Unlike you, I'm a carefree and lonely bachelorette!
You have to put in some serious effort into marriage hunting!
For 3 years after I turned 29, I didn't get any results at all.
Did you know that?
So, you're going on another solo trip?
Lend me that maxi dress you bought the other day.
This is my sister's wedding ring!
The ring is under here...
Is this it?
Ho...Hottie!
Which one?
The...left one.
Why did I lie just now?!
I'll just keep wearing this ring and continue lying.
You are not by any means an old lady.
Will you have an affair with me?
Here...because the only good time is on this trip.
Have an affair with me.
I want to bid farewell to that life of half-hearted experiences.
But, I couldn't perform a lie like this.
Doing this now, building this huge lie around being married...
I think I fell in love.
Huh?
It's not there.
The ring is
not there!
Episode 2
The National Peace Party's Fujita Nozomi, member of the House of Representatives,
has reportedly been suspected of having an affair.
The other party is news anchor...
Huh?
You didn't bring souvenirs?
Why not?
Well, um...
A bunch of stuff happened...
What kind of stuff?
Well...
I overslept, and just barely made my flight...
What?!
Are you okay? Didn't you just forget?
Shouko...what happened?
Th...the ring...
Ring?
Y...yeah, um...
Your ring was in the pocket, and...
It's too late to say I'm sorry...
It would have better if I emailed you from Hakata...
Well...
I forgot that I put it in my pocket when I last wore it.
Ah, really...
Sorry...it's because I forcibly borrowed it.
Oh well...
If that's the case, I'm glad, because I was looking for it.
Thanks Shouko.
I'm sorry.
That's...
Please, take off your ring.
Okay.
I kind of forgot it in the hotel.
Huh?!
How could you forget it in the hotel?
Didn't you put it away somewhere?
Did you forget a makeup bag or something like that?
Um...
I mean...why did you even take it off?
After all, aren't you supposed to leave wedding rings on?
Well, that's because...
When I take a bath...
You take it off when you get a bath?
So why was it in your pocket?
That's because...
It was when I went to the hot stone spa.
The hot stone spa...
Huh?
You went to a hot stone spa?
COME ON!
Anyway, please hurry up and have it sent from the hotel!
I'll pay for it if it's cash on delivery!
Yes ma'am.
Ahh...damn...
I wasn't able to say it.
Huh?
It's not there?
Correct.
It was not in the room that you stayed in...
What do you mean "It's not there"?
Is this a dream? A fantasy?
My delusion?
Ma'am?
Yes?
Is that so?
Ah, no...
Thank you!
Why isn't it in the hotel?
How is it already....
Did you call?
I did not.
You're in trouble!
You lost her precious ring.
What do I do?
Shouldn't you just be honest?
"I wore your wedding ring and pretended to be a married woman,
and a vacation love affair came my way!
Furthermore, the man was
a sexy photographer that lives in Spain!"
There's not way I can say that!
Oh?
Didn't you think he was, unexpectedly, your soul mate?
Night on the Galactic Railway
The protagonist's name
is one letter off from mine.
Because my name over there is Joe Bannou,
Joe Bannou (Jyo Bannou) and Giovanni (Jyobanni)
Your name, you know
I took it from Campanella.
Really?
Campanella is
Italian for "bell".
So...
*鐘 - Bell 子 - child*
Shouko.
Night on the Galactic Railway's Giovanna and Campanella...
Our names are really similar to them.
If I were a high school kid, I'd think "This is fate!"
Is that wrong?
It's a mere coincidence.
If you look at it from the other side
It was just an ordinary affair with a trouble-free married woman.
Encouraged by the affair boom, he was simply interested in holding an older woman.
He's just a common playboy.
It feels like you're desperately trying to convince yourself.
You're wrong! That's how it really is.
Tomorrow, I'll apologize to my sister.
I'll tell her about how I used to her ring to lie about love, and how it went missing.
I'll apologize with my head to the ground.
I wonder if he's still in Hakata...
Or has he already returned to Spain?
No, don't.
After all, we'll never meet again.
Shouko.
Hmm?
Are you on vacation again today?
Yeah. Because my temp term is over, I'll be off for a while.
Ah, but I do have an interview this afternoon.
My, what a refined life you're pretending to have.
Well, go on, find your next temp job.
We have a no NEET policy here.
If you don't work, you don't eat.
That's right! I'm off.
Have a good day!
Have a safe trip!
I'm off!
Good morning!
...Good morning.
It must be nice, being so carefree.
Dad has reached retirement age, and he's still working.
Ah, mom.
I'll be on a business trip to Nagoya starting today.
Huh? Again? With that Uiro company?
It's just a business trip to do consulting.
Um, by the way, sis...
Good morning!
Ah! Shouko-chan!
How was Hakata?
Brother...
Did you go to any of the stores I looked up?
Was the mochi hot pot good?
Yeah!
It was delicious!
Thank goodness!
Were you okay as a single woman?
Yeah! Well, how should I put it...
Well, I'm going to head out first.
Oh, sis...
Be careful on your business trip, Yoko.
Nagoya's souvenir is the Sachihoko sandwich.
Okay~
Have a safe trip.
Ahh, it was bad timing...
I just couldn't say that the ring wasn't there in front of Kenji...
Here you are.
Mio-tan, you definitely can't lose this.
Ryou-chan, I totally won't lose it!
It's okay. Shall we go?
Let's go!
Thank you, Ryou-chan!
Even if this is compensation...
There's no reimbursement for a wedding ring, huh.
Huh? That's expensive!
Ma'am, what are you looking for?
Ah, no...I'm looking for...I'm looking for...
Yes?
Ah, well, I'm fine.
Is there a possibility that he noticed the ring in the morning and took it to return it?
If he is in possession of the ring,
If that's the case, I should contact him.
The ring might come back,
but...
I didn't get his contact information.
No, but...
If I search social media for his name...
However...however...
if I get in contact with him,
I'll have to see him again.
That can absolutely not happen.
It's bad.
Bad!
Sis?
Her Nagoya business trip...
Why is Yoko is a place like this?
Wasn't she supposed to go to Nagoya on business this morning?
Why am I hiding?
Wait a second!
Where are you going?
A hotel?!
Welcome!
Please wait a moment!
I'll clean it up right away, so please...
No, I...
Jyo!
Akari!
Welcome back!
Jyo?
I'm home.
Hey, haven't you gotten taller?
You think?
You totally have!
You said someone was returning from Spain...
Then this is your little brother?!
Hello.
Is your luggage okay?
It's fine.
I haven't cleaned it, but...
Here you are.
Is it okay?
Yeah.
Do you plan on living here?
Well, I haven't used it in a while. I don't think it's livable.
It's not a problem at all.
Look.
I can photograph the scenery of Tokyo from here.
So that means
you're going to be in Tokyo for a while, right?
For a job?
Yeah, pretty much.
Do our mothers know?
It's fine...I'm not a child.
That aside, Akari
your store looks like it's doing well.
Well, it's been just 2 years.
You see, right now, there's a boom in Japan.
A boom?
Bars. Spanish bars!
Thanks to you, I can cook Spanish food.
Oh, that's right!
Did you bring the souvenirs I asked for?
Tonkotsu ramen, a huge okonomiyaki, and mentaiko?
Sorry.
A lot of stuff happened, so I didn't buy you anything.
You're lying, right?
Why?
Why?!
W...WHY?!
It was simple...Is there anything?
A ring?
A wedding ring?
Why?
Where did she go?
This is useless.
Why am I tailing my sister?
But...
Why would she lie about a business trip?
Ma'am.
Do you need any help?
Ah! Yes.
I'm at a loss...but
Okay.
Excuse me.
Ma'am...
Ma'am!
Sis!
Wh...what's this?
My normally plain sister has let down her hair, removed her glasses, and put on red lipstick!
And she's wearing a dress like that!
What's she doing after this? What in the world happened?!
Damn.
I have to disguise myself somehow.
Where are you going?
Yoko-san!
Were you waiting?
Here.
Huh?!
Did you dye your hair?
I did. What do you think?
Yeah, It's looks good.
Right?
HUH?!
So, what can I get you?
For me, cola!
Cola, huh?
She's doing it!
This is doing that!
My sister's having an affair!
It's different than what I did.
This is a real affair!
Umm...let's get this.
Furthermore, he is young!
Hm? What's wrong?
It's nothing. Some weird person let out a strange noise.
She runs weirdly!
Excuse me.
This way, please.
Oh?
Shouko!
Shouko, do you also have an interview now?
By any chance
will we be working a temp job together again?
Maybe.
What's wrong?
You look kind of sick.
Did you change your hairstyle?
Ah! No...
It's a text from my sister.
Why are you so surprised?
You were just in Omotesando, right?
Wearing some weird glasses.
No way!
Chain mail?
I immediately knew if was you from the way you were running.
When you were a child, you ran in the same weird way.
Like a crab.
I've been thoroughly exposed.
I'll explain this later, so don't say anything to Kenji.
I'm being forbidden to speak!
The gender ratio is about how much?
The gender ratio?
Okay, you're Hama Shouko-san, right?
This time, your contract expires in exactly 1 year. Thanks for your hard work.
Thank you.
And so, this is the summary of your next assignment...
Sis..
How are you going to explain this?
Hama-san?
Ah, yes?
Is it okay to begin the explanation?
Explanation...
Yes, please continue.
Hama-san's
What's that?
How can she explain that?
The next one is the same one again.
Thank you!
Thanks...
Well, explain what's going on at once.
Okay?
Marriage hunting!
The other day you said you were going to retire.
You've been going for 3 years. Why so sudden?
That's...
Shouko.
Did you get a boyfriend?
Huh?!
You put on a ring and pretended to be married so you could do that with a younger hottie?!
You!
Thanks for waiting! He's your liquor with water!
Here you are.
Sorry...but you're not making any sense.
You're right.
I also don't understand!
Normally, it's the other way around.
Usually you take off your ring and pretend to be single during an affair.
Right? That seems normal.
No, that's bad too!
But,
while lying about being single when you're married is wrong.
Isn't the opposite not wrong?
Look, if the other person found out that you were single
he'd be delighted, right?
No, you're wrong.
He was glad that I was a married woman.
Sorry...more and more, I'm not understanding this.
Well, for now
Show me your photos!
W...wa...stop!
Jeez.
It's nothing but food!
Hey...
Are you sure it wasn't a dream?
Speaking of photos, I didn't take any of him.
Even though he took one of me with his big camera.
Right now, his image is still burned into my mind.
Will I forget it some day?
That's also sad.
Ah! It would have been nice if I could have taken a 2 shot selfie with him, like a young person.
Anyway, it was some ordinary playing.
It's a pleasant memory...
without seriously thinking
without swelling with pride...
it would have been nice to take one photo.
What is his name?
Jyo.
Last name?
Bannou.
Wait, what are you doing?
Jyo Bannou.
I'm looking him up on social media so you can contact him.
w..w...wa...
He was just playing around...I don't think...
Looking him up and contacting him would be scary!
He'll think I'm a stalker!
You have to do it quickly, before he returns to Spain!
Then, what if you don't get to see him again?
Even if this love began with a lie, it's fine!
My marriage hunting sheet is nothing but lies!
I'm home.
Welcome home, Shouko-chan!
Bro, you're home early.
This is rare.
My work outside the office ended early, so I returned home.
I received some delicious Japanese sweets from a client.
Would you like to have some with me?
Japanese sweets?
Here you go.
They look delicious!
Let's have some tea.
Green tea is okay right? Because they're Japanese sweets.
You're so sensible!
That's right, I have the perfect thing!
Doesn't it have to be high-quality tea?
That's nice.
That looks good.
Indeed.
Thank you.
This is for you.
Thanks.
Thanks for the food.
Sis...
How could you?
It permeates.
It's a good tea.
I wonder what Yoko's eating right about now?
I hear that on business trips you eat really tasty food at night.
Well...that's true.
Why?
So good.
I got an text from Yoko.
"Right now, I'm eating miso katsu."
Oh!
That looks tasty!
It's not that simple.
She didn't leave for her trip.
Well, I'll have one more...
Sis!
Wa..wait a sec.
Hello...Shouko?
J..j..just a sec.
It's okay.
Did you find the ring?
W..well...
Sis...
Any explanation you give me will be unacceptable.
Why?
How could you betray my tall, handsome, manly,
kind brother-in-law who just made tea for mom, dad, and I?
You lied about your business trip, and changed clothes at the hotel.
Unashamedly with a young man at an outdoor cafe
openly flirting!
Furthermore, he is so young!
What's that about? How old is he?
With that pink hair, is he a student or something?
A NEET or a Youtuber? I don't understand!
Shouko.
He was definitely cute though.
From a distance, I'd rate his face at famous prep school level, but...
I am not going to get divorced.
Kenji is the same as always, and I plan to do this skillfully.
Huh?!
That's why
I just need you to return my ring.
Yoko-san!
I'm hungry!
Next week is our wedding anniversary.
You have to return it by then.
Sis...
you're the worst.
I have to contact him.
This isn't for me.
It's for Kenji.
I have to find that ring.
Because my sister's family will be broken.
There it is.
He takes photos like these...
Yoko-san, thank you.
Yeah yeah.
Hey, hurry up and eat, or it will get cold.
Huh?
Just a little longer.
Dummy.
So,
With your impressive physical power, open this champagne.
Today is a celebration, so I got some pretty good champagne.
Okay.
Cheers!
Cheers.
Happy birthday, Fuuta.
Thank you.
How old are you now?
23.
So young!
Yoko-san, how old are you?
37.
You're really an adult.
That's right.
I'm already an undeniable adult.
Going out with an adult woman is fun.
Huh?
You're beautiful,
cool, kind...
you teach me all kinds of things.
I like that you don't fight with me.
You're unusual.
With a face like that, as many cute, young girls as you'd like would be drawn to you.
At your match the other day, weren't they squealing over you?
I get worn out dating girls my age or younger.
Right now I'm all about my things.
I don't have money.
Is it easy to date someone like me, who has money?
Ah, that's not it.
It's not about your money.
Um...
I
don't get tired when I'm with you.
I feel better after we meet up.
Hey, Yoko-san,
What?
Why aren't you married?
Well...
I wonder why...
I haven't thought about something like that.
In the first place, I'm not interested in the institution of marriage.
Is that right?
I wonder why everyone gets married.
This is Hama Shouko.
Thank you for taking care of the ring.
Are you still in Hakata?
I sent it.
Thanks for getting in touch.
On Sunday, would you like to meet in Tokyo?
To...To...To..
Tokyo?!
No no no.
This isn't a date.
This isn't right.
Because this is not a date!
Just go and get the ring back.
Shouko-san!
You really came.
Thank you.
Yo...you're in Tokyo, huh.
Yeah.
I'm happy to see you again.
I..uh...the ring?
It's okay. I'll properly return it.
Instead...
Instead?
Today, for one day, guide me around Tokyo.
Huh?
Since I guided you around Hakata,
this time, you do the guiding.
I see...
I don't really know places where young people go.
Asakusa!
I want to go see Asakusa.
Asakusa...
Gladly.
Look.
Wow.
Kaminarimon.
Excuse me.
Huh? Me?
Are you Japanese?
Ah! J...J...Japanese.
Can we go with you?
You...everybody?!
Can we go with you?
It's fine.
Ah. O...okay!
Uh, wash your left hand.
Mouth. Mouth be...wash. Wash.
Do you drink it?
No, no. No drink.
Just wash. Wash.
Washu.
This way!
This way.
Then...um...right! Right! This way.
You look at this smoke.
Bless me! Bless me!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Shouko-san, you're well-informed.
You're like a real tour guide.
Is that so?
Ah, well, I like to travel.
Jyo-kun...
Just Jyo is fine.
J...
Jyo,
why did you become a photographer?
I...modeled when I was about 10.
Huh? Just as I thought!
While you were modeling,
when you played with the photographer's camera,
you thought that this one was what you really wanted to do.
Did you become a photographer in that fashionable kind of flow?
No.
I didn't make a lot of money through modeling.
So I learned how to do it, like any proper job.
At that time, I worked a lot through referrals.
I went to photography school.
Hama-san?
Huh?
It's me. Me.
Look. It's Kadoya. We met at a previous marriage hunting party.
Do you like Shibamata?
I do.
It's nice, that place.
As I thought, it is you, Hama-san from the marriage hunting parties!
Hama-san, are you also on a date?
It's so nice that me and my partner happened to see you.
I'm really happy we didn't have to compromise.
Compromise...
Jeez, that was rude.
No, that wasn't my intention.
Later! I wish you happiness.
Ah, I wish you happiness.
Yeah. Let's go.
Shouko-san...
This Konkatsu...
Damn.
I've been exposed.
What is that?
Ah, well...
He thought I was someone else.
Look, Tokyo is a huge city.
Thank goodness he's lived abroad for a long time.
But still,
Because we're in Tokyo, I'm going to see people I know.
I can't let my lie become exposed.
If he knew I was single and going marriage hunting,
he would definitely pull back.
Also,
lying about being married
is pretty lame.
That's right!
It's lame.
It's an awful lie to tell.
Even as a joke, it's not funny at all.
Damn.
I can absolutely not get exposed.
I don't want him to hate me.
Shouko-san, what's wrong?
Soon, can you...
I know!
You're hungry, right?
Let's go get something to eat.
Huh?
There's a shop I want to bring you to.
I'm home!
Welcome back!
What's wrong?
Our neighbor, Mr. Kawada, told us about
a sale on toilet paper, it was 2 points per person.
Did you bring Kenji along?
Well, you and Shouko weren't here...
It's fine.
At times like these, I can help out.
Anyway, how was Nagoya?
It was just a bunch of meetings, so I'm exhausted.
Do you need help with your luggage?
Ah, thank you.
Kenji-san...thank you!
Thank you.
Dad, I hope you feel better.
Thanks.
Here you go.
You've not been in Japan in forever, and suddenly, you're bringing a woman...
What the hell is going on?
And she's older.
Um...
It's nice to meet you...
Hello.
This is my older sister.
Huh?
Older sister?
She returned from Spain,
and opened this restaurant two years ago.
Really?
This is a part-timer, Erika-san.
You remembered? I'm so happy!
So...
Where did you two become acquainted?
It wasn't in Spain, right?
Ha...
It was in...Hakata.
Hakata you say...
That wasn't the goal of your trip!
Hey, you. Eat before it gets cold.
Thanks for the food.
It's amazing!
Right?
Olive oil, garlic, chili pepper, and seafood in a broth
that gets soaked up by rice.
The secret ingredient is...
Secret ingredient...
fermented squid!
Right?
Spanish omelet.
mushrooms simmered in oil, and
various tapas.
Eat up!
I can't eat all this...
But...but...
everything looks so tasty!
It is tasty!
Which one should I go for?
Here.
Thanks.
Hey, Yoko...
Hmm?
Were you able to buy a shachihoko sandwich?
Yes!
Thank you!
Where's your wedding ring?
Recently, you haven't been wearing it.
It's gotten a little tight...
I wonder if I've gotten fat from these business trips?
But,
Since you bought a particularly nice one,
I'll force myself to wear it.
I see. I want you to wear it at our anniversary dinner tomorrow.
I will.
Thanks for the food.
Ah! It's so good!
This one's delicious, too!
Okay!
Here's dessert, too!
Thanks for the food!
I'm here!
Ah, welcome!
Beer and paella, please.
Okay.
A large for both!
Excuse me for a second.
You get the ring yet?
That's right.
I completely forgot my objective.
Um...
The ring...
Any time now...
The ring...
Because that ring is precious to me...
return it.
The ring is up there.
Up there?
No, this is bad, right?
Following a man that you met on a trip and don't really know to his room...
It's dangerous.
But,
his sister is on the first floor...
and I know his being a photographer is real.
Still...
doing something like that one more time...
Anyway, I have to get the ring back.
Then I'll return right away.
If I get any more deeply involved,
there will be 2 dangerous things.
The danger of my lie becoming exposed, and
the danger of really falling in love with him.
Is it okay? They suddenly went up to his room.
He's an adult, it's fine.
Hey, there's a saying that anyone that eats a lot isn't a bad person.
I've never heard that.
They're not doing anything particularly...
Welcome
to my room.
There's not really anything to say about it.
This is amazing.
These are the places I've traveled to so far.
Shouko-san...
you like traveling, right?
Well,
have a seat,
Campanella.
Why?
After that, I was interested and read it...
Night on the Galactic Railway.
The protagonist, Giovanni's best friend's name is
Campanella.
That means "bell", right?
Shouko-san's Shou is the same.
Shouko-san,
you're Campanella.
I'm Giovanni,
and you're Campanella.
It's amazing that we both have similar names.
The lonely boy, Giovanni and
his best friend, Campanella...
the two of them take a trip on the Galactic Railway.
A trip to find true happiness.
This is bad.
I love him.
I...
love this person.
I remember those 3 years of trying my hardest at marriage hunting, but
there was never anything like this.
With the people I met at marriage hunting parties,
I would sometimes exchange email addresses.
I don't think they seemed like bad people...
We made a promise to have a meal.
After that, I'd choose clothes for that meal.
I'd properly apply makeup.
I'd curl my hair prettily.
I'd paint my nails a beige-pink.
I'd take time to make myself the most beautiful me.
I'd go to the shop we decided on.
There...
A person I like, but not really, was sitting.
Surely, the other person seems like they're thinking that.
It's a mysterious thing.
I have to be honest, I didn't think I would meet a good person.
On my marriage hunting profile, I didn't write one lie.
But,
If you connect under the influence of a lie,
a boring person like me,
with the tag of "married" attached,
I become a dangerous,
mysterious,
passionate woman.
If it's like that...
it's fine.
I had that time many times.
Hundreds of times.
Now is better than that.
To the other person, that I had no feelings for,
I distributed salad,
my head feeling unsteady.
I didn't like it,
so I quit marriage hunting.
I
am able to love.
Shouko-san
Until what time can you stay?
Huh?
At night,
you can see the night skyline from here.
The bridge that crosses the Sumida river lights up and it's beautiful.
Since the weather's nice today,
you'll definitely be able to see stars.
I want to show it to you.
Once you return the ring,
I plan to go home right away.
I see.
This is Tokyo, after all.
Your husband is waiting for you.
Already...
Our journey is over.
That's right.
How many misunderstandings there are.
He...
Because he thinks I'm married,
I need to perform.
There's no future trouble,
because it was a simple sexual affair.
Shouko-san.
Can I ask you one thing?
What is it?
Your
husband...can you show me a photo of him?
Are you okay?
Huh? Eh...
Huh? Why so suddenly?
There's no deep meaning to it.
I just
want to see it for some reason.
Seeing it without a reason...
That kind of thing...
Talking about my husband...
I...Isn't it taboo?
Is it?
I saw, on Japanese television,
a woman who was having an affair.
Her young partner was talking about her husband's complaints.
What kind of TV is that?
After that,
the young man killed her husband.
Huh? That's...
Tuesday Suspense Theater?
No, is that over already?
Satellite broadcasts?
It's okay.
I couldn't do something like that.
I'm just a regular photographer.
I usually take lots of landscape photos, but
I'm often asked to take portraits.
Family photos...
wedding photos...
So, I think that's why I want to see it.
What kind of person
could make a lovely woman like you his wife?
Okay.
It's fine.
I'll show you.
Huh?
That's right.
So that this doesn't go too far,
maybe it's better if I show you.
What am I saying?!
Well,
This was just a limited time affair.
Wait, wait, you idiot!
Idiot!
Since I am earnestly
in love with my husband.
Hey...hey!
Do I have a photo of a man on my phone?
My husband is
this...
Stop, me!
Stop!
Stop, it's...
This man!
That's...
my sister's husband!
2 years ago
We're already living together with Kenji-san...
I am truly happy!
All of the neighborhood wives are jealous!
Thank you, Kenji-kun!
Truly...thank you. Thank you!
Thank you, dad.
Shouko-chan, from here on, please take care of me.
I'll work hard to make you think of me as your real brother.
Please, speak frankly with me.
Thanks.
Shall we take a photo to commemorate the new building?
Let's!
Shouko, press the shutter button!
No, I...
Like this...
With a handsome groom next to me...
I'm a little bashful.
Okay, okay. With my smart phone...
Okay, everyone smile! Yes!
Cheese!
The photo from that time...
I zoomed in to show him.
But,
this is the only photo of a man I have on my phone!
The rest is ramen or grilled meat.
Just photos of food!
It's okay.
So I never get exposed, it's fine.
But,
If I recover the ring a second time...
Just as I expected...
He's an incredibly wonderful person.
That's right.
He's an incredibly wonderful person.
I see.
I'm sorry for asking you something so unreasonable.
Thank you.
Ah~ I did it again!
"I'm sorry for lying.
I'm really single."
To be able to say that...
Even though it's a once in a millenium chance...
Of all things, to use a photo of my sister's husband...
I'm an idiot.
With this,
will we never meet again?