What is the story behind the crucial scene where the relationship between Kazuma, the suspect's son (#Hokuto Matsumura), and Mirei, the victim's daughter (#Mio Imada), begins to take shape?
Check out this report that captures the moment the "forbidden buddy" duo was born, along with precious making-of photos that capture the atmosphere of the filming locations: a coffee shop, the Sumida River, and Tokoname, Aichi.
At the Coffee Shop:
The scene where Kazuma and Mirei talk about their memories of their fathers**
Filming for this project took place over approximately two months from December 2025 to January 2026. On December 24, a crucial scene was filmed at a coffee shop in Tokyo where Kazuma and Mirei talk about their respective memories of their fathers.
This was the first time Mr. Matsumura and Ms. Imada, who are co-starring for the first time in this film, faced each other to exchange lines.
During the pre-filming walkthrough, Ms. Imada asked Director Kishi specific questions like "Where should I direct my gaze?" while Mr. Matsumura asked "How much information do I know at this point?" as they carefully aligned their understanding of the scene. As they repeated tests, the "script-like" quality faded from their acting, and the exhaustion and sense of loss—one as the child of a victim, the other as the child of a suspect—rose up quietly but with a certain heat.
Particularly impressive was the moment when Matsumura, following Director Kishi's direction, moved up the timing of becoming overcome with emotion. A delicate flicker of being suddenly at a loss for words was added to his flat acting, elevating it into a scene that shakes the viewer's emotions. Director Kishi immediately gave the OK to that take, creating a night that foreshadowed the deep lingering resonance of the film.
At the Sumida River:
The scene where Kazuma and Mirei meet for the first time**
After the New Year, the scene where Kazuma and Mirei meet at the Sumida River was filmed. This is a vital moment where the story begins to move significantly, as Mirei, visiting the place her late father last stopped by, happens to call out to Kazuma.
Here, Imada's gaze, which hints at Mirei's inner strength, and Matsumura's delicate "receiving" acting as he takes in her words, overlapped to vividly embody the moment the forbidden buddy duo is formed. Director Kishi and the staff carefully adjusted everything from the distance between the two and the movement of their eyes to the way sunlight and shadows fell, creating a scene filled with tension.
In Tokoname, Aichi:
The scene where Kazuma and Mirei walk around seeking the truth**
Toward the end of filming, a location shoot was carried out in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture. In the scene where Kazuma and Mirei walk around Tokoname seeking clues, actual local residents appeared, which is a characteristic approach of Director Kishi. True to his background in documentaries, Director Kishi carved the atmosphere of the land and the natural presence of the people living there into the story. There was even a moment where Mr. Matsumura and Ms. Imada widened their eyes in surprise at the presence of the citizens who had no acting experience, saying, "Wow..."
In a scene where the two eat at a noodle shop, a small piece of direction was added during the walkthrough where Kazuma hands disposable chopsticks to Mirei to show his concern for her while she is in a daze. Such subtle touches highlight the bond between Kazuma and Mirei. Amidst the tension of the mystery, a delicate human drama breathes as two wounded souls gradually begin to connect.
Filming, which lasted about two months, was successfully completed with Mr. Matsumura and Ms. Imada reaching a deeply emotional wrap-up on the final day of the Aichi location shoot.
The shocking truth hidden beyond a murder case that was supposed to have been solved. And what is the fate reached by these two people who were never supposed to cross paths—the son of a suspect and the daughter of a victim?
Director Yoshiyuki Kishi delicately and profoundly portrays Keigo Higashino's new masterpiece—please look forward to the overwhelming chemical reaction shown by Hokuto Matsumura and Mio Imada in their first co-starring roles.
