Excuse me.
Uh, I was thinking about having some coffee.
Who else wants some?
OK. Got it.
Oh, yeah. I forgot.
Roast pork. I brought a whole one.
Wow!
I'll put it in your fridge.
RULES
Your room is really clean.
You can change in here, but you sleep on the sofa.
I can sleep anywhere.
All the other stuff is on that paper.
Oh, you mean those rules on the fridge?
Yeah.
OK, I've got work now.
Don't pull any funny business.
-How boyfriend-like. -Shut up.
Thanks for letting me stay.
What's with you?
Oh, you're back.
I think Nao's still sleeping.
Huh?
No need to rush home. I'm not going to do anything to her.
Who said I was rushing?
Evening Star special pork roast fried rice
with wonton soup.
-Wow! -Nice!
Thanks.
-Thank you. -My pleasure.
This is better than I can do.
I'll cook for you guys while I'm staying here.
-Seriously? -What?
Don't you dare tell my dad where I'm at, Nao.
I won't.
This is delicious, Issei.
-Can I get seconds? -Yeah.
Thanks.
You're used to this, aren't you?
Of course I am.
-Next one. -Here.
-I'm not ready yet.
OK.
-Rinse it. -Look what you did!
There's onion still--
You can take a bath now.
-Get to bed. -Huh?
It's late.
No, it's not.
-Come on. -I'm not sleepy either.
I said go to bed.
-Why? It's not late. -That doesn't matter. Get to bed.
I'm not sleepy at all. What're you doing?
-Do as I say. Get to bed. -No way! I'm not going to bed!
Hey! What're you doing?
You can take a bath first.
Oh, OK. Thanks.
Time to get up!
This is way better than I can do.
Bon appétit.
-Bon appétit. -Bon appétit.
That's hot!
This is great, Issei!
-Hey, Issei. -Huh?
-You've got bad bed head. -I do?
-Where's it funny? -Right here.
-Turn that way. -Where is it?
-I said turn that way. -Ow! That hurt!
-I haven't even touched it. -I'm done.
Huh? You're done eating already? You usually have three bowls of rice.
It's time to go.
-Sorry. -It's OK.
Oh! Oh, no! Oh, no! Oh, no!
Forget about eating. Get going!
Hurry up! You'll be late!
-Leave some for me. -OK.
Sorry, Issei.
-It's OK. -See you later.
Nao, can you lend me your house key?
-My key? -Yeah.
It's not safe to go out without locking the door.
Oh, yeah. You're right.
OK.
Thanks.
Hey, wait for me!
-Bye! See you later. -Bye.
Wait up for me, Uehara!
Uehara!
Wait for me, would you?
Yu!
Aren't you going to talk to him?
Isn't that why you came?
It's OK. I'll come back again later.
Really? Issei?
Yeah. He and his dad had an argument.
But I'm partly to blame for it.
Two handsome guys... under one roof.
Marina? Marina!
-Oh! I've got to go! -Why? That's just the first bell.
Haven't you heard? There's a university student here today.
-Really? -Yes! A student teacher!
I've got to go check him out.
Has she forgotten that I'm her boyfriend?
I wouldn't worry about it.
I'm Senzaki Yu, a senior from Joso University.
I'll be your teacher for the next two weeks.
Yes! He's hot!
Excuse me!
Nao, my girl!
Don't talk like that to me!
You are a teacher, after all.
I'm so glad we could meet again, dear!
I told you, quit talking like that!
To be honest, I came here so I could see you.
What?
Don't act so mean. Let's try to get along, OK?
-Nao! -Cut that out!
Uehara.
Who's that?
He's the student teacher--
I know exactly who you are!
You're one of the top three hottest boys in school.
Top of the class! Sportsman! An all-around awesome guy!
Twinkle, twinkle!
-Oh, he's not that great. -Why are you all giggly?
Sorry.
So it's true. You two really are a couple.
Such a pity! I was so glad that I could see Nao again.
I'm Senzaki Yu. I'll be working here for the next two weeks.
OK?
What the hell is up with that guy?
He was in the same hospital as me.
So that's why he said "again." What an unfortunate coincidence.
I was shocked to see him too.
You didn't let slip about us to him, did you?
What? Of course I didn't.
You know, you've been acting strange lately.
You're angry all the time.
That's because you're always letting your guard down.
Like this morning...
This morning?
Forget it.
-Miso ramen up! -OK!
Here's your miso ramen. Enjoy!
-Excuse me! -One moment, please.
Damn him! Right when we're busy, too.
Sorry, Nao. You have to work double hard because of that stupid son of mine.
Uhm, sir. About those bowls...
You see, it was me that broke them.
I ran into Issei while he was making the delivery.
I'm very, very sorry.
Forget about it, Nao.
I already apologized to the customer. It's taken care of.
But, didn't you have an argument about that?
He told me he wants to go learn somewhere else.
Really?
He's gotten too big for his britches, saying he's leaving.
How can I let him work somewhere else when he can't even do a proper job here?
He told me so suddenly that I lost my temper and...
Good night.
Issei?
Hi. What a coincidence.
Yeah.
Was it busy?
-Why? Does it bother you? -No.
Really? Then I won't tell you.
Now you're acting like Uehara.
Really? You're kidding!
Like I said before, you'll become more and more like each other.
Like a married couple.
Oh, dear. Was I really being that mean?
Well, so I guess
your mom was a lot like your dad too, huh?
Not at all.
She was at the shop every day.
But she didn't smell of ramen.
She just had a nice smell.
So she ran the shop with him?
Yeah.
The three of us were always together,
so ever since I can remember, I thought I'd inherit the shop.
But I want to make a name for myself.
Dad learned the business at a lot of different shops.
I want to be like him and learn from different people
so I can be deserving enough to run Evening Star Ramen.
You can do it, Issei! I'm sure!
I'm on your side.
I'm sure your dad will understand if you talk it over with him.
He'll never listen to me. He's too stubborn.
Don't worry. He'll listen.
Yeah, right.
When you say "Don't worry," it actually makes me worry.
What?
I'm home.
Hi.
-We just happened to run into each other. -I wasn't asking.
Hey. I'll take you on.
-Huh? -Really?
I'm done! Yay!
You guys are pretty bad at this.
20 MINUTES LATER
You guys still aren't done?
-Shut up. -Shut up.
30 MINUTES LATER
-Time out. I've got to go to the bathroom. -OK.
She's a really nice girl.
Don't you ever make her cry.
-Uno! -What?
Yes!
I lost!
You don't have to tell me that, you know.
Come on, Nao. Let's go.
Oh, sorry.
I'm the class helper today, and I have to clean up the chem lab.
Then I have to go straight to work.
OK, see you.
Bye.
Thank you for helping me, Abe.
No problem. Today's an important day, after all.
Yeah. I appreciate it.
No problem. It's for Issei!
Yes! This is for him!
There's a total babe at the school gate!
She's wearing a Seiran High uniform!
Holy cow! What a babe! She's totally hot!
Damn, she's sweet!
Wow!
Oh!
What is it? Let me see.
-No, no, no! -Huh?
You shouldn't look. She's incredibly ugly. It'll hurt your eyes.
Let's clean this place up.
When you say something like that,
-it makes me extra curious. -No!
-Let me see. -Seriously, don't.
-Let me see! -No, don't.
Let me see! Hah! Got past you!
Huh? Who's that?
If my memory is correct, she's the one who made the beef stew.
King of ladies?
Yes.
Oh, I know what this is!
They've got a class reunion.
I'm sure she's here about that.
Oh, is that why?
It's all right.
I told you before, she's got a boyfriend.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, that's right.
I didn't mean to bother you at school.
But you never answer my texts.
It's the class reunion info.
Oh, yeah.
I'm going to my boyfriend's, so we're headed in the same direction.
Come on! Quit dragging your feet!
-Pick up the speed. -Yes, sir.
-Who's that? -She's just an admirer.
It'll be fine. He'd never have anything to do with her.
That Uehara sure is popular.
That's because he's perfect in every way.
-But he's got a girlfriend, right? -Yeah. Nao.
But we haven't given up on him.
Yet they live together, right?
-Really? -They do?
How about near the station?
-Are you on your way home, my dear? -Good bye!
There's no need to rush off. Your boyfriend seems busy anyway.
He's cheating on you.
No, he's not!
Yes, he is. Just now he was--
You're mistaken! That was just--
I'm not mistaken, I'm afraid.
-What? -She's an old friend of mine.
She's Momoyama Mami from Seiran High School.
Really?
She's been visiting Uehara's place.
And she says she sees you around a lot too.
Nao's his girlfriend, so of course she goes to his house sometimes.
Right?
You're living together!
At least that's what the rumors say.
Are they true?
No... No, they're not. That's crazy.
Even though you and Mami are quite different,
he's two timing you. A top three boy, but a typical male.
How can you say that? You don't know anything about him.
I do know that he's a scumbag.
Nao!
I wonder... if he really knows... that we're living together.
He's just taking a shot in the dark because he heard that rumor.
Don't worry about it.
Yeah, you're right.
Anyway, we've got things to do for Issei!
Right?
Nao. Are you sure you're all right?
I'm fine. Just fine.
I'm fine.
Seems like you're faking it.
I'm just fine!
I trust in Uehara, so I'll be fine.
Are you sure it's not "I want to trust him"?
Jeez, Abe! You sound like a therapist.
-But, Nao, you seem-- -I told you, I'm fine!
Let's stop talking about this.
Today's an important day, you know.
Thanks for helping me, Abe.
Uehara!
COFFEE SHOP
You've reached the answering service.
Darn it all! Why won't you answer when it's important?
Wow, Abe! He's done an amazing job!
EVENING STAR RAMEN
Take one, please.
EVENING STAR RAMEN TWO DOLLARS OFF COUPON
Evening Star Ramen coupons! Good today only!
Miso ramen up! Here you are.
Why so many people?
One miso ramen, three soy sauce ramens, one fried rice and pot stickers.
Coming right up!
If only Issei were here.
Forget about him. He's no use to me.
How about I give him a call?
Don't!
You'll be missing out if you don't try! The ever popular Evening Star Ramen!
Thank you.
Take one, please.
EVENING STAR RAMEN TWO DOLLARS OFF COUPON
EVENING STAR RAMEN
Wow! Look at this line!
Thank you!
Here you are. Sorry for the wait.
Soy sauce ramen up!
-Got it. -Huh?
Which table?
-Five. -Got it.
Here you are.
-Water on three, Nao. -OK.
Clear the counter, Abe. Ow!
Yes, sir.
Now we're cooking!
EVENING STAR RAMEN
Who gave you permission to do this anyway?
Sorry.
Did you think I'd be forced to come back if the shop got busy?
Good idea, huh?
Ow!
I'm the one who asked him to help. I'm sorry about the trouble.
Nao.
Yes?
Thanks for worrying about us.
Yeah, I guess you're right.
Thanks to you, we know that this place is in trouble without me.
-You're wrong. -What?
I'm never giving this shop to an irresponsible ass like you.
What?
Get some practice at a bigger shop.
If you don't, I won't ever let you run the Evening Star.
Dad...
Manager...
It's just like you said.
It's probably important for you to work on your own for a while.
Go ahead.
Why are you looking like that?
Since you were little, you were always by my side.
You kept saying you'd take over after me.
It was like your life was mine.
But that's not right.
I'm sorry about what I did.
Uhm...
I'm sorry for saying what I did too,
Dad.
-Thanks for today. -No problem.
Nao, here.
I'll give it back to him.
I'll get my bag tomorrow.
OK. See you later.
Nao!
Uhm...
Yes?
Thanks.
-Bye. -See you.
Hello?
How come you haven't answered your phone?
What's up?
-I made too much again. -Oh, but I, uh...
Don't you like fried chicken?
-Yes, I do. -Then here.
It'll just go to waste.
Actually, I made it for him.
But he said he doesn't need dinner tonight.
OK, fine. Thanks.
No problem.
Oh. How's it going?
Nao?
Are you upset about something?
Don't tell me you got food poisoning again.
Of course not!
Oh, I see.
Nao.
-I think-- -Who was that girl just now?
She's a classmate from elementary school.
What's wrong?
I thought you didn't like receiving things from girls.
But there's nothing I could do. She came to the door.
You took her to your work too, right?
Nanako told you?
So it's true.
I've never even been there.
Don't be stupid.
This isn't stupid!
I know you'd never cheat on me.
I know that, but I still don't like it.
I don't like feeling all jealous.
I don't like being worried.
I want to believe that you'd never, ever do such a thing,
but...
I just can't be that confident.
Nao.
Look at this.
Break up with Uehara, or I'll tell the school you're living together!
It was taped to your locker at school.
Oh, my god.
You know...
when things like this happen...
I've been thinking about what to do.
Let's move somewhere together.
Together?
Yeah.
There you go crying again.
I can't help it.
Silly girl.
Italian salami sure is good.
Hey! Darn you!
I know you want to move,
but who would rent to a couple of high school kids like us?
Besides, I don't want to give in to whoever is doing this.
Moving away is just what they want!
So I think we need to--
Don't you even think about trying to catch this person.
You have no idea what they're like.
I wouldn't try to catch them!
I see.
So that's why you want to move out.
Yes.
But we're still minors.
So I was wondering if you could show us a place
that would rent even to us.
Uehara, you've lost some weight, haven't you?
I have?
You're working hard at your jobs too, aren't you?
Yes.
If you move again, it will cost a lot of money.
I understand your situation,
but maybe you should take this chance to live separately.
If you keep living together,
you two might suffer
even more harm.
Thank you for worrying about us.
But... living apart defeats the whole point.
It's worth it, even if it means losing weight.
OK.
My phone!
Where is it?
What's she doing?
Take that!
Nao!
Who is this guy?
Yu?
What on earth are you doing here?
QUIT LIVING TOGETHER AND DUMP NAO, OR YOU'LL REGRET IT!
So you're the one?
It's all your fault, two timing her like that.
You've been making her cry.
What?
I thought that if they broke up, then you'd stop crying over him.
What in the world are you talking about?
Isn't this guy your boyfriend?
What? Is that true?
Are you kidding?
You're so stupid!
Mami had been acting odd for a while,
so I followed her.
She would buy food and visit this building.
You were following me? You're crazy.
You were sad because he cheated on you.
I couldn't ignore it.
So you thought Uehara was my boyfriend?
He was your first love, right?
That was so long ago.
That's why you blackmailed him? Wow! You're a real screw up.
This pisses me off.
For the longest time, you've been pissing me off too!
In elementary school,
you refused her first true-love chocolates that she gave you.
Oh, Yu!
I'm sure you can't understand my frustration.
So basically, her first love was Uehara,
and your first love was her.
It's sure hard to get over your first love.
I really am sorry about this.
I did this all on my own.
So go ahead and tell the police, or the school.
I'm ready for whatever happens.
Forget it.
But if you ever try anything funny again,
I'll make you pay.
You sure you want to let him go?
-He's broken the law-- -Forget about it.
Let's go, Yu.
Wait!
Apologize!
Apologize to Uehara.
-Forget it, Nao. -I can't!
You called him a scumbag.
Apologize to him for that!
I'm sorry.
I envy those two.
You can tell that they're together because they truly love each other.
No wonder I feel this way.
I thought I could share the happiness he feels
if I am with Uehara.
I hurt his girlfriend too.
I'm a terrible person.
If you're a terrible person, what does that make me?
I'm the one who tried to blackmail them.
Good question.
I wish I could have a romance like that.
Is that the guy?
Forget it!
-But-- -Just forget about it.
I want you to dump him.
Don't date guys that cheat.
You sure talk big.
Wait up, would you?
That settles that.
Thanks for helping, Issei.
No problem.
OK, thanks for letting me stay here.
You can come again anytime--
Don't ever come again!
Later.
Yeah. Bye.
You're creeping me out again.
It's just that
we solved the blackmail problem,
and Issei and his dad have made up,
and Yu's student teaching is over.
It's finally just us two.
Uehara!
Huh?
-Where did he go? -I'm leaving now.
What? Hey! Wait a minute!
Wait for me, Uehara!
Wait up!
YOSHIKAWA NAO AND UEHARA HISASHI
ARE LIVING TOGETHER!
HOW DID SHE SEDUCE HIM?
-Oh, Nao. -Are you all right?
So the blackmailing isn't solved.
What's happening at school is a different person.
Do you think it's true that Nao and Uehara are living together?
Quit saying that crap!
It's total bull shit.
What are you going to do about this?
About what?
The rumors about living together.
Oh, that.
You're an idiot if you think you can just ignore it.
I'm not ignoring it.
I'm telling you this because I'm Nao's friend.
I don't care how it affects you.
I mean, you're a guy, after all.
But with rumors like that,
do you have any idea what happens to a girl's reputation?
-Yeah, I do. -No, you don't!
When all your girl fans start spouting lies,
it could easily end up hurting Nao!
I've called this meeting about this morning's trouble.
Uehara would never do anything like that.
But "Where there's smoke, there's fire."
I want you to check the truth behind this, just to make absolutely certain.
Huh? I thought you were at work.
-I'm going now. -Oh, I see.
-Uhm... -Yes?
I need to talk to you.
About those posters?
It doesn't bother me at all. I'm completely used to it.
What is it, Uehara?
Nao.
Yes?
I... want to live alone.
What?
THIS IS A FICTIONAL DRAMA.