I can to support you.

This worries me a little.

Not only is she the scout, but once STAND gets to work,

she'll be on the front lines for any related missions, right?

Yeah, being that close to these unsolved drug-related cases.

Things are certain to get ugly.

She must be scared.

Aoyama knows that. But it's done.

Nevertheless...

There's no one better suited to it than her.

It's the right choice.

Yui.

How long have you been awake?

Izumi's a super-rare case, remember?

Most types of drugs don't have any effect on her body.

Which is bound to come in handy for her sooner or later.

Don't look around so much.

Oh, right, I'm sorry.

Excuse us.

Oh, Mr. Aoyama, it's you.

What brings you here? And who's she?

Oh, great.

It's our favorite narc from the DCD.

I don't recall inviting you.

Asagiri.

I see you're still just as exhausting to look at

as you ever were.

You don't have much right to talk.

Okay, guys! That's enough.

Let's relax.

So, then... I guess this is the girl.

Right. Izumi, meet Asagiri.

That's Sugano.

You remember their names from the list?

They're both candidates for STAND.

Mr. Hattori hasn't returned yet?

At this point, I'd be surprised if he ever did

come straight back.

Who's Hattori?

Oh, he's the chief of this section,

and he'll be the one directing STAND, as well.

Yup!

I know nothing's been decided yet,

but since he's our boss and everything,

we're pretty much guaranteed to get the job. Oh!

Actually, here's another candidate now.

Hey, Sosei.

You wanna meet the girl everyone's been talking about?

Or not?

Hello. I'm Rei Izumi.

I'm with the DCD.

Honored to be working with you sir.

Huh?

Aw, Sosei.

No, wait. Come back--

--Thank you-- --This isn't a game.

If they interfere with your work,

then don't wear high heels.

I don't have time to babysit someone who's unqualified.

Do better.

I'm sorry.

Don't worry, he talks to everyone like that.

Arakida's kind of a lone wolf.

Want to quit?

Of course not.

I decided to do this job, so I'm going to see it through.