Let's Get Divorced (2023–…): Season 1, Episode 2 - Episode #1.2 - full transcript
Thank you for coming.
Welcome to Henry Law Firm.
I'm Henry K Ishihara.
Despite sounding mixed-race,
I am a Kyushu-born man.
LET'S GET DIVORCED
Over there, a middle name can be anything.
Ah! By over there,
I'm talking about New York.
I went to the US when I was eight
and stayed for nine years.
I studied at Tokyo University
and am a licensed lawyer.
I opened my practice
with these two phrases in mind.
"Completely confidential"
and "I will not let you get
the short end of the stick."
Why did you say thanks to me?
- Huh?
- You thanked me as soon as I got here.
That's how you began.
- "Thank you for coming."
- Thank you for coming.
I was just wondering
what you meant by that.
You see, I can't be
the one soliciting you.
A third of all couples
will end up getting divorced.
Which isn't even to mention
all those couples
who secretly wish to get divorced.
So, that's why I wanted to thank you.
Taking the first step
is a courageous decision.
Now then, did you fill it out?
Here, have some of these.
Welcome sweets.
Help yourself. You won't get fat.
He seems so suspicious.
Everything about him.
Did he have plastic surgery?
His eyelids don't look natural.
Everything about him
is so blatantly suspicious
that it actually makes me think
he might be for real.
He's definitely had plastic surgery.
No children, been married for five years,
husband had an affair.
You both have your own income.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
This one is an easy case, I'd say.
In the US, the alimony
would be high for this one.
Oh, money is really not my issue.
Oh, I know.
Japan loves you.
"My woman pours a good drink."
Tonight, it's Junai.
Here's to Junai.
I want to divorce him right now,
at the first moment it's possible.
Invest in your family with love
and a home loan. Our forever house!
It's those commercials.
Everyone, we're having
eggplant for dinner.
That's a problem, isn't it?
Honey, do you feel all right?
Oh! You have a fever.
Can't you work from home?
Maybe so, but you've sold yourself
acting like a good wife.
I know, that's exactly it.
I could face an 800-million-yen penalty.
Eight hundred million?
Can you pay that much money?
That's exactly it!
Why should I have to be
the one to suffer an extra penalty?
He's the one that cheated on me.
I mean, I'm the victim here. Come on!
I mean, the damage is bad enough
with the whole affair thing.
I mostly wanna get back
all the years that I wasted.
I know, I know. You can wipe
your tears with welcome tissues.
Where are my tears?
Oh! Oh! Then how about a drink?
I have welcome drinks.
Potato or wheat?
I'd like the companies
to appreciate the circumstances,
and I want you to handle the penalty fees.
And one other thing.
I do not want to compromise on anything.
My goal is not to lose not a single yen.
Well, that is my duty as a lawyer.
Henry's sorry
for saying this was an easy case.
By the way, does your husband
consent to the divorce?
If she consents to it,
then we'll just sort out all the details,
so it shouldn't take too much time.
Oh.
- For you.
- Ah, thank you.
Wow.
This is nice water.
Considering your background,
you should have representation already.
Why are you here?
My mother doesn't know about this.
I see.
Her neck is so long.
She knows I'm looking at her.
Also, I was impressed by your résumé
and your law degree from Tokyo University.
- It was sexy.
- It was very impressive to me.
It's a standard résumé.
Are you getting divorced
because of your affair
with Sakurako Mimata, hmm?
Mm.
I wouldn't say that was the only reason.
It's not easy for me to use one word.
There's so much involved.
I, um... My explanation is hard to get out.
The details of your affair
constitute one very valid reason
why you decided you no longer wish
to remain in your marriage,
though there's
more motivation to it than that.
But you don't know how to explain it
because it's still unconscious.
Do I understand?
You're a fast talker.
Our firm charges our clients
by 30-minute increments,
so I talk rapidly to help you out.
Oh, I see.
Now then, please start
by talking about how you met your wife.
Talking in this manner
should help to organize your thoughts.
And from there, we can work out
why you want this divorce.
That makes sense.
So, how we met, uh...
Uh... huh.
At that time,
my dad was alive and in good health.
We were watching
a TV show called Mikochan.
Kotaro, it's not a problem.
This is not a problem for us.
Hey, Papa.
Hmm?
I want to meet that girl.
We represent the fifth district of Ehime,
which is where Mikochan is set,
so I asked my dad about her.
Ready? And action!
That was when I realized
how powerful my dad really was.
I swear to all the gods in the world
that I'll always love you.
Wow, she's cute.
Okay. I'll check the take.
She's leaving Kotaro.
That's unexpected.
Okay, the scene looks good.
Is she looking at me?
- She is. What?
- That's a wrap.
She's staring at me.
Oh no! I can't believe this!
Ms. Kurosawa,
this is Taishi Shoji, our Health,
Labor and Welfare minister's son.
Um...
My name is Taishi. Nice to meet you.
Hi, uh... have we met before?
What?
She seemed interested in me.
Before I left, I asked her
if she wanted to grab dinner,
and surprisingly, she said yes.
Who would have thought
actresses could be so easy to win over.
Yes, his looks were quite appealing.
But it's not exactly uncommon
to see handsome guys
in the entertainment industry.
Of course.
You've been working
with handsome guys all your life.
Oh! You were in Annie.
Yeah, but when I was first starting out,
all of the really good parts
went to bigger agencies.
The roles I'd get were hardly any better
than being an extra.
The people around me
were all looks but no substance,
and they were always competing
for just a second of screen time,
fighting over a single line.
Let's get started.
Let's see. Yui, sit right here.
Okay.
It's her again.
Bet they're dating.
The director? Ew, barf!
Any time I got attention,
they'd start whispering behind my back.
Out of everyone,
there was this one particular kid
who was actually nice to me.
There's something on your lip.
What?
That's not so easy to say.
Even to a close friend,
it wouldn't be easy.
Silence was just what I came to expect.
So to say that I had something on my lip
was just him being compassionate.
His only motive was just to be nice to me.
I understand.
It's tough saying stuff like that.
It's hard to mention a nose hair
or say your nipples are hard right now.
Well? Who did this boy turn into?
That guy wasn't me at all.
- It wasn't you?
- No, because I've never been on a TV show.
Right. Of course not.
So weird. You really do look
so much like him, though.
Nope, sorry.
- Do you only want him, then?
- No, I didn't mean it like that.
Sorry, I guess you might not love
being confused
for a total stranger.
No, no, no.
Do you have an early start tomorrow?
You work for a congressman,
so you must be busy.
Oh, yeah.
I join my father going back and forth
between Tokyo and Ehime.
"Kinkikarai." Ever heard that expression?
"Kinkikarai"?
Yeah.
Local officials,
they go home to their districts
after the last Friday session.
So during the weekend,
they meet with their local constituents.
Then, they return to Tokyo
to make it in time
for the Tuesday meeting of Congress.
Wow. That sounds awful.
No, it really isn't.
I really love Ehime so much!
Huh?
The weather's nice,
and there's great food.
When I was a kid, I always spent summers
at my grandmother's house here, yeah?
Oh! Has anyone told you
about how, in Ehime, orange juice
flows right out of the faucets?
Now you'll just turn to your neighbors
and talk about anything.
Okay? Action!
Did you know that in Ehime,
the faucets have tangerine juice?
No, it's true.
There are these special faucets
for juice at Matsuyama Castle
and at the airport.
But it's even better than that.
- Ehime grows kiwis by the bushel!
- Cut!
It also makes
the country's softest towels.
Imabari towels!
That's where they come from.
Also, they're so good at building ships!
Boats this high! With enormous cranes.
Why exactly didn't you wanna admit
it was really you?
Well, it's a bit embarrassing.
I was in a child theater group,
but it was a hobby.
I only got roles
that were slightly better than an extra.
I wanted to erase
that whole, entire period of time.
I don't remember it, in truth.
And it wasn't like
I'd done anything bad to her.
I did something good.
Plus, it was Mikochan.
His dad was in politics,
and he was following
in his dad's footsteps.
My own mother was no good.
I wanted to have
an honest and normal life.
I came from a not-so-great home
and was starved for love and affection.
I thought that he had come to my rescue.
A real Cinderella story.
Uh-huh.
I am definitely
going to make him like me.
Wow.
That evening glow
is where my heart lives.
I see.
Don't you wonder...
I mean, why it is that people
who don't really wanna be born
have to exist?
This place makes me think about that.
Mm-hmm.
I felt that at home,
there was no place for me
to call my own,
but this place was all mine.
That sounds really hard.
Yes, but...
Taishi, I'm so glad we met.
I'm also glad
to exist.
In that moment,
I realized...
...this woman is my wife for all time.
She was sent to me by God.
We cannot let you marry.
You are a very talented young actress,
and you have every right
to be proud of it.
But you are not appropriate
for this family.
What? Wait, why not?
But Yui is Mikochan.
Ehime residents are in love with her.
I know that your mother
has borne seven children
with five different fathers.
Mom's already looked
into her family.
You've had a very peculiar upbringing,
which is quite inappropriate
for this family.
A clean image
is the one thing
that a political family requires.
Her reputation is great.
And I'm not in politics. I'm a secretary.
I'll not have anything
tarnish your father's image!
Kurosawa...
don't think too badly of us.
Serving this country
as a member of Congress comes with...
...extra scrutiny.
Then I'll do it without permission.
I'll quit my job,
and we'll go live somewhere else.
You could never exist
without this family name, my son.
That's not true.
You can't because I raised you
specifically to be an heir to all this.
Now, now.
Kurosawa,
Taishi is our only son and the Shoji heir.
And when I die,
he must continue to serve Ehime.
And when that happens,
he'll need someone
who can stay by his side,
making everyone feel welcome.
Please just walk away from him.
Use this to become an even better actress.
I'm begging you.
That's not right.
I understand.
If his future is ruined with me in it...
...I'll leave him be.
No, don't.
Mm.
Living with my mother...
the world felt heartless.
I grew up
thinking the only possible type of love
was the impure kind.
And then... I met your son...
...and my entire world was changed.
I realized there are
good people out there.
It was really surprising.
I felt like I'd been saved.
And then I fell in love with him.
I'm different, not like the others.
I truly wanted to spend my life
loving only Taishi,
us being together...
always being by his side.
But I suppose...
I'm in the way.
His future is
the most important thing here. I get it.
And even if...
...he is the person I love...
...I must step out of his way.
You're not in my way!
Please don't give up on our love!
Yes, I must,
as sad as that is.
Oh, no. I won't let you.
This is it.
No, no.
I won't give up.
Don't give up on me either!
I'll go with you.
I'll leave all this behind.
Wait a minute.
In that next moment,
my father suddenly changed his mind.
I guess he was touched by Yui's tears.
The Japanese do have a weakness for them.
But I was still surprised
when he said we could get married.
After I married Taishi,
I started getting
tons of commercial offers.
And then film parts
and TV series, one after another.
So that kind boy from long ago,
he was a good luck charm for you.
That's why I was so supportive of it all.
I'd go to Ehime on Friday
and come back Tuesday.
The Mikochan costume
gets dirty after wearing it once.
So I always had to come with extras.
It was tough.
So you betrayed your supportive young wife
by cheating on her with Sakurako, right?
Mm. I mean, that's true,
but, well, you know...
...being an actress's husband,
it can be really tough, also.
My feelings for you won't change,
even if it turns out you did it.
No, you don't mean it.
That was a long kiss.
Mm. Don't forget that this is my job.
I know that.
You're such a total pro, you can do
a love scene with an actor you hate.
Don't worry about it, though.
Do you hate this actor?
Mm, I don't feel any way. It's just work.
Your work.
Mm. It's what I do.
I can cry on command
and choose which eye it comes out of too.
Really?
She never told me that before.
If the camera's on this side,
I cry from this eye.
If it's over here, from this eye.
Okay, action! And then I cry.
Whoa.
You wanna see?
- Sure.
- Okay.
I'll cry from this eye.
Just say "action."
Who, me? Okay, sure.
It's weird pretending to be the director.
Okay, then.
Mm.
Are you ready?
Action.
I have to stay hydrated,
or I'll run out of tears.
Uh...
Hey, Yui.
- Hmm?
- Um...
Remember the first time you met my family?
And you cried because of our love.
Was that fake?
What?
Those tears were real. Come on, now.
I felt so sad thinking
that I would have to live without you.
She's lying.
That was all an act.
After that, my feelings toward her
started to falter, I suppose.
Did you then try to find true love
and peace of mind with someone else?
Well, I wouldn't call it... true love.
And it wasn't peace of mind either.
All your life, you've been surrounded
by your parents' notoriety and Yui's.
It's understandable
how that could make you feel bored.
Could that help explain things?
Is that why you cheated?
Well, I might have been
a little bored.
Or else I was, uh, not bored.
Perhaps it's hard having a wife
who's so popular and talented.
- Was it revenge?
- Revenge? There's no way.
- Your male ego.
- That's not how I am.
A congressman shouldn't have an ego.
If it wasn't your ego, was it pure lust?
Uh...
Not exactly.
Be honest. Your pride was at stake.
Mm. That's it then.
That's it? This is your problem to solve.
But I really just don't know.
Nothing sounds right.
For some reason, I really don't know
how to explain it to you.
You have to explain it to me
because I am the lawyer
who is negotiating your divorce for you.
Okay. When my relationship exploded,
there was another girl who was all like,
"Wow." So does that make it clear?
Don't strain yourself.
Picture a large fountain
rising upwards from the ground.
Not working.
I'll lose an eyeball.
Actresses are incredible.
You can apply this technique
to most anything
as long as you practice it.
Uh, for example...
...right here.
"Ingredients."
"Sugar."
"Coconut mass."
Oh my God.
- "Condensed milk."
- Stop. Okay, okay, okay.
- "Cocoa butter."
- It's scary! I said it's scary!
- "Hazelnuts."
- Please!
- "May contain soy products."
- Stop it, okay?
- I can't take it anymore! Please!
- "Store contents at... room temperature."
So, now let's discuss
your husband's mother.
Have you experienced manipulation
at the hands of your mother-in-law?
Uh...
I know
it's hard to say it out loud.
But for our negotiations,
it's an important detail.
Let me say this.
Her entire existence
is one big manipulation.
She lives above us
in the same condo building
and uses her key
to come inside whenever she wants.
She installs appliances
without telling us,
drops off pamphlets for fertility clinics.
Who does she think she is?
That's it! She's a yokai!
I think she's a type of demonic yokai.
I guess this is easy to talk about.
But at least her insanity
is easy to understand,
and it just might be hereditary.
Wait.
Just what do you mean?
The Shoji family is fine.
Her only concern is
whether something looks wrong or right.
Three years ago,
when I discovered my husband cheated...
Oh!
Can I have it now?
The welcome drink.
Certainly!
SHAMELESS SMOOCH ON THE STREET!!
NEW TV ANNOUNCER GIRL
SAKURAKO MIMATA AND MIKOCHAN'S HUSBAND
What is this?
We received a call at our office,
asking us to confirm the facts.
"Sakurako Mimata."
My name's Sakurako Mimata.
I'll be today's MC.
I work as a TV presenter.
Oh, all right.
Does the CEO know?
He's in there meeting with a lawyer now.
Now, now, now, just hang on!
Yui, relax. It's gonna be all right.
Hey!
If this gets out, we are finished!
Hey there.
We're handling this.
There is a Best Couple Award
at stake here! Yeah, Yui Kurosawa!
Just clean this mess up.
Just a minute.
It's almost fixed.
Huh? Huh? What? What?
Just bury this right now.
If you can't do it, then we're done!
Yes.
Yes.
All right.
That's appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
The advising lawyer, Natsume, has agreed
to halt publication on the article.
Oh, that's great news!
I'll tell the CEO.
Yes, well, that media group owes us.
Mm. Good thing we did those favors.
It's a good thing.
- Well, that's that.
- Hmm.
Please, wait a moment!
Hmm? Was there something else?
Well, yes, there is something.
My husband
was unfaithful.
Yes, so what? Didn't you hear?
It won't get out.
Yeah, I realize that,
but it still doesn't change
the fact that my husband cheated.
He didn't cheat
because there's no article.
She really said that?
That's so old-fashioned.
Even if it doesn't come out,
if they had sex, it's considered cheating.
Yeah, that counts as cheating.
I know, right?
It honestly made me
want to laugh.
I told her that's like saying
a murder hasn't happened
as long as the murderer didn't get caught.
Yes, exactly.
We turn a blind eye to these things.
That is what
a congressman's wife should do.
Or at least times were like that before.
You talk like he was being
resourceful or something.
Like that's supposed
to make me feel better.
What did I tell you?
It's for me to say.
As his wife, I can't let this go.
Haven't I said you need to get pregnant?
Once you have a child, you become
more resolved about your role.
Whatever we do, that's for us to decide.
Yui, dear... what do you suppose
is the reason for your career success?
Who's been supporting
your energetic mother
and your rambunctious siblings
with regular payments?
Everything is for the family
and the legacy of the Shoji name.
I told you,
if you had a child, I'd raise it.
All you have to do is give birth to it.
Mineko, whatever you're doing here,
it's not good.
So what is it?
Want me to say sorry?
To get down on my knees
on behalf of my son, huh?
Does Taishi know about this?
I'm home!
Mom, make me something to eat.
I didn't have time for lunch.
Huh? Yui, you're here.
Ooh, dorayaki, great.
What? Yes?
What's wrong?
Huh?
What? What?
What is this? What?
What the... Wait... wait a minute. Huh? No!
Wait, Saotome. Saotome, what...
- He said "huh" eight times.
- Huh? Huh?
- "What" ten times.
- What? What?
- "Saotome" six times.
- Saotome. Saotome!
And then finally...
I'm so sorry!
He wasn't kneeling down
to apologize.
That position was only a coincidence.
Mm! The next moment,
he said something unbelievable.
So, um...
Are we really sure this is me?
Is my face shaped like that?
That isn't my suit, is it?
I part my hair differently too.
I did feel bad about of this, of course.
If he feels bad at all,
it's for Ehime, not for me.
Yui has sex scenes with young actors
all the time for her work.
He doesn't care about me at all.
I'm only a tool
for him to gain popularity.
Ehime, it's about Mikochan, Mikochan.
No one there cares about me.
After it happened, I still had to hold
his hand during the next election
and kiss up to all those voters.
I supported him,
then as soon as he got elected,
they published that damn article.
The problem did not go away!
I'm sorry.
So pathetic!
You finally got your name in print,
and it's in the gossip pages.
Such a jerk!
"What a complete affair."
It's been over for a while, though.
If it was going to get out,
I should have left
when I first discovered it.
How does this get fixed?
You're gonna get me fired.
Not to mention the penalties I'll pay.
Yeah,
but, mm, is this me?
Seriously?
Right, I'm sorry.
So... pathetic.
And I feel so stupid
to have ever thought
we were meant to be together.
Well, here's the good news.
If you divorce him,
any penalties will not be
your responsibility.
Uh... Oh, yeah?
Uh... That's wonderful!
Such a relief.
Yeah.
Just as long as you don't cheat.
You haven't, right?
Right?
I'm sorry.
You're my dream woman.
We should get together again someday.
Nope, I didn't.
Just be straight with me.
It will be a problem later
if you did cheat.
There's no need to worry.
I haven't cheated.
How did you and Mimata end up?
Oh...
That was it.
So it's over?
I haven't given up yet.
Yes.
All right, then.
Mm.
How's the sex?
You mean my wife?
We don't really have sex.
The mood is never right,
not to mention her rage.
So you said
you were trying to have a baby?
I didn't have a problem
with trying to do it,
but he was so unmotivated.
But as a man, it's so degrading.
What is?
The whole thing.
Mm, the low sperm count
and my bad performance.
It probably was always for the best,
seeing how things
have turned out up till now.
So is there anything else
that you want to tell me?
Well, I'd like it if the alimony
was not that high.
I want to save my image
from sustaining too much damage.
I no longer want to just be
Mikochan's husband, okay?
I'm confident that I can be
somebody without her reputation.
I want everyone to say, "Yui Kurosawa
has really moved on already."
Going forward,
I'll handle all of the communication.
Starting now,
I'll handle all contact with your wife.
Really? You will? That's so good.
So then I don't have to deal with Taishi?
Oh, that is great.
All right, then.
If you insist, I will.
That is so dumb.
What are you doing?
I didn't sign up for this!
Well, that's cold.
I had a meeting with a lawyer.
She was really good-looking.
Oh, wow. Good for you.
You can have another affair.
Well, we were discussing our divorce,
so the mood wasn't right for that.
The lawyer I hired
was pretty cool as well. A returnee.
A returnee?
Guy lawyer or girl?
Guy lawyer.
I figured a guy would be nicer
than a girl to me.
By the way, if there are penalties,
they won't be my responsibility,
since I'm not the one who cheated.
That's something
for the lawyers to handle.
Yeah, that's my thinking as well.
You just don't understand!
But it's fine. We're getting divorced.
Huh? What?
Huh? What is it you want to say?
What don't I understand?
Well, the toilet seat, for one thing.
- Huh?
- You told me not to stand and pee, right?
Uh, yeah, I did.
"It gets all over the place."
"A stinky toilet's
the worst kind of bad luck."
"Taishi, we both have our reputations.
We can't afford to have bad luck."
I said that.
Yeah, but when I protested, you said,
"Well, it's a common thing for a man
these days to pee standing up," right?
- You're nitpicking.
- You may not understand this.
But I know,
whether you sit or stand up to pee
are two very different viewpoints on life.
Viewpoints on life?
The day my dad died
from a brain hemorrhage,
we talked about this.
Taishi.
Yeah?
No matter what happens,
don't become a man who sits down to pee.
Where'd that come from?
It's my dying wish.
What?
Minister?
What's the matter?
Are you okay?
Minister?
Can you hear me? It's Saotome.
Ambulance!
Somebody call an ambulance now!
Yes, of course.
Maybe to you,
this is something to laugh at.
But it was important to me and my dad.
And my own wife was someone
who couldn't understand all this.
And that's what made me feel so lonely.
- Who cares, if our marriage is over?
- I care. I want sympathy.
Huh? Are you kidding me?
Can't you see I'm the one
who deserves sympathy?
Who cares what anyone else thinks?
I'm saying that I'm sick of doing this!
Mikochan isn't everything.
I have my own life, you know?
I am so sick of it all.
I don't want to hear
"kashikomi, kashikomi" ever again.
The worst mistake of my life
was marrying an actor!
Guess we're good here.
I'll go pack my stuff.
You can handle
breaking the news to your mom
that we're getting divorced, okay?
I'll talk to my parents.
We should have the lawyers handle that.
We're paying them to do it.
- So your mommy doesn't scold you?
- All right, then. Fine, I'll tell her.
- How soon?
- Well...
Today's Wednesday.
Ah!
- Yui Channel.
- What? Oh!
No. We shouldn't.
Not with us in this mood.
- Good evening!
- Good evening!
Hi, and welcome to our kitchen!
It's Taishi Shoji salute.
Yui Kurosawa.
The only Mikochan!
Famous actress and my wife.
Taishi, tell us, what is going on?
So excited.
Hey, Yui, don't you know?
We've reached over a million follows!
- Kashikomi, kashikomi.
- Kashikomi, kashikomi.
- Follow me!
- Follow me!
So tonight,
you know what we've got?
A special meal from Ehime.
Cheap and yummy panfried pork chops
topped with two eggs.
Right here!
Wait a minute, Yui.
Are you serious right now?
We both went and spoke to lawyers,
and we've begun
the first stage of the divorce.
Then does that mean all the money stops?
No.
No, of course not.
I'll take care of all of that.
It'll get cold, so we should probably eat.
You know, this is really easy to make.
You should think about
putting it on the menu.
Seems like poor people food.
Hey, we have
stuff like this for dinner all the time.
It's easy to just put anything on rice.
Less dishes too, so...
For rich people,
this is delicious, trendy food.
They have it once in a while.
For cheapskates and peasant types like us,
this is real food.
What's with her?
So we're expecting a new addition.
Huh?
Impossible. Are you pregnant?
You think it's me? Oh my goodness.
- You're flattering me.
- Uh, who is it, then?
It's not Ai. She just gave birth.
Uh... Is it yours, Shin?
What about you, Kou?
Huh? Then... then who?
Uh, it's Akira!
Wait, do we have an Akira?
He's Natsuko's boyfriend.
Nice to finally meet you.
It's my goal to be an enka singer.
Just be careful.
This family changes members frequently.
Huh?
We really shouldn't talk
about money today, eh?
There will never be enough money.
There's never enough
for the rent and car payments
and tuition for everybody's school.
It's fine to let your temporary feelings
consider a divorce,
but are you even considering us?
After you've calmed down,
you'll realize just how selfish it is
to get a divorce just because he cheated.
You of all people
have no business saying that.
I have never ever been divorced
in my life, not once!
Yeah, that's 'cause
you never married anyone!
- You're kidding!
- You do know I'm ready whenever you like.
Please think this over, Yui.
We're surviving because of the Shojis.
I'm home.
Where were you?
Oh, upstairs.
My mom had gotten some fresh bean mochi.
Here you go, your piece.
Did you tell her, then?
No, not yet.
Why not?
You were just there.
How did you not tell her?
The timing wasn't right to tell her.
Instead of eating bean mochi,
you should be talking to her.
It's not something
you can just casually bring up.
You're such a coward.
You go acting like you're so brave,
but you can't do anything
without a lawyer.
What about the bean mochi?
I brought you bean mochi.
Are you gonna have it or not?
Stop avoiding the question!
Just like the Peace Party,
avoiding reality.
Pathetic!
I can't. I can't do this.
Not anymore.
Hmm.
I'LL BE STAYING AT A HOTEL FOR A WHILE
Where's the president?
He got a phone call just a minute ago.
Oh, okay. This looks good.
It's not ready yet.
No! President!
Please... please put on some clothes.
I've wanted to do this
for so long!
Stop it.
Everyone's here.
They're waiting for the final course.
Who cares about all that?
I don't care about it at all!
President,
we ran out of ponzu sauce!
Prime minister.
I'm asking the prime minister.
Can you not tell us this yourself?
He's right, tell us.
Prime Minister Ichiro Shinoyama.
Well, uh, it depends
on when we get the evidence.
HEY, DID YOU TELL YOUR MOM YET?
IF YOU CAN'T TELL HER,
I'LL GO AND TELL HER FOR YOU.
- That's right!
- Yeah!
I never said I wouldn't tell her.
I never said I wouldn't.
I WILL TELL HER.
I JUST NEED TO TIME IT RIGHT.
HURRY UP.
'K.
I really hate that dumb "okay" sign.
Just stay focused.
You're being rude to pachinko.
You're famous, huh?
What?
Kodamachi intersection.
I didn't know that.
That's okay.
You don't... need to know that.
This is your chance!
Reach!
Now turn the dial to the right.
This is your chance!
- Turn... turn it to the right?
- Mm-hmm.
Congratulations!
All right!
Defeat all your enemies
to get an ultra rush.
It'll be okay.
'Cause I can't do it.
What does he mean by that?
Does he mean...
He can't do it?
I told you
it was gonna be fun!
What was that earlier?
Sorry. You're cute,
so I wanted to kiss you.
I'm not talking about that.
"I can't do it."
I'm impotent.
Is that bad?
What?
Are you someone who needs sex?
I like you no matter what.
I seriously like you.
So we barely even know each other, though.
We've only had dinner together once.
Ah, that was a fun night.
We should do it again.
Huh?
Again how?
I don't have your contact information.
All I know is your name,
your cigarette brand,
your pachinko skill level,
and that you're impotent.
It sounds to me like you know plenty.
Your updated schedule
for the weekend's been sent.
- Have a good night.
- Thank you so much.
Tokyo University?
Yeah, I dropped out, though.
Yeah, but, I mean, you passed
the entrance exam, didn't you?
Mm-hmm.
Wow, you're smart, then.
I looked you up. You're Mikosan, is it?
Huh?
That's so cool.
I haven't seen it, but I've heard of it.
Don't look me up, though.
It was better when you didn't know that
or anything else about me.
When I wasn't an actress
or somebody's wife.
When we were two regular human beings.
I'm just a regular guy.
I don't feel regular.
You're a regular woman.
Well, then, when we're together,
just be regular.
Before you,
I was never interested
in anyone like this.
It's okay that you're impotent.
But it would really be better
if you weren't.
Excuse me.
Hey, are you Yui Kurosawa?
Whoa, told you, it's really her.
Take a picture?
Uh, I'm sorry,
but I'm just here privately.
Aw, please.
He just broke up with his girlfriend.
- What does that matter?
- Stop, okay?
I'm sorry, not tonight.
We won't upload these.
It's just for ourselves.
You're so fucking persistent.
Just calm down, you old man.
- Huh?
- Stop it.
- You're so annoying.
- Oh, this is a twist.
I've played this part on TV
a few times, though.
We're part of the Mikochan generation.
Mikochan? It's Mikosan, asshole!
Except Mikochan is correct.
Let go of me.
Okay.
Let me cure you.
Cure me?
Yes, I'll cure you.
Of your impotence.
How, exactly?
I'm getting
a divorce.
Did I ever tell you
to break up with him?
You don't have to get divorced.
Either way,
it doesn't matter.
Don't get sad now.
SAKURAKO MIMATA
CALLING...
Hello?
Hi. Where are you?
If I tell you,
will you come meet me?
Ah, no, I wasn't really planning to. Uh...
If you don't wanna see me,
don't call.
No, no, I do.
In fact, that's the reason I'm calling.
Does that mean
you've figured out how we can meet?
Uh...
I, uh...
My dentist friend's off today,
and he said we could use his office.
We definitely won't get seen there.
Let me say this
before I get drunk.
What is it?
You aren't getting a divorce after all?
Guess again.
I am divorcing her. Really.
I met with a lawyer yesterday.
I think I can divorce her.
- Really?
- Really, yeah.
Will you manage okay
without Mikochan?
I'll be fine
as long as you're with me.
I don't think
the people of Ehime
will love me like they love her.
As soon as you're the beloved wife
of Taishi Shoji, they will.
You're not happy?
Sure, I am, for now.
I'm definitely divorcing her.
Wait for me, okay?
Sakurako was
so amazing that night.
HEY, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO TELL YOUR MOM?
THIS IS GOING NOWHERE.
HURRY UP AND TELL HER.
'K.
What is with this "okay"?
What's the matter?
You look pretty stressed-out.
Taishi and I are
getting divorced.
What?
Taishi told me he wants to get a divorce.
Hmm, that doesn't sound right.
No, I don't believe you.
Your son and I no longer love each other.
Well, of course. I know that.
But you're not a normal couple.
Hmm.
Taishi is a representative
for this country.
And you are his wife, Yui.
Love has nothing to do with it.
There's an even stronger bond
between the two of you.
Oh, well, if we actually happen
to be talking to each other at all,
we're probably live streaming.
Otherwise, we're not.
And that's fine.
And you should keep doing them
for Ehime's sake.
It inspires them.
Mm.
If you would only produce a child,
then you'd be a perfect Shoji family wife.
I am telling you, it's impossible
to have a child without love.
Love means nothing to you
as long as you're off
flirting with all those actors.
If you can do that at work,
you can do the same for Taishi.
Why can't you just play
the role of the wife?
What about your husband?
Did he ever have an affair
or cheat on you?
Well, of course he did.
There's not a man in the world
who doesn't do that.
Listen.
I was a faithful wife
and a good mother,
standing next to my husband,
celebrating with him
after he won a big election.
I have a higher position
than any other woman.
You are a fool
to make such a fuss over a little no one
like that Mimata girl.
What's that?
I'm the fool here?
You don't even have to touch him.
If you want a baby, just use IVF.
If you can do that,
your status in society will be rock-solid.
You'll maintain your perfect image
as Japan's number one wife.
My image is making me go crazy!
I want to be a regular person, not this!
And so what about your family?
They don't need support anymore?
Honestly, I have a really good career.
You're the one who insisted on helping,
so I decided to allow you to do that.
Now with us being gone,
you don't have to spend any more money,
because I am going to be divorced.
Okay. I just wanted to tell you that.
Good day.
You have another man.
If that's the issue, just say so.
I understand if you want
to let off steam with another man.
Just continue acting like a couple
when you're out together.
You'll have a better life if you do that.
There's no one like that at all.
A man? Another man?
What are you doing here?
No, I don't like that at all.
Welcome to Henry Law Firm.
I'm Henry K Ishihara.
Despite sounding mixed-race,
I am a Kyushu-born man.
LET'S GET DIVORCED
Over there, a middle name can be anything.
Ah! By over there,
I'm talking about New York.
I went to the US when I was eight
and stayed for nine years.
I studied at Tokyo University
and am a licensed lawyer.
I opened my practice
with these two phrases in mind.
"Completely confidential"
and "I will not let you get
the short end of the stick."
Why did you say thanks to me?
- Huh?
- You thanked me as soon as I got here.
That's how you began.
- "Thank you for coming."
- Thank you for coming.
I was just wondering
what you meant by that.
You see, I can't be
the one soliciting you.
A third of all couples
will end up getting divorced.
Which isn't even to mention
all those couples
who secretly wish to get divorced.
So, that's why I wanted to thank you.
Taking the first step
is a courageous decision.
Now then, did you fill it out?
Here, have some of these.
Welcome sweets.
Help yourself. You won't get fat.
He seems so suspicious.
Everything about him.
Did he have plastic surgery?
His eyelids don't look natural.
Everything about him
is so blatantly suspicious
that it actually makes me think
he might be for real.
He's definitely had plastic surgery.
No children, been married for five years,
husband had an affair.
You both have your own income.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
This one is an easy case, I'd say.
In the US, the alimony
would be high for this one.
Oh, money is really not my issue.
Oh, I know.
Japan loves you.
"My woman pours a good drink."
Tonight, it's Junai.
Here's to Junai.
I want to divorce him right now,
at the first moment it's possible.
Invest in your family with love
and a home loan. Our forever house!
It's those commercials.
Everyone, we're having
eggplant for dinner.
That's a problem, isn't it?
Honey, do you feel all right?
Oh! You have a fever.
Can't you work from home?
Maybe so, but you've sold yourself
acting like a good wife.
I know, that's exactly it.
I could face an 800-million-yen penalty.
Eight hundred million?
Can you pay that much money?
That's exactly it!
Why should I have to be
the one to suffer an extra penalty?
He's the one that cheated on me.
I mean, I'm the victim here. Come on!
I mean, the damage is bad enough
with the whole affair thing.
I mostly wanna get back
all the years that I wasted.
I know, I know. You can wipe
your tears with welcome tissues.
Where are my tears?
Oh! Oh! Then how about a drink?
I have welcome drinks.
Potato or wheat?
I'd like the companies
to appreciate the circumstances,
and I want you to handle the penalty fees.
And one other thing.
I do not want to compromise on anything.
My goal is not to lose not a single yen.
Well, that is my duty as a lawyer.
Henry's sorry
for saying this was an easy case.
By the way, does your husband
consent to the divorce?
If she consents to it,
then we'll just sort out all the details,
so it shouldn't take too much time.
Oh.
- For you.
- Ah, thank you.
Wow.
This is nice water.
Considering your background,
you should have representation already.
Why are you here?
My mother doesn't know about this.
I see.
Her neck is so long.
She knows I'm looking at her.
Also, I was impressed by your résumé
and your law degree from Tokyo University.
- It was sexy.
- It was very impressive to me.
It's a standard résumé.
Are you getting divorced
because of your affair
with Sakurako Mimata, hmm?
Mm.
I wouldn't say that was the only reason.
It's not easy for me to use one word.
There's so much involved.
I, um... My explanation is hard to get out.
The details of your affair
constitute one very valid reason
why you decided you no longer wish
to remain in your marriage,
though there's
more motivation to it than that.
But you don't know how to explain it
because it's still unconscious.
Do I understand?
You're a fast talker.
Our firm charges our clients
by 30-minute increments,
so I talk rapidly to help you out.
Oh, I see.
Now then, please start
by talking about how you met your wife.
Talking in this manner
should help to organize your thoughts.
And from there, we can work out
why you want this divorce.
That makes sense.
So, how we met, uh...
Uh... huh.
At that time,
my dad was alive and in good health.
We were watching
a TV show called Mikochan.
Kotaro, it's not a problem.
This is not a problem for us.
Hey, Papa.
Hmm?
I want to meet that girl.
We represent the fifth district of Ehime,
which is where Mikochan is set,
so I asked my dad about her.
Ready? And action!
That was when I realized
how powerful my dad really was.
I swear to all the gods in the world
that I'll always love you.
Wow, she's cute.
Okay. I'll check the take.
She's leaving Kotaro.
That's unexpected.
Okay, the scene looks good.
Is she looking at me?
- She is. What?
- That's a wrap.
She's staring at me.
Oh no! I can't believe this!
Ms. Kurosawa,
this is Taishi Shoji, our Health,
Labor and Welfare minister's son.
Um...
My name is Taishi. Nice to meet you.
Hi, uh... have we met before?
What?
She seemed interested in me.
Before I left, I asked her
if she wanted to grab dinner,
and surprisingly, she said yes.
Who would have thought
actresses could be so easy to win over.
Yes, his looks were quite appealing.
But it's not exactly uncommon
to see handsome guys
in the entertainment industry.
Of course.
You've been working
with handsome guys all your life.
Oh! You were in Annie.
Yeah, but when I was first starting out,
all of the really good parts
went to bigger agencies.
The roles I'd get were hardly any better
than being an extra.
The people around me
were all looks but no substance,
and they were always competing
for just a second of screen time,
fighting over a single line.
Let's get started.
Let's see. Yui, sit right here.
Okay.
It's her again.
Bet they're dating.
The director? Ew, barf!
Any time I got attention,
they'd start whispering behind my back.
Out of everyone,
there was this one particular kid
who was actually nice to me.
There's something on your lip.
What?
That's not so easy to say.
Even to a close friend,
it wouldn't be easy.
Silence was just what I came to expect.
So to say that I had something on my lip
was just him being compassionate.
His only motive was just to be nice to me.
I understand.
It's tough saying stuff like that.
It's hard to mention a nose hair
or say your nipples are hard right now.
Well? Who did this boy turn into?
That guy wasn't me at all.
- It wasn't you?
- No, because I've never been on a TV show.
Right. Of course not.
So weird. You really do look
so much like him, though.
Nope, sorry.
- Do you only want him, then?
- No, I didn't mean it like that.
Sorry, I guess you might not love
being confused
for a total stranger.
No, no, no.
Do you have an early start tomorrow?
You work for a congressman,
so you must be busy.
Oh, yeah.
I join my father going back and forth
between Tokyo and Ehime.
"Kinkikarai." Ever heard that expression?
"Kinkikarai"?
Yeah.
Local officials,
they go home to their districts
after the last Friday session.
So during the weekend,
they meet with their local constituents.
Then, they return to Tokyo
to make it in time
for the Tuesday meeting of Congress.
Wow. That sounds awful.
No, it really isn't.
I really love Ehime so much!
Huh?
The weather's nice,
and there's great food.
When I was a kid, I always spent summers
at my grandmother's house here, yeah?
Oh! Has anyone told you
about how, in Ehime, orange juice
flows right out of the faucets?
Now you'll just turn to your neighbors
and talk about anything.
Okay? Action!
Did you know that in Ehime,
the faucets have tangerine juice?
No, it's true.
There are these special faucets
for juice at Matsuyama Castle
and at the airport.
But it's even better than that.
- Ehime grows kiwis by the bushel!
- Cut!
It also makes
the country's softest towels.
Imabari towels!
That's where they come from.
Also, they're so good at building ships!
Boats this high! With enormous cranes.
Why exactly didn't you wanna admit
it was really you?
Well, it's a bit embarrassing.
I was in a child theater group,
but it was a hobby.
I only got roles
that were slightly better than an extra.
I wanted to erase
that whole, entire period of time.
I don't remember it, in truth.
And it wasn't like
I'd done anything bad to her.
I did something good.
Plus, it was Mikochan.
His dad was in politics,
and he was following
in his dad's footsteps.
My own mother was no good.
I wanted to have
an honest and normal life.
I came from a not-so-great home
and was starved for love and affection.
I thought that he had come to my rescue.
A real Cinderella story.
Uh-huh.
I am definitely
going to make him like me.
Wow.
That evening glow
is where my heart lives.
I see.
Don't you wonder...
I mean, why it is that people
who don't really wanna be born
have to exist?
This place makes me think about that.
Mm-hmm.
I felt that at home,
there was no place for me
to call my own,
but this place was all mine.
That sounds really hard.
Yes, but...
Taishi, I'm so glad we met.
I'm also glad
to exist.
In that moment,
I realized...
...this woman is my wife for all time.
She was sent to me by God.
We cannot let you marry.
You are a very talented young actress,
and you have every right
to be proud of it.
But you are not appropriate
for this family.
What? Wait, why not?
But Yui is Mikochan.
Ehime residents are in love with her.
I know that your mother
has borne seven children
with five different fathers.
Mom's already looked
into her family.
You've had a very peculiar upbringing,
which is quite inappropriate
for this family.
A clean image
is the one thing
that a political family requires.
Her reputation is great.
And I'm not in politics. I'm a secretary.
I'll not have anything
tarnish your father's image!
Kurosawa...
don't think too badly of us.
Serving this country
as a member of Congress comes with...
...extra scrutiny.
Then I'll do it without permission.
I'll quit my job,
and we'll go live somewhere else.
You could never exist
without this family name, my son.
That's not true.
You can't because I raised you
specifically to be an heir to all this.
Now, now.
Kurosawa,
Taishi is our only son and the Shoji heir.
And when I die,
he must continue to serve Ehime.
And when that happens,
he'll need someone
who can stay by his side,
making everyone feel welcome.
Please just walk away from him.
Use this to become an even better actress.
I'm begging you.
That's not right.
I understand.
If his future is ruined with me in it...
...I'll leave him be.
No, don't.
Mm.
Living with my mother...
the world felt heartless.
I grew up
thinking the only possible type of love
was the impure kind.
And then... I met your son...
...and my entire world was changed.
I realized there are
good people out there.
It was really surprising.
I felt like I'd been saved.
And then I fell in love with him.
I'm different, not like the others.
I truly wanted to spend my life
loving only Taishi,
us being together...
always being by his side.
But I suppose...
I'm in the way.
His future is
the most important thing here. I get it.
And even if...
...he is the person I love...
...I must step out of his way.
You're not in my way!
Please don't give up on our love!
Yes, I must,
as sad as that is.
Oh, no. I won't let you.
This is it.
No, no.
I won't give up.
Don't give up on me either!
I'll go with you.
I'll leave all this behind.
Wait a minute.
In that next moment,
my father suddenly changed his mind.
I guess he was touched by Yui's tears.
The Japanese do have a weakness for them.
But I was still surprised
when he said we could get married.
After I married Taishi,
I started getting
tons of commercial offers.
And then film parts
and TV series, one after another.
So that kind boy from long ago,
he was a good luck charm for you.
That's why I was so supportive of it all.
I'd go to Ehime on Friday
and come back Tuesday.
The Mikochan costume
gets dirty after wearing it once.
So I always had to come with extras.
It was tough.
So you betrayed your supportive young wife
by cheating on her with Sakurako, right?
Mm. I mean, that's true,
but, well, you know...
...being an actress's husband,
it can be really tough, also.
My feelings for you won't change,
even if it turns out you did it.
No, you don't mean it.
That was a long kiss.
Mm. Don't forget that this is my job.
I know that.
You're such a total pro, you can do
a love scene with an actor you hate.
Don't worry about it, though.
Do you hate this actor?
Mm, I don't feel any way. It's just work.
Your work.
Mm. It's what I do.
I can cry on command
and choose which eye it comes out of too.
Really?
She never told me that before.
If the camera's on this side,
I cry from this eye.
If it's over here, from this eye.
Okay, action! And then I cry.
Whoa.
You wanna see?
- Sure.
- Okay.
I'll cry from this eye.
Just say "action."
Who, me? Okay, sure.
It's weird pretending to be the director.
Okay, then.
Mm.
Are you ready?
Action.
I have to stay hydrated,
or I'll run out of tears.
Uh...
Hey, Yui.
- Hmm?
- Um...
Remember the first time you met my family?
And you cried because of our love.
Was that fake?
What?
Those tears were real. Come on, now.
I felt so sad thinking
that I would have to live without you.
She's lying.
That was all an act.
After that, my feelings toward her
started to falter, I suppose.
Did you then try to find true love
and peace of mind with someone else?
Well, I wouldn't call it... true love.
And it wasn't peace of mind either.
All your life, you've been surrounded
by your parents' notoriety and Yui's.
It's understandable
how that could make you feel bored.
Could that help explain things?
Is that why you cheated?
Well, I might have been
a little bored.
Or else I was, uh, not bored.
Perhaps it's hard having a wife
who's so popular and talented.
- Was it revenge?
- Revenge? There's no way.
- Your male ego.
- That's not how I am.
A congressman shouldn't have an ego.
If it wasn't your ego, was it pure lust?
Uh...
Not exactly.
Be honest. Your pride was at stake.
Mm. That's it then.
That's it? This is your problem to solve.
But I really just don't know.
Nothing sounds right.
For some reason, I really don't know
how to explain it to you.
You have to explain it to me
because I am the lawyer
who is negotiating your divorce for you.
Okay. When my relationship exploded,
there was another girl who was all like,
"Wow." So does that make it clear?
Don't strain yourself.
Picture a large fountain
rising upwards from the ground.
Not working.
I'll lose an eyeball.
Actresses are incredible.
You can apply this technique
to most anything
as long as you practice it.
Uh, for example...
...right here.
"Ingredients."
"Sugar."
"Coconut mass."
Oh my God.
- "Condensed milk."
- Stop. Okay, okay, okay.
- "Cocoa butter."
- It's scary! I said it's scary!
- "Hazelnuts."
- Please!
- "May contain soy products."
- Stop it, okay?
- I can't take it anymore! Please!
- "Store contents at... room temperature."
So, now let's discuss
your husband's mother.
Have you experienced manipulation
at the hands of your mother-in-law?
Uh...
I know
it's hard to say it out loud.
But for our negotiations,
it's an important detail.
Let me say this.
Her entire existence
is one big manipulation.
She lives above us
in the same condo building
and uses her key
to come inside whenever she wants.
She installs appliances
without telling us,
drops off pamphlets for fertility clinics.
Who does she think she is?
That's it! She's a yokai!
I think she's a type of demonic yokai.
I guess this is easy to talk about.
But at least her insanity
is easy to understand,
and it just might be hereditary.
Wait.
Just what do you mean?
The Shoji family is fine.
Her only concern is
whether something looks wrong or right.
Three years ago,
when I discovered my husband cheated...
Oh!
Can I have it now?
The welcome drink.
Certainly!
SHAMELESS SMOOCH ON THE STREET!!
NEW TV ANNOUNCER GIRL
SAKURAKO MIMATA AND MIKOCHAN'S HUSBAND
What is this?
We received a call at our office,
asking us to confirm the facts.
"Sakurako Mimata."
My name's Sakurako Mimata.
I'll be today's MC.
I work as a TV presenter.
Oh, all right.
Does the CEO know?
He's in there meeting with a lawyer now.
Now, now, now, just hang on!
Yui, relax. It's gonna be all right.
Hey!
If this gets out, we are finished!
Hey there.
We're handling this.
There is a Best Couple Award
at stake here! Yeah, Yui Kurosawa!
Just clean this mess up.
Just a minute.
It's almost fixed.
Huh? Huh? What? What?
Just bury this right now.
If you can't do it, then we're done!
Yes.
Yes.
All right.
That's appreciated.
Thanks for your time.
The advising lawyer, Natsume, has agreed
to halt publication on the article.
Oh, that's great news!
I'll tell the CEO.
Yes, well, that media group owes us.
Mm. Good thing we did those favors.
It's a good thing.
- Well, that's that.
- Hmm.
Please, wait a moment!
Hmm? Was there something else?
Well, yes, there is something.
My husband
was unfaithful.
Yes, so what? Didn't you hear?
It won't get out.
Yeah, I realize that,
but it still doesn't change
the fact that my husband cheated.
He didn't cheat
because there's no article.
She really said that?
That's so old-fashioned.
Even if it doesn't come out,
if they had sex, it's considered cheating.
Yeah, that counts as cheating.
I know, right?
It honestly made me
want to laugh.
I told her that's like saying
a murder hasn't happened
as long as the murderer didn't get caught.
Yes, exactly.
We turn a blind eye to these things.
That is what
a congressman's wife should do.
Or at least times were like that before.
You talk like he was being
resourceful or something.
Like that's supposed
to make me feel better.
What did I tell you?
It's for me to say.
As his wife, I can't let this go.
Haven't I said you need to get pregnant?
Once you have a child, you become
more resolved about your role.
Whatever we do, that's for us to decide.
Yui, dear... what do you suppose
is the reason for your career success?
Who's been supporting
your energetic mother
and your rambunctious siblings
with regular payments?
Everything is for the family
and the legacy of the Shoji name.
I told you,
if you had a child, I'd raise it.
All you have to do is give birth to it.
Mineko, whatever you're doing here,
it's not good.
So what is it?
Want me to say sorry?
To get down on my knees
on behalf of my son, huh?
Does Taishi know about this?
I'm home!
Mom, make me something to eat.
I didn't have time for lunch.
Huh? Yui, you're here.
Ooh, dorayaki, great.
What? Yes?
What's wrong?
Huh?
What? What?
What is this? What?
What the... Wait... wait a minute. Huh? No!
Wait, Saotome. Saotome, what...
- He said "huh" eight times.
- Huh? Huh?
- "What" ten times.
- What? What?
- "Saotome" six times.
- Saotome. Saotome!
And then finally...
I'm so sorry!
He wasn't kneeling down
to apologize.
That position was only a coincidence.
Mm! The next moment,
he said something unbelievable.
So, um...
Are we really sure this is me?
Is my face shaped like that?
That isn't my suit, is it?
I part my hair differently too.
I did feel bad about of this, of course.
If he feels bad at all,
it's for Ehime, not for me.
Yui has sex scenes with young actors
all the time for her work.
He doesn't care about me at all.
I'm only a tool
for him to gain popularity.
Ehime, it's about Mikochan, Mikochan.
No one there cares about me.
After it happened, I still had to hold
his hand during the next election
and kiss up to all those voters.
I supported him,
then as soon as he got elected,
they published that damn article.
The problem did not go away!
I'm sorry.
So pathetic!
You finally got your name in print,
and it's in the gossip pages.
Such a jerk!
"What a complete affair."
It's been over for a while, though.
If it was going to get out,
I should have left
when I first discovered it.
How does this get fixed?
You're gonna get me fired.
Not to mention the penalties I'll pay.
Yeah,
but, mm, is this me?
Seriously?
Right, I'm sorry.
So... pathetic.
And I feel so stupid
to have ever thought
we were meant to be together.
Well, here's the good news.
If you divorce him,
any penalties will not be
your responsibility.
Uh... Oh, yeah?
Uh... That's wonderful!
Such a relief.
Yeah.
Just as long as you don't cheat.
You haven't, right?
Right?
I'm sorry.
You're my dream woman.
We should get together again someday.
Nope, I didn't.
Just be straight with me.
It will be a problem later
if you did cheat.
There's no need to worry.
I haven't cheated.
How did you and Mimata end up?
Oh...
That was it.
So it's over?
I haven't given up yet.
Yes.
All right, then.
Mm.
How's the sex?
You mean my wife?
We don't really have sex.
The mood is never right,
not to mention her rage.
So you said
you were trying to have a baby?
I didn't have a problem
with trying to do it,
but he was so unmotivated.
But as a man, it's so degrading.
What is?
The whole thing.
Mm, the low sperm count
and my bad performance.
It probably was always for the best,
seeing how things
have turned out up till now.
So is there anything else
that you want to tell me?
Well, I'd like it if the alimony
was not that high.
I want to save my image
from sustaining too much damage.
I no longer want to just be
Mikochan's husband, okay?
I'm confident that I can be
somebody without her reputation.
I want everyone to say, "Yui Kurosawa
has really moved on already."
Going forward,
I'll handle all of the communication.
Starting now,
I'll handle all contact with your wife.
Really? You will? That's so good.
So then I don't have to deal with Taishi?
Oh, that is great.
All right, then.
If you insist, I will.
That is so dumb.
What are you doing?
I didn't sign up for this!
Well, that's cold.
I had a meeting with a lawyer.
She was really good-looking.
Oh, wow. Good for you.
You can have another affair.
Well, we were discussing our divorce,
so the mood wasn't right for that.
The lawyer I hired
was pretty cool as well. A returnee.
A returnee?
Guy lawyer or girl?
Guy lawyer.
I figured a guy would be nicer
than a girl to me.
By the way, if there are penalties,
they won't be my responsibility,
since I'm not the one who cheated.
That's something
for the lawyers to handle.
Yeah, that's my thinking as well.
You just don't understand!
But it's fine. We're getting divorced.
Huh? What?
Huh? What is it you want to say?
What don't I understand?
Well, the toilet seat, for one thing.
- Huh?
- You told me not to stand and pee, right?
Uh, yeah, I did.
"It gets all over the place."
"A stinky toilet's
the worst kind of bad luck."
"Taishi, we both have our reputations.
We can't afford to have bad luck."
I said that.
Yeah, but when I protested, you said,
"Well, it's a common thing for a man
these days to pee standing up," right?
- You're nitpicking.
- You may not understand this.
But I know,
whether you sit or stand up to pee
are two very different viewpoints on life.
Viewpoints on life?
The day my dad died
from a brain hemorrhage,
we talked about this.
Taishi.
Yeah?
No matter what happens,
don't become a man who sits down to pee.
Where'd that come from?
It's my dying wish.
What?
Minister?
What's the matter?
Are you okay?
Minister?
Can you hear me? It's Saotome.
Ambulance!
Somebody call an ambulance now!
Yes, of course.
Maybe to you,
this is something to laugh at.
But it was important to me and my dad.
And my own wife was someone
who couldn't understand all this.
And that's what made me feel so lonely.
- Who cares, if our marriage is over?
- I care. I want sympathy.
Huh? Are you kidding me?
Can't you see I'm the one
who deserves sympathy?
Who cares what anyone else thinks?
I'm saying that I'm sick of doing this!
Mikochan isn't everything.
I have my own life, you know?
I am so sick of it all.
I don't want to hear
"kashikomi, kashikomi" ever again.
The worst mistake of my life
was marrying an actor!
Guess we're good here.
I'll go pack my stuff.
You can handle
breaking the news to your mom
that we're getting divorced, okay?
I'll talk to my parents.
We should have the lawyers handle that.
We're paying them to do it.
- So your mommy doesn't scold you?
- All right, then. Fine, I'll tell her.
- How soon?
- Well...
Today's Wednesday.
Ah!
- Yui Channel.
- What? Oh!
No. We shouldn't.
Not with us in this mood.
- Good evening!
- Good evening!
Hi, and welcome to our kitchen!
It's Taishi Shoji salute.
Yui Kurosawa.
The only Mikochan!
Famous actress and my wife.
Taishi, tell us, what is going on?
So excited.
Hey, Yui, don't you know?
We've reached over a million follows!
- Kashikomi, kashikomi.
- Kashikomi, kashikomi.
- Follow me!
- Follow me!
So tonight,
you know what we've got?
A special meal from Ehime.
Cheap and yummy panfried pork chops
topped with two eggs.
Right here!
Wait a minute, Yui.
Are you serious right now?
We both went and spoke to lawyers,
and we've begun
the first stage of the divorce.
Then does that mean all the money stops?
No.
No, of course not.
I'll take care of all of that.
It'll get cold, so we should probably eat.
You know, this is really easy to make.
You should think about
putting it on the menu.
Seems like poor people food.
Hey, we have
stuff like this for dinner all the time.
It's easy to just put anything on rice.
Less dishes too, so...
For rich people,
this is delicious, trendy food.
They have it once in a while.
For cheapskates and peasant types like us,
this is real food.
What's with her?
So we're expecting a new addition.
Huh?
Impossible. Are you pregnant?
You think it's me? Oh my goodness.
- You're flattering me.
- Uh, who is it, then?
It's not Ai. She just gave birth.
Uh... Is it yours, Shin?
What about you, Kou?
Huh? Then... then who?
Uh, it's Akira!
Wait, do we have an Akira?
He's Natsuko's boyfriend.
Nice to finally meet you.
It's my goal to be an enka singer.
Just be careful.
This family changes members frequently.
Huh?
We really shouldn't talk
about money today, eh?
There will never be enough money.
There's never enough
for the rent and car payments
and tuition for everybody's school.
It's fine to let your temporary feelings
consider a divorce,
but are you even considering us?
After you've calmed down,
you'll realize just how selfish it is
to get a divorce just because he cheated.
You of all people
have no business saying that.
I have never ever been divorced
in my life, not once!
Yeah, that's 'cause
you never married anyone!
- You're kidding!
- You do know I'm ready whenever you like.
Please think this over, Yui.
We're surviving because of the Shojis.
I'm home.
Where were you?
Oh, upstairs.
My mom had gotten some fresh bean mochi.
Here you go, your piece.
Did you tell her, then?
No, not yet.
Why not?
You were just there.
How did you not tell her?
The timing wasn't right to tell her.
Instead of eating bean mochi,
you should be talking to her.
It's not something
you can just casually bring up.
You're such a coward.
You go acting like you're so brave,
but you can't do anything
without a lawyer.
What about the bean mochi?
I brought you bean mochi.
Are you gonna have it or not?
Stop avoiding the question!
Just like the Peace Party,
avoiding reality.
Pathetic!
I can't. I can't do this.
Not anymore.
Hmm.
I'LL BE STAYING AT A HOTEL FOR A WHILE
Where's the president?
He got a phone call just a minute ago.
Oh, okay. This looks good.
It's not ready yet.
No! President!
Please... please put on some clothes.
I've wanted to do this
for so long!
Stop it.
Everyone's here.
They're waiting for the final course.
Who cares about all that?
I don't care about it at all!
President,
we ran out of ponzu sauce!
Prime minister.
I'm asking the prime minister.
Can you not tell us this yourself?
He's right, tell us.
Prime Minister Ichiro Shinoyama.
Well, uh, it depends
on when we get the evidence.
HEY, DID YOU TELL YOUR MOM YET?
IF YOU CAN'T TELL HER,
I'LL GO AND TELL HER FOR YOU.
- That's right!
- Yeah!
I never said I wouldn't tell her.
I never said I wouldn't.
I WILL TELL HER.
I JUST NEED TO TIME IT RIGHT.
HURRY UP.
'K.
I really hate that dumb "okay" sign.
Just stay focused.
You're being rude to pachinko.
You're famous, huh?
What?
Kodamachi intersection.
I didn't know that.
That's okay.
You don't... need to know that.
This is your chance!
Reach!
Now turn the dial to the right.
This is your chance!
- Turn... turn it to the right?
- Mm-hmm.
Congratulations!
All right!
Defeat all your enemies
to get an ultra rush.
It'll be okay.
'Cause I can't do it.
What does he mean by that?
Does he mean...
He can't do it?
I told you
it was gonna be fun!
What was that earlier?
Sorry. You're cute,
so I wanted to kiss you.
I'm not talking about that.
"I can't do it."
I'm impotent.
Is that bad?
What?
Are you someone who needs sex?
I like you no matter what.
I seriously like you.
So we barely even know each other, though.
We've only had dinner together once.
Ah, that was a fun night.
We should do it again.
Huh?
Again how?
I don't have your contact information.
All I know is your name,
your cigarette brand,
your pachinko skill level,
and that you're impotent.
It sounds to me like you know plenty.
Your updated schedule
for the weekend's been sent.
- Have a good night.
- Thank you so much.
Tokyo University?
Yeah, I dropped out, though.
Yeah, but, I mean, you passed
the entrance exam, didn't you?
Mm-hmm.
Wow, you're smart, then.
I looked you up. You're Mikosan, is it?
Huh?
That's so cool.
I haven't seen it, but I've heard of it.
Don't look me up, though.
It was better when you didn't know that
or anything else about me.
When I wasn't an actress
or somebody's wife.
When we were two regular human beings.
I'm just a regular guy.
I don't feel regular.
You're a regular woman.
Well, then, when we're together,
just be regular.
Before you,
I was never interested
in anyone like this.
It's okay that you're impotent.
But it would really be better
if you weren't.
Excuse me.
Hey, are you Yui Kurosawa?
Whoa, told you, it's really her.
Take a picture?
Uh, I'm sorry,
but I'm just here privately.
Aw, please.
He just broke up with his girlfriend.
- What does that matter?
- Stop, okay?
I'm sorry, not tonight.
We won't upload these.
It's just for ourselves.
You're so fucking persistent.
Just calm down, you old man.
- Huh?
- Stop it.
- You're so annoying.
- Oh, this is a twist.
I've played this part on TV
a few times, though.
We're part of the Mikochan generation.
Mikochan? It's Mikosan, asshole!
Except Mikochan is correct.
Let go of me.
Okay.
Let me cure you.
Cure me?
Yes, I'll cure you.
Of your impotence.
How, exactly?
I'm getting
a divorce.
Did I ever tell you
to break up with him?
You don't have to get divorced.
Either way,
it doesn't matter.
Don't get sad now.
SAKURAKO MIMATA
CALLING...
Hello?
Hi. Where are you?
If I tell you,
will you come meet me?
Ah, no, I wasn't really planning to. Uh...
If you don't wanna see me,
don't call.
No, no, I do.
In fact, that's the reason I'm calling.
Does that mean
you've figured out how we can meet?
Uh...
I, uh...
My dentist friend's off today,
and he said we could use his office.
We definitely won't get seen there.
Let me say this
before I get drunk.
What is it?
You aren't getting a divorce after all?
Guess again.
I am divorcing her. Really.
I met with a lawyer yesterday.
I think I can divorce her.
- Really?
- Really, yeah.
Will you manage okay
without Mikochan?
I'll be fine
as long as you're with me.
I don't think
the people of Ehime
will love me like they love her.
As soon as you're the beloved wife
of Taishi Shoji, they will.
You're not happy?
Sure, I am, for now.
I'm definitely divorcing her.
Wait for me, okay?
Sakurako was
so amazing that night.
HEY, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO TELL YOUR MOM?
THIS IS GOING NOWHERE.
HURRY UP AND TELL HER.
'K.
What is with this "okay"?
What's the matter?
You look pretty stressed-out.
Taishi and I are
getting divorced.
What?
Taishi told me he wants to get a divorce.
Hmm, that doesn't sound right.
No, I don't believe you.
Your son and I no longer love each other.
Well, of course. I know that.
But you're not a normal couple.
Hmm.
Taishi is a representative
for this country.
And you are his wife, Yui.
Love has nothing to do with it.
There's an even stronger bond
between the two of you.
Oh, well, if we actually happen
to be talking to each other at all,
we're probably live streaming.
Otherwise, we're not.
And that's fine.
And you should keep doing them
for Ehime's sake.
It inspires them.
Mm.
If you would only produce a child,
then you'd be a perfect Shoji family wife.
I am telling you, it's impossible
to have a child without love.
Love means nothing to you
as long as you're off
flirting with all those actors.
If you can do that at work,
you can do the same for Taishi.
Why can't you just play
the role of the wife?
What about your husband?
Did he ever have an affair
or cheat on you?
Well, of course he did.
There's not a man in the world
who doesn't do that.
Listen.
I was a faithful wife
and a good mother,
standing next to my husband,
celebrating with him
after he won a big election.
I have a higher position
than any other woman.
You are a fool
to make such a fuss over a little no one
like that Mimata girl.
What's that?
I'm the fool here?
You don't even have to touch him.
If you want a baby, just use IVF.
If you can do that,
your status in society will be rock-solid.
You'll maintain your perfect image
as Japan's number one wife.
My image is making me go crazy!
I want to be a regular person, not this!
And so what about your family?
They don't need support anymore?
Honestly, I have a really good career.
You're the one who insisted on helping,
so I decided to allow you to do that.
Now with us being gone,
you don't have to spend any more money,
because I am going to be divorced.
Okay. I just wanted to tell you that.
Good day.
You have another man.
If that's the issue, just say so.
I understand if you want
to let off steam with another man.
Just continue acting like a couple
when you're out together.
You'll have a better life if you do that.
There's no one like that at all.
A man? Another man?
What are you doing here?
No, I don't like that at all.