- Good evening. - Good evening.
Tonight's theme is contract marriages.
We have invited Moriyama Mikuri-san as a guest.
Thank you for having me.
It seems you were contract married just the other day.
Yes.
The catalyst was that I failed at finding a job.
I'm fired?
When I was in trouble after having even my temporary contract dissolved,
I started doing part-time housework.
I will?
Work at this Tsuzaki-san's house?
Nice to meet you. I'm Moriyama.
I'm Tsuzaki.
Please take care of me.
At that time, I realised the potential of housework as a job.
Or rather,
so much that I want to be a live-in worker!
Could you hire me?
It'd be a marriage that's like a job...
It'd be like hiring housework staff...
Like a contract marriage!
Tsuzaki-san agreed with this proposal.
Based on trial calculations,
letting you live here in the form of a de facto marriage,
paying a salary, and hiring you as a housewife,
I decided it was of value for me too.
And now I am officially working as a housewife.
I think this form of employment would be viable even if the man and woman were reversed.
If you connect supply and demand,
I think work can be found anywhere.
About de facto marriages, that were brought up earlier...
It refers to one where a marriage registration is not submitted,
the two live together, and are living from the same livelihood.
Cases of de facto marriages have increased,
because of some reason not to submit a marriage registration,
or not wanting to be constrained by organisation.
It seems to be fairly popular in France.
However, as for Japan yet,
wouldn't it be difficult for others to understand?
Yes.
Considering that too, we decided
to proceed as a normal marriage to other people.
As for the contract of employment,
is it okay to take it as just our secret?
Yes.
I don't think many people would understand.
I agree.
Next, about your working conditions...
7 hours a day, flexible hours system.
Working Monday to Friday,
with weekends and public holidays off.
Requests for compensatory holiday are allowed.
Living expenses are halved,
and deducted from your monthly salary.
Salary will be given in cash at the end of each month.
Let's discuss and decide on other necessary points when they arise.
Please take this home to read the details.
I will check it.
So...
About the problematic marriage ceremony...
My parents acted as if it were obvious we'd have one.
Mine too.
However, in actuality, it's just a relationship...
I'd like to avoid a ceremony or a reception at all costs.
I agree.
I can't accept their congratulations.
Even at work, they kept asking if I wasn't going to have a ceremony.
And for some reason, just like that, it turned into an exchange of ideas on the topic.
Contention! Refutation! Objection! [An old News23 segment.]
Contention! Refutation! Objection
Of course you'd have one.
There's no other day when you can be the star, after all.
Huh? I had one.
It was fun.
A positive one right off the bat.
He's someone who can't really be used as reference.
Marriage ceremonies are just self-satisfaction.
They just want to show off that they're happy.
Do it if you want to.
That was a great refusal.
He's also a bit extreme.
I'd say have one.
Marriage ceremonies are a 'coming out', so to speak.
It's a rite in which you face society and proclaim, "we are getting married".
Because they've announced it, they can't take it back easily.
It creates resolution.
He makes a good point.
He usually messes around, so I was surprised.
If we turn it around,
If we aren't holding a ceremony,
we'll need to show that we're adequately resolved.
At the lunch, I'll act as the head and keep the conversation going.
If not, I don't think my father would approve...
Your dad...?
Well, in any case...
Let's find a way to persuade our parents.
Our parents and...
Yuri-chan.
Yuri-chan?
Marriage?!
What?!
Who are you?! Who is this random person?!
I'm sorry about the other day.
It was so sudden, I was surprised.
It's understandable that her aunt would be worried.
It's Yuri-chan.
Huh?
Please call her 'Yuri-san'.
Ah...
I'm sorry I'm such a bothersome aunt.
It's only natural that you and Moriyama-san's parents treasure her, Yuri-san.
Tsuzaki-san already understands how you feel.
You two call each other by your surnames?
We use first names when we're alone.
Is Chigaya coming today?
Yes, why?
I'll go re-do my makeup.
Okay.
Chigaya?
That's my older brother's name.
When he was in year 1, he faced Yuri-chan, who was barely in her 20s then,
and said flat out that she'd never be able to get married.
- More importantly, our names! - It was a blind spot.
Let's practise. From here on, we'll use first names.
Mikuri.
Miku...
Can I add '-san'?
Okay.
Mikuri-san.
Hiramasa-san.
It's kind of embarrassing.
It's your imagination.
Right.
Hiramasa-san.
Mikuri-san.
Hiramasa-san!
Mikuri-san~
What are you doing?
This is...
Pleased to meet you.
My name is Moriyama Mikuri.
I may be lacking, but please be kind to me.
Mikuri!
My parents, my brother and his wife.
- I'm Moriyama Mikuri's father. - It's finally here.
The meeting of both families.
It finally starts...
Our first team work.
We'll get through this, one way or another!
Thanks to the raw provider furransu! Subs by mottofreaky @ d-addicts.
[Tsuzaki - Moriyama Families]
Previously, we requested a system for the city from Tsuzaki-kun's company.
You have helped out my son greatly.
No, we were are the ones indebted.
Even after Tsuzaki-kun was headhunted by his current company,
if there's something I don't understand about the computer, he'll teach me by email. Right?
What is your job at the moment?
I reached retirement age in March.
So we bought an old house in Tateyama in Chiba,
and moved there just last week.
And Mikuri-san...?
We had the lease on our old house extended a little,
and Mikuri lives there alone now.
Even if we're living together,
we'll need to first give our greetings to Tsuzaki-kun's parents. Right?
Mikuri-san?
Yes?
What did you like about Hiramasa, Mikuri-san?
You don't have to ask now.
When will I?
Well... let's see...
Please clean precisely.
Focus on areas with water.
Please wipe the windows too.
His instructions are clear and specific.
There is no useless detail.
Also...
From there, I calculated an hourly rate.
If you consider one day 7 hours of manual labour, this is the monthly salary.
Even with regard to a crazy proposal,
he will look for a realistic solution.
He's extraordinarily likeable.
It's like you're praising your boss.
Don't cut in.
I felt that he was very trustworthy and dependable.
Is that so?
Yes.
What did you like about Mikuri, Hiramasa-san?
Well, isn't the only good thing about her her youth?
Papa!
Sorry about that, Mikuri-chan.
No, he's right.
No. That's not true.
Mikuri-san is able to do anything,
she's wasted on me.
Actually, I feel very sorry to those of the Moriyama family.
No, we feel the same way.
We'd never have thought we'd have a son who went to Kyoto University, right?
Yes.
And so? When will you have the ceremony?
The Tzuzakis live in Yamaguchi, wherever we hold it, we'll have to plan quickly...
A wedding dress? Kimono?
You could do both.
You could have one twice in Tokyo and Yamaguchi.
It's not your wedding, aunt.
If you're going to get excited, do it for your own wedding.
- Papa! - Chigaya!
Why are you like that?
Someone will stab you one day!
I'm sorry, Yuri-san.
It doesn't really bother me.
Then...
Father, how would you like some beer?
- You don't need to do that. - Thank you.
You too, father...
He's a good kid at heart but he's just a little bad-mouthed.
- How about you, mother? - Yes, please.
Oh no, you're too kind.
We won't have a wedding ceremony.
The two of us decided not to.
The two of us.
The statistics show that about 30% of registered marriages did not have a ceremony.
We could use this as the basis to persuade them.
For this, what do you think about appealing to psychology rather than using statistics?
If we give the impression that one of us is forcing this,
the other's parents will lose interest.
So, we'll stress that we decided it together.
What's important to us,
is residing together, and living together.
That one point.
Formal events like a wedding ceremony and reception aren't necessary.
The two of us decided so.
But...
It's the both of your first marriages,
and Mikuri-chan,
you want to wear a wedding dress, don't you?
Luckily, I'm not someone who's dreamed about that sort of thing.
Rather than spending money on the ceremony and reception,
it's better to put it into savings.
That's what the two of us think.
If it's about money... I can give you a little bit.
You used your retirement pay on the house, didn't you?
In starting this new life as a pair,
it's not our intention to rely on our parents' money.
Right, for both of us.
You keep going on about "the two of us"... It might be fine for you two, but...
Ceremonies are done for the people around you, you know?
What you're saying is true.
However, rather than inviting aquaintances we don't really know,
and having a grand feast...
Quietly and modestly...
That's the kind of life we want to treasure.
That's the lifestyle we are both aiming for.
So please, somehow...
Okay.
I'll approve.
If that's what the two of you want, isn't it fine?
If you say it's only for those around you, there's no need to do it.
Well, I guess so.
When I actually had a reception
all it was was tiring and I thought why do we have to do this?
What do you mean by that?
You could put it a better way.
You've never gotten married, aunt, so how would you know?
What?
All three of you, stop it!
- Yuri-chan! - Yeah?
Thank you!
Thanks to you they agreed.
- I'm going to be so lonely~ - Huh?
We won't be able to see each other all the time.
Why not? Just like usual.
It doesn't work like that when you're married.
Mikuri-chan.
The start of a marriage is the start of your new life, okay?
Good luck!
It sure makes you wonder if it's something that guy's wife said.
"That guy", you say. He's your nephew.
Well then, I'm going.
- Bye, Sakura! - Come visit us in Tateyama!
Okay~
Your dad was disappointed.
Huh?
He thought he would walk down the aisle with you.
He even rehearsed.
In the corridor of the new house.
I didn't think you would get married this early...
You had me when you were 23, right?
2 years younger than me now.
That's true, but...
You've always been the kind of kid...
... who wanted to work hard instead of getting married, right?
I think working is a form of happiness too,
but I was happy.
When you said you're getting married.
Be happy, okay?
Mikuri...
Oh... I need to go to the restroom for a moment.
Wait there. Okay?
Sorry to take your time away from work.
She's young, but she's a dependable girl, isn't she?
Yeah.
She's almost too young.
She's old on the inside.
She said so herself.
What's that?
You're already totally whipped?
That's not true.
For a man, having a household...
... is to shoulder all the burden and take responsiblity.
I think you can do it.
I can enjoy a good drink today.
Congratulations.
My mother and father were both more disappointed and happy than I'd imagined.
The weight of the word "marriage"...
... just fell on me.
Even though it's late.
I actually felt relieved.
It took a load off my shoulders.
Because I can't be the son my father wants...
Even if it's not the truth,
it's fine if it makes him happy.
Even if it all it did was put our parents at ease,
this was worthwhile.
That's a relief!
I didn't know what I'd do if you regretted it...
And it's not right to lie...
I thought maybe I made you do something grave...
Because I don't have the confidence to persuade those around me,
we're pretending it's a normal marriage.
If I had to say, it's running away.
Isn't it okay to run away?
Huh?
In Hungary, they have a proverb that goes like this...
"Running away is a shame, but it is helpful."
It's helpful?
Isn't it okay to take the pessimistic option?
Even if it's a shameful way to run away...
It's more important to survive.
I won't accept any contention or refutation in that regard.
"Running away is a shame, but it is helpful."
Yes.
You're right.
Even if it is running, let's survive.
We're not in a situation to be making any objections.
Um...
I thought this before too, but...
"Contention! Refutation! Objection" is pretty old, isn't it?
How do you know it?
I'm not lying about my age.
My dad liked it and watched it all the time.
You're really just like your dad.
Oh, please.
You too, Tsuzaki-san...
You seem like you know a lot of old and complicated things.
Is that right?
Yes.
You too, Tsuzaki-san, are like your dad.
I stopped saying it mid-sentence.
I shouldn't interfere that much.
We aren't husband and wife or lovers, or even friends.
Our relationship is that of employer and employee.
There was no problem, so I signed it.
Very well.
I will leave it in here.
Okay.
Well then... I am going to sleep.
Tsuzaki-san!
Hiramasa-san.
Good night.
Hiramasa-san is sleeping in the room next door.
Do I feel nervous? Am I not nervous?
Why aren't I?
We're under the same roof but I don't even feel a sense of danger.
Ah!
Is it because he's the herbiverous type?
No.
He...
Isn't it okay to run away?
He's not the type to go against someone's wishes.
It's because I can think of him that way.
That way...
In the room next door, Moriyama-san--
Mikuri-san is sleeping.
She's a strange person.
Does she not feel any sense of danger even though we're under the same roof?
Does she think I don't pose a threat?
I don't, though.
By nature, I don't like people being in my house,
or getting involved with me.
But she understands the sense of distance to leave...
Oh, please. You too, Tsuzaki-san...
When I start assuming something...
You seem like you know a lot of old and complicated things.
She draws back like a wave.
Like a wave...
How is it? The second week of your newlywed life.
Let's see...
- Good morning. - Good morning.
- Let's eat. - Let's eat.
Here's your lunch.
Thank you.
Have a good day!
I still feel a bit nervous, but it's surprisingly normal.
When I look back, I'm glad that I was too exhausted,
and could sleep without thinking about anything.
Do you want to get married now?
No, as for me...
If it's someone with a fair number of merits, I'll think about it.
- Merits? - His marriage is a lie?!
Shh!
Huh? Then, Tsuzaki-san...
... isn't really married?
He said so before, didn't he?
That marriage is the farthest thing that could happen to him.
Just a month and a half later...
His partner is 10 years younger than him.
It's strange. It's strange...
That's what my intuition is whispering into my ear.
Around here.
Now that I think about it...
Say it!
Who cares? Just say it!
Before, Tsuzaki-san said...
I mean a picture of your wife. Show me, show me!
- I don't have any. - How can that be true?
- You'd take some, normally. - Well we're not normal.
Not normal?
What's more...
Then, I'll visit your place with my family.
You can't.
But you've been to my place!
I have, but you can't.
I want to see you getting shy in front of your wife~
I don't, and it's impossible no matter what!
That makes it clear.
Tsuzaki-kun's wife is...
... a non-existent wife.
It's all a delusion of his.
In reality, she doesn't exist.
Seriously?
So Tsuzaki-san lives in the 2D world?
Let's introduce him to a counselor.
You're mistaken!
She exists. She has a physical form.
In 3D?
In 3D. She speaks too.
- Pepper-kun? - Not Pepper-kun.
She's a living human.
- Sounds kind of indecent. - It's not like that...
Even though it was a shocking marriage, you don't have any aura about you!
Like the bliss of love that exudes from your whole body...
- Or overflowing jounetsu! - Passion!
I'm not from the country of passion,
and if I show that passion about myself every day,
- I'll die of exhaustion. - You don't passion every day?
- Even though you're newlyweds? - What are you talking about?
That's enough.
Hino-san, please, come to my place with your family.
Really?
Yes... I'll introduce you to my wife.
- Yay! - Yay!
Only the Hino family.
Saturday at 5.
Roger that.
Sorry to take your day off.
I'll give you holiday compensation.
But...
I'll have to keep watching out for Numata-san.
He's a sharp person, isn't he.
I haven't checked with him himself,
but people say that Numata-san is gay.
Oh.
A male's view and a female's view.
I think maybe he's so sharp because he has both of those.
Hmm, but I wonder what he found so suspicious.
He said I don't have the aura of being in love.
Love?
I'm not in love, so of course I don't.
So I refuted that right on the spot.
If couples who get married are all excited every day,
it would impede their lives,
and there would be nothing worse for the body.
You're right.
Yes.
Oh, that reminds me.
You said before...
"I'm a pro-bachelor."
What's a pro-bachelor?
To be frank...
It's tranquility.
It is nothing more or less than that.
Tranquility.
It sounds nice.
Yes.
That's right.
Tranquility.
Loving tranquility more than excitement.
That is...
... the secret to being a pro-bachelor.
Having Mikuri-san as a live-in employee...
... was an unbelievably drastic decision for me to make.
However, she is working as a good employee.
Thanks to her attentiveness to nutrition,
my skin is in good condition.
I have been entirely freed from miscellaneous matters like house work and shopping.
And I can spend my time doing what I like.
It is exceptionally cost-effective.
[Hino Family, 17:00]
I'm going to go pick up the Hino family.
See you later.
Every day is a stable and fulfilling.
A tranquil everyday.
This is precisely...
Tsuzaki-kun!
Thanks for waiting.
One of Hino-kun's younger kids got a fever, so he couldn't come.
He felt bad about cancelling last minute and asked us to come instead.
You didn't hear?
I told him I don't have time for this, but...
He just begged me to.
I just sent you a map to my apartment block.
It's number 303.
I have something to take care of, so I'll go ahead.
Please take your time.
Please take as much time as you need.
Alright!
Numata-san is coming!
Numata?
The intuitive one I mentioned before.
We should hide at least some suspicious stuff.
Hide the mail with Moriyama on it.
Sorry.
Why did you leave the futon out here?
I thought the kids could lie down there or something.
Sorry, the kids aren't coming.
- The kids aren't coming. - Okay.
If they find out we sleep separately,
what will they say about their suspicions?
It's dangerous if they see the bedroom, isn't it?
And it's a single bed.
We can't let them ever go in.
Right.
Why were they running?
And even Kazami-san.
In any case, the futon.
Okay.
Sorry.
Okay.
Let's be most careful with words and actions.
I understand.
It definitely won't go in that way. This way, this way.
Like this? Um...
- Like this, right? - This way?
No, no. This way.
Welcome!
I'm Tsuzaki's wife, Mikuri.
Please, come in.
Come on in.
Here's some beer and wine.
Thank you so much!
Come in!
So it's a 1LDK?
Yes.
So this is the bedroom, then.
Shall I take a peek?
You can't!
Please, have a seat.
Please sit.
Okay~
- You shouldn't be rude. - Woah, you cooked so much!
- They're all simple dishes. - You're right, they're all simple dishes.
This is from Cookpad, right?
Cookpad is...
... great, isn't it?
Cookpad is...
... really great, isn't it?
Tada!
Cookpad. My cooking log.
This... Heartful Baldie-san?
Right. Cookpad is great, isn't it?
Oh, you make so much!
Simple and delicious, that's the best.
- I get you! - You really worked hard.
I don't know if it'll suit your tastes.
So she was alive.
- It wasn't Pepper-kun. - Obviously.
So your wife was the one who said "Then instead, why not marry me?" huh?
A reverse proposal.
Like a fantasy.
We're more businesslike.
Since it's the result of matching supply and demand.
In short, you mean you need each other.
That's it.
That's nice.
It's a bit of a shame, though.
Huh?
Since I was interested in you, Tsuzaki-kun.
I'm joking, only joking.
Then, Kazami-san...
You won't ever get married?
I don't want to, at this point in my life.
It's troublesome.
Troublesome?
It's annoying to share your own time with someone else.
In short, I'm just selfish.
"Sharing your time"...
Maybe to you,
your partner's feelings are important too?
Huh?
Because you respect your partner,
not just your own,
you don't want to steal your partner's time in the same way.
It sounds selfish,
but you might actually be kind.
Oh sorry. It's a habit of studying psychology.
It's fine.
It's very interesting.
Doesn't it worry you?
You have less time for yourself after getting married, right?
We're very strict in terms of time.
That's why I have to make sure to work hard enough to correspond with the salary.
Salary?
It's a metaphor.
In our case,
if we each carry out our duties, we're free to do what we want.
My duty is to do all the cleaning.
I don't meddle or get in his way.
That sure is dry.
I guess it is.
You might be a partner with merit, Mikuri-san.
Huh?
It's a compliment.
Thank you.
It's done~
Pankocakes.
- Ah, you made them well. - They look good.
What were you two doing over there?
We had such an interesting conversation.
Tsuzaki-kun got all jealous over here, it was trouble!
I don't get jealous.
Huh? You don't get jealous?
I...
I do.
If I do...
- When I do... - Why are you conjugating?
It's already getting quite late,
so please take some cake home.
Let's call it a night.
It's beautiful!
They haven't lifted the heavy rain flood warning.
The trains have stopped running too.
I'm glad...
... I'm not alone on a day like this.
Are you alright?
Can I stay over tonight?
Huh?
Kazami-kun, let's stay over.
It's embarrasing if I'm alone.
- No, that's... - The trains aren't even moving.
It's okay, right?
Right?
Uh... Then...
Let's have them sleep in the living room,
and you and I will be in this room...
We can't.
- But that's the only option. - But!
Instead of the room, the bigger problem is the bed.
There's only one bed in this room.
- Ugh... - And it's a single bed!
- Do you want to try sleeping as a test? - Of what?
A test of what?
I was joking.
Mikuri-san, the timing of your jokes is weird.
Sorry.
I'm fine with sleeping on the floor.
I can't do that, I'll sleep on the floor.
I'll take the floor.
You should have the bed.
- The employee should take the floor. - We should forget our work relationship here.
If we forget our work relationship,
with exactly what relationship are we sleeping in the same room?
Which is why, I'll take the floor.
That's unfair.
I should've hid my futon here!
Numata-san!
Numata-san?
It'll be bad if we leave him alone with Kazami-san...
There's a problem at every turn!
Why aren't you sleeping with your wife?
Well, I thought it could be nice to have a boys talk with the guys once in a while.
Oh, sounds good.
Then, let's start with our first times.
Let's sleep.
Tsuzaki-kun.
Tsuzaki-kun?
He fell asleep?
I wonder why he came over here.
He got worried that I'd do something bad to you.
What?
He thinks I'd just come onto anyone if they're a guy.
If you swoop on someone who doesn't have that intention,
it's a crime regardless of gender.
Right?
It must be nice to be someone who loves normally.
I'm straight, but I don't do that, you know.
Love a little bit, would you?
It's scary not knowing.
So far...
How many people have I hurt,
and how deeply have I hurt them?
Perhaps even Mikuri-san...
After being hurt by my thoughtless...
Words and actions...
Maybe they hide the feelings...
They want to say but can't.
Let's eat.
It feels like it's been a long time since we last ate together.
Because Numata-san and Kazami-san were almost here for 24 hours, right?
This is the leftover miso soup Numata-san made for breakfast...
- It's good, isn't it? - And the pasta he made at lunch too.
The cod roe sauce with wasabi was delicious!
If he had made dinner too,
he would've totally captured my stomach, and I'd let him stay over for two nights.
As expected, that would be...
I want to sleep soundly tonight.
You couldn't sleep last night?
Did someone snore?
I didn't notice.
No, nothing in particular.
Are you worried about something and can't sleep?
- Please don't worry about it. - Mikuri-san.
Yes?
I reflected on what I did last night.
Some things can't be settled if I don't know.
I have to pay more attention to my surroundings.
A workplace isn't made with the employees' effort alone.
The employer's side also has to put effort in.
As an employer,
I want to provide an environment that is easy for you to work in, Mikuri-san.
If something is on your mind,
please don't hold back, and tell me anything.
Thank you very much.
But...
The reason I couldn't sleep...
... was just because I drank too much coffee.
I'm sorry for worrying you.
We've already been together for 30 hours.
You're not in high school!
Well, what does it matter?
Life is just a big old way to kill time.
And while I was killing time, I saw it...
While leaving...
The bedroom at Tsuzaki-kun's house.
Your cooking was really delicious, ma'am.
Oh, I'm glad.
There was one pillow on a single bed.
It didn't look like they slept together there.
I wonder if those two...
... are really married?
- Good night. - Good night.
I can't say it.
I really can't say it.
I definitely can't say it.
Last night...
When I thought about how it's the bed Hiramasa-san sleeps in every day...
His presence just...
It was like I was wrapped in Hiramasa-san.
Like he was sleeping right beside me...
It smells sweet.
Oh yeah!
Mikuri-san slept in this bed last night.
It's as if Mikuri-san is close by...
Like she's sleeping right beside me.
This is dangerous.
What will spraying air do?
It's only a smell.
Just a smell.
But still, it's a smell.
My own futon...
It's so calming...
On this day alone...
I didn't notice that I forgot to change Hiramasa-san's bed sheets.
And the fact that his objections continued all night...
I didn't notice at all.
But I didn't know...
... it would be such a big deal!
Mune no naka ni aru mono The things in your heart
Itsuka mienakunaru mono The things that will one day disappear
Sore wa soba ni iru koto That is what it means to be by your side
Itsumo omoidashite Always remember that
Kimi no naka ni aru mono The things that are within you
Kyori no naka ni aru kodou The heartbeats that happen in the distance
Koi wo shita no anata no My dear I fell in love with,
Yubi no mazari, hoho no kaori Holding your hands, the scent of your cheeks
Fuufu wo koete yuke Let's exceed being husband and wife
Futari wo koete yuke Let's exceed being a pair
Hitori wo koete yuke Let's exceed being alone