I was supposed to get married
on my 30th birthday which was three months away.
However, the night I quit my job...
I can't marry you, Sayaka.
He called off the engagement.
And in exchange for me to return to work,
the Editor in Chief told me to write a column
on marriage hunting and to get married in six months.
You're fired if you can't get married.
Then...
The next thing you should do is not to sell yourself short.
If you want to be treated nicely, don't give in to him.
I know that already.
Are you dating him?
Of course not!
"Episode Two"
Why don't you stay a little longer?
Hey, so about us...
We're both busy...
so our current relationship is good for now.
Current relationship?
I'll call you.
Right after the strategy was passed down to me,
I gave in to him.
Thank you very much. Goodbye.
I can't tell the Chief Editor about this.
Kuroki?
Where is she?
Hey, where's Kuroki?
What? I don't know.
What? Where is she?
- Chief Editor! - No, no, no!
Instagenic!
Oh, no! I can't get out.
A new writer is stuck! Upload!
"Upload, Like!"
"New post"
"New post... Like!"
Oh, no!
"New post"
"Like!"
The marriage hunting column finally starts this month.
The first one is critical. Pick a theme and write about it.
Survival Wedding?
What? The title is A Dream Wedding.
Don't you get it?
You are fired if you can't get married in the next six months.
This is not a dream. It's real survival.
Your ex contacted you after that, right?
What? Well... yes.
I knew it. It's just as I planned.
Your value has increased significantly within him.
He thinks you are being pursued by an attractive guy like me.
Just like the Kelly bag that was loved by Grace Kelly,
or like Nike shoes worn by Michael Jordan and I.
"Jordan and I"? You are at the same level?
However, this is the moment.
Don't sell short for an instant profit.
You...
Did you actually...
Does he know?
Come to work like that?
You're in a total middle-aged lady's fashion.
This morning, I have a bit of a cold,
and couldn't care less about what I wore.
My perfect plan is ruined because of your clothes.
- Do something. - Do something?
Just look at the magazine for something like a lovable blouse,
or a marriageable dress, several features on lovable women.
No, I don't like those that focus on men's perspectives.
What is it?
Someone like you would say that.
What do you mean "someone like me"?
Excuse me, did you want to see me, boss?
Miura, about the tie-up ad for Kawamura Pharmaceutical,
hand it over to Kuroki.
Yes, sir.
Kawamura Pharmaceutical, with their new moisturizing sheets,
will publish a tie-up advertisement in riz.
We'll reduce the ad cost,
and instead, we will offer free samples.
You'll be in charge from now on.
Go to Kawamura Pharmaceutical first thing tomorrow morning.
There'll be a marketing staff from the agency there,
so just sit there.
What? Kawamura Pharmaceutical is quite far.
I just told you, I'm not feeling well.
So?
Oh, Managing Director! This is Usami.
Yes, that's in 30 minutes.
Oh, no, I'll be there in 10, no, five minutes. Excuse me.
Is it done already?
"Call, Mother"
Oh, I forgot about her.
Sorry.
Aren't you getting married soon?
You haven't called, but do you have everything ready?
I'm thinking of wearing Tomesode, what do you think?
Isn't it better to match Kazuya's mother as well?
I definitely can't tell her that the engagement was called off.
You know what? We decided to delay it a little.
What happened?
Did you do something again and got in an argument with Kazuya?
You know, we're both busy with work,
so we decided it would be better once it settles.
Work?
I thought you were going to quit.
About that...
I was placed in another department, and so it got busy.
So how long before you "settle"?
How long...
You'll have to get married within six months, or you're fired.
About six months?
I see.
Don't worry about it, Mum.
It's not like I'm not getting married.
Well, you're right.
Let me know once it's decided.
I'll bring him home with me soon.
When that happens,
please cook for him.
He still says that he wants to eat your Chikuzen stew.
- I got it. - I'll talk to you later.
"End call"
"Work hard"
That's completely out of the question.
What?
You were dating for four years.
You got emotional and broke up,
you both realised that you needed each other and made up again.
"Yes, yes, he still loves you Sayaka!"
I hate women who say stuff like that.
Once that happened, it's never the same.
There is no point staying together. I wouldn't see him anymore.
But I considered marrying him.
I can't be so cut and dry about it.
Well, so what is this "current relationship"?
He called the engagement off three months before the wedding,
once he saw a guy around you, he wanted you back,
but when he did what he had to do, that's it? That's--
- Don't say it! - Anyway, just stay away for now.
It'll change once you meet another guy.
I don't feel like it.
Really? A Prince may appear to rescue you
from the bottomless pit of an ex-boyfriend.
Right now, I can't consider seeing other people.
Then you'll just have to continue with your "current relationship"
until you realise what you're doing.
You're just friends with benefits.
You said it.
Have you told the boss?
Chief Editor?
If I did, he'll just say,
"lt's because you didn't follow my plan!"
or talk about some strategy.
"It's because you didn't follow my plan!"
or talk about some strategy.
First of all, he's talking about marriage hunting,
- but is he married? - No, he isn't.
He's proud. He's a clean freak.
He's a typical man who can't get married.
I figured.
Then who am I to get coached to get married by a guy like that?
It's like having your stomach opened by an unlicensed doctor.
I can't count on it.
He says he's popular, but who knows?
I don't think so. Have you seen his hairstyle?
His facial features are great. It's such a waste of his face.
You're right.
"Back in high school"
"Man of her dreams"
Yay!
How long do you simmer this soup?
Thank you.
Are you Sayaka?
Kazuya!
"A reunion in Tokyo"
It's been a while!
If you push it like this...
it'll form a shape.
- You're good. - This is fun.
- This looks good. - It's cute.
Don't lose it.
Don't break it.
- I won't break it. - Really?
"Kawamura Pharmaceutical"
It's been five days since that night,
and I've heard nothing from Kazuya.
Did my value go down as the Chief Editor said?
But for a woman in her 30s who's referred to as heavy,
and has no courage to text him twice in a row,
it truly is a bottomless pit of an ex-boyfriend.
Oh, no! I need to work.
I need to get this meeting done and work on my column,
or I'll really be fired.
Are you Kuroki?
Yes.
I'm Kashiwagi of Senkyu-sha.
Maybe he came...
a superior, delightful, super-handsome Prince
to rescue me from the bottomless pit of my ex-boyfriend.
"Yuichi Kashiwagi"
I'm Kuroki from Bunto Publishing.
Thank you.
His name is Yuichi.
All right.
Another one is coming, but I'll go check in first.
Yes.
His skin is so clear. He's younger.
And Senkyu-sha is a major advertising agency.
Since he's so handsome,
he must have a young and cute girlfriend.
Or maybe he's like, "I like older women."
Oh, what am I doing?
I have Kazuya, my boyfriend...
Boyfriend? No.
Ex-boyfriend?
Or am I a friend with benefits--
- Thank you for waiting. - Not at all.
Here you go. Kuroki, did I see you at--
Kashiwagi!
That's a lovely woman!
Tanihara and my boss are already up there on another case.
Oh, I see. Let's go then.
Yes.
The air conditioning here is hot.
Oh, no! Since I have a cold,
I don't have much make-up on today.
My clothing is of a middle aged lady, my voice is like a man's.
This is the worst.
"Survival Wedding"
I'm Kuroki from Bunto Publishing.
I'm Nagase from Kawamura Pharmaceutical.
- I'm Kitagawa. - I'm Hade.
I'm Kurihara.
I'm Tanihara from Senkyu-sha.
I knew I've seen you somewhere,
you're the bento girl from the festival!
You'll buy that.
What?
Are you okay?
I'm okay. Thank you.
"New moisturising sheet. Tie-up advertisement plan suggestions"
This time, we came up with the plan
to consider the market share the most.
Not just mentioning the 20 percent increase of hyaluronic acid...
A grey jacket, his white teeth that occasionally appear,
and his smile.
Everything about him is delightful.
What's the age group for riz's readers?
What?
The main readers are working women in their 30s.
Our target age group is a little bit younger.
Are you trying to tell me that I'm not a target?
Well, riz also has readers in their 20s as well.
But that's just the minority, right?
It's not like that...
It might be better to use a magazine with younger readers.
I should have brought the data for our reader's age range.
I just have to sit here? That Chief Editor!
I'm sure you are aware, Kurihara,
the women in their 30s are a large market.
Their disposal income is higher than that of the women in their 20s,
and according to our research,
ladies in their 30s who use Kawamura Pharmaceutical' products,
have the same feeling as the ladies in their 20s.
Oh, he's smart and clever!
Did he just defend me?
Well, that might be the case.
Lately, ladies in their 30s
are mindful about beauty and clothing, and are beautiful.
Whatever! Lovable women!
That's great Kashiwagi. Your market research is thorough.
Oh, no, this is standard.
He's Kashiwagi.
What should I do? I should thank him for helping me earlier.
Kuroki?
Yes.
Can I talk to you for a second?
What?
We'll be going. Excuse us.
Good bye.
Your predecessor, Miura?
Why was she taken off this job?
Well...
I'm sorry. Miura is busy with the event she's working on,
but I'll be sure to get things done.
Thank you very much.
I see. Thank you.
Oh, well, I guess an encounter doesn't happen that easily.
Thank you for helping me earlier.
Oh, no problem.
Where's Tanihara?
He went to see his other clients.
- I see. - Yes.
Younger, handsome, and this situation.
I have nothing to talk about.
But I need to show maturity since I am older.
- Oh, Kuroki! - Yes?
Thank you for that bento at the festival the other day.
The bear that received bento from you, was me.
Money? Don't worry about it.
You were that big bear?
I'm glad I meet you again.
"I'm glad I met you again"
That bento was super delicious.
It's usually much smaller.
That day, I was so hungry, so it was the best.
That bento is known for its huge serving and cheap price.
- Now, the change-- - Don't worry about it.
No, no, small change are useful sometimes.
Oh, do I sound really middle-aged right now?
You're right.
Change is important.
"Change is important"
Oh, but working at the agency is hard too.
I'll do anything for my major clients.
Wearing a bear suit was different, but it was fun.
I used to dream of it since I was a child.
He's such a good kid.
He dreamed of wearing a bear suit,
and was pleased with the Chinese-style bento.
Perhaps Kashiwagi is really poor?
His family is large and poor,
and he likely had scholarship for college.
That's why even after working for a major agency,
his eyes are pure.
You like to travel?
Yes, I went to India for a winter break.
What? You went to India?
Yes.
As my last trip alone as a single person.
Did you go in the Ganges?
What? The Ganges?
Yes.
I did go to the Ganges, but I didn't go in.
I did want to go in,
but there are people washing their clothes,
well as people washing their body.
And the cows?
I've swam the Ganges.
What? You swam in it?
Yes, I actually lived in India as a child.
During the summer, my dad would take me to the Ganges to play.
Oh, while you were poor,
you did your laundry at a river in India.
India is great, isn't it? It's so energetic.
It's developing so rapidly,
so there are many venture companies to follow Facebook and Google.
Our company is changing their India location to Bangalore.
Probably in about an hour,
he'll have tea served by a cute girl at his company.
He was obviously being pursued earlier as well.
The climate is mild too.
"First rate wedding for you"
I'll be late to my wedding if I don't hurry.
I can't get out. Oh, no! What am I going to do?
Sayaka! Sayaka! Hold my hand.
Yuichi.
I need to hurry... My wedding!
Sayaka, you'll be late if you don't wake up soon.
What? What are you saying?
I'm awake.
How long are you going to sleep?
Was I asleep?
I'm sorry, was I leaning on you the whole time?
People at the publishing company seem busy.
Well, it's not...
Oh, no, I'm going to fall.
Are you okay?
Thank you very much.
A sudden physical contact, but that's...
Kazuya!
Delivery.
"Triceps' diet"
I was planning to lose weight.
Thank you for today.
No, thank you.
Is that perhaps...
saliva?
Kuroki, you are an interesting person.
What?
Goodbye.
It's done. Goodbye.
My superior, delightful, super-handsome Prince.
What did I tell you to write about?
About real marriage hunting, by way of personal experience.
Nobody wants to read an episode about something that failed.
"Ryota Kyohashi"
A feeling of a new love?
It was over in just two hours.
It's not necessary if it can't be used by riz. Finish it today.
Today?
Rather than your new encounter, that's it.
Your ex-boyfriend...
what's going on with him?
Wait, the guy you drooled on works for a major ad agency.
If we use him right, we can aggravate your ex even more.
What?
Well, that's it for today's meeting.
Good job.
It sounds interesting.
No, it's not for a weekly magazine. This is riz.
Something that may have worked before,
the boss is absolute here, so you want to get used to it fast.
Chief Editor...
Until I come up with the next plan, don't do anything on your own.
When you make a move, nothing good happens.
Don't lower your cheap value even lower.
You know, you've been talking down on me as pathetic and cheap,
but I'm actually amazing if I put my mind to it.
When my photograph was included in the Three-star Grade B Gourmet,
I received a comment that I was cute.
"Eat-all-you-can ramen noodles in Shibuya!"
You've aged.
What?
I'll get old.
"Survival wedding, First episode. A feeling of a new love?"
"The bottomless pit of an ex-boyfriend"
"I was told I'm heavy"
"You aged"
Oh, no, I can only think of pathetic episodes.
"New message"
Kazuya?
Can I come over tonight?
Oh, it's so late now.
Today is Friday, and my husband is coming home early!
Then you need to finish up soon too, Yuko.
Quality time with your sweet daughter.
What?
This is a big opportunity for my husband to watch my child,
why would I go home? Let's go!
You are from the trendy era!
I'm not that old.
Staying as Aquamarine is fine
What is that?
For real?
I'll tell you, It's Carlos Toshiki and Double Asano.
Well, AKB will do. You know that, right?
- Yes. - Yes.
I like you
See you later.
Wait one second, you! Let's go have a drink.
- I'll go. - I'll go too.
- Me too. - I'll go too.
Kuroki, do you want to go for one song? To refresh?
Thank you very much, but I'll work on this a little bit longer.
Karaoke, that's nice. Carlos Toshiki.
"Can I come overt tonight?"
Excuse me.
Galley is okayed.
Oh, the Chief Editor is still here?
Yes, he can't drink at all, so he's not fond of Friday nights.
You haven't told him yet?
If you did, it might solve itself.
He's always like that, but in reality, he's helpful.
No.
Hey, Sayaka, I'm almost done with work,
I'm coming over now.
Sayaka?
I'm still at work.
I have to finish a piece today.
So...
I can't today.
I see.
I was thinking of talking about us.
What?
But if you are busy, forget it.
Wait, what do you mean?
Kazuya.
Kazuya...
- we're... - I'll call you again.
"What are we?"
"Can I come over tonight?" "What are we?"
"Sorry about earlier. Next week is good!"
"I told the boss about it, so solve it quickly."
I told the boss about it, so solve it quickly.
What?
She told what?
"She's done it."
ls that what she said?
Oh, and I'll be at Cliff, so come over if you need anything.
The bottom less pit of my ex-boyfriend.
Who am I to say that?
A man will do anything for a woman he loves.
There is one thing he can't do.
That's...
to love forever.
I see.
I'll have another glass.
Stronger, right?
It's buzzing.
Hey, Kuroki.
- Yes. - In my office.
Chief Editor?
Have a sip.
What happened can't be helped.
Just say goodbye to him and start over.
If you raise your value, there are plenty of men out there.
Actually, if you raise your value, you can date a guy that's better.
So if you do as I tell you, and start meeting other guys--
I'm done with it.
I have...
no strength to finish my relationship with him.
I know I'm cheap.
I know I'm being used by him.
I get that, but...
I admired him since high school.
When I ran into him in Tokyo as an adult,
I thought it was fate.
Even now, I sway when I receive a message from him...
or hear his voice.
I want to see him even when I know I'm going to be a mess.
Isn't that love?
So no matter what technique you teach me, there's no point.
First of all...
it was a mistake...
to make love work with strategy and rules.
And it's impossible to raise my value.
I'm almost 30, I'm not popular with men...
You're right.
In a situation like this, you usually say "That's not true"
or say "It will work out" and so on to cheer me up.
Ma)' I go now?
Do you know...
the first ad Louis Vuitton posted in Japan?
Like I said, those talks are...
"Louis Vuitton does not make ties."
That was the newspaper ad.
When Louis Vuitton launched in Japan,
some vendors started to sell ties not made by Louis Vuitton.
So it wasn't an ad to market their products,
but an ad to caution about the fake products.
To guarantee consistency,
they got rid of anything that may lower their value.
That's Louis Vuitton.
And in their 160 years of history,
they've never held a bargain sale.
What?
When you keep the out-of-season in stock, there's maintenance cost,
so many brands will lower their price for the overstock.
However, to maintain their value, Louis Vuitton won't have a sale...
even if that meant disposing overstocked products.
If Louis Vuitton sold for a bargain, they'd make profit.
But still, they won't do it.
Long ago, a brand book of Louis Vuitton was published.
The logo on the cover was printed a little bigger than the provisions,
and little bit to the left.
This was before the brand culture settled in Japan.
Then what happened to that book?
The CEO of Louis Vuitton demanded it to be suppressed.
Now, that book is at a premium price.
Out of print?
Louis Vuitton's monogram must follow the provisions at all costs.
It's beyond business or marketing, right?
How could they go so far?
To maintain a policy that may or may not help their customers.
Because they love their brand and their products.
They don't see it as a tool for their business.
They love it like their own life,
so even when it's unprofitable or shunned,
they protect their brand.
That's what I think.
Do you like yourself?
No matter what happens, you need to love yourself.
To love yourself is not the same as spoiling yourself.
What do you mean?
When you love yourself,
you won't waste your time, and you develop yourself.
You won't hurt yourself, and you'll care for your own body.
If you are going to continue your physical relationship with him,
that's because you don't love yourself enough.
There's a replacement for purses,
there's only one of you in this world.
If you don't love yourself, who will?
Love yourself.
Just like me.
Chief Editor, what is the next strategy?
Well, next is to reset.
Reset?
Become a new person and start over starting today.
I understand, Chief Editor. I'll be my new self from today.
First, I'll cut my hair and go to a hot spring next week.
I'll heal my heart and body, and become a dignified lady.
For starters, could you clean up your desk?
- Don't worry about being dignified. - What?
Your desk is always a mess.
Is it?
And also throw away all the junk at your place.
I'm sure you have plenty of useless stuff at your place.
Why do you assume such a thing?
I can tell by just looking at you.
Every time you need something out of your bag,
you search through it.
A person with a messy bag can't clean their room either.
Ah, Coco Chanel said it too,
"The interior is the natural projection of the soul."
Love yourself...
You are pretty cute.
Let's see.
It seems organised, yet it is not.
You won't do it by yourself, so I'll throw it away for you.
Thank you very much.
- Here. - Thanks.
Okay, let's dump it all!
There!
Throwing stuff away is kind of exciting.
Don't get excited by yourself.
What is this?
No. I'm not throwing that away yet.
Cheers!
There!
Second round!
Oh, here.
Will this do?
What is this?
That's for...
- What? - For a party. It'll tear.
This too. Forget it.
He looks kind.
This, I will throw away.
"Kazuya"
"Delete the contact?"
"lt's been deleted"
"Delete this photo?"
"This photo will be deleted from the device"
"lt's been deleted"
Sayaka.
What's wrong?
You're laughing and crying.
Your nails are chipped.
That's fine.
Oh, your nose?
A matching mug,
his pyjamas, a photograph of us.
Minimalist living is where you keep the things that's dear to you,
that's the norm, but it was the opposite this time.
I said goodbye to things that reminded me of the good times
and made my heart throb.
Hey. Why is it this?
Sorry, I don't have pyjamas.
Let me have yours then.
- It looks good on you. - What?
It says Kuroki. It's red.
Let's forget about him now.
"Bunto Publishing, riz"
"First episode The Ritual of a Studio"
Good morning. Wow, you're early, Kuroki.
Good morning.
The chic and avant-garde space of riz is back!
This area was in chaos.
- It was another dimension. - You seem refreshed.
Yes.
Kuroki, Kuroki! Let's take a picture!
We'll have to get it.
Ready? lnstagenic! I got it. Upload!
All right, let's start the meeting.
Yes.
"Mail, Yuichi Kashiwagi"
"Subject: Thank you for the other day"
Thank you for the other day.
Kawasaki Pharmaceuticals tie-up ad's design is done.
See you at the next meeting.
Next meeting?
"Attached file. Kawasaki Pharmaceutical design idea"
Next time.
"Next time"
This piece is good.
"The Ritual of a Studio."
I think I'm getting lucky.
Well, it was my idea in the first place.
A column thought by a talented person like me
is sure to be a hit.
So can I go to a hot spring tomorrow?
The next theme will be hot springs.
Are you an amateur?
Once you have the title and the manuscript,
then work on the layout.
Figure out the whole theme of the page and solidify it.
I was only kidding.
So? What about photographs?
Photographs?
A picture to post with your column. You get fan letters, right?
Well...
There.
Wait!
This sucks. Well, it's real, so maybe it'll work.
Wait. Please don't use my picture and my actual name.
Why?
Why? It's horrible to expose a 30-year old
who can't get married nationwide.
How about an illustration?
I think the readers with same issues will find it easier to relate to
than seeing my picture.
An illustration? Well, that's fine.
However, don't forget that it's going to be in riz.
What?
Find the best illustrator that's suitable for riz.
What are you doing?
Minimizing.
Don't throw this out.
"Illustration undecided"