Hiramasa-san...
Would you become my boyfriend?
You and I, lovers?
If I date you, Hiramasa-san...
I wouldn't need to hide it from other people, there's nothing unnecessary I need to worry about.
This is your own volition.
Own volition.
What will you do?
He's cornered.
He's extreeeeemely cornered.
However...
One of the main causes of our relationship becoming awkward
is Hiramasa-san's lack of self-esteem.
Because of that, in response to the wall to his heart that he puts up every time,
I only feel loneliness.
I was at my wits' end.
Because of excess amounts of loneliness,
I was even about to escape to Kazami-san's sweet words.
But if that happened,
Hiramasa-san's self-esteem would get lower and lower,
and the wall to his heart would get higher and higher.
And so, I decided to deliberately break down the wall.
That is, the lovers revolution.
By changing roles to that of lovers,
I'm taking the psychotherapeutic approach to fill his self-esteem.
At the same time, we can fill the loneliness in my heart.
Pretentious!
Yes, you're pretentious!
Exactly. You're exactly right.
It's a strategy to kill two birds with one stone, that only the pretentious me can think of.
Please vote for the most pretentious Moriyama Mikuri, Moriyama Mikuri.
To vote or not to vote is up to you.
It's up to you, Hiramasa-san.
So, what'll you do?
What'll you do, Hiramasa-san?
Are lovers something you try to become?
I don't think there's anything you can't do.
What's your idea of lovers?
Eating together...
- We do, we live together. - Going out places...
Can't you just go with friends?
Even without a lover, I'm not especially distressed.
I don't think there's a need to forcefully make--
What about skinship?
Hugging when we're happy, or snuggling close when we're tired...
Patting my head saying "it's okay"...
Isn't a relationship where you soothe each other like that being lovers?
You have them, right?
Times when you think "I'm so tired~ I want a hug~"
Let's say we did that...
Yes.
Can you call that a workplace?
Of course, we'll distinctly separate this from work.
No snuggling.
I just want to set aside lovers' time outside of work.
Hug and help each other feel better?
Yes. I won't ask for anything more than that.
If you want to be soothed that much, instead of something that's just in name,
can't you just get a real boyfriend?
I...
I only want the good parts of a relationship.
- I... - Ah, it's okay.
You don't have to rush to a conclusion now.
Sorry I've kept you so late.
Did something happen?
Huh?
Like a fight with Tsuzaki-san or something?
We wouldn't...
We keep our distance so there's no need to even fight.
Under the sink and...?
The cupboard in the bathroom and the bath.
A trader will be here in the morning.
Here.
Condos sure are different. [Notice of pipe cleaning]
It's a great help that you came.
Extra income is very welcome.
- Then, I'll be going. - Okay.
Have a good day.
Kazami-san!
You forgot this in the foyer.
- They said it would rain. - Thank you.
- Have a good day. - I'm off.
[Every Tuesday is hug day.]
Subs by mottofreaky @ d-addicts. Thanks to the raw provider furransu!
What does it mean to only want the good parts of a relationship?
You have them, right?
Times when you think "I'm so tired~ I want a hug~"
I've never thought that.
In my life...
I've hardly heard the three letters 'hug'.
I do remember being hugged by my mother as a child.
But as for anyone I'm not blood-related to...
No one in 35 years...
What was that for?
35 years got turned over in an instant.
35 years?
Never mind.
You looked lonely so Numata-san told me to hug you.
Why is he always so sharp?
You actually were lonely?
No, you're mistaken.
You're mistaken, but...
I was kind of reflecting on my own life...
Hey...
Did something happen with your wife?
Not really.
You should just lose couples' quarrels.
Huh?
In your household, it's most important for your wife to be in a good mood.
If you both try to show your power, and try to claim dominance,
you'll keep going at it until one of you falls.
I see...
Before it becomes supreme ruler legend of the century,
it's best to stop the fighting.
Tsuzaki-kun.
I'm always on your side, Tsuzaki-kun.
Hey... Don't encourage him.
You should deal with fights quietly.
We are always alone.
To we who are alone, no matter how much unease there is,
if you like them, it's important to take a step forward.
I won't mind even if the other person is a man.
- What, you're talking about yourself? - Hino-kun.
I'm having a serious conversation.
"If you like them"... I had forgotten that point.
Why would Mikuri-san think of hugging me...
... a man she doesn't like?
Or does she not... not like me?
I like you the best though, Hiramasa-san.
Stop grinning. Calm down.
The best way is by process of elimination.
It's a relative evaluation but not an absolute evaluation. Don't be mistaken.
She doesn't particularly like me.
I'm simply her employer... And simply...
A hug pillow.
It's just that there was a convenient guy in front of her.
I'm not lonely.
I'm not lonely, it's fine.
It's hard to understand. Organise your Japanese.
I think the point gets through.
Rewrite it thinking about the person reading it.
By tomorrow's fine.
Are you going home? On time?
I'm leaving first.
Good work today.
That must be about a guy.
She didn't look lke she was going to see someone she likes.
- Then they're breaking up. - You know...
Do you think of yourself as a sharp woman?
Don't call me 'you', I really hate it.
You read too much girls' manga with pompous leads.
- I don't read that! - What was with Tsuchiya-san?
- They said she's breaking up! - Sounds like it's getting messy!
Can I see you for a moment?
Would you like to go eat somewhere?
No, I wouldn't.
I saw you at this morning. At the station.
You and Mikuri.
Oh...
- It's just because we live nearby. - What's this about?
- I think you should ask her instead. - I can't do that!
I don't want her to think I'm an annoying aunt.
In the first place,
you took advantage of how things aren't going well between them and tricked her.
It's your fault.
This is a problem...
I'm the one who has a problem!
I can't believe Mikuri would cheat...
Oh, Tsuzaki-san.
Anyway, what's this about?
Tsuzaki-san!
This is bad.
Huh?
Yes, hello? Yuri-chan?
Are things going well with you two?
What's this, out of the blue?
I just got a bit worried.
See, it was a sudden marriage, right?
In those cases... you get married when you don't know much about each other...
But actually the husband is...
... violent, or something?
Huh? What did you say?
Umm... Well...
I guess...
Things are kind of awkward right now.
It was my fault.
I said something really bold.
You told him about Kazami?
- Huh? - Why did you tell him?
Are you wavering?
Or are you serious?
Which one do you really like?
Yuri-chan, what are you talking about?
Sorry, Hiramasa-san came home, I'm hanging up.
Welcome back.
Right about now,
that handsome guy must be going home all dry with the umbrella Mikuri gave him.
So she thinks because things aren't going well with us,
you ran to have an affair with Kazami-san.
Oh...
It looks like she's been worried about it the whole time.
We act too distant,
and don't seem like newlyweds at all.
We can't really help that...
Shall we try it?
Huh?
What you mentioned.
What I mentioned?
I mean...
... being lovers.
When I look back, the reason Numata-san suspected us, and the reason Kazami-san caught us...
And this too, everything.
It's because we don't appear like that at all.
If we create a lover-like atmosphere,
Yuri-chan's suspicions might clear up.
What a lover-like atmosphere is...
- I don't really get it, but... - Let's try it.
We'll start with a hug.
Huh? Suddenly?
Would you rather hold hands?
... you're right. That way would be...
It's not a handshake.
A lovers' grip. Like this.
Isn't that too much?
In comparison, a hug is used as a greeting overseas,
and family and friends do it too.
I'm starting to think that the hug is better.
That's right.
A hug is the simplest and best method of skinship.
- Let's try it. - Okay.
Then, please open out your arms.
I'll jump into your arms, so when you feel the impact, hold me tightly,
and we'll end at the count of 1, 2, 3.
Since when were hugs like wrestling?
Let's start with the basic form. Here I go.
Okay.
Your arms.
Okay.
- Here I go. - Okay.
This is embarrassing.
It is.
- On second thought, we should stop... - Isn't this...
... how newlyweds seem?
- If we keep doing this, I'm sure... - Let's eat dinner.
Okay.
Let's eat.
Which... is this?
Does he regret it? Is he positive about it?
He's too expressionless, I can't read him.
Huh? Last night?
A younger man ran away from her.
And she went home crying in the rain.
That's so sad!
[Mikuri]
Tsuchiya-san, the meeting at 3pm...
Sorry, can I make a call first?
They don't like it if you're too persistent with calls.
I see. You're right.
I won't.
Seriously, it's that handsome guy's fault.
We were right!
It's meeting room E.
Umehara-kun, you're good-looking, right?
But for some reason, you don't bug me.
Is that so?
I wonder why.
Maybe because you're my subordinate?
She moved on to Umehara!
Tsuzaki-san.
What happened with Yuri-san finding out?
If there's anything I can do...
We'll figure something out, so don't worry.
Kazami-san, just don't do anything, please.
I understand.
Numata-san, are you listening?
The offense and defense switched.
Huh?
So far, Kazami-kun has been on offense,
and Tsuzaki-kun on defense, but...
What happened?
Remember that matchmaking party I mentioned?
Sorry, I'll pass.
I got a boyfriend.
Huh?
- Well, mostly just in name, though. - What kind of person is he?
He has little self-esteem in love,
and tries to run away from deep relationships.
What?
But I've finally seen a ray of hope.
I've been thinking about it since then...
I think we should decide on a specific day.
- A day? - If we do it, we'll do it on hug day.
On August (ハ) 9 (グ), for hug?
Not like that.
I'm talking about frequency.
If it happens irregularly, it will blur the boundary of work...
And I'll keep thinking when is the next time? Tomorrow? Today?
It'd be too much emotional stress.
Actually, I was wondering what to do next too,
and if I should request another attempt at the hug.
Then, is there any contention to setting a date?
None.
- How often will it be? - Once a month.
That's too little. We won't fool Yuri-chan that way.
Then once every two weeks.
Again.
Once a week. I won't allow any more than that.
Well, that should be fine.
How about having it on Tuesdays?
Since the last hug was on Tuesday.
Okay. That's recycling day so it's easy to remember.
Please look after me.
Same here.
I'm glad.
I'm glad he didn't refuse.
I'll spare you the details,
We now have time for a little touch,
and my feelings have finally calmed down too...
Are you listening?
Nope~
It's boring, right Hirari?
Welcome back.
Yuri-chan, what about work?
I left early in exchange for coming in tomorrow.
Why do this again?
It's your fault! You haven't contacted me since then.
Anyway, come inside.
I want to hear how you really feel before Hiramasa-san gets back.
I don't want to say this as your aunt,
I don't want to say this, but I'll just spit it out. Actually, I...
You saw it, right? Me and Kazami-san.
Kazami told you?
He did. Come in.
If by any chance, you were two-timing and got a divorce,
I wouldn't be able to face Sakura, would I?
Of all places, the love nest is the apartment I introduced him to...
I'm also partly responsible!
Yuri-chan, sit down. Calm down.
Be honest.
I hate Kazami, but...
But if you say you want to be with him no matter what...
I'll endure this feeling...
But you know, whichever you choose,
I'm on your side.
Just remember that.
Thank you.
But you see, Yuri-chan...
There's nothing going on with me and Kazami-san.
Really, nothing, nothing at all.
I was just hired by Kazami-san to do some housework.
Housework?
Yeah, like making meals and cleaning. Twice a week.
A newly married woman...
... at a bachelor's house?
- And Hiramasa-san? - He knows, of course.
Why did he allow this?
This is Kazami we're talking about!
- What is Hiramasa-san thinking? - Yuri-chan...
I can't believe it. He has too little common sense.
Call Hiramasa here now. I'll give him a lecture.
"Yuri-chan has invaded."
"When I told her I was doing housework at Kazami-san's house, it just added fuel to the fire."
"I'm sorry!"
Sorry I'm late.
- Where's Yuri-san? - She's asleep.
Sleeping?
I heard she hasn't been able to sleep much lately.
She went out like a light.
She was really angry, so I tried to calm her down,
and gave her some alcohol.
That's how they exterminated the Eight-Forked Serpent, right?
Let's go back and pretend to be an intimate couple.
When she wakes up she'll see how close we are.
Also, we'll explain that going to Kazami's house doesn't bother you at all.
I understand.
Oh, wait.
Here.
Huh?
It's better to make a lover-like atmosphere.
Today is Friday.
- It's a state of emergency. - Aren't you breaking the rules right away?
Let's just think about the Eight-Forked Serpent in front of us.
You're right. Exactly right.
Let's create it. A newlywed air.
Let's show it. Our closeness.
Here I go.
Okay.
Where did she go?
This is our chance. We can show her directly.
Wai--
Is she looking?
Probably.
- I'm going to turn a bit. - Okay.
She's looking. She's really looking.
Okay.
Silly Hiramasa-san, how could you forget the key to our place?
Thank you for doing that for me, Mikuri-san.
Welcome back~
Sorry for falling asleep.
Yuri-chan... when did you take off your contacts?
When I woke up, my eyes were killing me...
You were on the veranda just now, right?
Oh, you were the one down there?
- Yeah. - Oh.
I thought someone was there,
but I didn't have my contacts, it was all blurry. I couldn't see anything.
Um, Yuri-san.
We seem to have caused you many worries,
but as husband and wife, we...
- Yuri-san? - Yuri-chan?
Sorry, I'm so sleepy I could die.
I'm going home for today.
Work must be tough.
Work is always tough,
but I couldn't sleep thinking about you two.
I'll call you tomorrow.
- Take care. - Okay~
Is it okay not to see her home?
I think she's taking a taxi, so...
Because she came here today,
she said she has to work from the afternoon on her holiday tomorrow.
I want to help her relax as soon as possible.
- Oh, let's switch seats. - Huh?
The employer should sit here.
It's an equal workplace.
But in these positions, I look more important.
Then, how about we make "lovers' time" as an extension of the hug?
If it's as lovers, neither of us is superior and it wouldn't matter where we sit.
If it's as lovers,
we'd sit beside each other on the sofa.
The two sit next to each other, with their hands in the lovers' grip,
and watch TV together. If they're lovers.
Please.
Thank you.
Yuri-chan is the type not to believe what people say.
What she sees and feels herself is absolute.
Whatever you say, she'll say "you're lying anyway, right?"
If it's not a persuasive story, we won't stand a chance.
Especially at the moment, she totally distrusts you,
I don't know what and how we could say it to her.
I think the strategy earlier of showing her directly was right.
If we had succeeded, though.
Shall we try again?
Working on a day off? That's tough.
And you.
I'm already on my way home.
You sure did a good job running away the other day.
If you just hired Mikuri to do housework, and there's nothing to feel guilty about,
you could've just been open.
In that sense... I do feel guilty.
Because I like Mikuri-san.
See you.
Get your act together, Hiramasa!
Ow.
Did she just say 'Hiramasa'?
What did Kazami-san say?
We've confirmed she's working today. Let's go.
Okay.
Godard Japan is on the 19th floor.
She told me before.
While waiting for her coffee,
looking at the greenery in the park is her relief during work.
Yuri-chan's a caffeine addict, so I think we have 3 chances in the afternoon alone.
Would she notice at that height?
This kilim is my souvenir from Yuri-chan from Turkey. There's no other with the same design.
- She should know immediately when she sees it. - I see.
Let's fully act like an intimate couple.
Let's finish this.
Let's create it. A newlywed air.
Let's show it. Our closeness.
It sure is peaceful.
Yes.
My family often used to go on picnics.
Camping too.
Lately I'm the only one who doesn't go, though.
I've only been on a picnic once.
When I was in year 3.
My father worked in a factory, and hardly had any days off.
That one time must be a happy memory for you.
Well...
My mother made tile soba to put in our lunch box.
Tile soba?
It's a specialty of Yamaguchi.
At a restaurant, they take a tile - that is, a roof tile,
they place soba on the piping hot tile,
and sliced omelette and salty-sweet beef on top.
Sounds delicious.
My mother...
... put soba in a tiered lunch box as a surprise, but...
My father got angry, saying "why do we have to eat stale soba outside?"
"And this isn't tea soba, this is buckwheat soba."
So tile soba is tea soba?
Yes.
My mother is from Kagoshima, so she wasn't familiar with it.
My father is someone who won't compromise when he gets angry,
so he said "I won't eat it".
It couldn't be helped, so by myself...
I kept saying "it's delicious, it's delicious,"
and desperately eating the soba in the tiered lunch box.
It's a hellish memory.
Since then, I haven't been able to eat tile soba.
As a kid, I kept wondering...
... why my mother wouldn't divorce my father.
Sorry to bring up such a dark story.
No, it makes me happy.
A hellish story does?
I meant it makes me happy that I can hear your story.
When I met your parents, I thought they were lovely.
That they suit each other.
I'm not sure about that.
Divorce wasn't as simple as it is today back then.
It's just that they couldn't split because they had a child, me.
In that case, it's a great feat.
A son who saved husband and wife from danger.
Not a son who held back their mother?
If they didn't split in the end, isn't that way better?
It'd be fine if she were happy now.
Huh?
Today's my mother's birthday.
You have to call her, and say congratulations!
- I've never done that. - Let's do it!
Then I'll call her.
Huh?
A missed call from Yassan. 3 of them.
Shouldn't you call her back?
You're right.
Make sure you call too, okay?
Hey, your phone's ringing!
Coming~
Oh, it's Hiramasa.
Hello?
What's up? This is rare.
Yeah.
Today...
... is your birthday, right mum?
Happy birthday.
You must've been told to call by Mikuri-san.
You do change when you get married~
Mikuri-san's with you?
Yes.
She's away on the phone now.
We're at the park.
On a picnic?
I guess.
Hello?
Hiramasa?
Hiramasa? Hello?
Oh, sorry.
What is it?
Do you remember when the three of us went on a picnic?
Why are you bringing up such an old thing?
Isn't it fine?
When we ate tile soba on the way home.
On the way home?
Yes.
You finally picked up.
What is it?
You're the one who called me 3 times.
Yeah.
Which is it, you have business or not?
Not exactly business...
I just submitted it to the government office.
Divorce forms.
- Huh? - That's all.
I was thinking of discussing it with you when we met,
but I didn't want to be a wet blanket.
I couldn't say it.
You should've!
I kept saying all this pointless stuff.
Even my parents...
And everyone around me too...
... were really against getting divorced.
"What are you thinking, even though you have a child?"
"It's just an affair."
"Forgive and forget."
But I...
... just couldn't forgive him.
I couldn't even stand looking at his face.
Do you think I was wrong?
Do you think I'm narrow-minded?
Do you think...
I should've endured it for my child?
Do you think it's my fault he cheated on me?
Raising Hirari... taking care of the house...
I meant to do my best with that...
But what did I do wrong?
You didn't do anything wrong.
Yassan, you did well.
I...
Do you think I've made her unhappy?
That's not true!
And for Hirari-chan,
you smiling would make her more happy.
You weren't wrong, Yassan.
I...
I'm on your side, okay?
No matter what anyone says...
I'm on your side, okay?
How was Yassan?
When you have a child...
Your life choices aren't only your own anymore...
It's complicated, isn't it?
But if it's as much as not being able to stand looking at your partner's face...
I don't think it's good for the child's mental and spiritual health...
I think it was good she divorced.
So she did it... Got a divorce.
Yes.
Sorry...
I'm saying the exact opposite of what I was before.
The reason my mother didn't get a divorce...
... might not just have been for her child.
On the phone just now, we talked about the picnic.
The one from hell?
Apparently on the way home from hell,
we ate tile soba.
On the way home?
On the way home, dad took us to a restaurant, right?
To show us how the real thing is.
Maybe you were asleep.
It's delicious!
I think part of it was that I hadn't eaten lunch,
but it was amazingly delicious.
Before or after that...
I don't think I've had as delicious soba as that.
To me, it was the worst memory,
but my mother said it was the most delicious soba in her life.
There might be other stories...
... that I don't know about.
Maybe Yassan and her husband...
... didn't have enough of those memories.
I want those two to be happy on their own too...
I told Yassan I was on her side.
That's all I could say.
In tough times...
... just having someone to say they're on your side can save you.
I've never had someone like that.
Oh...
Numata-san.
I'm always on your side, Tsuzaki-kun.
I think he was mistaken about something, though.
For me, it's Yuri-chan.
I'm on your side, Mikuri.
You two are close.
Yes.
She's always really favoured me.
- Yuri-san! - Yuri-chan!
Where was it again?
Ah, the lights are off.
- Maybe she went home. - Let's go to the lobby.
If Yuri-san shows up, we'll run at each other,
and hug.
Luckily there aren't many people here on a holiday, and we can't worry Yuri-san any more than this.
That, or...
We tell Yuri-chan the truth.
We've been trying to do all this to deceive Yuri-chan,
it's terrible, right? It's like betraying her.
After all this time.
I'm sorry.
I made you accompany me for this, and even took your precious day off.
And finally making you give a suggestion that's not like you, to hug in the lobby...
I had vaguely noticed the ridiculousness of this plan, but...
Like I thought.
But...
If you tell the truth to Yuri-san,
it might make it easier for you...
But next time won't it be hard for Yuri-san?
If Yuri-san knows the truth,
she'll have to lie to her younger sister, Sakura-san.
So basically...
That means...
Yuri-san will shoulder our feelings of guilt.
Our feelings of guilt...
... should only be taken care of by us, right?
By us...
Yes.
By the two of us.
Hiramasa-san.
Yes?
Can I hug you?
Sorry?
With all my feelings of gratitude.
Today isn't Tuesday.
In advance, please.
Okay.
If anything happens with you, Hiramasa-san...
I'm on your side.
What are you doing?
I thought I saw a familiar rug...
And here you are flirting in the park.
You're mistaken, this is...
You two have fun.
Yuri-san!
Don't you think this all worked out?
- You've worked hard. - Danke.
Ah, I'm tired.
I shouldn't interfere with newlyweds, it's silly.
- Welcome. - Yuri-san!
- You know each other? - Yes, we do.
The company's close by after all.
Is that weather vane coming here too? [kazamidori - weather vane]
If you're talking about Kazami-kun, he won't come here alone. [kazamidori - weather vane]
Well that's a relief.
You really hate him.
You can't let your guard down around him!
"I ran into Yuri-san, we're drinking now."
"What did you say to her? She's super mad!"
"Thank you."
"I'll work hard with Hirari!"
It's done boiling, huh?
Oh, I'll do it.
Thank you.
- It's hot, please use those. - Okay.
I can't see.
About this thin, right?
- That looks good. - Okay.
This is so much fun.
It's so fun, it feels like all sorts of guilty feelings have washed away.
If I have a holiday like this every week...
Isn't that enough to be happy?
Banzai! Banzai!
It's fine at the start.
You can't see the bad parts.
Here it is. Stories about his ex-wife.
- Do it in moderation! - Right.
It's fine in moderation. In moderation.
- Let's eat. - Let's eat.
It's delicious!
We aren't a married couple or friends.
Just a work relationship,
plus lovers just for hugs on Tuesdays.
It's fun for us because it's vague.
But why...
... is it like this?
Mune no naka ni aru mono The things in your heart
Itsuka mienakunaru mono The things that will one day disappear
Sore wa soba ni iru koto That is what it means to be by your side
Itsumo omoidashite Always remember that
Kimi no naka ni aru mono The things that are within you
Kyori no naka ni aru kodou The heartbeats that happen in the distance
Koi wo shita no anata no My dear I fell in love with,
Yubi no mazari, hoho no kaori Holding your hands, the scent of your cheeks
Fuufu wo koete yuke Let's exceed being husband and wife
Futari wo koete yuke Let's exceed being a pair
Hitori wo koete yuke Let's exceed being alone