Million Yen Women Season 1 Episode 2 Recap – Values

Five years ago, Shin’s father killed his wife, Kayo Michima; his wife’s lover, Mamoru Doi; and a young police officer, Hiroshi Mizuguchi. Because his father is a murderer, Shin decides no one will die in his novels. Three days after his father committed the murders, Shin’s debut novel won the grand prize at a competition.

Shin visits his father at the prison. His father asks him if he still goes to Mrs. Mizuguchi’s home. Mrs. Mizuguchi is the mother of the young police officer that died the day of the murders. He was trying to stop Shin’s father, so Tatsuyuki pushed him and hit his head.

Shin’s father confesses he doesn’t regret killing his wife and her lover, but he regrets killing the young police officer, so Shin regularly visits Mrs. Mizuguchi. Mrs. Mizuguchi tells Shin he is the same age as her son. Shin apologizes. Mrs. Mizuguchi laughs at him and tells him he doesn’t need to apologize for growing older. Shin says goodbye. Mrs. Mizuguchi hands him some food and a box containing letters. When Shin opens the box, he sees letters from his father, Tatsuyuki Michima. Mrs. Mizuguchi tells Shin to tell his father to stop sending the letters because nothing will change. She also reminds Shin that his mother died that day also.

Midori gets revisited by a young man who asks her for more money. Shin has just finished a deed with Hotaru. He asks her if there is a person she can never forgive. Hotaru says she can’t remember, but it depends on the person how they forgive someone.

The five women and Shin have dinner together with Mr. Sakurai. Afterward, Nanaka, one of the five women, goes to the dining area carrying the magazine they read during dinner time. She puts it on the table and asks Shin if he has read it already. Shin says yes, but Nanaka talks about the content of the magazine. A critic mentions Shin as a mundane author that writes mundane stuff. Nanaka keeps on saying the guy who wrote the article annoys her. 

Nanaka tells Shin he should write a bestseller next time because that‘s why they are with him. Shin is surprised to hear it, but Nanaka says she‘s just joking. She takes the piece of paper with a message from the fax machine, crumples it, and throws it in the trash on her way out.

Shin is having difficulty writing his book. Minami teases him about it. She asks Shin to get changed. Together, they ride the car waiting for them outside. Shin asks Minami what kind of work she does, so Minami tells him not to tell anyone whatever he sees or he will die.

They arrive at Minami’s office. The girl idol, Ayane, is waiting inside. Minami asks Shin if he understands what is happening. Ayane leaves the room with Minami’s driver. Minami explains that Ayane is going to a premium hotel suite to sell her body. She admits the idol works under her in her call girl club. Shin asks more questions but is reminded that he is not allowed to ask about anything personal. Minami tells Shin it costs 10 million yen to have Ayane for a night, then she asks Shin if he would pay that much money to have Ayane — Shin says no.

Minami kisses Shin and pushes him to the table. She tells him that she brought him there because he has unstable values. Minami asks Shin one more time what his values are. Shin pauses for a moment and thinks of an answer before he grabs Minami by the waist.

Our Thoughts

The messages Shin keeps receiving via the fax machine add to the mystery that surrounds the house. Since it‘s revealed that Shin’s father killed three people five years ago, we don’t know if the messages are meant for Shin’s father or Shin himself. Gradually, we get to know the women one by one. Minami has the strongest character among the five women, so she easily grabs your attention.

We wonder whether or not Shin will sleep with Minami. Shin has a fragile character compared to her who speaks her mind.