1. NO! Let go of me!Copy !req
2. Calm down!Copy !req
3. I'm not your enemy.Copy !req
4. Please, just calm down.Copy !req
5. Aqua-kun... But why?Copy !req
6. MEM said that you went out in the typhoon but still hadn't
come back, and she's been looking everywhere for you.Copy !req
7. So, I traced the route you'd take
to the convenience store, and...Copy !req
8. You fool.Copy !req
9. Hey, you two!Copy !req
10. It's dangerous up there!Copy !req
11. What on earth are you doing?!Copy !req
12. Akane Kurokawa is getting roasted big time.Copy !req
13. Well, it's no wonder given what she did.Copy !req
14. Isn't this the kind of thing you get used
to once you become a public figure?Copy !req
15. To some degree, yes.Copy !req
16. But it varies by person,
and some simply never get used to it.Copy !req
17. Even for me, depending on how I'm doing mentally, there
are some days I think, "Maybe I really will go and die."Copy !req
18. The mental state of a teenage girl who,Copy !req
19. lacking any tolerance for it, has been exposed
to a barrage of abuse for the first timeCopy !req
20. is something you likely can't even imagine.Copy !req
21. It's enough to give you the illusion
your whole life is over.Copy !req
22. Though dating reality shows are
popular all around the world,Copy !req
23. nearly 50 people from such shows
have taken their own lives over the years.Copy !req
24. It's such an issue that some countries have laws
requiring cast members to undergo counseling.Copy !req
25. If 50 people have died,Copy !req
26. you should take it as an indication thatCopy !req
27. 10 times as many narrowly avoided
the same fate despite feeling they wanted to die.Copy !req
28. Reality shows are programs
in which you lay bare your soul.Copy !req
29. It's not the show that gets lambasted,
but you yourself. It cuts deep.Copy !req
30. My big brother said... lying is
the very best way to protect yourself.Copy !req
31. That's a good way to put it.Copy !req
32. It's not as bad if you're playing
a character to some degree,Copy !req
33. but the more you put the real you out there,
the greater the toll it takes.Copy !req
34. Social media puts the bad-mouthing
of celebs on public display.Copy !req
35. In the name of justice and freedom of expression,Copy !req
36. someone is getting excessively ganged up on
and bullied almost every day.Copy !req
37. Everyone thinks they're an exception
as they fiercely drive people into a corner.Copy !req
38. The soliloquies they spew out
without thought can kill people.Copy !req
39. I wonder if my brother is alright...Copy !req
40. Being careful doesn't do any good.Copy !req
41. They say everyone has their idiosyncrasies, right?Copy !req
42. Each person has their fair share of flaws.Copy !req
43. There's always something about them
that can give rise to criticism.Copy !req
44. Yes?Copy !req
45. That's correct.Copy !req
46. What? Really?!Copy !req
47. Okay, I'll be right there.Copy !req
48. Is something the matter, President?Copy !req
49. Aqua has...Copy !req
50. gotten into trouble with the police, apparently.Copy !req
51. What?!Copy !req
52. My daughter told me not to watch her show...
and I'm largely unfamiliar with the internet.Copy !req
53. I never imagined such a thing could happen...Copy !req
54. Why didn't you talk to me about it?Copy !req
55. 'Cause... I didn't want to worry you.Copy !req
56. I prepared myself for the worst
when they called me over,Copy !req
57. but you did well, Aqua. I'm proud of you.Copy !req
58. Though you seem disinterested in others,
you were watching out for her.Copy !req
59. It's not like that.Copy !req
60. People die easily. When someone cries out for help,
if you don't act quickly, it will be too late.Copy !req
61. I'll charge Akane for the taxi fare later.Copy !req
62. Stingy, aren't you?Copy !req
63. Akane!Copy !req
64. Why'd you worry us like this?!Copy !req
65. Why?! You can always talk to me!Copy !req
66. Sorry...Copy !req
67. Akane.Copy !req
68. So, how do you want to proceed?Copy !req
69. How...?Copy !req
70. I'm saying that stepping down
from the show is an option.Copy !req
71. But, she's under contract...Copy !req
72. Given the show's crew is dealing with minors,
the director could be held accountable.Copy !req
73. Under the circumstances, I doubt they'd raise
objections if she says she's pulling out.Copy !req
74. You're working under your
real name of Akane Kurokawa.Copy !req
75. So choose the right time to call it quits on your own.Copy !req
76. I... have worked so hard all this time so I can become
a more famous actress and keep performing.Copy !req
77. Everyone helped me so much along the way...
but things have turned out like this.Copy !req
78. Akane...Copy !req
79. I'm scared...Copy !req
80. I'm really scared, but...Copy !req
81. I'll stick with it.Copy !req
82. I don't want to quit like this.Copy !req
83. Understood.Copy !req
84. You heard her. You're all okay with that, right?Copy !req
85. Of course we are.Copy !req
86. That's what we've been saying from the start.Copy !req
87. We'll do our best to support you, okay?Copy !req
88. Well, let's give it our all, guys!Copy !req
89. I see the cast all get along well, huh?Copy !req
90. Thanks.Copy !req
91. Hey, man, don't get carried away!Copy !req
92. Well, we're all around the same age, after all.Copy !req
93. We were worried about you.Copy !req
94. I'm okay.Copy !req
95. I think we can all work together and see the show
through to the end, no matter what people say.Copy !req
96. Don't worry us like that again.Copy !req
97. Let's do our best.Copy !req
98. Yeah!Copy !req
99. That said, the current situation leaves me feeling sick.Copy !req
100. Both the production staff who fanned the flames and
the netizens who say whatever the hell they please...Copy !req
101. really piss me off.Copy !req
102. The police station has this thing called a press club.Copy !req
103. The various news outlets have reporters standing
by 24/7 to receive the latest developments.Copy !req
104. They're always eagerly awaiting a fresh scoop.Copy !req
105. You've really gone and done it now.
I was a fool to praise you.Copy !req
106. I trust you have an idea of how it'll play out?Copy !req
107. Yeah, but I don't know how well it'll go.Copy !req
108. And now, the real reality show begins.Copy !req
109. The news of Akane's suicide attempt made the rounds,Copy !req
110. and it sparked a variety of controversy.Copy !req
111. Naturally, some people backed off, but with
the fresh kindling the smears also accelerated.Copy !req
112. It's gotten more attention,
but things aren't any better or worse.Copy !req
113. I don't think this is a good way
to counter the storm of criticism.Copy !req
114. After all, Akane Kurokawa's appearance
on the show has been postponed,Copy !req
115. and there's no telling when she'll make her return.Copy !req
116. You're a willful one. Are you going to take
responsibility for making it a big story?Copy !req
117. I don't see it as a bad bet.Copy !req
118. The amount of attention it gets is like
the amount of chips being wagered.Copy !req
119. If we back down from the gamble, Akane will come out
a battered loser without putting up a fight.Copy !req
120. You can't win in poker if you don't raise.Copy !req
121. So long as I have a single ace, I'll play the game.Copy !req
122. Reality isn't a game of poker.Copy !req
123. What?! You want photos and videos of everyone?Copy !req
124. I don't have all that many, okay? Maybe 100 or so...Copy !req
125. Sounds like a whole lot to me.Copy !req
126. What're they for?Copy !req
127. Love Now is a show edited by professionals, right?Copy !req
128. The editing betrays an intention to paint Akane Kurokawa
as a villain to make the show entertaining.Copy !req
129. If the clips of a certain side of someone
are cut out and assembled together,Copy !req
130. even a saint can be made out to be a bad person.Copy !req
131. It's what they call "staging."Copy !req
132. I have the skills to do video editing,
so as long as I have the materials...Copy !req
133. Oh, I get it. You wanna make "Love Now
as seen from our point of view."Copy !req
134. Did you get that idea from someone?
Or did you think of it yourself?Copy !req
135. All on my own.Copy !req
136. Ooh... It's pretty on point.Copy !req
137. To put the current situation in ad agency speak,Copy !req
138. "There are many active viewers,
and a strong impression can be anticipated."Copy !req
139. At first glance, the bashing of Akane stands out,
but that's the surface level.Copy !req
140. In reality, it's only a small
percentage of people doing that.Copy !req
141. With the sensitive topic of an attempted suicide...Copy !req
142. most people are in the silent majority that's conflicted
about whether to attack her or come to her defense.Copy !req
143. In other words, there are many netizens
who're looking for an answer.Copy !req
144. So, if we provide them with
a highly-empathic viewpoint,Copy !req
145. most of them form a market that'll readily
believe that to be the righteous position.Copy !req
146. That's how much attention this's grabbing. We might
be able to wholly overwrite existing public opinions.Copy !req
147. Plus, we can upload the video
you make to the official accounts,Copy !req
148. so we have a way of getting it in front of people.Copy !req
149. And depending on the video's quality,
we can expect it to make a huge buzz.Copy !req
150. Give me the file once you're finished. I'll upload it!Copy !req
151. Well, I can do that myself...Copy !req
152. Aqu-tan, do you know what day of the week
and time to upload to get the most retweetsCopy !req
153. and what length of tweet gets the most impressions?Copy !req
154. No...Copy !req
155. I've come this far through
online marketing and self-promotion.Copy !req
156. Believe it or not, I'm a pro at getting stuff to go viral.Copy !req
157. Hm? In that case, I'll provide the music.Copy !req
158. You can do that?Copy !req
159. Hey, you know I'm a label-signed pro
who makes a living with my music, right?Copy !req
160. Besides, I write lyrics and music for my own band,
and others too sometimes...Copy !req
161. I should get people to cry with something
nostalgic, right? That's right up my alley.Copy !req
162. But, you know, wouldn't it be great to include that scene?Copy !req
163. Which scene?Copy !req
164. You know! That one where after
Akane slaps me I go and tenderly hug her.Copy !req
165. Aah! Oh, but the cameras weren't roll-Copy !req
166. Ahem! Aren't you naïve.Copy !req
167. Did you think a professional model like myself wouldn't
be paying attention to the locations of the fixed cameras?Copy !req
168. I did my best to position myself
so that it'd look good on camera.Copy !req
169. Talk about ruining the moment...Copy !req
170. The staff definitely has the footage.Copy !req
171. They're keeping it buried on purpose.
Pretty sneaky of them...Copy !req
172. Well, yeah, I mean we do have it.Copy !req
173. But releasing the raw footage is prohibited.
There's no way I can give it to you.Copy !req
174. I see.Copy !req
175. After all, if it surfaced,Copy !req
176. it'd be akin to admitting you painted certain
cast members as villains with your directing.Copy !req
177. With all the attention this is receiving,Copy !req
178. doing that could cause the bashing of Akane
to be directed at the show instead.Copy !req
179. I'm glad you're able to grasp the situation.Copy !req
180. We're creating entertainment
in the form of a reality show.Copy !req
181. Everyone watches the show because they enjoy
seeing quarreling that has a sense of reality to it.Copy !req
182. We didn't force Akane to do anything.Copy !req
183. It was her own choice, and our staging is just meant
to make things easy to understand for viewers.Copy !req
184. If she had an issue and objected to us using
the footage, we wouldn't have. Am I wrong?Copy !req
185. Akane has a strong sense of responsibility.Copy !req
186. I know that. After all, we've been filming her all this time.Copy !req
187. But Akane's a pro, and this is a job to us crew.Copy !req
188. A pro, huh?Copy !req
189. How old are you, Director?Copy !req
190. I'm 35, if you must know.Copy !req
191. Akane is 17.Copy !req
192. Pro or not, 17-year-olds are dumb kids
who're always making mistakes.Copy !req
193. What kind of adult chooses to not protect a kid?Copy !req
194. You make a good point.Copy !req
195. No, that's not right!Copy !req
196. If that part's longer, it'll come across that
an amateur tried their hardest to make this.Copy !req
197. You've gotta use my song here!Copy !req
198. Let's do it up with a bang!Copy !req
199. Just shut up...Copy !req
200. You know, we got these pics from the staff!Copy !req
201. Oh my god! Let's totally use it!Copy !req
202. Well, it'd be tough to include...Copy !req
203. This is good!Copy !req
204. Really good!Copy !req
205. Look, Director. The video's done encoding.
We're gonna post it.Copy !req
206. Good grief... You've got a high-spec PC there.Copy !req
207. Lemme sleep a bit longer.Copy !req
208. I wonder how popular it will get...Copy !req
209. I hope it gets 5,000 retweets at the very least.Copy !req
210. That's not so easy. Sometimes stuff you put a lot of effort
into making just doesn't do very well, funnily enough.Copy !req
211. If we get around 100 retweets in the first minute,
I think it'll generate considerable buzz in the end.Copy !req
212. One hundred, huh?Copy !req
213. Well, we did everything we could.
Now, it's time for the showdown!Copy !req
214. And yet you're the one who did the least...Copy !req
215. He has a bad case of acting like the leader.Copy !req
216. It's looking good!Copy !req
217. It's gonna make it! YES!Copy !req
218. Alright!Copy !req
219. I get it. You got flustered.Copy !req
220. I'm sorry. And you have a magazine shoot...Copy !req
221. It's alright.Copy !req
222. Do you hate me, Akane?Copy !req
223. I don't hate you.Copy !req
224. You're strong, kind... I like you.Copy !req
225. I like you too - you're a hard worker
who tries her very best.Copy !req
226. So, I'm not mad, okay?Copy !req
227. The video got 74,000 retweets within the first 24 hours.Copy !req
228. At the same time it transformed
Akane Kurokawa's image,Copy !req
229. it worked to solidify the popularity of Love Now.Copy !req
230. The storm of online criticism resolved to a fair degree.Copy !req
231. I say that in vague terms because
online criticism never fully resolves.Copy !req
232. Akane!Copy !req
233. From here on out,Copy !req
234. every time something comes up there'll be those who
keep dragging up this incident, even 10 years from now.Copy !req
235. I saw the video. I'm still getting criticized, but...Copy !req
236. But, yeah...Copy !req
237. I'll return to the show from the next filming session.Copy !req
238. I'm so glad!Copy !req
239. There's no need to force it though, okay?Copy !req
240. Uh, I didn't mean that in a bad way!Copy !req
241. Personally, I want you back even
if you have to push yourself!Copy !req
242. I know.Copy !req
243. It feels harder than ever to word things right these days.Copy !req
244. If I'd said that on Twitter, I likely would've gotten
roasted a bit. I really have to be careful.Copy !req
245. From now on, Akane, it might be best
if you play a character to some degree.Copy !req
246. After all, it hurts all the more
if it's the real you that gets bashed.Copy !req
247. A character?Copy !req
248. Yeah...Copy !req
249. If you put on some kind of act,
that role will become your armor.Copy !req
250. If you expose your true self, you'll just get hurt.Copy !req
251. And that applies to more than just reality shows.Copy !req
252. It's an important concept when it comes to socializing.Copy !req
253. The act you put on is several layers deep, isn't it?Copy !req
254. I wish you'd show us your heart
of hearts a bit more, though.Copy !req
255. I'd rather not.Copy !req
256. I... am good at acting. I'll give it a shot.Copy !req
257. Yeah, true, you low-key are an actress.Copy !req
258. If anything, that's my one redeeming feature.Copy !req
259. But, what role should I play exactly?Copy !req
260. Hmm...Copy !req
261. What kind of girls are your type, Aqu-tan?Copy !req
262. Why me?Copy !req
263. 'Cause you're the only guy around now.Copy !req
264. C'mon, tell us about your ideal girl.Copy !req
265. My ideal...Copy !req
266. A girl with a pretty face.Copy !req
267. Ugh, you're the worst.Copy !req
268. The very embodiment of being all about looks.Copy !req
269. She has a smile like the sun.Copy !req
270. Her performances are perfect.Copy !req
271. Her speech and behavior are seemingly all-conquering.Copy !req
272. Her eyes draw you in by their very nature.Copy !req
273. It's hard to grasp all that...Copy !req
274. That's pretty abstract.Copy !req
275. Hmm, but I think I can picture it.
Someone like Ai from B Komachi?Copy !req
276. Ai? You mean that idol who died a long time ago?Copy !req
277. Yep, that's right.Copy !req
278. Am I wrong?Copy !req
279. No, you're pretty much right.Copy !req
280. Ah, so that's your type!Copy !req
281. You only care about looks.Copy !req
282. I'll try being the kind of girl Aqua-kun likes.Copy !req
283. Go for it!Copy !req
284. Make him fall for you!Copy !req
285. Yeah, you heard her!Copy !req
286. No one can imitate Ai - it's something you're born with.Copy !req
287. I'll do my best.Copy !req
288. Oh, where's that lip balm from?Copy !req
289. Aqua-kun worked hard to make that video for me.Copy !req
290. This? Hm, what was the place again? It was a gift.Copy !req
291. Oh, someone gave it to you, huh?Copy !req
292. And he came to look for me during that storm.Copy !req
293. I was so happy.Copy !req
294. I've gotta return the favor. If I play the role of his ideal girl,Copy !req
295. I wonder if he'll be happy...Copy !req
296. Ai of B Komachi...Copy !req
297. I've gotta gather some information.Copy !req
298. As for distinguishing traits, sure enough, it's those eyes...Copy !req
299. Do they come from her self-confidence?Copy !req
300. If that's the case, her need for social approval was met.Copy !req
301. Seem she didn't have many close friends.Copy !req
302. But I bet she had some relationships with guys.Copy !req
303. Was her family environment good?Copy !req
304. No, I'd say her personality
development points to a bad one.Copy !req
305. There's some kind of bias in the way she feels affection.Copy !req
306. An obsession with secrecy and a need for exposure.Copy !req
307. A perfectionist, in contrast to
her sensational behavior.Copy !req
308. Nonchalant and over-attached.Copy !req
309. Moderate when it comes to money.
Somewhat indifferent when it comes to fashion.Copy !req
310. Good eyesight. Sensitive sense of hearing and smell.Copy !req
311. Walks in long strides.Copy !req
312. Education level on the low side.
Holds chopsticks somewhat irregularly.Copy !req
313. Signs of a developmental disorder. Unbalanced in a way
characteristic of a kid who had sex during puberty.Copy !req
314. Her self-destructive behavior showed
improvement around when she was 15.Copy !req
315. I wonder if she met someone special...Copy !req
316. Things were pretty tough for Akane Kurokawa, huh?
Will she be alright?Copy !req
317. Yeah, she's managed to recover.Copy !req
318. I see.Copy !req
319. Aww, she should've just retired...Copy !req
320. Now, listen here...Copy !req
321. No, no! I didn't mean it like that!Copy !req
322. I meant as a rival actress!Copy !req
323. Ah, Japanese is scary.
If I'd said that on Twitter, I would've gotten flamed.Copy !req
324. Rival actress or not,
your foul mouth does nothing to help.Copy !req
325. Well, as someone who's the same age
and in the same profession...Copy !req
326. she's a thorn in my side, you know?Copy !req
327. You can understand why
I'd want her to drop off a bit, right?Copy !req
328. It's what they call "schadenfreude."Copy !req
329. That's the way you, Kana Arima,
feel about Akane Kurokawa?Copy !req
330. You bet.Copy !req
331. Aah, then again you never were interested in theater.Copy !req
332. You're a screen actor.Copy !req
333. Akane Kurokawa of Theater Company Lala Lai...Copy !req
334. is famous as a gifted performer in the theatrical world.Copy !req
335. Akane-chan is back on the show starting today.Copy !req
336. I'm terribly sorry for all the trouble I've caused you all.Copy !req
337. I'd like to try my best to make up for it.Copy !req
338. I look forward to working together!Copy !req
339. Well then, please stand by, everyone!Copy !req
340. Let's do this.Copy !req
341. Okay.Copy !req
342. Yeah, that's right, Aqua.Copy !req
343. I sure am sleepy. Filming's just so early, ya know?Copy !req
344. Oh, are the cameras already rolling?Copy !req