I did it on purpose.
I don't feel like taking pictures anymore.
I'm glad you could be here, Ichiko.
I feel like I would have given up if I was here alone.
Akira fell in love with his camera again.
Akira's face brightened up as he was engrossed in pressing the shutter.
As for me, I...
♪♪～
I want to taste the sweetness of love one more time.
But I never want to taste it's bitterness ever again.
♪♪～
Hi, This is Tobisawa.
Ahh Hello. Yes. That's fine.
Akira has been here for 2 weeks.
Tomorrow?
In Shinshuu Akira was in a bit of a slump.
So of course as a friend I was worried about him...
However up until yesterday, I saw him as nothing more than a freeloarder.
Now that feeling has changed a bit.
Yes. So 7:30 at the spot.
I got it. See you then.
Morning. Good Morning.
What's wrong? Nothing.
Was that about work? Yeah. Ah...
Tomorrow I'll be gone until the morning. You have an overnight shoot?
An acquaintance asked me to hold a stakeout.
A stakeout?
I have to take pictures of an entertainer's secret meeting.
That's not you kind of work.
It's not like that. I mean there comes a time
where you true passion comes out.
While I was in Shinshuu looking at Kengo and Mitsuki
I thought it be nice to capture people again...
So that's why the stakeout...
But wouldn't you rather take nicer pictures
than what you have to do now?
But I can't mooch off you forever.
I have to hurry up and find a place to live so I can leave.
Hey then how about...
You go on a trip? A trip.
A trip where you can capture anything you like. Then you can come back here.
Since I like them. Huh?
Your pictures.
♪♪～
I helped Akira see the light at the end
of his slump tunnel.
By the way, That travel magazine that Akira worked for
has gone bankrupt. Really?
What? You didn't hear about it? No.
Well as long as he's looking, I think he'll be fine.
There's jobs out there. Yeah...
Anyway hurry and find a place for Akira.
Because a writer that can't sell and a cameraman that can't sell
living together is a terrible pattern.
We don't live together. I know.
But if such gossip was to start flowing,
we'll be taking about how neither one of you can land work.
Ah, Don't tell me something happened between you two
during your trip to Shinshuu?
No no no!
I guess you're right. That wouldn't happen.
...So, What happened with Mitsuki.
When we met with Kengo,
she closed up like a clam. I see.
It seemed like she had no idea of what she should say.
It's a shame because she had practiced with you.
Kentaro. Huh? Akira.
Long time no see. Ah...
If you're here for Ichiko, she's not in.
Ah, no...
Umm.
So you're living with her.
Just for now. It's a long story.
Is my face that interesting?
It is.
Your face shows that you're picturing the situation.
Ah... Could I have some Iced Tea?
Ah sure. I'll get it myself.
I forgot that you know your way around here.
Ah...
Huh? Where are the glasses?
Ah, they're over here. After the earthquake we moved them.
I see.
Um... There's nothing going on with me and Ichiko.
I'm just freeloading.
I'll be leaving soon.
I didn't question anything.
Why did you guys break up? Huh?
I mean... I was convinced that
you and Ichiko were going to get married.
You must have come here to see Ichiko...
Curious? Ah... not really.
I've become a father.
I'm not to happy about it though.
And that's why Ichiko and I can't patch things up.
Not going to take a picture? Ah...
You missed your chance.
And then, When the customer gives you money,
What do you press? You must push "Enter Payment."
Yes, I understand.
Look a customer! Sorry. Welcome.
Congratulations on finding a job Natsu!
Thanks! Congrats.
You too Mitsuki.
Cheers. Cheers.
Ok Let's eat. Our dishes have a great reputation.
"Our" you say. You already intergrated yourself into the Supermarket.
It is an 800 yen an hour job. You sure you didn't spend to much?
These are leftovers,
We get them at a 70% discount. Wow!
They were going to be thrown away but they still cost money.
I only make 800 yen an hour so this helps with food expenses.
It's good! Right? Come buy some.
I can come by? What do you mean?
You might not have wanted us to see you working.
Don't worry about that.
I'm against it. Is that so?
Mama... Mama, how can you be so cheerful when you're stuggling?
You rather I be down?
If you don't want to eat this kind of food you don't have to.
OK eat eat!
Hey, try this corn salad. Recently I've
been most interested in it. Try a bit.
Try this Liver and Leek fry too. I don't have to do any thinking
when working the register. I just push buttons the whole time.
Natsu's behavior made it seem like she was cheerful but I
could instantly see that she really wanted to cry.
So is her starting work her way of preparing for a divorce?
You think that's what Mitsuki was sensing?
Hey. Hmm?
I brought these. Nice~.
Ichiko. Hmm?
I'm in love now. Love?
This feeling was born inside of me.
I've forgotten all the relationships that I've had before now.
Don't you say that everytime? ...So who is it?
Naitou. He's 11 year my senior.
11... Mari did you say you were absolutely against older men?
That was when I was younger. But now, that doesn't matter anymore.
It like that huh? Yeah.
...You see he used to work in Interior Design.
Now he sell light fixture components.
Running into him was somewhat different than in the past...
Talking with him had a somewhat different atmosphere than the past.
But a workman that becomes a sellsman does change his atmosphere.
It's not like that. Hmm, how do you put it...
You could say It's like we're both ready for each other?
The time I dated Akira and the breakup
was just preperation for when I ran into Naitou again it seems.
I was scrambling to put things away by myself in the rain.
Then a voice from far away yelled "Mari~!"
But because of the rain, I couldn't see anything.
Then as soon as I could finally see Naitou's face, Thunder clashed
and without thinking I jumped into his arms.
Zzt Zzt! Electricity runs through your body.
And in that instant...
I was in love.
Love?
I'm 39 now so I know. I know when I'm in love.
I suprised me. We can still find love.
The Zzt Zzt of love.
Zzt Zzt!
Zzt Zzt! Zzt Zzt!
Zzt Zzt! Zzt Zzt! Zzt Zzt!
♪♪～
Heaven and Hell are about this close.
♪♪～
Ichiko. Let's go!
Perhaps it was because I drank too much
But Mari's repetitious Zzt Zzt! sound
echoed inside of me.
Zzt Zzt Zzt Zzt Zzt Zzt. Eheheheh...
Ah~ I'm home~!
Welcome back. Ah, I'm home.
What's wrong? Ehe!
Mari say she got hit with
"Zzt Zzt Zzt Zzt Zzt Zzt" and fell in love.
It was like confessing her first love.
I was getting embarrassed just listening to her.
She kept going "Zzt Zzt Zzt."
Oh crap. I shouldn't be telling her ex this.
Don't worry. I'm glad she's at peace.
You're right. This is a good thing. What about you? Got anything going on?
Nothing. Huh? But you're entertaining.
I won't be stripping anytime soon. Strip?
Sex? Not having sex.
Hook.
Hook? Haha! From a bra? Me too. Huh?
This Camisole has cups in it.
Since I wear this I can be comfortably free.
Ah~ That's not sexy. It's alright if you say it yourself.
You can be yourself because you're a pretty woman.
♪♪～
Thanks. I'll take that in exchange for rent.
Oh by the way... Hm?
Kotaro said hello. Kotaro?
Yeah. I happened to run into him today.
By chance? Yeah on the bridge.
Huh? Why'd he come here?
Ah... I kinda let him in the house...
Was that a bad thing? Come on, What were you thinking?
I wanted to take his picture. What do you mean?
I thought that Kentaro would make a
great subject for a portrait. It much easier to get a picture
when you're not close to the person.
But you still didn't have to do it in the house.
I could tell that Kentaro was curious by looking at his face.
But I explained it to him. I'm just freeloading.
If you're a freeloader then act like it. Since you come and go all the time
people may misunderstand.
Akira doesn't think about me romantically.
That's why he was so fine with bringing Kentaro to the house.
Hello.
Ma'am how long have you been doing this?
Umm, 50 years.
What? I don't believe it. You've been doing this for 50 years?
The only thing in Akira's eyes now
is the world as seen through his camera's viewfinder.
A disinterested younger freeloader and an old lover that I can't forget.
It's the inspiration for a story for women around 40 where the heroine is in
a love triangle and eventually ends up with the younger man.
If I was my usual self, I could write that.
However that isn't something I could write right now.
Why does Kentaro want to be with me now?
Suddenly he began to be on my mind.
Hello.
Ah, Ichiko. It's been a while.
I had something that I wanted to talk to you about.
Is this a good time?
Ah... Sorry. I'm out right now.
Can you make it quick? Yes.
Life is on the line. Huh?
Sorry for the wait.
I'm sorry that it's lukewarm. I have to keep my stomach cool.
No sugar for me. I have to have a lot of sugar.
The baby is plump and if my birth canal narrows,
It'll be tough to get it out.
Could that be the meaning behind "Bitter Sugar"?
You feel bitter later because of sweet sugar.
"Bitter Sugar"...
When you're done your story please make sure I get to read it.
Please don't seduce Kentaro. Huh?
It seems like he wants to be back by your side.
How can you say that... Right, he can't do it.
No matter what he wants to do.
He wouldn't want to make this child unhappy.
...So what do you want from me?
Do you know any good people?
If you had someone then Kentaro would give up.
Thanks for the tea.
I'm living with a man. You've met Akira before, right?
Mari's... Yes, Ex-boyfriend. I had my eyes on him.
Just like you always had your eyes on Kentaro.
So it'll be alright.
I have no intentions on meeting with Kentaro again.
I'm glad. For you and for me.
This is a bit rude but you're 39 right? You've live about half your life
and you almost wasted your womanhood.
From here on out, you're just a
lonely lady and then you become a lonely old lady.
It's sad.
♪♪～
Welcome back. I'm home.
It'll be done soon. Just wait a bit.
I'm living with Akira.
I was forced to lie to Tsuji Fusae but it may just be what really in my heart.
Living alone like I have been really is lonely.
Let's eat.
This certainly is a feast. It's a thank you. Hm?
I've decided to go on a trip.
This is my chance to take the pictures that I want to take.
What's wrong? Ah... nothing.
I was just a bit surprised. I see. You're really leaving.
Congrats. Thank you.
♪♪～
I hear that Ichiko is living with a younger man.
You know her friend Mari.
She used to date him...
Akira right? The camerman. You knew?
I happened to run into him by chance. I see.
By chance... Yeah.
I'll help you.
You don't have to help me.
If you don't properly fold your shirts, they'll get wrinkled.
I guess I'll take this.
When are you leaving? After I finish the stakeout.
Shall I send you off? You don't have to do that.
I'll be coming by here anyway afterall. When will that be?
That's not something I'd know ahead of time. Whenever things get boring.
Thank You. I can do it myself.
I'm going to be lonely. Huh?
Not like that. I'm not trying to keep you here.
I mean I won't be able to eat the curry you make,
I won't get to have your fried rice,
The coffee you make is good.
Sorry... You leaving is a good thing.
I want you to take more and more good photos.
I've been working less since a Young Cameraman was living with me.
That's why...
That's why you leaving is certainly a good thing.
Sorry.
♪♪～
The moment our lips touched, sparks ran.
♪♪～
I fell in love.
My mind went blank and I was head over heels.
♪♪～
I don't have one. Huh?
I told you. No hook. Ahh...
It's fine. I'll do it....
♪♪～
Ah... Something wrong?
Ah... It's cheap.
♪♪～
I seem to be heading down the same track as Miyake...
That's not funny.
I think it is a funny situation.
Hmhmhm. Me too.
I couldn't do anything but make a bad joke.
But the energy that flowed the moment our lips touched
was not a lie.
♪♪～
♪♪ I look through an opening in the trees on my way to the station.
♪♪ My heels are a bit tall so I'm close to the sky.
♪♪ Ah I can't even count the number of times
♪♪ that I've been sad and distressed.
♪♪～
♪♪ This story continues with bated breath,
♪♪ Like a heroine in a film,
♪♪ No one knows their last.
♪♪ Alone in a silent bathroom,
♪♪ I see the hesitant person in the mirror and
♪♪ I want to them "It'll be alright."
When you here of Miyake's serious matter,
you won't be able to not come. ...So what is it?
Marriage Party. For Miyake!?
She's so cute.
When can you do it? Take my picture. Won't you?
I plan to leave here tonight at 7.