The story is progressing, and we know more about how the three people who were at the murder scene are related.
Let's backtrack a little bit. This is what we know about the murder, and its background.
Ten years ago, in a high-rise condominium in Tokyo, a husband and a wife were killed. At the scene were one woman (Sugishita Nozomi), and three men (Nishizaki Masato, Naruse Shinji, and Andou Nozomi). Nishizaki was arrested on the spot and he confessed that he had killed the husband. According to Nishizaki, the husband killed the wife which made him kill the husband out of fury.
Nishizaki, Andou Nozomi, and Sugishita Nozomi knew one another as they were neighbors in an apartment building.
Naruse and Sugishita grew up together on Aokage Jima, a small island in Seto Inland Sea.
Nishizaki just got out of prison after spending 10 years there.
There's one more individual, Takano Shigeru. He used to be a policeman on Aokage Jima. He's retired now and lives in Tokyo. He's been investigating a case; an arson which burnt down Naruse Shinji's parents' restaurant 15 years ago. He thinks Naruse Shinji and Sugishita Nozomi are involved in the case. He has been looking for Naruse and Sugishita. He wants to know the truth --- what happened in the arson and the murder.
Now, let's go to this week's story:
(Spoiler)
Takano, a retired policeman and Andou, an elite businessman who just came back to Japan after being overseas for 10 years are talking to each other. Andou admits his precious person was Sugishita Nozomi. He was going to ask her to marry him. He tells Takano that although they were not really in a love relationship, he liked her very much.
After the murder, Andou helped Nishizaki, the murderer in getting good attorneys and collecting money for the trial. Takano thinks Andou did that out of guilty consciousness, and asks Andou about it. Andou doesn't give an answer and leaves the scene.
Takano calls Sugishita Nozomi's company and is told that she quit her job suddenly without telling the real reason.
Back in 2001.
Takano's wife went inside the burning house to save Naruse Shinji's father. She's taken to a hospital, and became unable to speak as her vocal cords were damaged.
Naruse Shinji is accepted for a scholarship to go to college. He was the only person from his prefecture to receive the scholarship. Nishizaki Nozomi who were also aiming for the scholarship didn't make it. Her teacher suggests it may be a good idea to give up going to college right after graduation. She can get a job and saves money for college.
At home, Nishizaki Nozomi's mother finds Nozomi's application forms for college, and she tears them into pieces out of fury. The mother doesn't want Nozomi to leave her. She locks Nozomi up in her room. Nozomi escapes when the mother was sleeping, and goes to her father.
Nozomi's father is in a ceremony. In front of so many people at the ceremony, Nozomi kneels down and begs her father to lend her money to go to college. Becaue so many people are watching the scene, the father can't make nasty comments or show his true self. He can only say "Yes." which makes Nozomi grin. Her mission was accomplished.
Soon after their graduation, Naruse Shinji leaves Aokage Jima by ferry to go to college in Tokyo. His ferry boat ticket was bought by Nozomi as they had promised to buy each other's boat ticket to leave the island.
Now in 2014.
Takano, the retired police, goes to Nobara (wild rose) Apt. to ask the landlord about Sugishita Nozomi who used to live there. The landlord tells Takano he doesn't know Nozomi's current whereabouts. He also tells that Nozomi, Andou and Nishizaki all lived in his apartment and were close friends. He doesn't remember Shinji.
After Takano leaves, Nishizaki comes out from a back room. He was hiding.
Back in 2002 at Nobara Apt. in Tokyo.
Nishizaki, Andou and Sugishita became friends as they live in the same apartment building. Sugishita and Andou go to the same college. Sugishita is a sophomore majoring in English literature. Andou is a junior majoring in science and engineering. Nishizaki is a 5th year law student, trying to be a writer.
Andou is a practical person. He lives in Nobara because the rent is super cheap (20,000 Yen per month) so that he can use his money for self-improvement and get a good job. After finishing college, he is going to make a lot of money and live in a high-rise condominium. He points out a tall building where the murder took place in 2014.
Nishizaki is a cynical philosopher. Unlike Andou who thinks money is everything, and plans everything to attain his goal, Nishizaki makes much of richness in hearts and minds. Even if he becomes rich, he wants to continue living in Nobara.
The three learns that realtors are pushing their landlord to sell the Nobara Apt. because a new subway line is going to pass through the area. However, the landlord doesn't want to sell. Nishizaki, Andou and Sugishita decide to help the landlord and protect the Nobara. They name what they're going to do as "Operation N."
In 2014.
Two Nozomis; Sugishita Nozomi and Andou Nozomi meet after being apart for 10 years. Andou holds Sugishita into his arms.
Nishizaki calls Naruse Shinji on the phone...
N no Tame ni Ep.2
N no Tame ni Ep.1
