Original subtitles

THE CONSTITUTION OF JAPAN ARTICLE 24

MARRIAGE SHALL BE BASED ONLY ON THE MUTUAL CONSENT OF BOTH SEXES

AND IT SHALL BE MAINTAINED THROUGH MUTUAL COOPERATION

WITH THE EQUAL RIGHTS OF HUSBAND AND WIFE AS A BASIS.

Here.

Thank you.

Can I clean this up?

Please.

Sorry.

Did you take a bath, Ichiko?

Yes. Two days ago.

Wait, do I smell?

No, you're still good.

What do you want to do on the 22nd?

The 22nd?

-Why? -It's our anniversary.

Our seventh year of marriage.

Where should we go?

Barbecue? Sushi? Italian?

I think I can take that day off.

But anyway,

this site I'm making for women is all about marriage.

Your leg. That's improper.

Yes.

The survey of married couples is a disaster.

For the question of "What kind of existence is your husband?",

"Less than a pet" was actually quite decent.

Some answered with "carbon dioxide," "ATM," and even "moth."

Really?

And it's common to not even talk to their spouse for three days.

Isn't it a living hell to live with so much dissatisfaction and scorn?

It's a contract they entered of their own free will…

UNHAPPY COUPLES DON'T CELEBRATE WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

…so, why would they want to stay married like that?

As a third party, you can't really know what their relationship is like.

Otoyan.

-Yeah? -That.

What's the round thing in this week's arrangement?

Kumquat.

That thing for bug bites?

I like it. It's cute.

It seems kumquats have nothing to do with the kinkan for bug bites.

What?

They say it means "gratitude" in the flower language.

I see.

Thanks.

It's weird to say it myself,

but we…

probably have a pretty happy marriage.

Okay. Give me one.

Here you go.

BASED ON THE MANGA "1122" BY PEKO WATANABE

1122: FOR A HAPPY MARRIAGE

MIDORI OSTEOPATHY

To summarize the concept you want,

the website for Midori Osteopathy

should focus on a warm and friendly design.

Yes, exactly.

I really want to say

that you should catch the message your own body is sending you.

Especially to the younger generation.

The bodies of women like you who are too busy working are

crying in pain due to the stress.

You feel it, right?

Yeah…

Your face is so pale, your eyes are dull and have no spark.

Really?

Excuse me for a moment.

Your pulse is weak.

And your fingers are cold.

It's covered by makeup, but aren't your dark circles permanent?

You're stagnating.

With your job, you're always looking at the computer, right?

And you're all hunched over.

The blood flow to your pelvis is sluggish,

so your womb and lower body will be chilled.

It'll also affect your mental state. It really isn't good.

Are you eating breakfast properly?

Yes, kind of.

You're probably only eating cold food straight out of the fridge.

The squid ink dish is really good.

Yeah, it is.

-I like it. -'Cause the dashi is different.

-Here's your order. -Still--

Thank you.

Aren't you drinking too fast, Keikei?

Listen. My house is almost done.

Nice! The special custom-order home in the middle of Tokyo everyone wants.

If it was only for the two of us.

You'll be living with your mother-in-law?

Yeah. Now every time I see her, she'll say, "You can have kids anytime

now that our house has more space."

As if that will happen! We aren't having sex at all.

The egg and sperm can't even meet.

Is she saying a stork is going to deliver a baby

or one will come out of a peach like Momotaro?

A no-sex conception?

"No-sex conception"?

What? Am I Saint Mary?

She gives me silk stomach warmers, telling me to keep my uterus warm.

If she wants to see her grandkids so badly,

then she should be giving her son Cialis or Viagra.

So, medication is required?

Yes. He is ED.

-Oh, my God. -Yes, yes.

And you, Ichiko? Still doing it?

No.

-Really? -Yeah.

What about you, Tama?

It's been three months since I gave birth, so we're waiting for the vulva to heal.

Get well soon.

-But can I ask a question? -Go ahead.

What about your sex drive? How do you deal with it?

All of a sudden?

I want to know.

-Can I go first? -Of course.

As you all know,

-I have Okamura-chan and… -We know.

Okamura-chan and, I guess, my dog.

Dog?

I get Okamura-chan, but…

Affection and lust are very similar.

I can fulfill my need for sex if I shower my love onto something.

I have a baby, so I can understand.

-Right? -Yeah.

But sex is sex.

I don't want to stop having sex after getting married.

That's true.

And you, Ichiko?

Well, my sex drive

has always been a calm sea.

Calm sea?

What's a calm sea?

Like a quiet and peaceful water surface.

With barely a breeze. Sometimes a small stimulation creates a ripple effect,

but it gets quietly absorbed back into the water.

Ichiko's sex drive is very poetic.

Hee-hee.

But what about Otoya? Is he okay with your calm sea?

Yeah. So far.

-What was that? -You hesitated.

-I thought I hit a nerve. -Sorry, sorry. It didn't mean anything.

You scared me.

But don't men have a lot of solutions? Like going to brothels?

-Yeah. -It's harder for women.

My coworker told me about a secret beauty salon.

What do you mean? What's that?

It's a salon Miss A, a friend of my coworker, goes to.

It's a little expensive, but it has rave reviews.

There's a special massage that is a secret option for members.

She said it's actually a brothel for women.

No way!

No way. Isn't that just an urban legend?

But Miss A actually went and said it was so good she fell in love with it.

So, how far do they go in that brothel?

Right? Don't you want to know?

It's categorized as a massage, so the general rule is

they won't go all the way. But I hear there are people who beg for it.

No way. They beg?

They're very selective of the male therapists,

so they have avid fans.

Seriously?

What's the name of the place?

I think it was Eden?

Eden.

-Like paradise. -Paradise?

-Or was it Flower Garden? Benzaiten? -Hey!

It can't be Benzaiten. What's with your memory?

But are you okay with it? With your husband going to a brothel?

What do you married ladies say?

I think it's like a pseudo-romance.

If it gives him some relief and joy,

it could actually make our marriage better.

-It adds some spice. -Yeah, like spicing up the relationship.

It's much better than an affair with real feelings.

Right.

Better than what Atsushi did.

You had to say it.

Atsushi Godai?

-Yeah. -What happened with him?

You don't know? It was a while ago.

I don't. What did he do?

He had an affair.

Did he? Well, he seems really popular.

But it's not exactly surprising, is it?

Was being sexless the cause?

I don't know that much.

Right. Anyway, we wouldn't know.

-Not like you can ask. -Why did I even ask?

I see.

-That could be the reason. -Right?

Since when was it a calm sea?

A year ago?

No, two years?

The last time I had sex was…

Good morning.

Morning.

Did you drink a lot?

Just a normal amount.

I can't drink as much anymore. Since I'm getting old.

-Apparently… -Yeah?

…I'm sluggish and stagnating.

And my eyes are dull.

Who said that?

My client. She's an osteopathic therapist.

Isn't she mean?

Very mean.

Here, drink some water.

Thanks.

So, Otoyan,

want to go to a hot spring for our anniversary? And stay the night?

Wow, great idea.

I'll be late today, so make sure to lock the door.

-It's Flower Day? -Yeah.

Got it.

And if you feel like it, eat the simmered lotus root in the fridge. Or it'll go bad.

Okay.

I'm off.

Have a good day.

That quilting…

He wore his favorite one.

MISS RUKI BY FUMIKO TAKANO

Thursdays are Otoyan's Flower Days.

And today, the third Thursday of the month,

is when he spends the night with his lover.

Someone in our family is in love.

You scared me.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Do you want breakfast, Ichiko?

I'll eat later.

The salmon…

A person in love is always blissfully shining.

This rice has a perfect texture.

I'm really good at making rice.

Or is it because it's the first crop?

The rice cooker did the actual cooking.

He's in a really good mood.

I grilled a salmon for you.

And so considerate.

Like he's truly alive.

Is this what they mean by "glowing"?

Do you have plans tonight?

I plan to work leisurely. And there's one meeting.

Want to eat out? Let's go to that Japanese place you were interested in.

Good idea. I'll make the reservation. What time?

I'll see how things go and let you know.

Okay.

So, it gives relief and joy, and could make our marriage

better?

This is so good. It makes me happy.

This place looks nice, right?

Yeah.

Pardon.

Here you are. This is the sashimi.

This is sea bream, tuna and bigfin reef squid.

-Thank you. -Thank you.

-Bigfin reef squid. -Sea bream.

-Delicious. -Yeah.

Delicious.

For the 22nd,

I found a nice place in Hakone.

This one.

It's an auberge, and the hot spring looks really nice.

REVIEWS

The reviews are really good. See?

So I made a reservation.

-Ichiko. -Yeah?

Can we go the week after instead?

What? Why?

Well…

You have a date?

Yeah.

Why? It's not a Thursday.

She had a conflict.

What conflict?

With her family and stuff.

What? Family?

Don't go, "What?"

No. It is a "What?" kind of situation.

She has a family matter? Of course I'll go, "What?"

Then what am I? I am your family, you know.

Is our family less important than hers?

That's not it.

Sorry, that was rude of me.

Hey, Otoyan, aren't you getting sloppy these days?

It's like you're on top of the world.

You realize you're giving off vibes of pure bliss?

What?

You have this longing look whenever you look at your phone.

Really?

Yeah.

Didn't you promise

not to bring your extracurricular romance into our home?

You're not breaking the rules, are you?

You're right.

Sorry, Ichiko. I'll be more careful.

Let me make it clear. I'm not being jealous.

Yeah.

I know.

And I'm not being resentful. This isn't about emotions, but the rules.

I understand.

Sorry. I'll make sure to fix the 22nd.

Yeah.

Okay.

Then this talk is over.

Yeah.

Okay.

This one is really good.

Wow.

Hot spring.

ELECASA NO YU

Auberge.

This isn't jealousy.

It isn't,

but an itchy, dark feeling is causing ripples in my calm sea.

I'm certain of it.

Found it.

SHORT INTENSIVE 7-DAY DIET

We'll be doing cardio for ten minutes.

Let's warm up your body. Count!

Work it. Go. Go.

Now spin.

Come on.

Spin. Spin.

Focus from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet in this warm up.

Here we go. Now raise your arms.

Tap to the left.

You're a butterfly now. Tap your toes. Let's count.

Work it. Go.

Tap. Tap!

One more time.

-Wow. This is amazing. -Wow.

What a beautiful auberge.

-It is. -Right?

This is amazing.

-Beautiful, right? -It's gorgeous, right?

I'm getting excited.

Otoyan.

What?

Thank you.

For what?

For this trip

and everything in our seven years of marriage.

We both did our part.

To many more years to come.

To many more years.

That was a good bath.

Welcome back.

I'm back.

Wow, Otoyan.

Your skin is so smooth.

'Cause

I went in the hot spring.

And you smell really good.

Really?

What's wrong?

You're so stiff.

Ichiko.

Let's relax.

Ichiko!

Ouch.

Sorry.

My husband hurt me.

Sorry, Ichiko. Are you okay?

Not only did you refuse to have sex, I also hit my head. This hurts.

Ichiko.

I'll post it on my socials and ask everyone to repost it.

Ichiko. Put on your robe.

He said I'm ugly.

No, I didn't.

Then why did you reject me with all your might? We're married.

Ichiko.

You know I have someone I like, right?

Yeah.

I know. So, what?

Wait, so I'm not the one Otoyan likes?

I like Ichiko too.

Then you can have sex with me.

It's not like you'll lose anything.

I will.

You will?

Ichiko.

Do you remember when we stopped having sex?

I remember. Generally.

Even what you said to me?

What?

Otoyan.

Sorry.

I've been so tired lately.

So I don't really…

I see.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

That's not how it went.

What?

That's not what I said?

It's not.

It was like this.

Otoyan.

Actually,

I can't bring myself

to do it these days.

You mean you're feeling sick?

No. My body is fine,

but I can't get in the mood for things like sex.

Can't get in the mood?

What?

Is that the truth?

Otoyan, the two of us

get along really well,

and have no problem communicating,

so do we really need it? Sex?

Since we're a family.

I want to do it.

Even if we're family.

I see.

Then how about going to a brothel?

Can't you satisfy your urges outside the house?

I'm really sorry about that.

Plus it's not like you're not popular with the ladies.

Wasn't I horrible?

That's what I'm saying.

You didn't make it worse

with distorted or false memories?

Definitely not.

I remember it very clearly.

It should've been just sex.

But our relationship became more complicated

as I ignored it just because I found it annoying.

Otoyan.

Yeah?

Hug me.

Sure.

Is this the boomerang effect?

Okay, then please change the color of the top page

and make the covers on the new release page stand out more.

Understood.

I'll e-mail you later about the schedule and fee.

Sure. Thanks.

Thank you so much!

Thank you.

We're getting positive feedback about the site you made.

Really? That's good to know.

You gave a boring horticulture magazine site a pop of personality.

It's easier to read it now.

Really?

Well, it's the same for me.

I didn't have a lot of projects this month. You saved me.

Really? I thought you were busy.

No.

I'm barely getting by.

Ichiko, is everything okay?

You seem a little down.

-You can tell? -Yeah.

Keikei.

Can you hear me out?

So it's serious.

Go ahead.

Actually…

Permission to have extramarital romance?

Yeah.

In other words, Otoya is having an authorized affair?

I guess you can say it like that.

I never knew.

I never told anyone. I thought you'd be repulsed.

I'm not repulsed by it.

But

I thought it was a reasonable solution.

Be a family at home and enjoy love outside.

Don't say it like bean throwing for Setsubun.

When did it start?

About a year ago, I think.

A year.

About the time when that outside love is gushing out dopamine.

Yeah, it looks like he's in a state of bliss.

Looks like?

Is his lover someone you know?

No.

You know…

the night I rejected Otoyan's advances for sex,

it felt like I heard his heart breaking.

I'm back.

Welcome back.

I felt guilty when I saw Otoyan looking a little sad.

And it was right when I started freelancing and had so much work.

But in the end, I found it too annoying to deal with.

When sex sunk to the bottom of the ocean of our marriage,

right when peaceful days returned

like we never had any issues…

Ichiko.

I'll be late today, so go to bed first.

Okay.

I'm off.

Have a good day.

…Otoyan started taking

ikebana classes after work.

He was becoming happier day by day.

So when I finally confirmed it,

he had already stopped looking at me.

Hey, Otoyan.

Do you have

someone you like?

Yeah.

Is it mutual?

Maybe.

Sorry.

I was shocked.

But I thought I had no right to be shocked.

It's okay.

It's not something you should apologize for.

I was the one who said

you're quite popular, and that you should find someone outside.

You don't need to apologize or hide it.

Don't you hate lying?

Yeah.

Instead,

let's set some rules.

Rules?

Yeah.

What's good?

You don't have to lie or hide it,

but don't let it show at home.

And I won't pry either.

Yeah.

What else?

This was the result.

The result of me not making an effort to meet Otoyan's desires.

So I decided.

I won't ignore his feelings this time.

And are you okay with that?

I thought I was.

But lately, I've been feeling uneasy.

Of course you would.

You're human. You'll have feelings about it.

I thought the trust and respect we have for each other

was more important than a temporary moment of lust.

Maybe I was naive.

You can't underestimate the passion, assumptions and emotional highs of love.

Even if it is all an illusion created by the mind.

People have self-destructed, gone crazy, and died due to those illusions.

No, I don't want that.

-We took a small trip for our anniversary. -Yeah.

Spent a night at a hot spring.

Okay.

That night, he rejected me.

Why?

He said, "You know I have someone I like, right?"

What? Is that how it'll be?

So you two won't be having sex as long as he's having an affair?

I think that's how it'll be. Right?

But we get along really well.

Aren't things getting complicated?

Then what about your calm sea?

Are you feeling any waves?

Then it's not a calm sea anymore.

But

if we'll be sexless for my entire life,

then that's kind of lonely.

But doesn't that permission to have an extramarital romance

also apply to you?

What? Yeah.

It was a joke. A joke.

This is definitely going to be tasty.

Yeah.

Shrimp, perilla leaves and lotus root?

Yeah. And this one is

pork, cilantro and bamboo shoots.

-That's a good sound. -That's a good sound.

I'm going to try this one.

Isn't the bamboo good?

-It gives it a good texture. -Yeah.

-This one's a hit. -Yeah.

-But… -Ichiko is a genius.

I am, aren't I? I can't pick which one's better.

This one's good too.

-The shrimp is yummy too. -Really.

Your phone is ringing.

Yeah. It's okay.

Do you want the last shrimp dumpling?

No. It's fine. I'm full.

Thanks for the meal.

You're welcome.

Hello, Mitsuki?

Yeah.

I was eating dinner.

It was dumplings. And you?

But doesn't that permission to have an extramarital romance

also apply to you?

It's true that it also applies to me.

But

if both the husband and wife did it,

what would be the point of us

staying married?

Welcome.

-Atsushi. -It's been a while.

Long time no see. Sorry to ask you out.

No worries. I'll always accept your invitation.

Where should I sit? There?

Oh, right, Ichiko.

A special exhibit starting this month at my museum.

He's a young artist making things like these.

So pretty.

I thought you'd like it.

Why don't you come see it?

Sure. I will.

Can I order?

Of course.

Do you have any bar snacks?

Yes.

We have dry fruits…

Dry fruits.

-…and mixed nuts. -Mixed nuts sound good.

Atsushi and I were in the same art club in college.

We've known each other for a long time, and know each other's preferences.

I'm not attracted to him, but he is kind of hot.

We probably both like each other in a broad sense of the word.

His looks and our relationship

make him qualified.

So, what's going on?

Since you called me out of the blue.

Oh, right.

So,

I'll be direct and ask.

Have you ever had an affair?

-Sorry, sorry. I'm sorry. -Sorry.

I heard about it.

My husband is having one.

-Really? -Yeah.

And I needed a friend

to talk about it with.

If you say it that way,

I'm a friend who had an affair that ended last year.

So you're Mr. Done With My Affair.

Yes.

-Here's your order. -Thanks.

-Actually… -Yeah?

…she was my classmate from high school.

From Shizuoka.

We met again due to work,

and kept bumping into each other.

One time,

we were both reading the same book on the train.

I was so surprised.

That is surprising.

We had the same hobbies,

and I had so much fun just talking to her.

They believe their own past loves are special and unique.

I wondered if my fated love wasn't my wife,

but this woman instead.

These cheating men really spew a whole load of bullshit

in a sad and romantic manner.

Since she wanted to get married and have kids…

I thought Otoyan was different,

but maybe I was wrong?

…shouldn't

waste any more of her life.

A sleazebag of a friend.

Which makes him perfect.

Hey, Atsushi.

Yeah?

Want to go to a hotel after this?

Me?

Yeah.

What's wrong?

Are you okay? I didn't think you'd be in so much pain.

No, that's not it.

I'm ready to go.

To be honest,

I thought, "Wow. For real? Lucky, yay."

"Yay?"

However…

However.

…it's dangerous for me right now.

What? How creepy.

I'm not bluffing.

That affair I was talking about,

it ended when my wife found out.

What? You made it sound

like you ended things neatly.

I skipped over some details.

After that, she's been spying on me.

She knows everywhere I've been to in a single day

in real time.

What?

-Right? Isn't it scary? -Yeah.

Isn't that dangerous?

She probably put

one of those professional GPS trackers

used by private detectives on me.

Don't get creeped out.

Doesn't that mean she might be listening to our conversation?

She's not. It's just my location, so far.

And she's okay with me seeing my friends.

Since my work puts me in situations where I'm alone with women a lot.

But

if I went to a hotel with a friend, then we'll be sex friends. Right?

Then I'd get beaten up.

Beaten?

Up.

My wife has a fifth degree black belt in aikido. In high school,

she twisted the arm of a molester so badly,

he cried.

That's a heroic tale.

Atsushi.

You really like your wife.

Me? You think so?

You do. You know it too, don't you?

I wonder.

I'm not so sure about myself.

I'm currently

rebuilding our marriage.

So I'm sorry.

And one more thing.

I'd really regret it if you and I did

something like that

and it destroyed our current relationship.

Don't--

Don't say that while holding my hand.

Oops.

Oops.

I want to believe sex wouldn't change anything

since we're both adults.

But something definitely changes once you do it.

You're right.

That's true.

Why did you choose me anyway?

It was the result of my comprehensive evaluation and assessment.

Was I the first?

Does that have a special meaning?

No, it felt like it.

I see.

So it was calculated.

But that still makes me happy.

This is my treat.

-In fact, let me treat you. -Why?

But if it's on you, then I'm going to order more.

Go ahead.

Do you have other foods?

I'm home.

I'm home.

Welcome back.

Didn't you say you'd be out late?

That's what I thought, but I came home before midnight.

And you? Did you just get home?

Yeah.

That's a pretty flower.

What's it called?

Anthurium.

It means a "heart in agony due to love" in the flower language.

OTOYA AIHARA WHAT TIME WILL YOU BE HOME?

STILL, I'LL MAKE THE LAST TRAIN HOME

OKAY. DON'T DRINK TOO MUCH

DIDN'T I SAY YOU WERE SPEWING AN AURA OF PURE BLISS?

AND I DIDN'T EVEN ASK ABOUT THE MEANING OF THE FLOWER.

In my 35th year of life, I fully understand.

Anger and sadness shouldn't be thrown at your partner.

In moments like this, I need to quietly ask myself:

Ichiko, what do you want to do?

You scared me.

Don't look at me like I'm a weirdo.

Sorry. I was zoning out.

You should also go to bed now too.

I…

Your period is done, right?

I still have dishes to wash

and Hiro's things to prepare for tomorrow.

You can do that in the morning.

Hiro's been crying a lot at night.

I'll look after him, so go sleep first.

Mama!

Mama!

Hiro.

-Mama's here. -Mama!

-Come here. -Mama.

It's okay, Hiro.

You don't need to stop crying.

Mama!

Mama!

BEAUTY SALON IN THE CITY - FLOWER GARDEN

SALON FLOWER GARDEN

SALON FLOWER GARDEN

WORDS FROM OUR CLIENTS

WORDS FROM OUR CLIENTS

Y.M - BODY EXTRA: THE EXTRA COURSE WAS AMAZING.

I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT MY BODY.

N.T - BODY EXTRA: IT WAS HEAVEN (LOL)

I REGAINED MY CONFIDENCE AS A WOMAN.

T.K - BODY EXTRA: THE MASSEUSE IS A GENIUS.

ONE SESSION AND I'M A LOYAL CLIENT.

CONTACT US - RESERVATIONS

Relief and joy.

CONTACT US - RESERVATIONS

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION.

Subtitle: Annie Chen