Marriage.
It's the gala occasion of a person's life that the majority of people will pass through.
It's the dream stage upon which anyone can become the leading actor.
However, in 2012...
The highest rate ever of unmarried people was achieved in Japan.
Sorry. Turn up the lights a little.
The rule of thumb is that 1 in 5 men...
...will not have been married at least once by the age of 50.
Eh?! Seriously?!
In particular, the percentage of unmarried women has risen steadily.
It has nearly doubled compared with...
"Unmarried Trends by Age (Women)" ...that of the late 1980's.
- Here. - Yes?
Is this a story about the so-called bubble era?
Yes.
An era in which youths like me were glorified.
Women who hadn't gotten married by the age of 24...
...were compared to Christmas Cakes and were said to plummet in price afterwards.
Well, to get married nowadays in their early 20's...
What are you so enthralled over that you're not even taking notes?
"The Wizard of OZ"?
Yes.
In this way, among this proliferation of unmarried people...
...those who believe they are going to get married eventually...
...are 89.4% of the total.
In other words, the majority of people who are currently unmarried...
...feel they do want to get married.
"Honeymoon Corner " Marriage?
Yeah, I want to do that. Someday.
"Someday"? When is this someday?
Hmm... Whenever a nice guy shows up?
If all you do is just wait around, a nice guy might not ever show up.
Thing is Chiharu-san, how many years has it been since you broke up with your boyfriend?
3 years? 4?
5 years?
No way, no way. I definitely want to get married by the time I'm 30, no matter what.
If I round off my age, I'm still 30.
By next week, you'll have to round up to 40.
Isn't your 35th birthday coming up this weekend?
You don't have to bother saying the age.
Ahh...
Please make my next customer be a super-rich, super-handsome single guy.
Ah, a customer?
- Say, Chiharu-san. - Huh?
- Take care of this one, please. - Eh?
Since I have no prospects when it's a couple...
- Wait, this is your job. - Go on. Hurry.
Welcome.
Ah! Keisuke?
Chiharu! It's been ages.
How many years has it been?
5 years?
- Could he be her ex-boyfriend? - Well, this is a surprise.
You're with a travel agency now.
Yeah. A contract employee.
Friend of yours?
Yeah.
One of my circle of friends from the University.
Eh... One of Kei-chan's?
This is an incredible coincidence, isn't it? Nice to meet you.
Ah, hello. Nice to meet you, too.
Ah, is this your girlfriend?
"Girlfriend"...
"The Discerning First-rate Honeymoon"
We're married.
Could you give us some advice on where to go on our honeymoon?
Ah.
I see. Is that right.
Leave it to me.
I'll make the recommendations and planning for your honeymoon.
This way.
How about you, Chiharu?
Don't you have plans to get married?
Yeah. Well, someday.
On the other hand...
"Want to get married, someday" ...the percentage of those people who don't intend to get married during their lives...
...has been increasing moderately.
Is that people who wanted to get married, but just couldn't in the end?
It's different from that.
I just feel it isn't necessary for me to get married.
Ala. But this is such a wonderful garden design, though.
It would be a shame not to share it with a happy family of your own.
I know.
If you'd like, shall I introduce you to one of my subordinates?
Thank you very much.
You've gone to so much trouble, but I have a partner I've promised my future to.
My. You do? What sort of person are they?
This work.
Eh?
It will certainly always respond to my passion.
And it will absolutely never betray me.
It is the greatest partner for me.
"Don't want to get married" Due to these deteriorating economic conditions once more...
...the number of people who hold no hope for the future has increased.
And in recent years, the numbers have increased rapidly...
...of those people who have given up hope of ever being married.
Marriage? That might be impossible for me.
Why?
I'm not sure I could make someone happy.
But there might be someone who would be happy just being with you, Senpai.
What they call "walking through life together."
If I was together forever with someone in the same place...
...I'm afraid they'd only be walking in place.
Barely able to support their own lives...
...they couldn't shoulder another person's life.
It's for negative reasons such as these...
"Can't get married" ...that they turn their backs on marriage.
Well then, here is your itinerary.
Thank you very much.
Let's go.
So long.
Chiharu, you keep at it, too.
Ah. Yeah.
Thank you very much.
"Keep at it"?
What on earth is it I'm supposed to keep at?
Getting married...
...isn't it?
It's said we are now living in an era where getting married is difficult.
And they ask this question.
If I keep at it, will I get there someday?
Marriage.
Heiwa Fansubs Presents: Kekkon Shinai "Unmarried"
Episode 1: "Marriage is Normal?! A Duty?! A Woman Who Doesn't VS A Woman Who Does!! Single Woman's Love and Marriage?!"
Mai! Aki-chan and the rest of us are going to lunch. Wanna come?
Ah, sorry. I have my part-time job today.
- I see. - I'm sorry.
Chiharu-san. You should get over your habit of eating comfort food...
...whenever you have a shock.
That's right. It's only up until your 20's...
...that you can size down easily through dieting.
Morita. That's a yellow card.
You'll have to treat me one time tomorrow.
Eh? Seriously?
Still, well, I can understand how Chiharu-san feels.
An ex-boyfriend who so easily switches over to being marriage.
Yeah. It's not that I particularly regret breaking up.
It's just that...
...we just broke up somehow or other.
Somehow or other?
We didn't really quarrel. We didn't really come to hate each other.
But that feeling of "let's get married" just didn't happen.
And so...
And so he reversed himself, got himself a new girlfriend and married her.
Ah. But I can understand that.
Once a man turns 30, he suddenly starts worrying that he isn't married.
Ehh...
When in their 20's, they look at the world like it was a youth's genre book.
Once over 30, they suddenly feel for the first time like being...
...a full-fledged man who's married and has a family.
Yeah. That's true for women, too. They have to take their final spurt.
" Ah. It's about time I looked for my final job," they say.
How nice, marriage being their "final" job. For men, marriage is just the start of one.
That's true for women, too. There's childbirth and childcare.
Ah, that's true. That's why they should be as young as possible...
Morita.
Now that's a red card!
- No way!? - Sushi for us tomorrow.
Seriously?!
I wonder what I have to do in order to get married these days?
Thing is, you've finished up with the Arumura mansion.
I'll ask you next for the Grand Hills garden plan.
It'd be nice if they accepted my design plan.
As long as it's your design, it should be fine.
If this goes through, it'll be a huge project for us.
Yes.
Well then, I'll return to the company.
Understood.
Ah. Today I have to...
Return home right away, right?
Yeah.
Congratulations.
- Sorry about this. - Not at all. Excuse me.
Then, we should pick flowers that will shine in the gallery.
Yeah. Please do this for me.
Yes. I'm looking forward to your exhibition.
Thank you.
So long then.
See you.
I'm late.
That's okay.
A customer?
Yeah. A junior of mine from college.
Ehh... She's beautiful, isn't she?
- Is she your girlfriend, Junpei-san? - Eh?
No, you're wrong.
What the...
Well, Junpei-san will definitely never come to care about a woman.
Mai-chan, don't you have a boyfriend?
No, I don't.
I wonder if I should consider marriage?
Marriage?
I had a lecture about it in Contemporary Sociology just now.
Junpei-san, have you ever considered getting married?
I'm too filled with myself.
"Design Department"
"Kirishima"
- I've returned. - Thanks for your hard work.
- Where's Section Chief Higuchi? - He went directly home today.
Ehh... It's rare for the Section Chief not to be here on time.
It's because it's today.
Kirishima-san. I said we should have a drink in hopes of a breakthrough in...
...the Grand Hills competition, but would you like to come?
Ah. I'm sorry. I have a prior engagement for today.
Is that right?
That's too bad.
- Then I'll invite you out next time. - Thank you.
"Tanaka"
I'm home.
Like I thought, eating with a boy around is great.
Ah. Thanks.
Say. I wonder if Sis'll hurry up and get married?
Because once Sis gets married, Yo-chan and I intend to move back into this house.
Looking at her, it's strange to me that she hasn't gotten married yet.
That's true.
I wonder why she can't get married?
- Here. Dear, dinner. - Ah, thank you.
Ah, that reminds me. Have you picked out the color for your dress?
Yeah. We were thinking of going to see it tomorrow.
It's very becoming.
- Ah, I'm starving! - Welcome home.
- Yoichiro-san, welcome. - Sorry for the intrusion.
You're late, Sis. We were going to eat without you.
But you left me my share of the hamburgers, didn't you?
We did.
Thanks for your hard work.
Chiharu. Got a minute?
Yes.
Could it be that...
...you heard what Chinatsu was saying?
Yeah.
Thank you.
Please forgive her.
Chinatsu is worried about you in her own way.
I know.
Say, Chiharu.
Have you really given some thought to getting married?
Even I want to get married.
In that case, you need to do something to get it moving along.
You also need to consider your age.
And about having children.
I know that.
In that case, don't be fussy about having a love marriage and go out for an Omiai.
I know that even without you telling me.
Really.
What will you do?
I'm going out for a little while.
Chiharu?
Geez...
Marriage, huh...
If I could have, I would have done that long ago!
- Ah! Hurry and pick that out! - Eh?
Ah, I'm really sorry. Um, it's towards the left.
Thank you very much.
It's caught in the drainage ditch!
Ah! Cold!
Ah, thank goodness.
Ah! Thank goodness!
This isn't good.
Eh? What is it?
Ah, wait a minute. No, no, geez.
What'll we do?
- What is this? - Oi, you there!
What are you doing there! Please come out of there!
"Yamaote South Police Station" Like I said, we didn't do anything!
Look. We've had a flood of reports come in from the neighborhood recently.
About a drunk swimming in that fountain in the nude.
Wasn't me! I wasn't swimming and I wasn't naked.
Still, you were drinking, weren't you?
Why were you drinking alcohol?
Do have to answer that?
For the records to be exact.
So yes. Why?
I had heard...
...an ex-boyfriend of mine had gotten married.
Yeah.
No, I have no particular problem about him getting married.
It's already been 5 years since we broke up, after all.
But...
...it just came as a shock that he had gotten there first. How do I put it...
Um, I just couldn't understand that.
In other words, out of spite, you got drunk drinking alcohol.
Please don't summarize it like that.
It's to keep the record brief.
Now for the next person.
Ah, yes. I'm sorry.
"Kanagawa Prefectural Police"
Ah, that was the pits. Geez.
That was the first time in my 34 years of life that I've been in custody.
For me, it's 44 years.
44?
Um, Haruko-san. Let's see, um...
Kirishima. Your name is Kirishima Haruko-san, isn't it?
I'm Tanaka Chiharu.
That's interesting, isn't it?
We both have the character "Spring" in our names. (Haru = Spring; Chi"haru" and "Haru"ko)
Even though I was born during the Fall, I was named Chiharu. (Chiharu - "Thousand Springs")
My mother told me that while Fall was lonely, in Spring, lots of things come.
Um, Haruko-san, how did...
- Please stop. - Eh?
Let's just forget each other.
Well...
I guess we should.
Then, neither of us will talk about this.
Farewell.
So cold...
Sorry about this, but it is a big help.
I'll wash it and return it to you.
- Don't bother. You don't have to return it. - Eh?
We're going to forget each other, right?
- That's right. - Yeah.
Ala?
Is this that park?
Say.
Why were you there?
Huh?
I've loved this park since long ago.
Whenever I would get depressed, I would head right over there.
It's small, but it has a fountain.
Ah, did you know?
During the Summer, you can see a rainbow from it.
And then...
...I heard yesterday that my ex-boyfriend had gotten married.
Married, huh?
I wonder if I can't get married anymore?
Wouldn't you be okay if you didn't?
Eh?
I don't think it's necessary to force yourself into marriage.
What is it?
Well...
I think you're the first person I've ever heard say such a thing.
Thank you very much.
It's delicious.
First you're in high spirits then depressed, then you calm down.
Busy one, aren't you?
I get that a lot.
It's fine that you're calm and all, but will you be okay?
Huh? About what?
- The time. - Eh? But I still...
Yeah, it's fine, it's fine.
Huh?
Ah! I shouldn't be here!
Ah, then sorry.
Please excuse me.
- I'll be sure to return this. - Like I said, don't bother.
Ah, that's right.
Ah... Excuse me!
Sorry to bother you!
She's a busy one, isn't she?
Excuse me! I forgot my cell phone.
Ah. Thanks. Let's see...
- I'm very sorry. - So long.
Sorry for bothering you.
Will she be okay?
Hop on.
Eh?
Hey.
Yes?
We're out of time. Hang on.
Ah! Whaa...!
- We've arrived. - Yes.
Thanks. Thank you very much.
So long.
Good morning, Section Chief Higuchi.
Ah. 'Morning. It's unusual for you to be this late.
Yes. It got a little busy for me this morning.
No. I'm just glad to see you here.
On the matter of the Grand Hills garden plan. Your design proposal passed.
Really?
We'll start at the top from here.
So a project team needs to be put together as soon as possible.
- Then me, too. - Ah. No, you...
Can I have a minute?
Sorry, but could you go see this place?
It's part of our enterprise system that's seen its performance drop recently.
I want to hear your honest opinions about it.
Understood.
Would you have some free time this weekend?
There's a little something I need to discuss with you.
Does it concern work?
Of course it does.
Then I'll come to the office. Excuse me.
Maison Floral.
A flower shop?
Chiharu-san, what about lunch?
Ah, sorry. I promised to meet some friends of mine today.
What's that? Too bad. Then...
- Morita. - Yes?
You can just treat me.
That's off-side.
Then, I'm going.
Ahh! It's been ages!
- We called you out for lunch, but will you be okay? - Yeah.
I'm sorry.
Housewives like us can only get together around noon.
On the weekends my husband needs me, so I don't even have a moment of time for myself.
That's true, right?
You've got it nice, Chiharu.
Eh?
After all, everything is your own time.
Money as well as time; I'm really envious that you get to use those for yourself.
I guess.
I do fully enjoy the single life.
Excuse me.
Have you decided on what to order?
Let's see...
Your lunch set B. And coffee after the meal.
Yes. Certainly.
- And then? - Huh?
How did your childbirth go?
It was such a pain.
I already feel the decline in my physical strength.
Chiharu, don't be in a rush to give birth.
That's true. We're already 35, after all.
Well... That's really true, isn't it?
Well still, I don't even have a partner yet.
Sorry; thanks for waiting.
You could make it. You've been busy lately, haven't you?
Yeah, I've been busy. Say, have you ordered already?
- Yeah. Here's the menu. - Ah. Thanks.
Wonder if I should only have something to drink.
I have a meeting this afternoon, so I don't have much time.
Good afternoon.
Welcome.
Would the store Manager be in?
I thought I would come over to greet him since I'm hoping to ask for his help on our next project.
Ah, you're from Headquarters.
"Garden Designer - Kirishima Haruko" Garden Designer?
Ah. How cool.
Ah. Please wait just a minute.
Junpei-san. Someone from Headquarters.
Say. Then what's this color?
Hmm... Scarlett Lake, maybe.
Playing with children again.
No, I'm not really playing with them.
Well, what I see is playing.
Then this one?
Oh, that's a beautiful color, isn't it?
That's Blue Horizon and Chrome Yellow.
Ehh...
Ah, welcome.
Would you be the store Manager?
Me? No, I'm not.
A new Manager is supposed to come starting next week...
...but for now it's just us two part-timers.
I see.
It is indeed Blue Horizon and Chrome Yellow.
Eh?
The colors of the paint on that.
Yes.
Is that right.
You really know it, don't you?
Look, I've done a little study in design.
Design?
She's a designer from Headquarters.
- I'm the Garden Designer, Kirishima. - Thank you.
So cool, isn't she?
- Right, Junpei-san? - Yeah.
Then, maybe I'll get something.
Thank you very much.
Then, those Chrome Yellow colored ones there.
These are Gerberas. Thank you very much. (Gerbera - African daisy)
Ah. Sorry. I just have to get going.
- Really? - Me, too.
Sorry.
Come over and visit me next time.
Come over to my place, too! You'd better!
Yeah. So long; see you later.
- Yeah. Bye-bye. - Later!
Yeah. Do your best!
Wish they could come visit my house some time.
I'd like to go to them, but it's impossible to do lunches on the weekdays right now.
But we're okay with drinking at nights and even on weekday nights, right?
That's true, isn't it?
Ahh...
Of my circle of friends who are still single...
...there's just Chiharu and me left.
True.
Before we knew it, all of them had left us behind with no one left to eat with.
Don't worry. Because I won't be leaving you behind for the time being.
Truth is, I've just broken up with my boyfriend.
Eh?
You have?
So don't worry.
Ah, whenever you have free time after work, let's go drinking.
Yeah! Yes, yes, let's drink, let's drink!
- Yeah. Let's go. - Yeah, let's go. Call me.
When will you be free?
Ah, Chiharu-san. A customer is waiting for you.
Sorry for keeping you waiting.
Yo.
Wait... Yuji!
I heard from Keisuke that I could meet you here.
Ah... Is that right.
Well, truth is, I wanted to discuss something with you.
I was made Coordinator for my company's business trip.
Of course. I'd be delighted to help you.
I was thinking this might be a good place.
How many are going?
15 people. Plus my dumb Dad.
Then I guess an onsen would be good.
This one here is a popular spot.
Chiharu, are you free tonight?
Eh?
How about I pay you back for this consultation with some drinks?
If you treat me to a glass of draft.
We have a contract. What time do you finish?
Probably around 8.
OK. Then I'll come pick you up here around then.
Okay...
Here.
Later.
Ah. Yeah.
So Keisuke got married at last, huh?
Yeah.
Never thought he'd cross that line before I did though.
Ah, sorry.
Hey...
It's okay.
Even I thought I'd be married by this point.
No, no. I really am sorry.
I should be more careful about what I talk about with Chiharu.
Eh? What's that?
Seems the only person you're careful about how you speak with is me.
What's that? Are you saying I don't seem to care about how I speak to people?
You haven't changed, Chiharu.
People don't change just because they've added on some years.
Some years, huh?
Next month I'll be 35 already.
I'll get there this weekend.
Ah, I see.
That's right.
Somehow by being single at my age...
...it's painful when I look at those around me.
Ah, I understand. Somehow, well.
- "Ala? Why at this age am I..." - Right?
I think there must be some peculiar reason for it.
We're pretty normal, right?
Yeah. Normal. Very much so.
Still, well...
...when I was in my 20's, I figured I'd be married by the time I was 35.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Me, too.
So, look. Chiharu, you and I made that promise, right?
"If we're both still single at 35, let�s get married."
Ah!
Now that you mention it, I do remember that.
That brings back memories.
How many years has it been?
We had such fun back then.
"If we're both still single at 35, let's get married"?
Wait, isn't that some kind of proposal?
No, no.
Because at the time he said it, it was with a light feeling.
But you share that same memory, don't you?
I guess.
Eh? And?
Did you arrange to meet again?
Yeah. I guess.
You did it, didn't you?
No. I'm just going out with him on a preview of his company's trip.
Say, Chiharu-san.
Couldn't this be the guy?
Eh?
Chiharu-san's "nice guy" you were talking about.
Yuji is?
Listen. Out of all the people Chiharu-san has ever met...
...there's the nice guys who are married and the nice guys who aren't...
...they're divided into those two groups.
So which one is this guy in?
That would be, well... Ah...
Right?
You say this won't be an encounter, but you may have just unexpectedly overlooked that.
I wonder?
See!
Okay, Chiharu-san. Please use this power and head towards your goal.
Because I'll be following right behind you, too!
Chiharu!
Both the restaurant here and the scenery are nice.
Whaa! It's wonderful.
Whichever direction you take photos from here, they'll be great.
Ala, where's the inn?
Eh? The inn? Let's see...
Welcome.
I called earlier; I'm Tanaka. This is Naoe Product's Kubo-san.
My name is Kubo. Nice to meet you.
Yes. Thank you very much.
Well then, I will guide you to the rooms. This way.
Thank you very much.
Hmm... Guess I'll take this one.
Yes. Ohh!
Delicious.
This is one huge shopping mall, isn't it?
This is huge, isn't it? I recommend this place for souvenir hunting.
Thank you. With this as the travel plan, it'll really work out.
No, no. It was an honor to serve you.
Excuse me. Could you take a photo for us?
Ah, sure.
Yes.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Oi. We're taking a photo.
Over here.
Okay, taking it.
Okay, say cheese.
Here.
Thank you very much.
- Where's your "thank you"? - Thank you.
You're very welcome.
Bye-bye.
They're a young Mama and Papa, aren't they?
Yeah.
I wonder if they aren't much younger than we are?
Ah, maybe so.
Ah, it's about time to get back. You have to go to your company, don't you?
Ah, yeah.
It's tough work being a Coordinator, isn't it?
Yeah. Ah, sorry.
I haven't done anything for you; I wanted to treat you to dinner in appreciation.
No.
Ah, then Chiharu, how about tomorrow?
Eh?
Ah... I'm free.
Okay. Then tomorrow...
...we'll celebrate Chiharu's birthday. And I can also make up for today. How about it?
Thank you very much. My...
I got an invitation.
Okay then, Chiharu. After all this trouble, I'll take a picture of you.
Ala. Which direction?
- Over there? - Over there. Yes, yes.
- Welcome back! - What's the matter?
Ah. Um, here. I came to return it.
- You didn't have to. - No, no, no.
After all, if I borrow something, I should return it properly.
You're a strangely honest person, aren't you?
Thanks for going out of your way.
Ah, um... Wait.
You haven't had dinner yet, have you?
Ah...
Eh?
I may not look it, but I'm a pretty good cook.
Did something good happen?
Eh? You can tell?
I could tell right away.
I get that a lot.
"If we're both still single at 35, let's get married."
Huh?
That's the promise I had made with a friend I had a reunion with.
He remembered that promise as well.
It may be...
...we'll keep that promise.
I think it's best not to hold out hope for that sort of strange thing.
Eh? Why?
When did you make this promise?
Ah.
Since we were both still in our 20's then, maybe more than 5 years ago?
A promise made in your 20's is different from a promise made now.
Maybe so. But a promise is a promise, isn't it?
It's sad...
...but I think it's best just to let promises made in the past go.
I know such things.
But I guess...
...I want to get married.
Is it wrong for me to believe in that?
I'm going home.
Please put the frozen leftovers in the microwave and eat them.
It's very difficult, isn't it?
"Thanks for your hard work! Today, at 19 Station Square, let's gather!"
"Kirishima"
I'm back.
I'm home!
Ala. You surprised me.
Let me know if you're going to come home.
I just happened to think about doing this by chance.
Dad, I'm home.
How's Grandma?
She's doing much better today.
- She just got up from her nap. - I see.
Grandma. Are you doing well?
Yes, yes. Thankfully.
Oh. You made these?
Haruko's come, so that will put you in a good mood, right Grandma?
Sorry you have to come out all the time.
This is fine for us.
I want to start coming over a little more frequently.
- Haruko. - Huh?
Is your not getting married because of us?
What are you saying?
But...
I chose a life of not getting married, but I don't regret that choice.
So don't say such things.
Haruko.
Ah. It's about time for me to go. I'm supposed to show my face at the company.
Ala. This isn't your day off?
It is. But my boss asked me to come in for a talk.
Sorry.
Thanks for waiting.
Then, let's go.
Eh?
What? You've already decided on a restaurant?
We've got a proper reservation. At a top-notch restaurant.
Ala.
Let's go.
Ehh...
- This is a fantastic restaurant. - Isn't it?
And so, happy 35th birthday.
Thank you very much.
But, wait.
Don't say my age.
Well still, to be frank, I don't like to be made conscious of my age either.
Right?
It's because then I start thinking, "I'll marry the next one I'm going out with."
Ah...
...yeah.
If we had married back then, I wonder what we'd be doing right now?
- "Back then"? - Yeah.
Back when we promised, "if we're still single at 35."
Eh?
I'm sure we would have had a nice family by now.
I wonder?
We'd already have children.
Not just one, but at least 2 or 3.
To me, that sort of thing is the ideal family.
Well, that just wouldn't work out now without a properly young wife.
Eh?
Here we are at 35 and we're both single.
I was so young then, too.
At that time I wasn't thinking too deeply about it...
But here I've become 35...
...and Chiharu's become 35, too.
I guess a promise in the past is just a promise that's past.
That's...
That's true.
A lot of time has certainly flowed by since then.
Yuji, you should try your best to catch yourself a young girlfriend.
Yeah. I'll do my best.
Oh, it's come, it's come.
Thank you for waiting.
"Grand Hills" Garden Design - Design Proposal"
Thanks for your hard work.
Thanks for yours.
Did you see that store in question?
Yes. The other day.
I see.
And, what do you think?
It's a nice store.
It's just that the Manager is absent.
The store's Manager...
...is you.
Eh?
I'm...
...going to ask you to become the Manager of that store.
What do you mean?
It's a personnel reshuffle.
You're being transferred to that store.
Why?
There's been a change in the company's policy.
From here on, the main target for our company employees...
...is going to be those with families.
I'm very sorry...
...but the "Grand Hills" project is being turned over to another designer.
Is this because I'm not married?
Am I ineligible just because I'm not married?
You may think it's unreasonable, but endure it.
Anyhow, to make certain you'll be returned here to Headquarters...
...I'll be using every possible power I have as well.
I'll ask that you...
...take over that place without delay come the first of next week.
Very well.
I will abide by...
...company policies.
Haruko.
I'm sorry.
You're...
I chose the unmarried life.
I feel really sorry about this.
Please don't apologize.
The reason I made this choice...
...wasn't only because I thought I didn't need it.
Excuse me.
That was delicious!
- Thank you very much for the food. - Yeah.
I'll take you to the station.
That's okay, that's okay. I can go home by myself.
No. I'll take you.
No. I'll be fine, be fine.
Really?
Then, see you later.
Yeah, later.
- So long. - Bye-bye.
"Watanabe Tsugumi"
Hello. Tsugumi?
Ah. Sorry for the sudden call.
Um, could we meet right now?
Yeah. Sure, sure.
I had...
...this sudden urge to go drinking myself.
Ah, sorry.
I really can't do the drinking part, though.
Yeah.
I'm... getting married.
Eh?!
I'm with child.
I went to the hospital and got examined and found out I was pregnant.
I told him I wanted to try once more. And he asked me to marry him.
That's why I'm sorry, Chiharu.
Eh? Do... don't be.
What are you apologizing for?
This is wonderful.
Congratulations, Tsugumi.
Chiharu.
Find happiness.
Congratulations, Tsugumi.
Thank you.
Ah?! I'm sorry.
Excuse me. Are you okay?
Ah. I'm fine, I'm fine.
I'm quite good at falling.
The way I walk is said to be poor since I'm so absent-minded.
I'll step into or stumble over nothing...
...or conversely, I'll charge right on and my heel will catch in some groove or other.
Everyone walks so skillfully, don't they?
Eh?
Ah. They obviously would.
Because it's only just walking.
Walking comes naturally, doesn't it, for anyone?
Well, there are times when I feel the same way, too.
Eh?
When I myself can't seem to do those ordinary things.
Those things that everyone does normally...
...I often wonder why it is that I can't do them myself.
Thank you very much.
So long.
Excuse me. Hold on a minute.
If you'd like, please take it.
Eh?
It's called a "One step." That's flower language for a Gerbera.
"One step"?
Yes.
One step.
So long.
Couldn't you have narrowed down your choices more?
I just wanted all of them.
All these vegetable chips and persimmon peas and cheeses are all so delicious, after all.
Excuse me. Excuse me.
It was just as Haruko-san said.
I guess a promise made in the past is just a promise that's past.
He had gotten ahead of me by one or two steps.
In the end...
...all I was doing was stepping in the same places.
Your body will break down if all you eat are only snacks like those.
That might be fine. A premature death due to eating too many snacks.
Or to be called to Heaven surrounded by your beloved vegetable chips?
Yes, yes.
The people who came to my funeral might laugh a little though.
And so...
Will I just die all alone someday?
What are you saying?
But saying, "I can't get married" is saying "I'm alone" just as surely isn't it?
If it's useless for me at 35...
...then it'll be even more useless for me going forward.
You could say I no longer deserve to have a family.
Like Haruko-san...
...I should just make my job my life.
I have nothing I can be proud of.
At this rate I'll just become...
...an old woman...
...all alone in her final moments.
Somehow that's really...
...lonely...
...isn't it?
I'm the same.
Eh?
I've come this far thinking the only thing...
...that wouldn't betray me was my work.
Then...
...at my store today, I was told I was being transferred.
These definitely are delicious.
But...
You shouldn't swallow chips and vegetables together.
Oh? Haruko-san?
Ha... Ha... Haruko-san!
Ah?!
What's so wrong about not getting married?!
Wai... wait.
Haruko-san, what are you doing?
Chiharu, you come in, too.
Eh?
You used my name just now.
Do it. Because it feels good.
There are some words stuck in the back of your throat, aren't there?
If you just swallow them...
...it'd be too painful.
Whaa, whaa, whaa.
I'm not a tool!
Women aren't just a tool for bearing children!
That's the way.
Don't say that getting married is what's normal!
That's right!
I'm not useless just because I'm not married!
What's wrong with not being married?!
What's so wrong about it?!
I forgot this part!
Hold on, hold on!
I forgot about this.
Let's memorize this.
Like I said, it wasn't that we got drunk and went for a swim!
Not at all.
This was your second time. Resolve yourselves, resolve yourselves!
- Wait, Policeman. - Huh?
Wait, what is...
Why, even if this is our second time, do we have to resolve ourselves over it?
- That's right! - No, now.
After all, there was that, right? You were swimming, weren't you?!
- We weren't swimming. - Then how did you get wet?
We're wet because the fountain went off. Whaa, splash!
"Gerbera In language of flowers, 'One Step'"
Still, I didn't think I'd get splashed with water a second time.
That day...
...was his wedding anniversary.
Eh?
That day when we met in the park.
On just that day...
...I had decided to drink a lot all by myself.
To put it rudely...
...I had seduced him long ago.
Haruko-san...
Thank you.
Eh?
That park...
It was the first one I designed.
Ehh... Is that right.
Even though you said you loved it, I didn't thank you for saying so.
Look, please say such things right at the start.
But there wasn't time to say it. Because you're always running so late.
Ah! That's right! It's about time I got dressed.
Say? I wonder if they'll be dry before you have to go?
They should be fine. I can take them down when I come home tonight.
- Huh? Who's coming home? - Eh?
We are.
"We"? The only one coming back to my home is me.
Don't say such things! Please!
Um, since I won't be able to live at my parent's home once my younger sister gets married.
No. That is, why here?
You feel sorry for me, right? One week.
- Just one week should be fine. - Hold on, hold on there.
Ah. I'm going to be late again. I'd better get dressed.
What are you saying?! Hold on there. Say, say, say.
- You're really going to stay here? - Huh?
You can't! Just drop the idea.
- It'll be fine. - What are you saying? Hold on there.
You can't, I said!
We'll talk through the nights starting today.
"Marriage = Conditions?"
"This Drama is Fictional"