A book containing a personal message from the author
will make it more valuable to a collector.
Even if getting it means that someone gets hurt.
Strange, but there are people who think that way.
But if the result of those words,
despite the original meaning,
caused conflict and pain,
what would the author think?
Are you okay, I got the message
- that you fell down some stairs. - Ah, yes.
Because of the rain it was a little slippery.
But the x-rays say it's just a fractured ankle
so that's not so bad.
I see ... Huh?
- Hello. - Fujinami-san, why are you here?
He called the ambulance.
- Eh? - I just happened to be passing.
Yeah, lucky, huh? I was a little busy that morning
so I couldn't come to the shop.
I really am very grateful.
We need to fill in some forms.
Okay, let's do it.
- Could you give us a second? - Sure.
Fujinami-san, we should leave her for now.
- Off we go. - Right.
Fujinami-san, don't you have a job too? Let's go.
That's true. If you'll excuse me.
I'm truly sorry for all the bother I've caused you.
No, no. Please get well soon.
- Ah, it's warm. - Please.
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
If I'd gone that day instead of you ...
"Do you want me to go instead?" "No, that's fine."
"Well, take care."
Please don't worry about that.
I'm just going to get some juice.
- Goura-san. - Yes?
I have something to tell you.
What's that?
Please use this to open that safe.
I was pushed.
In truth, I was pushed down those stairs.
I think this book is the reason.
- Episode 06 - The Late Years
subtitles by ersby
- You were pushed? - It all happened so fast.
I didn't see his face. I don't know who it was.
About six months ago
I started getting emails from someone who was after
a book called "The Late Years".
Ever since then, they've become more threatening
- telling me to watch out. - Threatened?
Just for one book?
"The Late Years" by Dazai Osamu is a collection of his earliest works.
In Shouwa 11 (1936)
Isagoyashobo published the first edition.
Are these pages out of order?
- No, it's uncut. - Uncut?
Usually books are bound like this,
and then the edges are trimmed.
This one is uncut,
meaning it's been published without being trimmed.
Once, it was pretty common for books to be published like this.
Then how do you read it?
Use a paper knife to separate the pages as you read.
In other words, this book
has never been read?
Right.
- Is this genuine? - Yes.
"The Late Years" was published when Dazai was 27 years old.
It's a collection of all his short stories.
However, there's no story called "The Late Years" inside.
So why's it called "The Late Years"?
Dazai himself never explained that.
Only 500 copies of the first edition were printed.
With its uncut pages
and a dedication from the author
this is probably the only one of its kind in the world.
If I were to put it up for sale
it would probably get three million yen.
- Three million?! - However ...
However, the price isn't why I value it so much.
Dazai's written note is what's important.
It's a sentence to celebrate friendship, don't you think?
He wrote the same sentence elsewhere, too.
The phrase Tsuminoko
is possibly a term of endearment.
In the short story "The Seagull" he uses the name again.
"Tsuminoko" ... "a child of sin"?
Not necessarily.
"While alive, anyone can fall into sinfulness"
is the meaning I prefer. These words really touch me.
Sinful, huh?
Which is why "The Late Years" is not for sale.
My grandfather received it from a friend
and it's been passed down through the family since then
- as part of our collection. - I see.
Sometimes my father and grandfather would show it to customers.
On the other hand
I've never shown it to anyone
except for once.
Last year, at the Museum of Literature in Hase.
They held a retrospective of Dazai,
and I was asked if they could display "The Late Years"
and I agreed to lend it to them.
The fact it had come from us
was carefully hidden during the exhibition
but somehow, people found out.
Probably one of the people who'd seen the book before realised.
Soon after that, the emails began.
Asking how much money I wanted
for the book, and these emails
just kept coming.
Every day, anything up to a dozen.
Do Fumiya-kun and Shida-san know?
- I don't want them to worry. - But ...
And then the emails became less and less
until November last year, when they stopped completely.
"Is that it?" I thought.
But recently I've had the feeling of being watched,
but when I turn to look, there's nobody there.
Seems like that wasn't my imagination.
Never mind all that,
you have to go to the police about this.
Why are you being so calm about this?
This person's trying to kill you.
No, I don't think so.
- It's just a threat. - A threat?
If he was serious, I'd be able to tell.
That man wants "The Late Years"
but if I die, then he'll never get it.
But I thought I should tell you.
What we have to do next
will need a little more thought.
But about Fumiya-san and Shida-san,
please don't tell them.
I'm relying on you.
I never got the chance at the hospital but
thank you very much.
It's nothing. I just did what anyone would do.
One month to recover. That's tough.
She fell down some stairs. Scary.
Did she really fall?
- Eh? - Maybe there's something
that you're not telling me!
Not at all. Don't think about it.
- When is she discharged? - Eh?
- Oh. In two weeks. - And what about the shop?
It'll be closed.
I don't know anything about books. I'd be no good.
Two weeks? Is that okay?
If he can't run it, there's no choice.
This could be what leads to its collapse.
- Hiya. - Ah, Kosuge-san.
Shida-san's just popped out.
Okay.
Hello, Biblia Antique Books.
I see. Bear with me one second.
Okay, I've got it. Arishima Takeo's "A Bunch of Grapes"
I'm very sorry. I'll send it out immediately.
I'm sorry for keeping you waiting.
Thank you for your patience. I'm very sorry.
Was that a complaint just now?
Ah, they ordered online, but they still haven't got it.
Goura-san, you're working hard.
For Shioriko-san?
Enough about me. What about you?
Well, for now I'm not thinking about love.
Sorry.
Ah, no, wait. It's not about before.
I'm totally over Nishino.
Honestly. It's just that ...
What's wrong?
The thing is, he's become a bit of a pain.
There've been rumours at school
that he gave my number and email without permission.
Suddenly everyone knows about it.
All the other kids are saying mean things
and now those lies have started to spread.
People are ignoring me, and now I really don't want to go.
But it's a bit strange.
I haven't told anyone about that time.
- Goura-san, have you? - No, I haven't.
I thought not.
What the ... it's you, Fujinami-san.
I'm cold. This winter isn't leaving.
What is all this anyway?
Refreshments. Help yourself.
So, how's things as a shopkeeper?
Did you come out here because you were worried about me?
Are you sure she just fell?
Didn't something else happen?
- Fujinami-san. - Yes?
We were talking about Kosuge's classmate.
Ah, that Nishino? He's a nasty piece of work.
- You knew about it? - Of course I did.
- Have you told anyone about it? - A schoolgirl at the cafe.
And you told her.
- I didn't know it was a secret. - Kosuge-san. I'm sorry.
No, it's fine. I've got nothing to hide.
That's right. If you don't want to be heard
then talk where there aren't any people!
Well, I'll pop back later. Work hard.
Hey. What are you doing?
Ah! Wait!
- What's wrong. - There was a strange man just there.
When I spoke to him, he ran away.
What did he look like?
- I didn't really see his face. - Goura-san
Look at this.
Gasoline?
- Arson. - Yes.
Luckily, this attempt was stopped
but we need to solve this problem quickly.
Sorry.
It was probably the same guy.
- Shinokawa-san. - Yes?
Have you considered selling him "The Late Years"?
- Eh? - As long as you have the book
he could do anything. You might think it's just a threat,
but we know that he's prepared to injure you.
He's not normal.
I will not sell that book. No matter what.
Shinokawa-san. Please think it over.
- What if, next time ... - No. No.
I'd rather die than lose this book.
That's how I feel so
I suppose I'm not normal either.
Thanks for helping out.
That's fine. It's not a big deal.
That's not true. Just doing the orders has helped a lot.
Looks like you've got quite a lot of them.
You sell stuff on the net too?
- Yes. - Things like old books?
No, second-hand games and CDs.
So even if Shida-san sometimes helps
our shop too, we're not rivals.
Also, Shida-san may be useless with computers
but he's got years of experience
and a big network of contacts.
We both have skills that the other lacks.
I see. Have you known him long?
Nope. Only about three months.
"The complete ..." What's that kanji?
Kasai-san, can you read this?
- The Complete "Rope Bridge of Kiso"? - Right.
The Complete "Rope Bridge of Kiso"
It's a classic romance from the Taisho era by Kunieda Shirou
- And we had it in stock? - Why did you open the shop?
Sorry, you had to rely on Shida-san to find the book
because I'd never heard of it.
Ah, no that's fine. Kasai-san,
you don't need to apologise.
Ah, this is for today.
Don't worry about it, really.
I should pay you something.
Please, take it.
Well, if you insist.
Sorry to be a pain, but could I have a receipt?
- I'll just go and get one. - I have one here.
Sorry about all this.
- Oi, I didn't know you're a baron. - A baron?
Kajiyama Toshiyuki's "The Unfortunate Tale of Baron Sedori"
Do you know it?
- You guys don't know anything. - What's it about?
The hero's name is Kasai Kikuya.
- He has the same name as you. - Really?
What a coincidence.
You don't suppose your parents read this book while they dated.
They've never mentioned it.
I reckon we'll have one in a box somewhere.
I'll go and find it.
Don't worry. I won't read it anyway.
What's that? What kind of a man are you?
Sorry.
Yokoyama-san, are you lost again?
Erm, I heard the shop was almost set on fire.
- Is that true?
Fujinami-san told me. Are you okay?
Fujinami-san loves that kind of story.
Lucky was there
since he was able to stop it.
Did I say something weird?
No.
"Fujinami-san, why are you here?"
"He called the ambulance."
"I just happened to be passing."
"There was a strange man just there."
What?
Fujinami-san. Are you sure you didn't see his face?
- The arsonist.
- I didn't. - But you saw him
- as he ran off, right? - Well, yes.
How tall was he?
- Normal. - His physique?
- Normal. - About how old?
Which way did he run?
W- wait a second.
I was too surprised to get a look.
When you found Shinokawa-san
where were you going?
- What's all this about? - Just asking.
Are you suspecting me?
What's the problem? Just tell me.
Where you were going?
- I won't say. - Why not?
Ever heard of "privacy", Daisuke-kun?
I don't like these kinds of questions.
Just going to by some spinach!
- It's Goura. - Come in.
Thanks
I brought the book you wanted.
Well, put it just there, please.
Okay.
- And some account slips. - Thank you.
Has anything changed recently?
Well ... yes.
Someone's been acting a little suspicious lately.
Who?
- Fujinami-san. - Fujinami-san? How?
It was really convenient how
he was the first one there when you fell
and how he's the only one to see the arsonist.
But nothing conclusive.
We really should call the police.
I know you're scared
The sooner we call the police, the soon the criminal is caught.
It's too dangerous if we don't.
It'll be fine. I'll look after you.
- Goura-san. - Yes?
I'd like you to do something important for me.
"I want you to lure that man into the shop."
- "Lure him?" - "Yes."
- We need to work together? - In what way?
He's stubborn, so it won't be easy.
I don't think he'll give up any time soon.
- Right. - But we can't call the police
because we simply don't have any evidence.
So first, we need to make him come into the shop
- Then we'll know who he is. - How do we do that?
Put this on sale in a glass case with a price of 3.5 million yen.
Three and a half million?
I will put up a notice about "The Late Years"
on our home page.
When our suspect sees that it's for sale,
he's bound to come into the shop to check.
But what if he just takes it?
Don't worry. This is a replica.
Holp Publishing issued a reprint in Shouwa 49 (1974)
There were a lot of people who wanted a replica?
There was a demand to read it in the manner it was originally published.
It's very well done, and has been reprinted many times.
Although I have the original, I bought a copy too.
If someone should try and buy it while I'm in hospital,
please make a note of their details and inform the police.
But what if it isn't the criminal?
Everyone else will be cautious about buying the book from us,
but he should ask straight away.
He'll make his move in the next day or two.
And if he phones?
Tell him you don't know anything, the manager told you to sell it,
and that we don't accept offers by mail.
That way he has to come to the shop.
Sorry for getting you mixed up in all of this.
Ah, no.
But there's no one else I can ask.
Please.
Excuse me ...
Do you have any old copies of the Tokei Daily News?
- Ah. A newspaper. - Yes.
Sayaka-chan. Two green teas with honey.
For a delivery?
Yes. To the Biblia book shop.
Okay. Short stories here, novels here.
- Let's begin. - Right.
Welcome back. Ah, Kasai-san.
Hi. What are you doing?
We just bought some books and we have to go through them.
- From the guy with the van? - That's him.
We buy stuff regularly to replace old stock.
This time, in honour of "The Late Years"
we asked him for a bunch of short story collections.
- Goura-san, these are short stories. - Right.
I can't believe you'd sell that without telling me.
I heard from the baron it was on your website.
- The baron? - This guy here.
Ah, is this it?
You knew I was interested in it.
I've never seen a book worth 3.5 million before.
I'm no expert, but this is amazing.
Well, it's not something you see every day.
Eh? Wait a sec ...
What's this? It's a reprint!
Ah, I knew you'd spot it.
Of course I did! The paper's new!
People are going to realise the moment they see it.
Oi, you can't really be selling a reprint at this price?
No, not at all.
For safety, we're not displaying the real one.
We have this in its place.
Huh? How does that make sense?
Well, it looks real to me.
So where are you keeping the genuine one?
Ah, Shinokawa has it with her in the hospital.
She took it to the hospital? That's not very secure.
It's in the safe there.
Why is she acting so strange?
Oi, do you think she hit her head when she fell?
Ah, Fumiya-kun, let's get back to work.
Right.
Well, I'll be off, then.
Isn't this the book you mentioned?
Ah, that's it! Here it is.
- What? - The hero of that book
- has the same name as Kasai-san. - So that's why you're called Baron.
- Wanna buy it? How's a million sound? - I'll pass.
That's never worth a million.
- Oh, you learn fast. - What's that smell?
- Eh? - Something smells bad.
Don't tell me ...
What the hell?!
Fumiya, the extinguisher!
Got it!
Goura-san! Goura-san! I'll call the police!
Fujinami-san?
Wait!
Stop! Fujinami-san!
What?
- Fujinami-san! - Look where you're going!
- Did you call? - Er ... later.
What? What's going on?
- It's the arsonist! - Eh?
Stop!
Now I've got you! There's no escape!
Nishino.
God, you're heavy. Get off me!
- I see. It was Nishino-san. - "Yes."
He said it was because of us
that his life was all messed up.
He seemed pretty angry.
Why did he think it was our fault?
Recently, there's been a lot of gossip about Kosuge-san
he thought it was weird and so he followed her
all the way to the shop.
He must've thought there's something between us.
Maybe he thought I was the cause of the gossip
so he wanted to get back at me.
The shi in Shida is the character for "intention" ...
I think the person who pushed you down the steps
- was Nishino-san too. - Eh?
Well, he seems to think
that you and I are a couple.
It didn't matter if it was my shop or my girlfriend,
He said that he hated it.
Everything we've been through
has been because of Nishino-san.
That guy who wanted "The Late Years"
probably has given up and gone away.
- That's good, isn't it? Shinokawa-san. - Yes, it is.
The police are finishing their questioning so I have to go.
- I'll call again later. - Right.
(A list of emails from "Ouba Youzo")
"No matter how long it takes,"
"The Late Years will be mine."
I'm sorry that the two of you
got mixed up in this.
Can't be helped. These things happen.
What about you thinking I was the arsonist, Daisuke-kun?
That was just because you were acting so suspiciously.
- Suspicious? What's suspicious? - When you found Shinokawa-san
where you were going?
Ah. That?
I was coming back from a resident's meeting.
Then why didn't you say so?
I didn't want to. I simply didn't want to.
Let me say this.
What I do is my business.
So don't ask me again!
I hope that's clear.
- What a tough day. - Yeah.
Let's close up. Anyone want some tea?
- Sounds good. - Well, I'll be off.
Thanks.
Thanks for everything.
- Well, take care. - Yes.
- Here. - Thanks.
- What's wrong? - Ah, well,
- somehow, this has upset me. - Nishino-kun?
Of course, I don't forgive him,
but I feel that I caused all of this.
He's just the type who pushes people
or starts fires, right?
Shioriko-san is lucky she didn't die
She needs understanding, I think.
- You're right. - So cheer up.
- Thank you. - Bye.
Short stories.
- Kasai-san! - What is it?
Kasai-san.
You said you'd never read this book.
- Right. - Is that true?
Back then, after you had the book,
- Wanna buy it? How's a million sound? - I'll pass.
Even though you never opened it, you put it with the short stories.
If you've never read this book, how did you know?
I had no idea. I just put it down on any old pile.
Really?
So, you've never read this book.
What is all this about?
You do know about books, don't you?
The name Kasai Kikuya from "The Unfortunate Tale of Baron Sedori"
- is a pseudonym. - What do you mean, Goura-san?
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Shinokawa-san is being threatened.
Huh?
By some stranger who wants her copy of "The Late Years."
And ... it's you isn't it?
Hang on. First it's Fujinami-san, now it's me?
Earlier, when we were talking about Nishino-san ...
"He's just the type who pushes people"
"or starts fires, right?"
So what?
Certainly, Nishino was the arsonist,
what makes you think Shinokawa-san
- was pushed by Nishino? - Well, I don't have evidence but
they happened one after the other
so I made the connection.
That makes sense, except that
how do you know what really happened?
Shinokawa-san slipped and fell.
That's what Shida-san, Fumiya-kun and Fujinami-san were told.
The only people who knew that she was pushed
were me, Shinokawa-san ...
and the criminal.
Kasai-san. You're the criminal, right?
I see now.
That woman has turned you into a detective, too.
"From Goura Daisuke: Untitled"
"Kasai is the criminal. He's coming your way"
"I'll hide on the roof."
Shit!
subtitles by ersby
srt reduction ~ Vultural