Original subtitles

All right!

Twenty-four degrees Celsius.

Beautiful.

What are you doing?

I wanna thank our anonymous genius chocolatier.

No, w-wait a second!

Aw, man. I was too late.

If you try to see their face, they'll never work with us again.

-Come on. -Ow.

Let's hurry and get ready to open.

Yes, ma'am.

You know who they are, don't you, Mama?

Not a clue.

Only the owner knows.

Come on, let's go.

Here you go, Chief.

-Thanks. -Sure.

Here it is, sir.

RAINBOW PALETTE

Hello, thank you for waiting.

We're now open for business. Please come in!

This is a seven-piece set…

They're all cute! Which should we get?

Anything you like.

-Which one? -I can't decide.

Let's see.

What do you recommend?

The Pure Kenji on the bottom right.

It looks simple, but it has two layers, and the chocolate is delicious.

That sounds so good!

Thank you for waiting.

-Here you go. -Wow, how cute!

-The seating area is over there. -Thank you.

Enjoy.

Thank you for coming, as always.

Thank you. I'll be back.

We'll be looking forward to it.

-Thank you for waiting. -Here it is.

Okay.

Whoa, the chocolate's all melty!

Look. That's so cool! She's mixing it.

I wonder what they're making with that chocolate.

-I'll try yuzu next. -Lucky you!

-Yum! -I'm so jealous!

-Can you take a picture? -Sure.

LE SAUVEUR A PREMIER CHOCOLATE BOUTIQUE

THE CHOCOLATE BONBON WAS SO GOOD. I ATE TOO MANY, LOL.

BEST CHOCOLATE I'VE EVER HAD

PURE KENJI IS JUST TOO GOOD!

It's good, huh? Super tasty, right?

Unlike handmade brand-name chocolates,

our chocolates at Futago Confectionery

tend to be seen as the kind piled in discount bins.

That's why I'm here today

to propose a rebranding of Futago Chocolate.

A new brand that aims to make premium chocolate

more accessible to everyone.

Allow me to introduce Futago Black.

I heard you recently turned down a deal for low-cost ingredients.

Is that true?

Yes.

We can't use cacao that isn't produced through legitimate means.

I'll find another option right away.

Even if you do,

using expensive ingredients generously surely makes the chocolate taste good.

Anyone can do that.

Our products stand out

for their affordability, making them accessible to all.

We take pride in that.

And I won't change that.

You're absolutely right, Chairman.

My goal is to create the ideal product.

Affordable, yet top-class in both taste and quality.

If that kind of contradiction were possible,

life would be a lot easier.

Even so, the future is born from contradiction.

And-- Oh.

I'm so sorry!

Sosuke.

Sosuke.

Shunsuke.

Take this medicine and get better, okay?

Yeah. I'll take it and feel better.

If that's my medicine, I want more.

Sure.

I've got plenty.

Okay, here you go.

All right.

That's a lot.

Right?

Let's eat it together.

-Okay. -The medicine.

Medicine. I'll take one.

Yum.

STERILE ROOM 301 AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY

Come in.

Are you okay?

How could I be?

That was an important presentation.

Man, the chairman's tough, huh?

That's probably because he has high hopes for you as his son.

Also, I'll be reporting to him that you're starting counseling this week.

There it is.

My only cousin, acting like a spy.

A spy?

It's my job to support my only cousin's mental health.

-I'll update your calendar. -Wait.

I'll get a doctor's note soon saying I'm fine.

Looks delicious!

Kenji's Miso Special!

-Let's dig in! -Go ahead.

Let's eat.

I'll eat well.

Uh-huh.

Next time,

why not ask "Mr. Kendo" out for a meal?

You know I could never do that.

I prefer to admire him from afar.

-Oh, thank you. -Hmm.

I'm just worried, you know.

A young woman like you, always keeping to yourself

without seeing anybody.

Don't you get lonely sometimes?

Nope.

I get to work in a lovely kitchen

and spend every day surrounded by chocolate.

I'm living a happy life.

How about giving counseling a try?

Were you even listening?

Well, even if scopophobia is severe during childhood,

apparently it tends to get better with age.

The "Butterfly Hug."

"Butterfly Hug"?

Yeah.

You cross your arms

like this.

And make a butterfly.

I am okay.

I am…

-Okay -Okay

I am!

What?

Do I really

look not okay to you?

Hmm.

That day, during the competition I had mustered up the courage to enter,

I realized how serious my symptoms were.

I wasn't just uncomfortable with being stared at.

I felt suffocated. My heart was racing.

I didn't even feel alive.

And just like that, I ruined the most important day

of my life.

"Le Sauveur."

For your birthday this year, which is on Valentine's Day…

Yes?

How about Cielo?

I heard their dessert menu is full of homemade Belgian chocolates.

What? I wanna go.

But I get nervous when people are watching.

Hm? No, we've got the whole place to ourselves.

All of Cielo?

You bet.

Oh, and since it's your birthday,

we're dining out.

Really?

-What should I do? -Promise me!

-I don't know. -It's a promise.

Promise?

Okay! I promise!

Deal!

-See you. -Good night.

That was delicious.

This one's called GlenAllachie.

What kind of chocolate would pair well with it?

It's got a sweet sherry note, with a lingering nutty aroma.

How about Truffles Yuzu?

I'd say it's quite the pairing.

Aren't they a bit too different though?

Huh?

No, they pair well because they're so different.

Oh.

Listen, I have a favor to ask.

On Valentine's Day,

how about having dinner together?

At Cielo.

KENJI SENT A VIDEO

What do I do?

Gosh, watching stuff like this might make me like jazz more than rock.

Hiro!

He really is divine.

Men!

Taking up kendo was the best decision ever!

"Fear of physical contact is especially prominent."

If it's affecting your daily life and relationships, like in your case,

there's a high chance it could be OCD, Sosuke.

You can't even touch hands, right?

I thought you were a quack, but it turns out you're a real doctor.

Oh, now it makes sense.

Back in college, you were the only guy who ever turned me down.

You were faking it, huh? Acting all stuck-up and unapproachable.

So, listen.

I never sleep with the same guy twice.

You still have a shot.

Good luck with counseling.

Forget counseling.

Just write me a note saying I'm fit to work.

Without any counseling,

I can't write a note saying you're fine.

I don't usually do counseling for friends, but I'll make an exception for you.

Here.

What's this?

Come on, take it.

Right this way.

We're just about to start group counseling.

No, that's not what I came for.

"Luxury Tuna"?

I hate sushi.

I'd never eat something made with bare hands.

Mr. Luxury Tuna.

Let's work hard so you can eat sushi.

It's tasty.

Hey.

W-Wait up.

Hey.

I am okay.

-I am okay. -I am okay.

I am okay.

-I am okay. -I am okay.

I am okay.

-I am okay. -I am okay.

I am okay.

I feel like my gloomy mood has lightened up a little.

Same here.

I usually get angry easily and have intense mood swings,

but doing this seems to help calm my breathing.

Doesn't it?

Huh?

Me?

This is kind of like a placebo effect, isn't it?

When people gather, they often sync with each other.

But to be honest,

without cognitive behavioral therapy targeting the cause,

there's no way to actually get better.

Well, of course, you might get some temporary relief.

He's right. I'm not okay.

I'm not okay at all!

There's no way I'll be okay.

What the heck am I doing?

That's not true.

I am okay.

That's not true, is it?

-Everyone, please calm down. -Are you okay?

Today is Valentine's Day.

Our chocolates can help people express their feelings

to the ones they care for and love.

It'll be a day to be proud of.

With all our hearts, today and always…

With all our hearts.

…let's give it our all.

We'll give it our all.

What should I wear?

Yeah, looks good.

Maybe red? Hmm.

Actually…

Something safe. Nothing that would stand out.

Thank you.

Welcome. Are you Ms. Kuroiwa with the reservation?

Yes.

May I take your coat, ma'am?

Excuse me.

Any valuables inside?

No.

Right this way.

Okay, thank you.

Yes.

-Welcome. -Welcome.

Pardon me.

Thanks.

Chef, where are you?

I seriously can't stand being here anymore.

Well, I've sent you a Valentine's gift instead.

He's not there yet?

Oh, I'm sure he'll call you soon.

Huh?

A gift?

What did you do?

No. No way. Absolutely not!

-I definitely can't! -Hey, listen.

You can still fall in love even if you can't make eye contact.

Just sit next to him.

W-Wait a second.

Chef?

-I told you, I can't do it! -Oh, hello?

Chef Kenji gave me your number,

so I'm calling.

Oh, no.

Excuse me.

-Do these flowers go-- -Um, this way.

-That way. -That way?

-Th-This way. -Huh?

-Please take them to the entrance. -Uh, okay.

-This way. -Okay.

-Thank you. -No problem.

My coat.

I'm cold!

Why won't you answer?

Are you mad at me?

I hate myself for being like this too.

But I really am okay being alone.

Oh?

Black Forest cake?

So obvious!

It's my birthday cake, isn't it?

Chef?

Chef? Chef!

What's wrong, Chef?

Chef!

Come on, Chef. Wake up!

What do I do?

He collapsed and he's unconscious.

Please help him!

The location is Le Sauveur.

Please hurry. I'm begging you!

Chef!

Chef…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HANA

What do I do?

Come in.

Excuse me. Do you have a moment?

Sure.

Are you really planning to acquire Le Sauveur?

Kenji's widow needs Futago Confectionery's support.

And Le Sauveur's brand name and image

has real value for us.

In that case…

could you put me in charge of managing Le Sauveur?

I can't do that.

If the heir to Futago Confectionery runs the place and suffers a loss,

the damage to our image would be too great.

I believe the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

LE SAUVEUR CONVENIENCE STORE EDITION PROPOSAL

Even with Chef Kenji gone, his techniques and recipes live on.

To elevate Futago Confectionery's chocolates,

I intend to learn all there is to know about Le Sauveur.

We at Futago Confectionery

have conducted a third-party allotment of shares with Mrs. Kuroiwa,

the widow of the late Kenji Kuroiwa.

Mrs. Kuroiwa now holds 1.25% of Futago Confectionery shares,

and Futago Confectionery has acquired 51% of Le Sauveur's shares.

Therefore, as the new owner of Le Sauveur,

we will do our utmost to restore the business moving forward.

Director Sosuke Fujiwara has stated that

by bringing Le Sauveur under Futago Confectionery's umbrella,

they anticipate further business growth.

BUTTERFLY HUG

Dear Dr. Irene.

Hello.

I'm currently struggling with severe scopophobia,

and I've been living my life avoiding interaction with others.

But I don't want to live this reclusive life anymore.

So I gathered my courage to write this email.

Mom.

There's no one left I can look in the eye and talk to.

Mom…

Mom.

WILL YOU COME WORK WITH ME?

After my mom passed away,

I stopped seeking treatment.

I thought I could live just fine on my own.

But I finally realized

I can't do anything by myself.

Now that I'm truly alone,

the reality of being on my own terrifies me.

If possible,

I'd like to start counseling anonymously.

They're here.

Nice to meet you all.

Starting today, I'll be managing Le Sauveur.

I'm Sosuke Fujiwara, the new president.

To resume operations, I kindly ask for everyone's support.

I heard Chef Kenji always greeted you with the same words.

With all my heart,

I look forward to working with you all.

W-We look forward to working with you.

Dear Anonymous Chocolatier,

I am currently working hard to get Le Sauveur back on its feet.

I am aware that your cooperation is essential to that effort.

"Therefore, I would appreciate your cooperation."

"Could we arrange an in-person meeting at your earliest convenience?"

Regarding the Anonymous Chocolatier,

I plan to meet them in person and terminate their contract.

At the same time, I plan to receive the recipes from them.

I ask for your cooperation to ensure the safe production

of the outsourced chocolates here.

What?

Is there a problem?

No, sir.

Then I appreciate your support.

Chef Kenji always worked to protect the identity and role

of the Anonymous Chocolatier.

Could you reconsider terminating their contract?

Please.

I understand what you're saying.

However, maintaining a contract with an unknown party

isn't something Futago Confectionery can accept.

I am okay.

I can do this.

STAFF WANTED

Um…

Excuse me.

"Policy disagreement"? Why do you have to quit, Mama?

I don't get it!

If there's a conflict in policy,

shouldn't the Anonymous Chocolatier be let go first, not you?

Oh.

I'm sorry.

We don't plan to open Le Sauveur for a while.

Um, I'm not a customer.

I work…

I mean…

For a long time…

Actually, I'm--

Oh?

Are you applying for a job?

Yes!

Huh?

Follow me.

-Did you know? -Huh?

They're already hiring?

No way.

So, you have no experience with this kind of work?

What did you do before?

Yes.

For a long time…

I've been sort of unemployed.

Sorry.

Someone like me…

I mean,

I'm not qualified, right?

Well, then.

Why did you apply?

How did you hear about this shop?

Well, uh…

Um.

The thing is,

I'm the…

I've probably eaten

about 10,000 chocolates from here.

Whenever my heart ached,

the chocolates from this shop brought me comfort.

Because of them,

I was able…

to feel a little happy.

Your heart?

My heart is all I've got.

Well, then.

If you'll excuse me.

-You're hired. -Yes.

I'm hired?

She didn't even bring a résumé.

We need someone who can start right away.

In the server role you applied for,

please do your best with that happy heart of yours.

W-What?

-This way. -Huh?

N-No. I can't do this.

Is something wrong?

An dwaeyo.

"An dwaeyo"?

I-I can't do this!

-I mean-- -Whoa! H-Hold on.

One day, you'll meet someone

you can lock eyes with for as long as you want.

That person is your soulmate.

Or

a villain who's so dangerous your instincts warn you.

A really bad guy.

Bad guy?

-Oh. -Ow.

Huh?

Bad guy?

What?

Subtitle translation by: Yuki Asami