The Millionaire Detective: Balance Unlimited Episode 7 Review
(Photo Credits: FKBUL Twitter Page; GIFs: gifmagazine.net)
(Note: I still owe everyone Episode 6 and the first 3, but currently working on this, thank you for understanding).
Episode (or Check) #7 is titled "Money is the root of All Evil". It deals with the backstory of Kambe Sayuri's homicide/death and investigation as told by Kiyomizu and how this incident affected all parties involved from the past up to present time,
It started as a flashback when both Cho and Takei (both working under Division 1) are inside an isakaya with Takei offering sake to Takei in which refuses because he's on duty. They talked about his wife will give birth anytime. Takei's wife is the daughter of the Chief Saiki and is expected to be promoted soon.
Cho got a call requesting them to go to an apartment where Yukihiro Kiyomizu was waiting for them and led them to the remains of Kambe Sayuri which was stabbed fatally in the heart. It was assumed that the crime was theft and a personal grudge. Division 1 was assigned to solve the murder case and held a meeting to discuss details of the crime. Cho, who got bored with the details, stepped out of the meeting room with Takei following afterward and decided to go Kambe Mansion to talk to Kambe Shigure, suspect in the said crime
During the meeting, Takei requested Grandma Kambe to meet Shigure; she said that he was in a business trip and will be unable to attend the funeral of the late wife. She also refused the request to provide a picture nor answer the question why Mrs. Kambe moved to an apartment 2 months prior to her death.
Cho feigned a bum stomach to go to the bathroom and asked the butler to leave him since it may take long. Once the butler leave, he went to a room to secure a photo album. On the way to headquarters, Takei expressed concern that there was no picture provided when Cho interject that Shigure may be the murderer and was protected by his mother.
Inside the interrogation room, a witness was describing to the Forensic Artist the murder suspect when they arrived at headquarters. Cho presented the photo album stolen, which stunned the latter and presented this to the witness (in turn pointed the suspect). The chief met Kiyomizu to discuss the investigation when Takei submitted the report. Chief Saiki reminded him of his obligations to the wife.
They searched for the whereabout of Shigure throughout Tokyo. While resting in the park (and eating ice pops), he asked if Takei's wife has given birth which he confirmed; he left afterwards. While working overtime, he looked at the photo album and scanned the pages; he discovered a key hidden in one the picture. It was key to a locker in the subway with a symbol (Adollium which was the subject of Shigeru's research).
He was dissuaded to call Kiyomizu until they have proof when he arrived; asking them why he stole the photo album. Cho informed him that they found the key from the album and the suspect was after this key. They were told not to disclose their findings because of the pressure given by the higher ups aside from stolen property may not be used as evidence and may cause trouble. Both were warned not getting too involved in the case.
in the days after the conversation, they still pursued the search for the locker and Shigure Kambe. They were informed Shigure has committed suicide and lost the key despite finding the locker. In the park, Takei told Cho that the investigation of the case will no longer continue (due to pressures coming from the family) and the team be disbanded; due to the pressure coming from the family. He was also told that he was monitored on instructions which Cho said it was normal to update this.
He asked Takei to stay in Division 1, gave him a gift in celebration of the birth of his son and advised him to try to be a proud father. Both Cho and Kiyomizu ended being "exiled" (or should I say kicked out) to the current MCPTF. Cho brought the signage for the previous task force and hid it in his locker; saying that he is not giving up.
Fast forward to the present time, Cho arrived at the room admitting that he was helpless afterwards until the "other brat" (Daisuke) came into the division. Cho believes that they can restart investigating the "cold case" in conjunction with the missing key and the death of Mrs. Imura which connects the Kambe family.
At the Helipad area, Cho asked Haru about Daisuke which he replied that he was not present nor in touch. Takei talked with Cho about the current and previous case being related and wanted to repay him with kindness after 19 years. Cho silently left the helipad; leaving Kato and Takei talking about him being a subordinate. Haru told him that he knew the previous case and he said that arresting the suspect may return the favor. He also told that someone tampered with Imura's car and assumed that it was the same person.
Daisuke and Suzue reviewed the video footage and found that all previous videos were deliberately deleted by an unknown person. Daisuke got a call from Haru and demanded if he did control the car; to which admitted that he did. Haru and Cho arrived at the mansion and barged into the main gate to the estate. Arriving at the main house, Daisuke (and four weaponized drones) confronted them (threatening them with trespassing into private property and destroying the main gate).
Haru asked what is his purpose, taking note that he will not take the initiative to do bad things. Daisuke wanted the truth behind her mother's and Imura's death. Haru quickly looked at Cho who was intensely looking at Daisuke.
While this was happening, Takei was reading when Hoshino told him that Daisuke was caught in Imura's dashcam. Takei concluded that Daisuke might have something to do with Imura's death, despite Hoshino's reservations. After stepping into his car and started it, he was knocked out by sleeping gas. Upon waking up, Takei was in his previous room and Cho asked him to open up the locker, which he fearfully refused to citing that he may die if that "guy" sees him. Cho asked him who the person he is referring to which he refuses to mention.
It immediately changed scenery to the park and asked Cho if he is in hell. Cho gave him the gift and a key dropped from the envelop which scared him. Suddenly Imura showed up and asked Takei if he was responsible for her death. She also asked him to call the gentleman. Haru and Cho approached a scared Takei.
Takei "woke" up and realized that he was placed under a VR interrogation machine which access or read memories of anyone who is placed under the machine and uses the retina to simulate them.
It is discovered that he tried calling the late Chief Sekai. Takei tried explaining but Cho said that he understood how ambitious he got when marrying the late chief's daughter which he understands and said "we need strength to seek justice. That is an unquestionable fact."
At the end, he tried reasoning to no end; which Cho interjects if he became a proud father. Haru looked at Daisuke.
Comments:
It is clear that Daisuke entered the police force to find the truth behind the death of his mother and who was responsible. He also specifically requested to join MCPTF to join Chosuke and Kiyomizu who were originally involved in the case.
Daisuke's mother separated from her husband 2 months prior to her brutal death.
As a consequence of the pressure exerted by the Kambe family to the police force, Cho and Kiyomizu got "exiled" to the MCPTF.
Daisuke did not kill Imura and companion on Episode 6. While it is true that he rigged the car using the bug to have her arrested; he did not detonate the bomb.
Takei wanted to implicate Daisuke to the bomb blast to cover his participation in the crime. Also, it is assumed that he stole the key inside Cho's desk years back and returned this to the mastermind.
The question looming at the moment is: Who is behind the crime? The mastermind remains a mystery but it is assumed that someone within the Kambe family is behind these deaths.
Chosuke wanted to solve the crime before he retires from the service.
Adollium plays a significant part of the story.
VR Interrogation Machine is rad cool.
Total Cost of the Episode: JPY 7,369,000,000.00
Facts
Cho loves playing with dices and hates chocolates.
Despite being cheerful, Kiyomizu was the previous head of Division 1; a very serious and stern officer prior to the "exile".
Daisuke's parents, it seems, were working as scientists.
Reference:
To know more about the analysis of the VR Interrogator Machine in this Episode:
https://www.gizmodo.jp/2020/08/fugou-keiji-bul-retinal-projection-vr-system-explained.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=8d946667a322625270b9b5a487bd0691.
Please note that the article is in Japanese and, unfortunately, Google Translate made a somewhat, ehem, shabby translation of the said article.