I may sound like I'm exaggerating, but
it felt as if the whole world had abandoned me today.
When I thought how there wasn't a single person anywhere in this big city to celebrate my birthday...
I'm here, aren't I?
Why don't we try starting from here?
You're the only one.
You're the only one who gave me such a wonderful...
Will you marry me?
Yes.
There she comes.
- Setsu! - Over here.
How long are you going to keep that up?
We get the picture so sit down.
Excuse me.
Coffee please.
Aren't you guys going to say something?
- Say what? - Congratulatory words.
- Congratulations. - Thank you.
But you know, marriage is nice, isn't it?
Right now, I'm relishing the happiness of being a woman.
It seems the moment I decided to get married, a big load was lifted from my mind.
It feels like my life started to shine brightly.
- What's with her? - Looks like she had a change of heart...
along with the diamond.
It's my treat today. How about a piece of cake or something?
Excuse me, may I see the menu again?
- No, thanks! - Really? Never mind.
Oh, that's right. There was something I wanted to ask Kyoko Senpai.
I figured I'd better do some thorough research.
Was the dress you wore,
this one?
But on second thought,
I'm having a millennium wedding that can only happen once every thousand years.
Isn't that awesome?
Millennium wedding, huh?
I still can't believe it.
What are you grinning about?
Oh... Hi.
Who do you think Mika-san's in love with?
It's been bothering me so much, I can't even eat.
That sounds pretty serious.
What's with you?
It seems Mika's in love with someone else.
Please go on a date with me once in a while too. Mika
Huh, you know he is?
You know, the guy who's taking advantage of Mika-san.
I don't think he can be much of a guy. Don't you think so?
Well...
The way I see it...
Don't tell me it's you.
Of course not.
I'm distressed too because of Kyoko-san.
Yeah, you're right.
We're both distressed over unrequited love.
Then what? Am I the only lucky one around here?
I'm so happy, it's scary. Scary.
Scary.
There's something I've been wondering for a while.
- What? - Why did Setsuko-san go to a marriage meeting?
What do you mean?
She's only 25 yet, right? And she's so cute.
That's probably because she is interested in me.
They say girls usually decide to get married on an impulse
when they suffer a setback either at work or in their love life.
Come to think of it, she quit her job too, didn't she? Why?
I'd say a broken romantic relationship or to break up an illicit affair?
- That makes sense. - Look, guys.
Saying all that stuff just because neither of you are having any luck,
- only sounds like sour grapes to me! - But Kotaro-san,
in short, how far have you gone with Setsuko-san?
Kiss?
Sex?
Did you do it already?
So, your mother was happy about it too?
My family was ecstatic.
I'm happy to hear that.
- But it happened so fast, didn't it? - It sure did.
It feels unreal. I can't believe how I was up until now.
What do you mean?
I mean like how I was so distressed about all kinds of things.
They say girls usually decide to get married on an impulse
when they suffer a setback either at work or in their love life.
Were you distressed about all kinds of things?
Like about work?
Not about my work at all. In fact, I enjoyed it.
But our relationship is kind of strange, isn't it?
- Strange like how? - Because
we decided to get married so quickly, we haven't really dated or anything.
- So little at a time from now on... - By the way!
- Yes? - My mother said we should have dinner sometime soon.
Yes. We should.
We can invite your boss and his wife too.
Good idea.
I almost forgot. It's a good thing I remembered.
Yes. It's a good thing you did.
As for the go-between, we should ask Mr. & Mrs. Sakuraba, shouldn't we?
Yes, I was planning to do that.
But when you think about it, we don't have much time.
- For what? - Until the wedding!
We have to find a wedding hall, prepare for the reception...
Of course, I'll have to buy a wedding dress too.
Maybe I should take this opportunity to go on a diet and quit smoking.
We have to get ready for the move to Milan too.
Maybe I should learn to speak Italian.
I'd better get home now.
- I'll take you home. - No, that's okay. I can get home by myself.
You're working tomorrow, right? I shouldn't keep you out too late.
- Taxi! - But...
But I wanted to spend more time with you today...
- Setsuko-san... - See you. Goodnight.
Goodnight!
Isn't something missing here?
I'm sorry.
- What happened? - I forgot something.
The wedding book.
MATSU Takako
Yusuke SANTAMARIA
KUBOZUKA Yosuke
SATO Tamao
KAWAHARA Ayako
IMAI Masayuki
ARRANGED MARRIAGE
OMIAI KEKKON
Episode 4
First we'll go to Odaiba and ride the ferris wheel,
do some shopping at Palette Town,
then get something to eat, take a walk,
and then, when the mood is right...
A kiss. I hope.
Which means... You couldn't do it last time either, huh?
- Why are you here? - The door was open so I came in.
Going on a date?
How nice. I guess I'll just do some weight training.
When the mood is right, kiss...
Kotaro-san!
I'm sorry I'm late.
That's okay. Well, where shall we go today?
- I thought... - There's a place I want to go.
Welcome.
Hi!
Hi.
I didn't think you'd really ask me out, so I was so surprised.
Actually...
There's something I wanted to tell you.
What is it?
This is really embarrassing, but
it's the first time I've felt this way.
This unbearable longing to be together...
Yet being unable to call...
- Oh my... Why? - I don't know why either.
But...
The more I think about it,
- the more my heart... - Wait a minute!
This is so sudden I don't know what to say...
Of course I too...
What do you think from your perspective?
Well, I'm not sure...
I mean about Kyoko-san. What does she think about me?
Kyoko Senpai?
You're talking about Kyoko Senpai?
- About Mika? - Yes, that's right.
Then first, tell me the situation.
The situation?
I went on a date with Mika-san.
- When did that happen? - The thing is,
when I tried to give her a bouquet of roses before we parted,
she wouldn't accept it.
- Roses? - Yes.
And she told me she was in love with someone else.
She's in love with someone else?
I wonder if she's in love with someone else.
Someone else she loves?
Mika's just being shy. She may not look like it, but she's surprisingly shy.
- She's a shy girl? - A woman's feelings
- are very complicated. - Complicated as in?
So, in Kyoko Senpai's case, it has to do with her family.
I think Mika really likes you.
I think you should forget about Kyoko Senpai.
- Why? - Woman's instinct?
Woman's instinct.
That's all.
- Do you mind if I go cool off for a minute? - I need to cool off.
- What are you doing here? - What about you?
Kyoko-san?
Mika-san!
Uh... Um... Listen... Uh...
That's not it. Tanuma-san wanted to talk to me about Mika so...
Me too. I wanted Mika-san's advice on something. Right?
This is it. The place I've dreamt of.
- I've always wanted to get married in a place like this. - You did?
For example,
I'd be standing here
wearing my pure white wedding dress.
The glow of the filtered afternoon sun shining radiantly on me from above.
Radiantly?
With everyone's blessings, the sound of their applause,
the quiet sound of a hymn.
And my eyes will be brimming with tears.
Tears?
Because memories of all the things that happened until now would flash through my mind, and
I'd have to bid farewell to the bygone days of my youth.
All the things that happened...?
This is all good for our wedding, isn't it?
That's fine with me, but
isn't it hard to reserve a date with a place like this?
Don't worry. They still have opening this spring.
That's what the priest said when I was here before.
Oh yeah? When you were here before?
Before?
Excuse me.
- Hello? - It's me.
Mayumi. From Club New York.
Oh... Thank you for your business.
What kind of nonsense is that?
If you don't come today for sure, I'm...
going to die!
Here's a pair of scissors...
- Ouch! - One moment please.
I'll definitely be there tonight.
For sure? You're not lying?
I promise.
Oh. You have to work?
A very important matter came up that needs to be resolved today.
- I'm sorry. - Please don't worry about me.
I have a lot to do anyway.
I want to make some plans for the future.
Is that right?
Oh, that's right.
- Kotaro-san. - Yes?
I want to give you something in return for this.
That's okay. You don't have to do that.
But the bridal book said that's the normal thing to do.
Please give it some thought.
Then... Please go back to your office. You're in a hurry, aren't you?
Why did Setsu go to a marriage meeting?
- Yes. - Why do you ask?
We're just curious.
I don't think that's something I should tell you ...
Me too. I would never tell you about Setsuko's sordid past...
Sordid past?
It's nothing. Setsu's not sordid.
It was his girlfriend that got pregnant.
- Got pregnant? - His girlfriend?
It sounds funny when we're the ones who asked, but
can we just forget what you just told us?
It wouldn't be good if Kotaro-san found out about this guy Hiroshi,
being that they were even engaged.
Now that you mention it, he's much more sensitive than he looks.
It may be more appropriate to say he's wimpy.
In any case, he may not be able to recover from the shock.
You're right.
Right now, they're both excited without any reservation about getting married.
We should get them married while Setsu's still in the mood, huh?
You never know when she might suddenly change her mind again.
- Is that how she is? - She's blood type AB.
Oh, blood type AB, huh?
Oh my, look at the time.
- I should get going. - You're leaving?
- Let's have hot pot or something together again. - Not today.
- Can't you stay? - Today's not a good day.
What if you say your parent's not feeling well again?
Are your parents ill?
- Something like that. Then if you'll excuse me! - Wait, Kyoko-san!
Mika-san, are you actually... A shy girl?
I'm Aya. Pleased to meet you!
You came!
Wait for me. I'll take the rest of the night off.
You don't have to do that.
But we finally got to see each other. Let's go somewhere and talk.
What's wrong, Masao-chan?
Kumi, that guy...
- That's Mayumi-chan's boyfriend! - Boyfriend?
Yeah. They're going to get married.
Married?!
It's beautiful! This is so romantic.
- Actually, there's something... - I know.
I know how you feel. So you don't have to say anything more.
- But you know... - This is like a dream
Being here alone with you.
There was someone I loved.
We were supposed to get married.
But he ran off with another woman.
It was such a shock.
That was the night you proposed to me.
- That wasn't... - I was so happy.
You look like an angel to me.
The one angel who will save me.
You're the only one.
You're the only one who would give me such a wonderful...
That's when I decided...
I would marry you no matter what.
Will you marry me?
Yes.
Listen...
Can I ask you one question?
What is it?
When something like that happens,
do girls get the desire to get married no matter who it is?
Yeah.
It's not that I feel that way about you.
I was...
always attracted to you, and
when I told my brother about you the other day, he was so happy for me.
Can you meet him sometime?
Brother?
- You told your brother about me? - Yes.
He's a police officer in charge of "marubo."
Do you know what that is?
He investigates vice activities.
He's really strong. He even participated in the Olympics once.
In shooting.
I've always wanted to get married in a place like this.
Not to worry. They still have opening this spring.
That's what the priest said when I was here before.
"When I was here before"... Huh?
We just can't leave out St. Raphael Church after all.
It's lovely no matter how many times I look at it.
Just lovely.
Say, Setsu. There's something I want to ask you.
- What? - You don't have any feelings for Hiroshi anymore, do you?
Hiroshi? Not at all.
- Any lingering feelings? - I wouldn't accept this proposal if I did, would I?
Then do yourself a favor and get rid of everything from your past.
Get rid of what?
Things like letters and diaries...
If you keep things like that, they'll only cause trouble later on.
What trouble?
Remember Miho Senpai?
On the night before her wedding, she had a fight with her fiancé about her ex-boyfriend
and her wedding was canceled at the last minute.
You're kidding!
I think you should burn all your pictures too.
Kotaro-san's more sensitive than he looks.
Or rather, it might be more accurate to say that he's wimpy.
If he finds out about Hiroshi, he just might faint.
That's right. He may not be able to recover from the shock.
- Hey. - What?
How do you know so much about Kotaro-san?
- We don't really. - This place is nice after all, huh?
It's absolute heaven.
- How's it going? - Okay, I guess.
Is everything going well with Setsuko-san?
It's going fine, thanks.
Glad to hear that.
What's wrong? What is it?
What?
- The thing is, games aren't just for starting players. - That's right.
In rugby, there are times a starting player is replaced by a reserve at a critical point in the game, right?
The important thing is showing how you can contribute in that situation.
Don't get discouraged just because you're a reserve.
No one lives a life without a blemish.
Accept her all with an open heart.
I think that's what true love is.
Hey, guys...
What are you two talking about?
Nothing.
Okay, let's get to work.
- I'm sorry I'm late. - Is that right?
I'll see you at 1 o'clock then.
Yes, thank you. Setsu was so happy too.
That diamond ring strategy was a success.
It was a good idea to talk Kotaro-san into buying it.
If it wasn't for something like that, they wouldn't be getting married so soon.
Looks like we won by preparation.
I think so too. Oh my!
Are you sure about this, Set-chan?
- About what? - You know, Kotaro-kun...
What do you mean?
I didn't mean anything in particular. No meaning.
Quick, give me a hand.
- Uh, um... Mom... - They'll be here at 1. Hurry please.
By the way, when are you two thinking about having the wedding?
How about around April? On a lucky day.
Of course, there's your work schedule to consider too.
- Anytime is fine with me. - Really?
- Then the lucky day in... - Wait a minute! That won't do.
- Why? - I went and asked at St. Raphael Church.
All the lucky days are taken. Of course, they still have other days that are available.
Church? What are you talking about?
- What do you mean? - It's our family tradition to have weddings at Yaen Shrine.
- You're kidding! - We run a kimono shop.
You have to wear a wedding kimono.
- I'm not wearing a wedding kimono! - Why not?
Because... because
it is my dream to walk down the virgin road in a wedding dress.
You can't do that. I won't allow it!
- Why not? - You're not Christian. You're Japanese, aren't you?
But ma'am,
I understand how Setsuko-san feels too.
Excuse me.
I know, Setsuko-san. You want to wear a wedding dress, don't you?
- I really do. Can you understand how I feel? - I understand very well.
You'd look beautiful in a wedding dress, Setsuko-san.
- Sakuraba-san, not you too? - Dad, you're okay with it, right?
- Well, if you want to wear it that much... - Don't be ridiculous.
- But Setsu wants to... - Why can't you let me do what I want for my own wedding?
That may be good for you, but
calm down and think about it.
- About what? - About your father.
The father of the bride has to wear a tuxedo and walk down the virgin road arm-in-arm with the bride.
He may be able to handle formal kimono, but
there's no way he'd look good in a tuxedo.
Your father isn't Tamura Masakazu.
That's a pretty valid point, isn't it?
- Indeed. - Not even I thought about that.
I agree,
he may not be Tamura Masakazu, but...
Of course, I, too, wanted to wear a wedding dress. After all, I'm a woman too.
All dressed in white like a princess.
With everyone's blessings, and the sound of a hymn.
But your grandmother convinced me.
She told me to take a good look at my husband.
In any case, I will not allow my daughter to get married in a church.
Yaen Shrine is a good luck shrine.
If you get married there, you'll have a happy marriage like your sister...
- What did you say?! - Iku-chan, violence isn't good. I'm sorry!
What's going on? What's this?
It's the day you said you were going to the neighborhood board meeting.
What happened?!
I thought it was strange... Cabaret Club New York, it says.
Oh no... Cabaret club?
Disgusting.
Let's see. Emi, Kumi,
- and Mayumi. - It's not like that. I was invited and had no choice...
- Right? - I don't know.
Even if we're invited for business, we wouldn't normally go.
- Would you, Boss? - No...
Why would he go when he has such a pretty wife, huh?
How could you... I promise I won't tell.
Please help me, Kotaro-chan.
- Kotaro-chan... - Setsuko-san!
Setsuko-san.
I'm sorry for all the commotion.
- That's okay. - I know. That I'm being childish too.
But you know,
that really was something I've dreamt about.
You can understand my feeling of wanting to wear something like this, can't you?
It's probably a once in a lifetime opportunity.
For someone like me who was raised in an ordinary family and lived an ordinary life
to be the heroine of a story like this.
That's why
at least for that day, I want to...
I understand. I'll try to convince your mother somehow.
Kotaro-san...
I'll do my best. If that's your dream.
If that will make you happy.
But...
There's one thing I want to ask you.
Yes?
Setsuko-san,
do you want to marry me or
do you just want to have a wedding?
Even though this is an arranged marriage,
I didn't decide to marry you without giving it a lot of thought.
- I didn't either. - But Setsuko-san,
all you're thinking about is the wedding.
Maybe
the person standing next to you in your pure white wedding dress
doesn't have to be me.
Is there someone you can't forget?
No, there isn't.
- How could there be? - But when I look at you,
I can't help but wonder.
Rather than worry about what to do with the wedding,
I want us to think about how we're going to spend our life together.
I want to get to know you better.
Please try to understand that at least.
But wasn't it the same for you too?
- What was the same? - The ring...
My mother made you buy it, didn't she?
Maybe it didn't have to be me for you.
That's not true.
It's terrible for you to think of me that way.
Of course, it's true that your mother urged me to buy it.
But I wouldn't buy something that expensive if I wasn't serious.
Then you're just as terrible too.
I was really happy
when you proposed to me.
If I wasn't, I would've never said yes.
I wouldn't decide to marry someone on an impulse.
Mika-san...
This isn't like me at all...
It's true it could have been on an impulse.
Why?
To be honest,
I think I might have said "yes" on an impulse.
Of course, at that moment, I really meant it.
But we met at a marriage meeting after all.
- I don't even know if I really love him or not. - Setsu.
It's not too late yet.
I don't want to say this either,
but if you're that unsure, you can always reconsider.
May I interject?
This is just my opinion, but
the momentary flash you had may be more meaningful than you think.
When you first said "yes" on an impulse,
there was, how do I say, something inside of you that made you say yes, right?
Something you, yourself, didn't realize.
It's the same in rugby too.
There are times during the game that those momentary flashes are important.
Instead of a carefully laid out play,
the instinctive moves at that time can lead to a try and to winning the game.
Isn't the relationship between a man and a woman similar to that?
It's not a matter of how many years you've been seeing each other.
The important thing is how you felt the moment you met.
The guy who's always so cautious and indecisive
decided to marry you so quickly.
Please at least believe him for that.
Unforgettable person? You mean for Setsu?
Kotaro-san says that's the feeling he gets.
I told him there was nothing to worry about, but
if that's the case,
I thought we should ask you since you know a lot about Setsuko-san.
Of course Setsu had someone she loved in the past too.
Just think about it. When you've been living for 25 years,
you'd normally have one or two, no, three or four people you fell in love with.
But as far as I know, there hasn't been any in the past 2 to 3 years.
When Setsu gets into something,
she can't see anything else.
She's the type to go full speed towards whatever she wants.
- Go full speed? - Yes.
Right now, it's towards the event called marriage.
She's the kind of girl who leaps before looking.
But she probably regrets what she's done by now.
She's the type who realizes later what's important.
Marriage is a good thing to try as least once.
Just think about it.
There are things a man and a woman won't know about each other until they get married.
There probably are, that is.
Although I don't think marriage is the final destination.
I didn't expect you to be such a poet.
It's not a matter of how many years you've been going out with each other.
The important thing is what you felt the moment you met.
I'm seeing you in a new light.
Until now, I thought you were just another stupid jock.
That just makes me so happy. I'm overwhelmed.
- Thank you! I mean... When we met... - But it's just a little...
Just a little...
It's just a little...
Score a try with Mika-san's heart!
You're an idiot after all.
Kyoko-san, you don't think that marriage is a final destination, right?
Well, I guess.
That's what I used to think too.
I'd have casual relationships with a lot of girls, and
if we had fun, that's all that mattered.
But
I might have changed after I met you.
Because...
when I think about you,
- I... - This is fine here!
- Let me take you to your house today... - No!
It'll be terrible if my family finds out.
Thank you.
- I'm sorry to keep you out so late. - That's okay.
But I'd better get going. My family's waiting. Good night.
Kyoko-san.
Setsuko-san, do you want to marry me or
do you just want to have a wedding?
Is there someone you can't forget?
I was really happy
when you proposed to me.
If I wasn't, I would've never said yes.
I really was happy.
I'm here, aren't I?
You were the only one
in the whole world.
It's probably a once in a lifetime opportunity.
... To be the heroine of a story like this.
Heroine of a story...
I guess I should throw this away too.
Setsuko-san~!
I was on my way to your house when I saw you.
I talked to your parents.
They said they'll think about the church too.
Really?
About the other day...
Are you mad?
I'm sorry for saying weird things.
For doubting your feelings.
I...
Was feeling uneasy.
Because everything was going so smoothly too quickly.
Because having met someone like you so suddenly,
unexpected happiness came all at once.
I'm sorry.
I should be the one to apologize.
It seems
I took off full speed by myself.
I got carried away without thinking about you.
I'm probably a much more simple-minded and foolish woman than you think.
- That's not true. - No, I am.
I'm very aware of that myself.
But from now on,
I'll start thinking about the two of us.
After all,
we're getting married.
I'm truly sorry.
- No, I was wrong. I'm sorry. - No, it was me.
Please don't apologize. I'm sorry.
- Setsuko-san, please raise your head. - I'm sorry.
This...!
Is this perhaps for me?
How did you know?
I was going to tell you that I wanted a lighter.
You were?
Setsuko-san. We're going to be fine.
Look at how we understand each other without having to say a word.
Thank you.
I'm sure we'll be happy.