Did you finally start marriage hunting too, Rika ?
Certainly, men are stupid. But you ...
don't you want to marry one of these stupid men ?
It sticks out. What ?
I am thinking about marriage for me.
You cover your loneliness with marriage.
There is plenty of injustice in this world.
We are serious about this. We are seriously impatient ...
and desperately want to meet someone !
You have to change yourself. If you want to get married.
Nostril-hair-kun ! It's Eikichi. Sakamoto Eikichi.
Why are you here, "Hasumin" ? I won't be defeated.
You mean ? No, I was thinking about something else. Nostril....
Eikichi-san ... so you take part in such events ?
I wanted to show the result of approaching 1000 people ...
that means talking to 1000 women I don't know.
But there is still some way to go. My amount of experience is only this...
Good evening ! Welcome to the marriage hunting masquerade ball.
Summoning destiny ... I am your marriage hunting master Musubu !
Such a masquerade evening is certainly an extraordinary world.
Meeting with our faces masked, let's try a conversation heart to heart.
And now let's start the first "free time".
Once again you show this stylish mood.
But the mask is pink.
Well, I wish you good luck.
It will be time to start the dance now.
From the world of dance, the charismatic Kouda Teruya and Kohata Sumiko.
And now the ladies turn around !
And the person in front of you will be your first partner.
Now, at first take your hands.
Ah ... excuse me.
3 4 !
2 2 3 .
1 2 3 .
May I ? 2 2 3 . 3 2 3 .
Ah. Are you alright ?
Ah ... excuse me. No.
1 2 3 . 2 2 3 .
3 2 3 . 4 2 3 .
How shall I call you ?
Ah ah ... Hasumin. And you ?
Ah ... well ... It's Okamu.
Okamu ? Yes.
Ah ... shall we sit down ? Ah ....
My pupils call me so.
You are teacher ? Yes.
In a girls' school. Girls' school.
Aren't young unmarried teachers quite popular ?
No, I am rather feeling ashamed. As an unmarried masculin teacher.
I see. That's why you do marriage hunting. Yes.
We have the same hobbies.
Travelling ... where did you go ?
Greece and Egypt and Syria.
That's great. You have gone to a lot of places.
What was the best, among the places you went to until now ?
Let's see. They were all quite different.
Among them Angkor Wat was really great.
Please ! Ah ...
Do you like Okonomiyaki ? What ? (Okonomiyaki = a kind of pancake)
Do you like Hiroshima Okonomiyaki ?
Well ... When I tried it, it was quite tasty.
It ... It's a nice assembly hall ... here.
Oh ... yes.
Really nice.
It is bigger than expected this assembly hall. Here.
What ? Ah ... yes.
Did you try them ? The sandwiches. They are quite good.
Well, then ...
There are strange people ... Finishing as a group of men only.
Listen everybody ! There are 5 minutes of free time left.
Have you been able to talk to the the person you wanted to meet ?
After this it will be time for confessions. Please use the remaining 5 minutes effectively.
We are not good in this kind of situation ... Me too, I gave up for today.
Me too.
Excuse me. I still want to try again. What ? To do what ?
Excuse me.
Good evening ! What a nice dress.
Deep red ... Just like a tomato.
Ah ... It's because I like them. What ?
Me ... tomatoes. Ah ...
Excuse me.
That's true. Is it so ?
For example Myanmar or Chile ...
Excuse ... thank you for earlier.
Ah ...
Ah ... if you want, please.
Ah ... thank you very much.
Ah ... I have been thirsty.
Such a crowded place. It's been quite a long time.
I am keeping a tofu-shop ... alone.
Ah ... tofu.
Tofu let me see ... The firm one is better I think ?
Ah ... me too. The silken one is more refined ...
and easier to eat, many people think ...
but as you say, the feel of the firm one ...
Isn't it ! Yes.
Well we come to the end of the free time. Only 10 seconds left.
5 4 3 2 1 .
It's over !
Well, let's now move on with the confession time.
I would like to talk to you again, please !
Let's go and have a drink together, please !
Let me try your cooking, please !
This was love at first sight.
There is some distance between Tokyo and Hiroshima, but please !
Well then what is the answer from the women's side ?
Please treat me well.
Am I really the right one ?
Well, let's be friends.
So, 5 couples have been arranged. Thank you very much.
Isn't that promising. From the first to the last ...
the couples have been arranged. Let's see the next 5 gentlemen.
Talk to the one who will be your destiny. Please.
Let's keep the good mood. Everybody. Today's a good day.
Are you ready ? Have you discovered what you were looking for ? Well then ...
please stand side by side now.
Please treat me well.
... yes
The gentlemen please !
Please treat me well.
Well, what is the answer from the ladies' side ?
Please excuse me.
Tonight 17 couples have ...
been formed ! So now everybody, you can finally all ...
take off your masks. Are you ready ? Here we go !
Three ... two ... one ... open !
Such a beautiful ... Are you okay with me ?
Well ... let's be friends.
Well then, everybody ... I am your marriage hunting master Musube.
Thank you very much !
Our masquerade ball comes to it's end now.
Everybody, take care on your way home.
Say ... why did you turn him down, this guy ?
There was this other guy, who seemed to be interesting.
But he finished going home before the end. What did that mean ? Was he fake ?
... perhaps. That tofu-shop guy seemed to be a good guy, but ...
... it was written "Divorced" on his card. Well, you have not yet finished your 30ties, Rika.
First marriage would be better, wouldn't it ? What ? Etsuko-san is in her 30ties too, I thought ...
Still young ... Ah ... stop it !
Being in your 40ties, compliments like ...
"You still look so young" aren't that great. No, they really aren't.
No...
First of all, a question for everybody ...
What does "Not being married" mean ...
Does someone see the missing part ?
Can someone fill in the other side of this '=' ?
Ah, without delay. Yes, you.
It is "loneliness" of course.
When I compare married friends and myself.
I see. What else ?
Ah ... you.
Thinking about the future ... You accumulate fears.
As a woman ... I am not so self-confident.
Hm. And you ... what do you think ?
Certainly ... there might be a lack self-confidence.
Even at work, finally younger people ....
start being favored.
Hm ... I understand quite well.
Well ... I hear all this ...
but is this really because you are not married ?
There are also married people who are lonely.
And women who lack self-confidence too.
There are also people who lose to younger ones at work.
Whether they are married or not, it's the same.
People who think, not being married, is the origin of their life's misfortune ...
when finally they marry, will one day have to explain the reason ...
of their own misfortune.
Well, what should we do then ?
You have to change the way you are looking at things. What ?
... be that as it may. It is not easy to change your state of mind.
That being the case, what should you do ? Start by changing your expression.
If you have a smiling face your mind will follow naturally.
Therefore, first of all, please practice smiling every day.
That's easy to say. But your life will not turn ...
out well, just because you are smiling.
How many have you been coming to the marriage hunting master's seminars ?
As for me, it's just since this time's intensive course.
I have come several times before. If have started marriage hunting with this site ...
more or less half a year ago. Half a year ?
That's it ... but there has been no one.
The really interesting men are already married, aren't they.
Among the people you really meet, there are many strange ones, I think.
Have you really already met so many ?
Face to face. I'm not good at exchanging mails.
Well, listen !
With the people you met ... How far did you go ?
What ?
Who has kissed ?
Well ...
What ! So many ?
By the way ... what about going to a hotel ?
Hotel ... what ?!
What !
May I ask you ? What has become of these men ...
after it ?
Natural extinction. Once finished with them, I have been ...
thinking they would not be the right ones. I see.
Isn't that scary ? With a person you just met on the Net ...
That is, if there were another way, we would not do it, but ...
No but ... What if he takes you by take somewhere in the mountains ?
Well, I don't want to let anyone know about this marriage hunting, so ...
I can't call for help.
In that case, contact me. And I will come running.
Me too, I don't talk about marriage hunting in my family.
So why don't we assist each other and exchange contact addresses ?
Ah ... that's it ! Let's do that. Let's do that !
"Match service" ?
"Your recommended partner by Marriage compatibility diagnosis".
Oh ...
Judging rationally ...
are there only partners of this age ?
Okamu !
Ah ... !
So finally it wasn't fake !
But why did he leave ?
Have I been that hopeless ?
"Message from Eikichi-san"
"Too bad you didn't form a couple last time. But don't worry you still have a chance."
So I have your sympathy ?
"Could it be that you formed a couple but still had no date ? "
"Perhaps you haven't been invited ...
... until now ?"
"Hasumin, you should better write something like - I like to cook - ...
I don't know why you don't check the profiles of the same sex ...
most of the popular women usually write this."
What's that condescending attitude ? Eikichi !
Sis, do you have a minute ?
I come in. We have to talk about something.
Two over 60 years old adults leave home and want to live together only the two of them !
Well at Murakami-san's place ... living together with his son and his wife, ...
is impossible for me.
And he doesn't say anything this son ?
As I though, he's against it. Is it so ?
I don't want to cause you trouble !
But you are. What shall I tell my mother-in-law ?
"My mother lives with a man without being married" ?
Emi ! What ? Are you on mother's side ?
It's not a question of being on the side of someone ... So ?
It's not for us to decide.
Mother has to decide about her life.
You're right.
Here.
You really don't want to take a break on Sunday ?
Yesterday, from morning on, I have been watching anime. Cinema ... children and parents only.
Movies ... that's not so bad. Because for me it has been the zoo.
"I am the person you formed a couple with at the masquerade ball.
What do think about having tea or something together?"
Excuse me.
Ah. (Tel : "Cancel")
"Eikichi" ?
Hello ? YES !
Ha ?
YES ! I had the answer ... It's YES.
Sorry ... Could you be more specific ?
I send a mail to the other day's woman.
And then she answered ... "I am okay for having tea or so"
First of all, when you meet this person, try not to gasp like this ...
you'd better stop to talk without breathing Until I meet this woman, I'll do my best ...
to have my 1000 people "knocks".
What was that ? Is he just boasting ?
"Do you remember ? I am the person that you met ...
that evening at the masquerade ball"
Hasumin-sama. Thank you for your message. I had to leave early that evening. Of course I remember Hasumin-san.
Yes !
"Thank you for your immediate reply, ...
how about having tea together one of these days?"
"It's OK. Please tell me when it is convenient for your."
Yes, yes, yes !
Will white be fine ?
Ah ... excuse me ...
Hasumin-san ? You are Okamu-san, aren't you ?
It's Okamura. Excuse me for being late.
No problem. Ah ... well ...
Hasumin too isn't my real name.
It's Rika. Hasumi Rika.
Well then, Rika-san.
Yes.
Sorry for making you wait.
Please enjoy.
Please. Excuse me. This too.
Enjoy your meal.
You surely have many friends of the same sex, Rika-san, haven't you ?
Well. I came here with my friends quite often but ...
... now they are all married.
Women want to have a family by all means, I think.
And traveling too. The girls I went overseas with ...
now all have children.
Me, I often have been traveling alone. Ah ...
Ah ... it's quite delicious. Well then.
His name is Kensuke-kun. He likes traveling alone ...
and has gone to many places.
In Japan and overseas.
Are you in love ? What ? Your face is palpitating.
But that's a serious kind of feeling, isn't it ?
Between men and women.
... perhaps.
What's the problem ? Echiko-san. Why did you cool down ?
Ah, how was it with that guy ?
Wasn't he from Hiroshima ? Yes, a fireman from Hiroshima.
What ? A fireman !
He told me that his always caring mother had died last year.
That's why he does marriage hunting ...
We are just enjoying exchanging mail, because it's rather far from here. Hm ...
I am glad that it went well for you, Rika-chan.
Starting with marriage hunting and then a love marriage.
Isn't it.
What a nice feeling. Hm !
Shall we try to go over there ? Hm !
Ah, watch you step. Thank you.
From over there, the sea is really beautiful.
There are such nice places ... That's right.
The water is so beautiful. Isn't it.
It's totally transparent.
Ah ... a tiny fish.
You frightened me. It's okay because it's shallow here.
But it must be cold, if you fall in the water. Certainly.
It's so nice like this. What ?
Spending your time together as a couple, I was wondering.
If you married, what about your work, Rika-san ?
Ah ... I think I would like to continue, but perhaps you would wish me to become a housewife.
No, absolutely not. Ah ... great.
I would like to have children but I would like to do both ...
work and raise children. Hm ... that would be nice.
Because you put a lot of effort into your work.
What about lunch ?
I was wondering if I should prepare bentos (lunchboxes) for us, but ...
... but ? Finally I thought that handmade bentos ...
might bother you. Ah ...
But it's alright.
I have looked up a nice restaurant on this site.
Let's see ...
Hello ?
Later, I will meet this person, I have been exchanging mails with.
That's why I want to ask you something ...
No problem. What ? If everything's alright ...
I will call you at 9 o'clock. To make sure.
9 o'clock, got it.
Well, if I have no news from you, Chiho-chan, ...
I will call you. Thank you very much. See you.
Ah ... Chiho-chan.
With this man, don't be too hesitating.
Thank you, Rika-san.
Don't you think this bag would be nice with the clothes we've seen earlier ?
Ah ...
Isn't it a bit expensive ?
Ah, no ... if you want to have it, Mutsumi-san.
It fits well ... I think ...
Ah ... sorry.
Ah ... excuse me. So suddenly ... it's my fault.
Well, I will go home. What ?
Could you give me that. Well ... of course.
As I thought, it's not possible, physically !
Excuse me ... goodbye !
It can certainly be frightening. To go out with someone met on the Internet.
Just after having exchanged some messages, I don't know ...
Well, but there are quite a lot of women who actually want to meet.
What ... did you meet different women before ?
Hm ... about 7 or 8.
Do you, even now ? Hm.
What ?
You meet with other women ?
Hm.
Although you are going out with me ?
What ?
"What" ? ...
Isn't that marriage hunting ?
Meet everybody, compare and find out who is the best marriage partner.
That's the reason why there are these marriage hunting sites.
But ... That's why, you too, Rika-san, ...
should not only meet with me.
You say, I should meet with other men ?
Marriage and love are different things.
As you are looking for a lifetime partner ...
you should better not be so easily convinced that a certain man is the right one.
Meet several people and only after that I would like you to choose me.
Ah ... it's already after 9 o'clock.
What ? Ah ...
She hasn't called.
Ah ... Chiho-chan ?
Rika-san ... Ah ... Chiho-chan.
Inoue-san ... it's annoying for the restaurant as well. Let's go home.
Why do you want me to go home ?
Am I not attractive enough ? Chiho-chan ...
You are her friend ? Ah ... that's good.
What's this about ? As she seemed to be quite nervous ...
she has only been drinking alcohol. When I said we should go home, she ...
suddenly became like this.
Chiho-chan ...
How can I make him like me ?
You have been thinking "this is the one" ?
"If I let escape this good man, perhaps I won't have another chance."
It is not "perhaps" ! This is my last chance !
There are no more other men sending me mails on the marriage hunting site.
That's why I understood.
I am no good ...
I will never be able to get married.
Well, I will take her home.
If there is a problem, please call me.
Well, see you later.
See you.
You are lucky, Rika-san.
Having found this good guy.
There really is injustice in this world.
That's not the whole truth.
It's Aijima Masaharu from Hiroshima. How are you ? ...
You have come ?
I'm back. Hm ... ah ... welcome back.
I thought I will cook you something. And the fridge was empty as well,
so thought I should fill it up a bit. But it's alright.
I have been worried because in a dream I saw you get sick at work.
Sorry.
I understand that you are busy at work, but it's time for you to get a girlfriend.
Because your father and mother are looking forward to it.
Your marriage.
Meet several people and only after that I would like you to choose me.
I have been leaving my diary as it was for a while. But from tomorrow I will do my best again to meet plenty of other people.
"Today I took part in a soba noodle activity.
It has been a quiet and enjyoyable moment."
Thank you very much.
SV ... what does that mean ?
I have 5 little dogs, but they are so cute ...
If you like, couldn't you come to see my "live" ?
"At today's party I have been totally stimulated by the conversations.
Hello, nice to meet you. I am Ueda Riyoko, 20 years old.
I am working in a pet shop. Please be kind to me.
"At the indoor football activity, there have been many young people too ..."
"I worked myself into a sweat."
I read your diary. Wasn't it fun to take part in so many challenges ?
Ah ... welcome back.
What's with your foot ?
Just a sprain. A sprain. Are you Ok ?
Lately you go out all the time.
It's a bit strange.
What is strange ?
Hm ? It's not like you, I would say ...
What would be "like me" ?
"Like me" you say !
You mean "without marrying, resolved to ...
work only, being ok with staying alone". That would be "like me" ? Rika !
But if I am still not married, isn't it because of you ?
As I am the eldest daughter ...
I thought I could not leave you here alone.
Excuse me, you're right ...
Without me you would have been married earlier.
Well, I'll go to sleep now.
Welcome. I am meeting with someone.
I made you wait.
It's been some time.
How's marriage hunting ?
So-so, I would say. And you, you met some good people ?
Coffee. Right away.
Rika-san ?
It's strange I think.
This way of doing things.
It's not possible for me.
"What kind of person did you meet today?" ...
or "was it a young person?" I am thinking about this every evening.
What do you think of me ?
Let me hear, honestly.
I think you are a refreshing, good person.
It's fun to talk to you.
But ...
But perhaps you are not the family type.
I don't know. To marry a person right away ...
I can't decide it like that, I don't want to decide.
Family type ... You mean things like "good at cooking" ?
I don't want to make a mistake.
Well, you would like me to wear more soft and light dresses, to make you bento and ...
I don't ask you such unusual things ...
So what should I do ?
I am worried you'll become too emotional.
How could I have a calm talk ?
Yes, that's enough for today.
Thank you very much. Take care on your way home.
Yeees.
What's up ? "What's up" you say ...
How can I ignore such a mail !
Message : "Help"
I took the first plane back, just to have a talk with you.
I am sorry.
I just wanted to try out ...
I am really sorry.
Please marry me !
Well no. I was wondering if you would
go out with me, preparing for marriage.
Mama !
Hm ... no matter what ... courage ...
That embarrassing thing happened again ...
But if you don't meet with someone, nothing will happen.
But I have been turned down again.
Whoever I meet, it's always in vain.
Ok ! Well, stand up. What ? Yes, stand up.
Yes. Here.
Inoue Chiho-san this is your life's timeline.
Now at 29 years you are at that place.
Let's go back to the past. Walk.
Stop !
You are now back before you found your job.
What did you do at that time ?
I went to junior college.
The girls from Tokyo were all stylish and cute.
I have absolutely been no match for them.
Hm. Let's go back a little more.
Middle school ... elementary school ...
Yes ... stop !
Now you are back at the age of 5.
At that time ... how did you feel ?
I'm not sure ...
but I think I have been a kid who liked singing.
That's good. What else ?
At my cousin's wedding, I have been the bride's bridemaid ...
My cousin was so beautiful ...
Me too, I wanted to be like this one day, I thought.
Well, this happy 5 year old girl ...
what would she want to say to your 29 year old self ?
Hello Chiho-chan. Today what advice do you ...
want to give to this elder sister ?
In fact, this elder sister seems to feel down because she can't get married.
What would you say to her ?
It's alright.
You will surely become ...
a beautiful bride.
Thanks to you, I have found a good partner. As I will withdraw, this will be my last diary entry.
Thank you very much.
Ah ... is that all ?
He is breaking up with these words only ?
"Then why did you return with a marriage registration ?"
"Perhaps I will always continue to live alone like this." ...
"But that too isn't so bad." ...
"Accepting every day as it is without aiming too high" ...
"My feelings won't be hurt either."
Did you hear about it ? About selling in convenience stores ?
Only selling by mail order has reached it's limit.
So we decided to enter the convenience store distribution.
Yes ... For this reason ...
it has been decided to create a new post. Yes.
Say, Hasumin, what about your plan for getting married ?
What do you mean by this ?
If you had plans about marriage and having children ...
well, I thought you might not want to take this in charge.
Boss ? That's why I thought that you would
not want to accept this new post. As the person in charge.
Me ... the person person in charge. Yes.
Of course, this would mean you would have much more work to do.
This is still at an early stage, but you should think about it.
Ah ... Good morning. Good morning.
I see. It has been difficult for Eikichi-san too.
Just about everything, has turned out bad.
The marriage hunting site too ... So I have completely stopped to log in.
Me too.
I don't check it at all.
But today I saw ...
A woman who said she wanted to meet me.
Hm.
Chiho-chan !
What if she turns me down ... ?
Why would she ?
I don't want to be hurt again.
But ... I know this girl.
For sending this message, this girl has ...
already used all her courage.
That's why I want you to meet her.
If something turned out bad, I would understand ...
but I want you to think about it after you have met.
Hm ? Who's that ?
How are you, Hasumin-san ?
This face ...
Somewhere ...
I work in a Tofu shop ... Please be kind to me.
The tofu shop guy.
How are you ?
I am not well at all.
Do you really want to get married ? Many things have happened.
It doesn't make your heart beat fast. Did you lose your way ?
Did you think about what would be good for me ?
I think it was good that you met Rika-san.
There are other men I might love more. Do you love Rika-san ?
Am I happy living alone ...