The Smile

Episode 3. The Smile
 
Yukimura Sota is on his way home when Inspector Taisuke Sakura shows him his ID and asks where he was on July 7, at around 10:25 p.m. Calculating his response, Yukimura asks if that was the day something happened to Mr. Tateiwa and whether he was caught on the security camera. He explains that he was meeting Tateiwa about work at the time of the incident.

Inspector Taisuke Sakura steps closer and says that immediately after Mr. Tateiwa met him, someone killed him. He notes that Yukimura had no business with a Director like Tateiwa. Yukimura boldly asks if there is any evidence on camera showing him killing the man. He adds that since it wasn’t on camera, it means he didn’t do it. This leaves Sakura more suspicious as Yukimura walks away.

At home, Yukimura searches Google about Taisuke Sakura’s information and discovers that he is a multi-awarded police officer with an impeccable record.

Memories of young Mariko Nose’s smile when she fell into the water while helping a frightened girl hop across stones amuse Yukimura. He tells his housemate Tomoya Sagara, owner of Drip & N:ote Café, about the power of Mariko’s smile. Tomoya feels uneasy and asks what if the smile wasn’t meant for him but someone else. Yukimura imagines that he is the only one who can make her smile and the only one who gets to see it. He calls it possessiveness, a natural part of love. Tomoya warns him that obsession might make him resent her smiling at others.

Yukimura insists that would never happen. That evening in his journal he writes about wanting Mariko to be happy and always smiling, no matter who she’s with.

At the office the next day, he notices Mariko is in a bad mood because her birthday is near, and the celebration will be held at her family home, which she dislikes.

Mariko invites secretary Izumi Takeda to her house for her birthday, but Izumi declines because she doesn’t like President Nose’s wife, Sayuri, though she respects the President’s kindness. Izumi scolds Mariko for her dislike of her father and suggests she express her feelings to him more to ease her mind. Mariko admits she’s not good at sharing emotions with anyone.

Yukimura knows that Mariko and her father do not communicate outside the office. He evaluates her family members and thinks some factors should be removed to make her smile more.

At home, Mariko greets her mother’s photo with white calla lilies. She slips on her mother’s ring, which is several sizes too big, and puts it back in the box.

Knowing it’s Mariko’s birthday, Yukimura calls her on her day off under the pretense of delivering samples to her parents’ house. Mariko doesn’t invite him in, but her grandmother, Chairwoman Akiko Nose, sees him outside and insists he join her for snacks. Reluctantly, he follows her inside and engages in a conversation about Haruki Murakami’s books. Akiko is thrilled by his keen interest and offers to lend him the latest edition.

When Mariko returns the samples to him, she says he could email them later. Akiko insists he stay for lunch, and Mariko agrees. Sayuri disrupts the conversation, saying it is short notice because she only prepared lunch for them.

Her brother Keito asks who Yukimura is, but before he can answer, President Nose enters and acknowledges him. Yukimura recalls that Sayuri joined the household a year after Mariko’s mother passed away. Sayuri remarks that it is fortunate Mariko joined the company after 25 years, ensuring it is in safe hands. Chairwoman Akiko interrupts, saying it is not Sayuri’s company. Yukimura suspects Sayuri is after money, noting her failed attempt to copy Mariko’s mother, Kyoko’s, specialty dish.

Keito retorts that he doesn’t want to work under Sayuri. He asks Yukimura to confirm she is demanding. Yukimura laughs and denies it.

Mariko questions Keito’s ability to graduate, citing rumors of laziness. He insists it will work out, but Akiko warns, “It won’t work out if you don’t work hard.” Yukimura sees that Mariko cares for him and believes the family’s problem lies with the father.

President Nose asks if Mariko is difficult to work with. Yukimura replies that everyone is motivated by her passion and focus. Sayuri confirms he is the young employee who played golf with the President, who praises his skill and invites him again.

Detective Sakura, meanwhile, discovers little about Yukimura except that Mariko transferred him to the Brand Department. Witnesses say Tateiwa and Mariko argued on the day of the incident. Sakura wonders if they are connected to the murder.

Later as they walk together back to the office, Mariko praises Yukimura for fitting in at her house, calling him mysterious. She says he has perfect timing in giving her what she wants.

She explains that her birthday party is meant to keep her mother’s memory alive. Yukimura thinks her father celebrates only her birthday. He notes this in his diary, writing that he gave her a flower. But Mariko hates her birthday because it marks the day her mother died.

Mariko brings Izumi to Drip & N:ote Café, surprising Tomoya. Izumi learns Mariko has been visiting since it opened, though they hardly converse.

At the office, rumors spread that Yukimura is the primary suspect in Tateiwa’s death. Mariko arranges a meeting with Detective Sakura to dispel suspicions. She admits she had an issue with Tateiwa. and should be the suspect Over lunch, Sakura tells her she is like her mother—quiet and kind. He suggests she take a break to recharge. Yukimura sees her smile at Sakura and feels jealous.

Meanwhile, Sayuri finds an email from private investigator Kikuta to Tateiwa and wonders about the investigation.

Later, Yukimura overhears President Nose talking about someone released from prison. He finds a photo of the kidnapper among his father’s college photos.

The kidnapper, working in a factory, complains about being underpaid despite newspapers profiting from articles about him. He wonders if more articles exist.

While exploring the Nose house, Yukimura overhears the father saying he doesn’t want Mariko to know someone was released from prison. Yukimura sees a photo of President Nose’s classmates, including the kidnapper.

Secretary Asai Gota calls someone and is later struck with a bat.

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