• 3 months ago
Transcript
00:00Chief Kawamoto, about this blueprint...
00:04Hmm? The position of this wall won't provide enough seismic resistance. Try shifting it a bit.
00:10Got it, thank you.
00:12I'm Naoki Kawamoto. I'm 31 years old and work as a chief in the design department of this company.
00:18It's been 8 years since I joined this company as a new graduate.
00:22Before I knew it, my design skills had become the best in the department.
00:26But lately, I've had a small concern.
00:29Why is everyone getting married one after another?
00:32Friends, colleagues, even juniors and subordinates, they're all tying the knot.
00:36I've been too focused on work.
00:39Since starting my job, I haven't really been in a relationship.
00:42Every time I see how happy everyone around me is, I feel a sense of urgency.
00:47Ow! Chief Kawamoto, good work!
00:50Sorai? What's up?
00:53He's Shoichi Sorai, one of my subordinates in the design department.
00:57Well, I'm getting married soon, and I'd love for you to come to the wedding, Chief Kawamoto.
01:02Here's the invitation.
01:04I thought I'd share some happiness with you since you're always working, haha.
01:08I see. I'm glad you invited me. Thanks, I'll definitely attend.
01:12Since I've been giving him work-related advice, Sorai often throws his snide remarks at me.
01:18He probably wants to take a jab at me since he can't outdo me at work.
01:22He tries to assert his superiority in relationships.
01:25Though I find it annoying, I accept the invitation, thinking it's best not to create tension at work.
01:30A few months later, I attended Sorai's wedding.
01:33It's a lavish ceremony filled with people. We're in the middle of the reception.
01:38Sorai really splurged on this.
01:40Yes, and his wife is quite beautiful too.
01:44It seems Sorai's wife's name is Emi.
01:47During the introduction, a video played showing how they became close in college and started dating three years ago.
01:53The reception progresses smoothly, and now it's time for the newlyweds to make the rounds to greet the guests.
01:58Sorai, congratulations on your marriage.
02:01Thank you. Sorry to get ahead of you in finding happiness, haha.
02:05Oh, but Chief Kawamoto lives for his work, so I'm sure our marriage doesn't matter to him.
02:10Maybe because Emi is by his side, Sorai's sarcasm is milder than usual.
02:15But the condescending look in his eyes clearly showed he was looking down on me.
02:19So, Chief Kawamoto, how did you find our wedding?
02:23Ah, I thought it was nice. Congratulations once again.
02:26Thank you. You know, marriage is great.
02:29Just having a good woman by your side really motivates you at work.
02:33But I guess someone like you who doesn't even have a girlfriend wouldn't understand that.
02:38Back at work on the next shift, Sorai's snide remarks continue, and I'm getting fed up with it.
02:43I tell him to just get back to work, but he shows no sign of remorse.
02:47Hey, where do you think people meet their partners?
02:50A few days later, feeling increasingly anxious about marriage, I decided to ask a married friend for advice.
02:56Oh, so you're finally interested in marriage? I thought you were going to stay single forever, Naoki.
03:02I've always wanted to get married eventually. It's just that I've been prioritizing work.
03:08Considering it might take two or three years to get married, I figure I need to start looking for a partner soon.
03:14But I don't really know how to meet someone.
03:16Well, normally I'd suggest a marriage agency, but I don't know much about that.
03:21I met my wife on a matching app.
03:23Wait, really? Isn't that just like a dating site?
03:27No, no, that's an outdated view. Sure, it used to be like that, but now it's pretty mainstream.
03:33According to my friend, there are many apps where people seriously looking for love or marriage can register.
03:39Also, to confirm identities, they require users to submit identification, so there's less fraud and impersonation.
03:46Furthermore, many of these companies have strict measures in place to deal with problematic users.
03:51These days, it's not uncommon for people to get married through matching apps.
03:55The app I used is called Love Koi Matching.
03:58The company provides solid support and the fees are reasonable, so I think it's something you could easily use, Naoki.
04:04If you say so, I guess.
04:06And so, I registered on Love Koi Matching under the name Nao.
04:10Oh, I've got a message from Fu-chan.
04:13A few months after starting Love Koi Matching, I became close with a woman named Fu-chan.
04:18We live near each other and share similar tastes in TV dramas.
04:21Our conversations always get lively in the messages.
04:24However, Fu-chan doesn't seem too keen on meeting me in person.
04:28Maybe she's being cautious.
04:30I've casually mentioned nearby restaurants that I recommend, but Fu-chan's response has been lukewarm.
04:36It's been two months since we started messaging.
04:38According to my friend, it's not too early to go on a first date.
04:42But judging from our exchanges, it doesn't seem like she dislikes me.
04:46Maybe she's just shy.
04:48I want to get to know Fu-chan better.
04:50So, I decided to adjust to her pace and opened the message.
04:58According to her profile, Fu-chan is 27 years old, but she looks quite young.
05:03Well, she submitted her ID, so the profile information shouldn't be false.
05:08Muttering this, I replied to her message.
05:10I think you have a great sense of style and know what suits you.
05:13I'm not very good with fashion, so I'd love it if you could help me pick out clothes sometime.
05:19After a long pause, I received a reply from Fu-chan with just those two words.
05:24But after that, her response has clearly changed.
05:27She started saying things like,
05:29I'd like to go there too, about the restaurants I recommended.
05:32And finally,
05:33Would you like to grab a meal sometime?
05:35I can tell you more about my favorite dishes.
05:39And so, our first date was set.
05:41In person, Fu-chan was adorable.
05:44But she looked so young that I was initially taken aback.
05:47However, once we started talking,
05:49the conversation flowed as smoothly as it had in our messages.
05:52It doesn't feel like we're meeting for the first time, does it?
05:56I'm really glad I met you now, San.
05:58Then, Fu-chan smiled sadly.
06:00Before she started messaging me,
06:02Fu-chan had interacted with various people on the app.
06:05But because of her appearance,
06:07she was often avoided or, on the contrary, approached only for her looks.
06:11There was one person who seemed nice,
06:14but when we met, they said some hurtful things.
06:17They asked if my profile photo was a joke,
06:20and said they couldn't be seen walking with someone who looks like a middle schooler.
06:24This guy had mocked her as soon as he saw her,
06:27and ended the meeting immediately.
06:29Because of that, she hesitated to meet me in person at first.
06:32But the message you sent me the other day made me want to meet you.
06:36I have a baby face, so I tend to dress younger.
06:40But people around me often avoid me because they think it's not age appropriate.
06:45I registered on a matching app,
06:47hoping to find someone who would understand me despite my appearance.
06:51So your comment acknowledging why I dress like this made me really happy.
06:55It made me so happy that I took a while to reply.
06:59Watching Fu-chan's shy smile,
07:01I couldn't take my eyes off her.
07:03After that, Fu-chan and I went on several more dates.
07:06Each time, our conversations deepened,
07:09and I discovered more of her charm.
07:11We also shared our real names,
07:13and I learned that her full name was Fuuka Yamazaki.
07:16On the day of our third date,
07:17when I had decided to confess my feelings to Fuuka,
07:20I was focusing on finishing work so I could leave on time.
07:23Today's date night with my wife, so you'll handle this work.
07:27It's a bit much to ask me to handle all this work on short notice.
07:31Hearing something troubling, I decided to step in.
07:34Hey, you don't have an excessive workload, do you?
07:37Don't push your work onto others.
07:38Finish it yourself.
07:40You wouldn't understand, Chief Kawamoto,
07:42but balancing work and home life is tough.
07:45As a boss, you should consider your subordinates' situations.
07:49Well then, shall we bring this up with the department head and discuss your workload?
07:54Yeah!
07:55Shoichi often slacks off at work,
07:57and both I and our superiors have had to scold him several times.
08:01He must have realized that if he brought this up,
08:03he'd just get scolded again,
08:05so he tried to secretly pass his work to a colleague.
08:08Wasn't having a good woman by your side supposed to motivate you to work harder?
08:12If you keep doing things like this, even Emi-san might lose respect for you.
08:16Fine! I'll do it! I'll get it done!
08:19You really are a joyless workaholic,
08:21nagging me with logic like that!
08:23Thank you, Chief Kawamoto.
08:26No problem.
08:27If he tries to push more work onto you, let me know.
08:30Afterward, I finished my tasks and managed to leave on time.
08:33Incidentally, Shoichi also managed to finish his work,
08:36though with a near-tearful expression, just in time.
08:39Seems like he's capable of doing it on his own after all.
08:42I'm utterly exasperated.
08:44That night, I stilled myself and spoke the words,
08:47despite my legs trembling from nerves.
08:49Fuuka Yamazaki, I like you.
08:52Would you go out with me with marriage in mind?
08:56Yes, I like you too, Naoki.
08:59Let's be together from now on.
09:02As Fuuka smiled at me, I felt truly fulfilled,
09:05like I understood what it meant to have one's heart full.
09:08And so, we began dating.
09:10After we started dating,
09:12we naturally stopped using honorifics and formal language with each other.
09:15Just having Fuuka near me, I feel supported.
09:18I've only focused on work until now,
09:20so I'm not really sure what couples do.
09:23So sometimes I worry if Fuuka is enjoying herself.
09:26As long as you're with me, Naoki, I'm happy.
09:29Knowing that you're thinking hard about what would make me happy
09:32is what makes me the happiest.
09:34Thank you, Naoki.
09:36It also makes me happy that you share your worries with me.
09:39You accepted me as I am,
09:41so I want to support you as you are.
09:44Whatever challenges we face, we'll overcome them together.
09:48Yeah, thank you, Fuuka.
09:50As I continued these conversations with Fuuka,
09:53I felt more motivated and focused on my work.
09:56Six months after we started dating,
09:58I was promoted to Assistant Manager.
10:00Congratulations, Assistant Manager Kawamoto.
10:03I'm counting on you.
10:04Thank you. I'll do my best.
10:06Huh? Is Sorai not here?
10:08I went over to Sorai's desk,
10:10needing to talk to him,
10:11but it seems he wasn't around.
10:13As I idly glanced over his desk,
10:15Hmm?
10:17I spotted a document that made me widen my eyes.
10:20A few days later,
10:21Fuuka and I were out shopping at the supermarket on a day off.
10:24As we walked around together,
10:26we ran into Sorai and Emi.
10:28Oh, Assistant Manager Kawamoto.
10:30What's up?
10:31Doing some lonely bachelor shopping?
10:34Wait, who's this with you?
10:36She's my girlfriend.
10:38We've been dating for six months.
10:40Sorai's smile froze at my words.
10:42Huh? Really?
10:44You have a girlfriend?
10:46Where'd you meet her?
10:47I thought you only worked all the time.
10:49On a matching app.
10:51Pfft. A matching app?
10:53Ahahaha!
10:55Well, I guess someone like you who can't have a normal relationship
10:58has no choice but to rely on an app.
11:00Ahahaha!
11:02I mean, using a matching app is probably why you ended up with a girl like this.
11:06Ahahaha!
11:08And by the way, is she even of legal age?
11:11It's not some shady business, is it?
11:13Ahahaha!
11:14She just looks young.
11:16She's definitely an adult, so stop talking like that.
11:19And it's wrong to think that using a matching app
11:21means you can't have a proper relationship.
11:23What matters is whether the people involved are serious about love and marriage.
11:27We've been genuine with each other,
11:29which is why we ended up together.
11:31Ha! What nonsense!
11:33No matter how sincere you are,
11:35the fact that you couldn't find a normal partner still stands, doesn't it?
11:38I didn't need an app to meet my wife and get married.
11:41That alone makes me a better man than assistant manager Kawamoto.
11:46That's enough, Shouichi.
11:48You've been saying nothing but rude things.
11:51I'm truly sorry about my husband.
11:54Wait, you're married?
11:56Yes, we've been married for about a year and a half now.
12:00But what about it?
12:02Fuuka?
12:03Ignoring our questions, Fuuka glared at Shouichi with a sharp look.
12:07You're the worst!
12:08You registered on a matching app under the name of Shouichi
12:11and lied about being single, didn't you?
12:14About a year ago, we even met, remember?
12:18What are you talking about?
12:20I have such a beautiful wife. Why would I use a matching app?
12:23I remember what you said to me.
12:25You mocked me, saying I looked like a middle schooler
12:28and left me stranded at the meeting place.
12:31Yes, the man who met Fuuka through Love Koi Matching
12:34and said those cruel things was none other than Sorai.
12:37That must have been someone else who looked like me.
12:41Shouichi tries to play dumb,
12:43but it's clear he knows exactly what she's talking about,
12:45judging by his shifty eyes.
12:47I tend to leave a strong impression on people,
12:49so I really get forgotten.
12:51But clearly you don't remember me.
12:53Could it be that meeting women through a matching app
12:56is so routine for you?
12:58That's why you didn't even remember our first meeting, isn't it?
13:01Hey, Shouichi?
13:04You've been coming home late a lot since we got married,
13:07but you said it was because work was busy, right?
13:10Oh?
13:11But haven't you only worked overtime a handful of times
13:13in the past year and a half?
13:15And even when you did, it was only for about an hour each time.
13:19Uh, well, that's...
13:21Show me your phone, Shouichi.
13:23Uh, um...
13:25I said show me now!
13:27Don't stall.
13:29Y-yes, ma'am.
13:31Caving under Emi's pressure,
13:32Shouichi obediently hands over his phone.
13:35I see.
13:36You're registered on multiple matching apps,
13:38and the last message was just yesterday.
13:41Hey, Shouichi?
13:43What does this mean?
13:45W-well, um, it's not what it looks like.
13:48We'll discuss this thoroughly later.
13:51Emi took Shouichi away with her,
13:53and they disappeared somewhere.
13:55Emi says she's dead set on getting a divorce.
13:58What are you going to do about it?
14:00Why should I do anything?
14:01You brought this on yourself.
14:03The first thing Shouichi did when he came back to work
14:05was to start complaining.
14:07Judging by his tone,
14:08it's clear he doesn't think he's at fault.
14:10I'm stunned by his complete lack of guilt.
14:12It's your fault for saying unnecessary things.
14:15You should pay for my alimony.
14:17Instead of wasting time blaming others,
14:19maybe you should think about how to explain this to the company.
14:22Huh?
14:23Why would I have to explain anything to the company?
14:26Before he could finish,
14:27I shoved my phone screen in his face.
14:29The photo showed Shouichi's desk
14:31with a receipt from a certain restaurant.
14:33That's right.
14:34The document I found on Shouichi's desk that day
14:37was this receipt.
14:38I found it suspicious, so I took a photo.
14:40Th-that's just a business dinner!
14:43Oh, really?
14:44Then what's the deal with this date?
14:46Didn't you say you were going on a date with your wife that day?
14:49That was the day Shouichi tried to dump his work on a colleague.
14:52I remembered it well because it was the day I confessed to Fuka.
14:56And the receipt was made out to the company,
14:58which didn't match what he said at all.
15:00I checked with the accounting department,
15:02and it seems you filed this receipt
15:04as an expense for a client meeting.
15:06Needless to say,
15:07falsifying expenses is a form of fraud.
15:09If they investigate, the truth will come out.
15:12You should think about how to handle this.
15:14You piece of-
15:16What?
15:17I said you're a pathetic loser
15:19who can't meet women except through a matching app.
15:21You are so desperate for a woman
15:23that you had to register, huh?
15:25A guy like you who's only good for work
15:27has no chance with women.
15:29So how dare a worthless guy like you ruin my life?
15:33What are you talking about?
15:35Are you describing yourself?
15:37What?
15:38I can't help but laugh coldly at a scumbag
15:40like him talking about a man's worth.
15:42You're the one who registered
15:44because you wanted women to play with, aren't you?
15:46Although I doubt any decent woman
15:48would go for a married man,
15:50you underestimate the people who register on matching apps.
15:53Sure, some are there just to play around,
15:55but those looking to cheat are a small minority.
15:58And yet, you lied about being single
16:00just to find someone to play with.
16:02Even if you meet someone through an app,
16:04they're still a person with feelings.
16:06On top of that,
16:08you didn't even use your own money
16:10for your personal entertainment.
16:12But instead, you burdened the company.
16:14People who live so recklessly
16:16can't expect to have smooth sailing in life.
16:18So what was it you said?
16:20That I ruined your life?
16:22You mean you ruined it yourself?
16:24Leaving Shoichi,
16:26who had nothing more to say,
16:28I returned to work.
16:30Later, an investigation revealed
16:32that Shoichi had filed multiple false expense claims.
16:34After all, it was enough for the company
16:36to file a damages claim leading to a settlement.
16:38However, the expense fraud
16:40was a clear violation of company policy
16:42and Shoichi was dismissed with cause.
16:44Damn it!
16:46Why did it have to come to this?
16:48Apparently, he had been sneaking money from Emi,
16:50who didn't know about the receipts.
16:52She had been giving him money for their outings,
16:54which he pocketed instead.
16:56Already furious over the cheating,
16:58Emi completely gave up on Shoichi
17:00and divorced him.
17:02Therefore, for violating the terms of use,
17:04he was blacklisted by several app operators.
17:06Damn it!
17:08I can't keep any women or money!
17:10Now, unable to register on any matching apps,
17:12he's living a lonely life
17:14while paying alimony to Emi
17:16and damages to the company.
17:18Meanwhile, Fuuka and I
17:20continued dating smoothly and finally got married.
17:22I'm so glad I met you, Fuuka!
17:24Let's keep supporting each other
17:26and be happy together!
17:28Yes, let's do that!
17:30Whether you meet someone through a matching app
17:32or elsewhere doesn't really make a difference,
17:34I think.
17:36What's most important is how sincerely you approach the relationship
17:38and how you show that sincerity through your actions.
17:40We'll continue to cherish each other
17:42and live with mutual respect.