For 3 years I tried my best to find a husband, but I've given up.
Hama Shouko
On TV today, a famous actress' affair was exposed, and it caused a an uproar.
I'm single and carefree, so I've seen the news, but
married people are shaken to their cores.
Because if such a lovely person could have an affair, anyone could.
Shouko.
Shou...Shouko!
Listen!
The boss and Ookawa-san
are having an affair!
Ah, Ookawa-san...
Yes?
Take care of the arrangements for Saturday's business trip.
Yes sir.
So, is there no meaning to marriage?
Wearing a ring that swears your eternal love...
To spite your vows for a sneaky love...
I couldn't do that.
Rings
and a secret love...
It's over!
My temp contract expired today.
Thank you for taking care of me for the last year.
It's been another year, huh?
If only I decided to go with direct employment this time...
Shouko, what are you going to do now?
I...
Maybe I'll retire....
From what?
From marriage hunting.
Tokyo is kind to single people.
A woman can even eat ramen by herself.
Recently, even a woman going to a yakiniku place alone isn't a rare sight.
Even doing karaoke alone is totally fine.
So, you're going on another solo trip?
Won't people will look at a woman that barhops and eats from food carts on a weekday with disdain?
You're such a worrywart, sis.
It'll be fine because I'm a tourist!
Shouko...
Didn't you quit your job?
And yet, you're going on another trip. Mom was shocked!
I didn't quit!
My temp contract ended. It was only for one year from the start!
Besides, what's wrong with traveling with the money I made myself?
Unlike you, I'm a carefree and lonely bachelorette!
I have no boyfriend, and I'm not popular.
Traveling is my only joy in life, so back off!
You...
You're already 32!
You have to put in some serious effort into marriage hunting!
Hokuriku...my shirt from Hokuriku...
Oh, come on!
For 3 years after I turned 29
I didn't get any results at all.
Did you know that?
Mixers, group dates, introductions from friends...
Marriage interview parties and apps that match you up with strangers at a bar...
Finally, you sent in an application for TV's Marriage Hunting Corner, and my application was rejected!
That's because you put "I have to be able to wear sunglasses in order to participate!" in your remarks column!
Like you could?! You dumb ass!
But...but...I couldn't handle it if I got doxxed online after saying I'm desperate to be married!
You have it good.
You got into a good college, got a good job,
Then, you caught and married a man that makes ten million yen a year!
Since childhood, I have never once beaten my five years older sister at anything.
Studying and sports were trivial ways to compare us.
But, I thought that I would be able to get married before my plain and straitlaced older sister...
3 years later
I've...decided to get married.
It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Yoshizawa Kenji.
He's hot!
I thought my older sister had no men in her life...
Suddenly...
she's brought home a hot fiance?!
3 months later Exchange of engagement gifts
These are the betrothal gifts.
Please pay for me forever.
Half a year later Wedding ceremony
1 year later Two family house completed
Hey...
Isn't the circle now complete?
This is...
the speed of the life of a married woman.
I don't understand the meaning of this at all.
But it's the speed of a changed woman.
In the blink of an eye, mom and dad were talked into building a two family house.
You're living a leisurely life with zero rent like the wife of a celebrity!
Excuse me!
We pay for utilities.
I mean, you...
YOU!
You don't pay for utilities, let alone rent...you don't pay a single penny!
You single parasite!
Ha?! You say whatever you want!
There are presently about 1 million temp job parasingles in Japan right now!
Parasingles...you're serious...
Ah! Sis!
Lend me that maxi dress you bought the other day...the yellow one.
Except for your trip, it doesn't seem like you've worn it...the expensive looking one.
Eh? No way! You'll get it dirty!
I'll buy you a ton of souvenirs.
It's Fukuoka.
Hakata.
There's so many delicious things!
Ramen...
Mochi hotpot...
Men. tai. ko.
*Pollock roe*
What are you doing?
The filter just got out of place.
It's totally fine now.
As I'd expect from you, Kenji-san.
With his bad back, my husband is completely useless.
Kenji-san, you've really been a huge help.
I'm indebted to you, so I can do this much.
Have a drink.
Thank you.
Hey now, this is a two family house.
Get it and bring it to me now.
At a time like this, I'm thankful for a two family house.
You two family parasite! To rely on your sister's closet...
Ah, Shouko-chan.
Your trip to Hakata starts tomorrow, right?
Oh! Yes.
Wait a minute.
Here you go!
I asked a colleague from Hakata for some good restaurants.
Eh...brother-in-law, this is super nice!
Thank you!
No problem.
I told you, eating and walking by yourself is disgraceful!
Really?
Recently, that's not true, right?
That's right. You're too uptight, sis.
If you came alone to eat, store employees will think you're a tourist.
Well then, you might get seduced.
Huh, seduced?
It's okay.
I won't get hit on.
You two have seen my years of marriage hunting...you should understand.
I am hopelessly unpopular with men!
Looking back at my three years of marriage hunting,
I studied myself.
The reasons I'm unpopular with men:
Number 1!
I can't carry a conversation with a man.
Please treat me kindly.
Every weekend, I do a barbecue.
Would you like to come with me next time?
I wanna go!
Um, I want to eat meat in a restaurant.
I truly believe in eating grilled meat in a restaurant, especially a hot or cold place.
Number two!
Fashion that's popular with men doesn't look good on me.
So I don't wear it.
Man number 10!
Tall
Flat chested
And woman number
Won't wear a mini skirt because it's cold
11!
Congratulations!
Number 3!
Consequently, that's why I look older than I am.
Warm tea
Has been asked if she was 45 years old.
It's fine.
Men who like that kind of woman must exist in this big, wide world.
He may or may not exist,
but, he was definitely not in the marriage hunting market.
But that's fine!
In Hakata, I'll eat tripe hotpot,
ramen,
and drink local sake.
I'll have my own "Goodbye marriage hunting" party!
Didn't I get you that?
I'm wearing it.
I'm super happy.
Does it look good?
You're better without sunglasses. Looking good.
Wait a sec...wait...
Ma'am, are you alone?
Yes, I am alone.
Then, please enter this line.
I am alone.
Please take change, keys, and the like from your pockets, please.
There's a date on it.
This is my sister's wedding ring!
Why is something so important to my sister in this pocket?
What do I do?
I hope I don't accidentally lose it.
There it is.
Oh. I'm sorry.
The ring!
I don't have it. Where is it?! Where?!
Ma'am, we will be taking off soon.
Wait a second please!
The ring is under here...
Is this it?
Ho...Hottie!
Here.
Is your head okay?
Excuse me, ma'am.
I'm sorry.
My luggage hit your head...
Does it hurt?
Ah, no...
It hit my head because I spaced out for a moment.
I'm really sorry.
That ring
Don't drop it again.
Which one?
The left?
The left one.
Now it's safe.
Well now the plane will take off.
Yes.
Why did I lie just now?!
Why on earth did I blurt out "left"?
Was I flustered because there was a young, hot guy in front of me?
That's not it.
Because my head got hit hard, my brain cells couldn't deliver a normal response.
No, but still, was it necessary to pretend to be a married woman?
Isn't it okay to say it?
"That's my older sister's ring. It was in the pocket. Aha ha ha".
Why can't I say that?
No, it's because I hit my head.
Your head...
is it really okay?
A little...my head feels weird.
Where does it feel strange?
Where?
It's good now...it's good.
Can I just take a look?
He's close!
A bump.
Bum...?
Could I please has something cold?
Certainly.
"Bump" in Japanese is...
"Tankobu"
Ah, so it's "tankobu".
You're a Japanese person, right?
Yes.
I lived abroad for a while,
I'm happy to use Japanese like this after such a long time.
Is that right?
A returnee.
Do you not say that for an adult?
How old do you think he is? About 25?
I'm Bannou Jyo.
You are?
Huh?
Your name is?
"Your name is?"
it's been so long since I've been asked that.
It's natural the first time you meet.
But...
At marriage hunting parties, no one asked it.
When you hand out your profile card, it had your name written on it.
Everyone found out this way.
A natural thing...
my chest...
Cr..crap!
What's this?
It's not right to ask the name of a married woman, right?
No!
That's...
I thought about apologizing for the bump,
but it's not right because you're someone's wife.
It's not right?
I can't invite someone's wife out to eat.
Out...out to eat?
I've lived in Hakata since I was a child.
So, I'm pretty well informed.
Are you on a trip from Tokyo?
Well, that's about right.
Perhaps...
you will be meeting your husband in Hakata?
My... h-h-h-husband is
Um, that is...
isn't on a trip, but
MY husband suddenly had to work, and couldn't come.
Why?
Why did I lie again?
Here it is.
It's this bump's fault.
My brain is malfunctioning.
Even though you can tell that this is a rare opportunity.
Huh? What?!
This overused cliche?
Is this happening because I hit my head?
Isn't it because traveling alone as a woman is embarrassing?
Is being single embarrassing? Aren't you being a little too self-conscious?
You're wrong.
Th....at's not it.
Why did I instantly blurt out "left"?
Well, you see...
It's my older sister's ring! There's that explanation as well as that.
No, no.
You got distracted by a young man. I'm quite ashamed of myself.
"I didn't get distracted
after all, I'm a married woman"
Reverse psychology works, am I right?
A rare hot man hit on me...
Hit on?
That young man did not hit on me!
But still...
You pretended to be married so that it would be easier to talk to him.
Isn't that also true?
It seems like he'll have to be cautious, too.
Th...that's true.
I've somehow given the wrong impression in the past that I'm an intense and harsh person.
That's why I'm not popular!
She disappeared?
Ma'am...
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
Excuse me. Sorry...sorry.
Well, whatever.
My shame over this trip has been abandoned.
I've got no choice.
If only for this plane ride, I'll become a married woman.
I'll just enjoy some conversation with this young, attractive man.
It's seldom I have the chance, after all.
Um...
Would you give me some recommendations for Hakata?
No.
You should come with me after all.
Just the two of us.
Two of us?
Because I caused that bump...
It's not right to just apologize and say farewell.
Even if
you're someone's wife.
In that case, dinner should be okay, right?
Huh? What's with this development?
Wh...what do I do?
Tsugami Housing's store and house development has been decided.
We're leaving it to you, Yoshizawa-kun.
Yes sir.
Komiya-kun...
The the documents for the meeting ready?
Sendai's culture center, and Nagoya's Uiro main office.
*Uiro - a traditional Japanese dessert*
Yes ma'am.
Business trips are continuing next week, huh?
My girlfriend is going to complain again.
Chief, your husband's also really busy, so you two must be trouble free.
That's true.
Thank you.
Of course.
Tonight, let's have a hotpot together!
Hotpot?
Thanks for your preparation.
Thank you sir.
Thank you.
Ah, just a minute.
Your wife?
Yeah.
Kenji, will you be late again today?
Mom said she was to have a hotpot with everyone.
Alright...
O...k...
In no time, I arrived in the city of Hakata.
I thought about declining his offer, but I shamelessly accompanied him.
It seems that, due to the bump, my normal judgment is still off.
Thank goodness!
It's still here!
Go ahead.
H...here?
I noticed it didn't have Hakata's specialties: tripe hotpot, ramen, or mentaiko.
Why...
is there a gigantic okonomiyaki right in front of me?
It looks so good!
Wait just a bit.
This is my favorite place in all of Hakata.
Really...
Do you like okonomiyaki?
I love it!
I went to Osaka and Hiroshima to eat it.
Thank goodness.
Vinegar pickled offal.
What's this?
By any chance...
Aren't you the Bannou's son Jyo?
Yes.
Oh my!
You were cute back then, but you've gotten so handsome!
If I remember correctly, you moved abroad right? With your family.
I still live in Spain.
It's been 15 years since I've been in Hakata.
The more you look at him, you can tell he's a good man.
Is he a model? A musician?
No, why would such a person have okonomiyaki with me?
But, it seems like he's actually from Hakata.
He doesn't seem like a bad person.
Eh, so now you're here as a tourist?
This lady is...
your wife, right?
Huh? Ah...no.
Well, you're wearing a ring,
On the ring finger of your left hand.
This is...
No way.
She still hasn't even told me her name.
Sh...
Shouko!
I'm Hama Shouko.
Please be kind to me.
Thanks for the food!
It's delicious!
I reflexively introduced myself, but
I wonder if I'll be okay?
I'll just keep wearing this ring and continue lying.
It'll be fine.
We're only going to to eat one time.
We won't see each other again.
Shouko-san...
What would you like to do after this?
Af...After this?!
Why a hotpot?
Shouko was going on and on about Hakata,
so I had to eat one.
A summer hotpot is also good.
Kenji-san...eat a whole lot.
After all, Yoko is always working on big manufacturing deals, right?
I fell in love at first sight with that hardworking Yoko.
I have absolutely no complaints about the housework or cooking.
Kenji-kun...Kenji-kun, you're really becoming...
Yoko...
You found yourself a wonderful husband.
It would be great if Shouko could meet a good man too, but...
Now, women are self-reliant.
It's not a time when they're are fixating on marriage.
I got lucky.
Yoko-san married me.
I am happy.
Kenji...
Hot!
Dad...
Well now...
Next is a baby, right?
I'll babysit,
so it's okay whenever!
Kenji-san.
Yeah?
Let's eat, okay?
At any rate, it's garlic.
In the end, we got rowdy the locals from the okonomiyaki shop
CHEERS!
I realized it was nighttime.
And why is it just the two of us?
Um...
You don't have to escort me.
I can get there on my own.
I can't leave a woman alone on the street at night.
Even if you say that you're just going to walk me to my hotel, what is the meaning behind it?
In addition to my limited experience with love,
I have damage from the bump on top of that.
This is an excellent view.
What?
Yeah...
A hard, pitch-black carry on...
What does this man really do?
He said he lived abroad for a long time...
A...
Assassin?
There could be a gun in that black leather case.
Speaking of, when it fell onto my head, it felt like...
I'm sure it was a sniper rifle.
Do you have a moment?
Huh?!
I know it's a bother, but...
Let me take your photo.
Huh?!
So you're a photographer.
That's right.
Although I specialize in landscapes.
With the night skyline like that, and the tripod set up...
Slow down the shutter speed...
so that there's no blur.
Please stand still until I say "okay".
Taking a photo of someone like me won't turn out.
This old lady.
In Japan,
why do beautiful women like you call yourselves old ladies?
Why?
Because you got married?
But now, people get married and fall in love right?
I returned to Japan
and I was surprised to see that kind of news on TV.
From an actor to a musician to a politician.
Everyone's doing it even though they're married.
Umm...what do you call it?
An affair?
That's it!
That.
Shouko-san.
You are not by any means an old lady.
So...
Will you have an affair with me?
Here.
Because the only good time is on this trip.
Have an affair with me.
Yo...you're wrong.
After all...
it's a lie.
If I tell him now,
I have to tell him now.
But...
Thanks to this lie,
perhaps I
at long last, maybe I could experience this thing called love.
Even if it is
only for the 3 days of this trip,
Even if it's a dream.
Is it difficult being a photographer?
You should stop speaking formally, Shouko-san.
I'm younger than you, you know.
I mean...
You don't know how old I am.
I don't know...
Then I'll ask you.
Shouko-san, how old are you?
Th...
32!
You want to pull back, right?
What does that mean?
The "pull" from "push and pull"?
Ah, it's not like that...
It's like, you're startled.
After all, you're really young.
I'm 25.
That's only a 7 year difference.
Ah, no...
That's not "only"....
That's "even though"
25 is young!
I get it!
Your husbands older than you.
Yes.
He's older.
How many years older?
Uh...
Huh?
I wonder how old he is.
Huh?
You forgot?
Shouko-san...
Do you not love your husband?
Just kidding.
Talking about things like this during an affair is taboo, right?
Sorry.
Look.
Your hotel is already nearby.
Um...
Can I ask just one thing?
What?
Why me?
That's...
Why did you want to have an affair?
You're young and handsome...
That's...
If married people weren't doing this kind of thing...
Because you're beautiful.
You are
beautiful and charming.
Do I need any other reason?
So far, an alluring love had never happened for me.
I was tired of the hunt, and simply went on a trip.
To think that I would have a meeting like this on that day...
and that he would be a young, sexy photographer!
Ma'am...
are you okay?
Yes, I'm fine.
Here you are.
Is it okay?
Am I okay?
He's seven years younger than me!
Ten years ago, this definitely would have been a crime!
I'm thinking about things like that!
Was he able to see that I give off a wrong impression of being intense and heavy?
That's it.
It's simple if you think about it.
This me can spend one night with this good looking man.
This is certainly my lucky punch.
A chance like this won't happen again.
Go!
Go Shouko!
Excuse me.
I'll be right back.
This is bad!
I've got to keep my nerve.
This is bad.
I can't get drunk at all.
One more!
Beer and paella!
Got it!
This is Akari's paella.
Hello Jyo.
It finally connected!
Hey, hey, get tonkotsu ramen after a giant okonomiyaki...
and definitely buy some mentaiko.
Akari...
Those kinds of errands...
I mean, what did you go back to Hakata for?
Come on.
This is Hama Shouko's greatest match.
I'm stone sober.
Akari-san, paella.
Ah, just a sec.
Anyway, you HAVE to bring souvenirs!
Ah, and tripe hotpot!
Who was that?
By any chance was it a guy?
My younger brother.
Sorry Shouko-san.
For my valuable big chance, I...
fell asleep?
He's not here.
Or here.
Or here!
Of course not.
He left?
It's the mistake of a lifetime.
His luggage...is there.
Shouko-san,
here.
It's breakfast.
Since the weather's nice, let's eat outside.
Oh?
Oh, are you going to work together today?
Yes. We're off.
Ah, have a good day!
I'm jealous.
You don't have a son-in-law that lives with you.
Well, that's true.
While society is in an uproar about affairs,
they're an ideal couple.
Right?
I wonder what Shouko-chan's doing right now?
I wonder if she went to the places I looked up.
If it's her, she might have visited them all.
Isn't a woman that eats well nice?
Oh, that's right...
Next week is our anniversary, right?
Is it okay to go to that restaurant again?
Yeah, I'll leave it to you.
Then it's a date.
Thanks.
Fake affair, - Day 2
Thanks for the food.
It's great!
But, since I've arrived, I haven't eaten any Hakata cuisine.
Hakata cuisine is...
also able to be eaten in Tokyo.
Huh? No way! I want to eat the real thing!
That's why I came on this trip.
Hakata cuisine...
One day, you'll come with your husband
for the sake of having a meal together.
That's also...
That's true.
This seemingly insignificant display came about by chance, due to a lie.
It's my first time in Hakata,
but it seems like I can't eat Hakata cuisine.
Where are you and your husband planning to go?
Oh, right.
Here.
I thought about going to these places.
Wow.
This is amazing.
There's so many!
By any chance, did your husband
make this list?
He must be really looking forward to it.
No, um...
He's a plain man.
Shouko-san...
Do you really love him?
I'm feeling a little excited.
Huh?
More and more, it's feeling like an affair.
Ah, that's right.
That's right.
This man
just wanted to have an affair.
That all Japanese married women
want to have affairs is a misunderstanding.
Well, it's right.
My lie was correct.
Being over 30 and hunting for marriage while being a temp...
I'm always cautious.
He
surely wants to seriously date someone.
That's it.
This is that kind of playing.
This is not a pure love.
Shouko-san.
What time is your flight tomorrow?
10 o'clock.
Then...
Our time limit is about 24 hours.
Let's hurry up and eat.
Yeah!
Hey.
That one looks tasty too.
Have some.
Well, this is bad.
Falling in love is useless.
Come here!
I'm following that big one, but...
That one?
Yeah.
It's big!
Mochi...
It ate it!
What kind of person is your husband?
He's busy.
We got married, and he just works.
We just kind of live our lives passing each other.
This trip, too.
He said he could finally take a vacation, and look what happened.
Suddenly, he said he was going on a business trip.
I'm an amazing woman.
Once I decided to lie, it's like it just comes flowing out of me.
I didn't know
that I had such a talent.
Just as I thought.
The scenery of Japan is beautiful.
I'm glad I came back.
Shouko-san,
were you also born in Tokyo?
No.
My parents are from Iwate,
and I was also born there.
Do you know about Iwate?
Of course.
I've never been, but...
What's famous there?
Umm...
There's a lot of hot springs...
and a ski resort...
and there's the ocean...
also...
Miyazawa Kenji.
*Miyazawa Kenji is a poet and author from the early 1900's*
Miyazawa Kenji?
I've heard about him.
Really?
If I'm not mistaken,
Night on the Galactic Railroad was him.
Wow.
Amazing! I'm surprised.
Huh?
The main character's name...
is one letter off from mine.
Jyo banni
*This is the Japanese phonetic pronunciation of Giovanni*
Because my name over there is Joe Bannou,
Joe Bannou (Jyo Bannou) and Giovanni (Jyobanni)
It's really is
similar.
Shouko-san.
Have you read it?
Night on the Galactic Railway?
Yeah...
I have.
Poor and lonely Giovanni,
along with his best friend, Campanella,
take a journey on the Galactic Railway.
A journey?
Yeah.
A journey to find true happiness.
Is that right?
Giovanni and
Campanella?
Wait.
God, stop.
I don't need this.
It's okay to just play around normally, and play at an affair.
But...
my name is
Your name, you know
I took it from Campanella.
Really?
Campanella is
Italian for "bell".
So,
Shouko.
*鐘 - Bell 子 - child*
The origin of my name is
that Campanella.
Chief, I'll be leaving before you.
Thanks for your hard work.
I have to work overtime today.
I'll cook, so let's eat together sometime.
Got it.
Thanks.
Tonight's the last night, right?
Yeah.
What do you want to eat?
Hakata cuisine.
Is it okay to eat it without your husband?
Yeah.
Well then...
Let's go eat food that is the most Hakata-esque.
Yeah.
Here?
To talk so naturally with a younger man,
and laugh...
Cheers!
That there's also a me this...
I don't know this me.
Is it good?
What should we do next?
In Tokyo, many things restricted me.
What's been released?...
You...
My
Giovanni.
Later, right? Okay.
I'm home!
An unexpected business dinner came up, so it seems like I'll be late.
Sorry.
That's unfortunately. Don't overdo it!
Thanks.
Shouko-san...
please.
Take off your ring.
Since it's our last night.
Just for tonight,
become mine.
Okay.
I want to bid farewell to that life of half-hearted experiences.
If the goal was to have a chance meeting with an unfamiliar person,
it turns out that that something like that happened.
There are a lot of ladies that will knit their brows at this,
but...
even though the membership fees for the marriage hunting were stupidly high,
I couldn't perform a lie like this.
Doing this now,
building this huge lie around being married...
I
think I fell in love.
Probably.
That instant.
The lie about me being married...
am I happy I said it?
Or...
if I never told the lie,
would this not be happening?
But, I
don't think it matters anymore.
Just for now...
Just for tonight...
the lie doesn't matter.
I just want you to love me.
And until morning.
I want to make love to you.
Fake affair - Day 3
What time is it?
What time is it?!
9 o'clock?!
I overslept!
Is your flight at 10?
Uh, um...
Um...
From the train to the airport...um...
It won't work. I'll take a taxi.
I have my ticket, my cell phone,
and my wallet.
Alright!
Well then...
I'm gonna go.
Are you sure you don't want my contact information?
Is that...
not okay?
That's true.
But
I will definitely find you.
I'll see you again.
Shouko-san.
Ahh...I did it!
Why did I have that harsh attitude?
No, because, if by chance he said "Don't go." or
"Let's be together for a little longer" and
then he restrained me...
Even though he was tender last night...
I feel like he would have said "Playtime is over".
So, I'm quite shocked.
Excuse me.
During this trip,
he was always next to me.
Am I really happy for that?
You're not happy that you decided to do that.
That lie.
You'll be exposed quickly.
That's true too.
Farewell
my 2 days, 3 nights love.
I made a reservation for our anniversary.
It's not there.
It's not there!
The ring is
not here!