An Omiai?
Marriage is more about how you live together than it is about fluttering feelings.
That's why you have to do a proper check into them before getting married.
If that man meets these criteria...
...I guess I should marry him, huh?
The "Grand Hills" project is being turned over to another designer.
It might be a condition in which no one gets hurt.
I want Senpai to paint again.
You shouldn't be concerned about me.
It would be better if you only thought about your own works.
I probably want to be properly in love.
That I would be loved by the person I was married to.
"Love is Believing." That's the flower language for Astors.
Love is believing.
Haruko-san, it's ready.
Good morning. I'm trying out a cafe-style breakfast.
I told you coffee alone is fine in the mornings.
Don't say that. For your beauty and health as well as age prevention, please go ahead.
If you like it, I'll make it again tomorrow.
"Again tomorrow..." You still intend to be here then?
Yes!
I won't oversleep anymore.
I'll get up early and eat breakfast. I'll do my hardest, too.
You've decided to believe in that.
Yes.
Well, dig in, dig in.
I told you.
Just coffee is fine.
This is delicious.
Thank you very much.
But...
But?
It isn't flavorful enough?
If you don't hurry and get ready, you won't make it to work on time, will you? Look.
Eh?
Ah! Oh no!
Let's see...
My cell phone, my purse...
- I'm going first. - Eh?! No way.
Close the windows.
But I haven't been given a key yet.
Wait...
Whaa!
Hang on tight!
In modern times, 95% of marriages are free-will, marriages for love.
As with job hunting...
...marriage is a deed we actively do for ourselves, and is something we try to acquire for ourselves.
Or so we'd like to think.
What points in common are there between job hunting and marriage?
- Me! - Yes.
They're both in an ice age right now.
Ah, I see. That's true, isn't it?
Me!
It's essential for both that you have a relationship going.
These days, if you've got a relationship going, you won't be turned down.
I see. A relationship, huh? That's one way of putting it.
There was once in Japan a system for getting married.
In 1935, about 70% of marriages were through Omiais.
For those passive people...
...relatives and/or the boss of your company would tie the red string for you.
But if you just wait around now, a relationship won't just fall in your lap, now will it?
Correct.
As you don't depend upon others to do your matchmaking nowadays...
...to make our own thread for a marriage and a relationship...
...it's required that you haul it in using your own intuition and brute strength.
Now then...
...who is it you guys will pull in with the thread that you make?
"- Relationship - Omiai Marriage - Love Marriage"
Congratulations.
- Still, that's really... - Good morning.
Good morning.
Shouldn't you just say it?
- Um, Chiharu-san. - Huh?
What is it?
I've decided to get married.
Eh? Is that right? Congratulations.
Since it seemed so hard for you to bring up, I thought it was bad news.
I did intend to tell this to Chiharu-san, though.
That's right. You should have told me about this sooner. Why didn't you tell me?
That's, well...
Chiharu-san is far more senior here than I am.
And so... to get married first, well...
Ah...
That's right.
There is that.
Setting that aside...
...seems her husband-to-be was a customer who came up to her counter.
Eh? Really?
Yes.
He said he wanted to give his parents the present of a trip.
While we were thinking through all the possibilities together...
...I could feel a relationship starting.
That's strange. Is it even possible to have that kind of encounter?
Ala? But didn't that happen to Chiharu-san?
Look, when her ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend came in together.
That was a meaningful, fated reunion. Without a relationship.
Morita.
- Red card! - Eh? Wait... Seriously?
A relationship, huh?
Tokimeki no kaze ga fuitara If a thrilling wind blows
Kono kimochi oritatande Fold that feeling up
Kowagarazu ni tobashite goran And set it flying without fear
Shinjite... koi wa kami hikoki Just believe... love is a paper airplane
Heiwa Fansubs Presents: "Kekkon Shinai - Unmarried"
Episode 3: "Are We Too Awkward?! The Hot Topic! Where Love Is!! Tonight a Live Web Interlock!"
Ala? A ton of Lenten roses came in, didn't they? (Lenten roses - an evergreen, perennial flowering plant, unrelated to the rose family)
Yeah. For the flower stand of friend of mine's exhibition, she thought of using Lenten roses.
A personal exhibition.
Ah. That beautiful woman who was here?
How nice. I'd like to go see it.
If I gave you some tickets, would you go?
Yes!
"Kono Mizuki - Personal Exhibition" Here.
All right!
- Thank you very much! - Yeah.
What's going on?
I just got tickets to a personal exhibition.
A personal exhibition?
A junior of mine at college is putting on a show tomorrow.
If you'd like...
...here's some for the Manager, too.
- Paintings. - Yes.
Yes? This is Maison Floral.
Ah. Grand Hills Garden's Grand Opening Announcement party, right?
We're doing their flower stand for the entrance.
Yes. We'll bring it around right away.
Manager, I'll go make the delivery.
That's okay. I'll go.
Well but, it's quite heavy.
I want to follow up with what happened with the final design.
The final design?
You should come with us today too, Chiharu-san.
- Eh? Where to? - A Go-kon, a Go-kon.
That's okay. After all, I'm far too old to add much to a Go-kon.
What are you saying?
It's being set up by Morita today, so just be lighthearted and enjoy yourself.
Lighthearted, you say.
It's said your fated encounter comes...
...by fishing at sea.
Fishing at sea?
That red string of fate?
If you just wait around, you won't catch anyone with it.
So you have to attach some bait to it...
...and then cast it out into the ocean.
In Mariko-chan's case, it's more like casting out a net.
You caught me, huh?
And? Do you have any plans for tonight?
No. Nothing in particular.
Okay then! It's decided.
Eh? Wait... Decided? It's decided?
Thank you for waiting for the stand of flowers you requested.
- Kirishima-san! - Good afternoon.
Ah, this is incredible. Kirishima-san, did you make this?
Just what you'd expect of a genius; you're truly skilled.
This was made by my staff. My staff has good taste.
I'm still in training to make teeny-tiny bouquets.
Ah. Still, you look good doing this.
Oi!
Kirishima.
Director.
I've brought the flowers.
You guys go confirm how things are coming along.
Yes.
Then, excuse us.
As I expected, you did come.
It's my disposition that made me come.
That seems like you.
Whaa...
It was completed safely, wasn't it?
It went fine, even without me.
It was because of your perfect design...
...that we were able to.
I'll make sure you return to Headquarters.
I promise you that.
Director Higuchi.
If you would please.
Thank you.
"Resignation"
- Kanpai! - Kanpai!
We've made a live house and cocktails, so all of you be sure to come.
We'll come, we'll come!
Because girls are coming, I'll have some strong liquor ready.
You devil! Devil!
What were you doing? There's nothing but young people here.
Chiharu-san is as far away from them as can be.
For now, let's liven things up with a game, Morita.
Yes.
Then, shall we try Killer Wink?
Yeah!
What's "Killer Wink"?
Ah, you don't know?
What's called Killer Wink is a game where you turn while giving a wink, so you won't be seen.
Turn while giving a wink?
Um, that is... For example, I would start, then...
It's difficult to explain.
- Morita. Don't you have any other games? - Eh?!
Then, the Panipani game!
The Panipani game! Yeah!
Say, say. What's the Panipani game?
Morita. Let's try the Yamanote Line game.
Eh? What's the "Yamanote Line" game?
- Eh?! - Eh?!
Ah, it's okay. I'll just watch this one time around.
No, no. That's okay. Then, I'll teach you the Panipani game.
Ah. That's okay, that's okay.
Ala? Seems my phone is going off. Yeah.
You guys go ahead and play for now.
Hello? Yes.
Chiharu-san...
The Panipani game!
Yeah!
Panipani, Panipani...
I guess there wasn't a call.
"Vegetable Chips"
Hello. Welcome.
Ah, customer?
Ah, customer, I'm sorry.
Could you squeeze over a little?
Ah, I'm sorry.
Ala?
Keisuke?
What is that?
Right? Still, you don't know about Killer Wink either, do you Keisuke?
- Don't know it. - Right? Then...
...how about the Panipani game?
- That I do know. - No way!
I'm lying.
Ow, ow...
Ah, sorry.
- I'm sorry... - We're sorry.
Still, Chiharu.
The correct solution is to go out for karaoke.
That's best one for those in our generation.
That's true. Still, we were great singers, right?
Huh?
Hey! We're sorry.
Well... Chiharu, you haven't changed.
I wonder?
I always felt like laughing when I was with Chiharu.
That's true, isn't it?
Huh? What's the matter?
My marriage didn't work out.
Eh?
"After you and I got married, I feel things are different between us."
I just don't understand women.
His marriage is off?
Yes. He said she one-sidedly dumped him.
I see. And then you went out drinking together?
Yeah.
And so when we met, it was like we had a relationship going.
I see.
I wonder if Keisuke'll be okay?
Really.
I wonder if this will be okay?
Yes.
For Chiharu, that is.
Eh?
I can understand feeling like you want to help out an ex-boyfriend, but...
What is it?
"I'm glad I got to meet you today. Thank you."
From that ex-boyfriend?
Yes.
Best be careful. Loneliness is chained to that.
Huh?
The other person can become halfway healed...
...but when you put two lonely people together, it just doubles the loneliness.
I know that.
I just want to cheer him up as an old friend. That's all.
Don't worry, don't worry.
Really? In that case it's fine.
Yes, hello?
Ah, Chiharu-san? This is Mariko.
Ah...
What the...? Mariko-chan, huh?
"What the...?"
Look. About our promise to go out and buy wedding presents for Miho-san tomorrow.
Yeah, yeah. Kitchen goods, right? I'm coming.
Well my parents out in the countryside called earlier...
...and said they'd be coming to Tokyo tomorrow.
If I wasn't around for them, it'd be a problem.
Ah, I see. Yeah, can't be helped.
Then Morita and I'll go.
Sorry about this. Please take care of it.
Yes.
Yes, hello?
This is Morita.
What the... Morita, huh?
There's that "what the..." again.
Huh?
Huh? No, it's nothing. What is it?
Well... Truth is, it's about tomorrow...
...but my girlfriend's caught this terrible cold. I'll have to nurse her.
Ah...
All right. Yeah. I understand.
Yeah. Then, I'll just go by myself.
Yeah, don't worry. Just leave it to me.
Yes. So long.
Here.
Huh? What's this?
A ticket. From Kudo-kun.
From Kudo-san?
Ehh... A personal exhibition of oil paintings?
If you'd like...
...you could go alone when you have time on your hands.
Haruko-san, are you sure you don't want to go?
Because me and loneliness get along just fine with one another.
You get along well with loneliness?
Yeah. It's a close friend of mine.
Such a life is so lonely.
- Huh? - Eh?
All done.
I did it!
Welcome.
Ah, hello.
Please feel free to come inside as well.
Thank you.
No, I'll come again.
Thanks for your hard work.
Ah, look.
- Ah. - I did it.
Your first complete arrangement, isn't it?
Yeah. Maybe I should buy this?
As a present?
Could it be for your husband?
Ah, I'm not married.
- Eh? Is that right? - Yeah.
What the... I thought anyone named "Haruko-san" would normally be married.
"Normally"?
Congratulations on your personal exhibition.
I'm so happy.
These are all my favorite colors.
Would around here be fine?
Ah, yes.
Um...
Please come in and have a look around.
Yeah.
"Warm Winter Family Essentials!"
"Warm Winter Family"
"Warm Winter Family Essentials!"
So tiny. So tiny.
This is?
It's tiny.
This is tiny, isn't it?
"For Use by Singles"
Aren't these for use by singles?
Well, wouldn't a much bigger one be better?
Ah, that's right. I picked it up out of habit.
If it's two people who will be using it, I can recommend some for you.
Really?
Are you newlyweds?
Ehh... Do we look that way?
Yes. Please, come this way.
These are very popular products. For single people.
Ehh...
Do I look that way?
Huh?
Ah, nothing. Um, I want to go over there.
I'm home.
Ala, welcome back.
How's Grandma?
Yeah...
Eh? What's the matter?
Nothing. It's no big deal.
It's just, this morning...
She said, "I'm sorry for living so long."
No...
Having a long life is nothing to be sorry for, right?
Right.
Grandma.
I'm home.
Are you awake?
Good evening.
Here.
A present for you.
My... What beautiful flowers.
I'm so happy.
To get such a thing from a stranger.
You're welcome.
Grandma.
Have a long life.
Thank you very much, truly.
Grandma.
I wonder if I can become a person who...
...is needed by someone?
This is it.
What do you think?
They're great. They feel like Kano's works.
The portraits are very good.
Excuse me...
Thank you very much.
Still, that's incredible. That so many of them have been purchased already.
I'm thankful for that.
Because the world hasn't exactly been seeking out our work.
That's true.
So long.
Ah, um, Senpai.
Please wait a moment.
Huh?
Sawai-san.
What's up, Mizuki? Isn't it about time for your interview?
Sawai-san. This is Kudo-san.
Ah.
I'm the owner of this Gallery. I'm Sawai.
Nice to meet you.
I heard your name from Mizuki.
It was under Kudo-san's influence that we have these current works of Mizuki's, isn't it?
Ah, no. That's not...
Mizuki. You should be getting ready now.
Ah, yes.
Senpai, then have a nice long chat, okay.
Kudo-san. Are you drawing right now?
No.
Not recently.
Is that right.
Well, drawings do have to sell.
That's essential from the start if you want to eat, after all.
Yes.
How would you feel about becoming one of our staff?
Eh?
Truth is, Mizuki has asked me for that.
It seems she's worried about you.
Please contact me.
I think for the time being anyway, it'd be good if you had work related to paintings.
Well...
Um, excuse me.
Yes?
Ah...
Chiharu-san.
Um, I...
...got this ticket from Haruko-san and so I came to the personal exhibition.
Ah.
Um...
I really don't know all that much about paintings.
But could it be...
...that you really do want to paint again?
Eh?
I'm sorry. Um...
I couldn't help but overhear a little.
If that is true...
...you shouldn't force yourself to quit.
Is it necessary...
...um...
...that they HAVE to sell afterwards?
I don't think that has anything to do with it.
Um...
Just draw. I think just having talent alone is incredible.
No, no, no.
Someone like me with nothing of merit...
...I'm just absolutely ordinary.
I know.
If Kudo-san would draw once more...
...at that time I will become your number one fan.
So...
Have you ever seen any of my paintings?
No, that's...
I'm sorry, I didn't intend it that way.
It's okay.
I understand.
I have my own ability and my own place.
Besides, as an unwanted guy...
...I'll probably be unwanted forever.
Excuse me.
"I'll be late today; will you be okay? Haruko"
"Roger! I'll go back to my parent's home for today."
I'm going to stay here today.
Eh? But will you be okay about work?
I'll be fine. That's over already.
Ah, I see.
Mom. Have a good long rest for today.
I'm fine.
Thank you.
Is this Grandma's?
That's right.
Ah, hello? I'll be coming over there today...
Sis, I heard. You turned down that guy from the Omiai?
Ah. Yeah, well.
Why did you let that go to waste?
Geez, all our relatives are saying something that good'll never come to you again.
Ah, sorry. A call's coming in.
I'll call again. So long.
Eh? But what business did you have? Sis...
"Kojima Keisuke"
Hello, Keisuke?
Ah, Chiharu?
Well, I met Shiraishi by accident earlier today.
Remember him? Look, he was Secretary for our club.
Yeah, Shiraishi-kun, right?
I remember him.
He said he already has kids in grade school now.
Eh?! In grade school...
Ah, I see. Still, that's possible, isn't it?
But I can't believe it.
I figured for sure that guy was the only one who wouldn't get to that point before me.
Really?
"Designer's Encyclopedia"
"Resignation"
Weren't you going to stay at your parent's home?
Ah...
I was sleeping.
You were asleep.
- Welcome back. - I'm back.
If I didn't come back, you should have hurried back to your home.
That was dangerous, wasn't it?
I was talking on the phone until dawn.
Could it have been with that ex-boyfriend?
Yes.
I wonder if I can end up as someone who gets along well with loneliness...
...and who doesn't hurt anyone?
I hope I can become as strong as Haruko-san is.
I'm not strong, either.
Eh?
I just drink coffee and overdo things.
Here.
Hello, Mom? What's up?
Eh?! Grandma does?
Yeah. I don't mind.
All right. Then, I'll make the delivery.
Yeah.
Something the matter?
My Grandmother...
She says she wants a bouquet. What would be good, I wonder?
How about Lenten roses? They have a beautiful color.
That might be good.
I'm sorry for contacting you every day like this.
No.
Being alone is tough for me.
Talking to Chiharu is the only thing that helps.
I see.
- Thanks for waiting. - Ah.
Okay, let's eat, let's eat!
Ohh!
Can you eat this?
I wonder if it was you?
Huh?
The person who's connected to me.
When I really think about it, Chiharu and I have never fought.
That's true, isn't it?
Even when we broke up, we just broke up for who knows why.
That's right.
From the moment...
...Hitomi and I were married and even when we were living together, all we did was fight.
Maybe we had bad chemistry.
I wonder if Chiharu and I have good chemistry?
Did I...
...make a mistake and propose to the wrong person?
Ah, no. What are you saying?
Ah. What am I saying?
But...
...it's seriously tough for me...
...to be alone.
Ah, let's see...
I'll go take a shower.
Ah.
I'm so nervous.
I'm so nervous!
Well, there is that, isn't there. It's been 6 years now since my last time.
My figure has broken down.
My chest, too.
And I've got wrinkles, too?
Ah, I can't do this. I guess it's just impossible.
But...
...if I miss this chance, the next one...
Okay.
What's that? The "marriage blues"?!
You can't just settle things by saying it was the "marriage blues."
Have you considered what sorts of feelings I went through when you canceled out?
What are you saying?
I need you.
Ah, that was a refreshing shower.
Ah, that woke me up completely.
I was pretty drunk when we came...
...but now that I've woken up...
...shall we go home?
You heard?
Yeah.
If it was the marriage blues...
...shouldn't you forgive her?
We really never did fight, did we?
Even when we broke up.
But...
...even if our chemistry was good...
...we didn't really confront one another.
I think...
...we weren't in a relationship where we could discuss what we thought with each other.
That's why I think our ties were so weak.
But she...
...fits with you...
...because she does fight with you.
You shouldn't just cut...
...that hard-earned red string of yours.
Look. You shouldn't be in a place like this for even one second longer, now should you?
You should go to where Hitomi-san is.
Chiharu.
Here.
Go, go.
I'm sorry.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
Our friendship goes back a long ways, after all.
I'm such a fool.
I really am a fool.
- I'm home. - Welcome back.
- Sorry about this. - No. It's fine.
- I'll bring in the tea. - Thank you.
Here Grandma. Take it.
Thank you.
It's very pretty.
Here you go.
Grandma.
Because I received a bouquet from you yesterday.
Grandma...
Even though...
...you might be bothered by being given a bouquet from...
...an old stranger like me.
Thank you.
I'm really glad I got to meet a person...
...who would give me a bouquet.
I'll say the same.
Thank you very much.
I'll cherish this.
That's great, isn't it?
Grandma, your tea.
It's hot, so be careful. Be careful. Bring it up.
- I'm back. - Welcome back.
Ala? The bouquet.
My Grandmother gave it to me in return.
Since someone had given her a bouquet...
...she wanted to give them a bouquet in return.
Is that right.
If there is someone you feel is important to you...
...I'm sure that person thinks you're important to them.
That's true, isn't it?
Thank you.
Um...
- Excuse me. - Huh?
Ah.
Hello.
He... hello.
With your vegetable chips and beer, huh?
Ah, well...
I'm sorry about yesterday.
Eh?
Ah, no. Not at all.
And you went to the trouble of trying to cheer me up.
That's wrong. I...
...was just selfishly imposing myself on you, Kudo-san. I was being really conceited.
- I'm very sorry. - No, no, me too.
I just bluntly pushed you away.
No. Um, I'm the one who butted in by eavesdropping.
- No, no, it was me. - No, it was me.
Huh?
Strange, isn't it? We're both taking this so seriously.
That's true.
Ah, go ahead and sit.
Ah, come sit.
Ah.
Ah, say. Your girlfriend, Kudo-san, is a very beautiful person.
Girlfriend?
The one with the personal exhibition the other day.
Actually, I happened to see you on a date with her at the art museum before.
She's just a junior of mine from college.
Is that right. I thought you looked well-matched together.
I just feel I want to cheer for her and have her find a great deal of happiness.
Really?
Yes.
Ehh... Lenten roses have even been planted in a place like this.
Eh?
It's a variety of Christmas rose.
They bloom in the Spring in bare ground, but these aren't in bloom yet.
Lenten roses. Hmm...
In the language of flowers it's...
..."The one you cherish or are firm friends with."
Ehh...
The one you cherish. The one you're firm friends with.
Ah, welcome.
A bouquet...
Ah, I guess...
Um, is something the matter?
You left right away yesterday as well.
Truth is...
...it's my mother's birthday.
Your mother's?
It's just...
My mother wouldn't understand it, even if I did send her flowers.
I see.
I guess I should just give up on flowers.
Ah, um...
When is her birthday?
Next week.
Um...
I think...
...your feelings would reach her.
We can take an order for a bouquet right up to the very day itself...
...so think hard about it...
...and please come back at any time.
Thank you very much.
"Resignation"
3, 2, 1...
It came!
"Lenten Roses - Flower Language: "The one you cherish, the one you're firm friends with"
Ah, good morning.
This morning I tried a Fall vegetable risotto.
I've told you, coffee alone is fine.
Um...
I got an e-mail from Keisuke...
...saying he had reconciled.
I see.
Although Keisuke and I have a relationship...
...we're not connected by a red string.
I guess Keisuke's red string...
...is connected between him and Hitomi-san.
Really?
Yeah.
But, even without a red string...
If married couples and lovers...
...demand 100% compatibility, they absolutely can't have a relationship.
Seems the best relationships are those where both sides just need one another.
That's true.
Whatever color the string is...
...I think as long as it leads to somebody...
...you won't be lonely.
For example, like to a friend.
Yeah.
- Or family. - Yeah.
- Or to a freeloader. - Yeah.
Eh?
I did it! You finally admitted that you need this freeloader!
I haven't admitted that. That just now was a figure of speech.
Eh...
Still.
- Here. - Eh?!
A key?!
It's been very inconvenient for you, hasn't it?
Haruko-san, thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Don't get attached to me.
Ohh...
A lucky red ribbon.
A red string?!
Look closely. You said "ribbon" just now, didn't you?
That's not a string. Look.
Ah! I'm so happy!
Don't snuggle up against me. Here, eat breakfast.
"Next Episode Preview"
"Marriage = For Who's Sake?"
"I watched this drama and gained courage. Woman in her 30's"
"The lines touched my heart and moved me to tears. Woman in her 30's"
"This is definitely just like me... Woman in her 30's"
"This Drama is Fictional"