Original subtitles

Momose Shu. Thirty years old.

He works at a major advertising agency.

He's also blessed with good looks.

He's been in love with his sister-in-law for many years.

This is his fruitless love.

Momose-san!

Everything is all right now.

That is when Okado Akiha, aged 27, appeared before him.

She became his fake wife as a cover

for his fruitless love, but... - Here.

No!

[The finest oasis for your weary body...]

I can't believe I have also entered such a barren land...

I'm on your side, Momose-san.

Is this... a hug of friendship?

I see...

So this is... a female friend?

Ever since then,

he has been super happy and friendly with me.

Oh, Akiha-san!

Do you want to play a game together?

A game?

Friends play games together, right?

I got this as a gift. Have some.

Thank you... Oh?

Don't we have a rule to use our own tableware?

Well, you are my friend...

Oh, I will grab the garbage in your room when I'm getting mine,

since we're friends.

Akiha-san

thanks for being my first female friend.

No problem.

To being best friends.

Cheers.

What does he mean, "friend"?

Here.

"Friendship between men and women, a dream or illusion?"

What? Do you want to go?

No...

Friendship between men and women is impossible!

A girl eats at a really expensive restaurant and always calls the guy her "male friend."

When she leaves, she says, "I had fun. I want to see you again." What on earth is she thinking?

Don't tell me, is this a girl you're pursuing?

You're wrong!

I'm her love consultant. She just comes to me for help!

- If you like her, you'd better give up now. - What?

I know because it happened to me before.

Calling you a "friend" and coming to you for love advice.

She will never see you as a potential love interest.

Is that what happened to me?

For real? I'm never buying her food again!

So you were pursuing her.

And that's what you call the "friend zone."

Friends, huh?

Did you say something?

No.

You've been in a good mood lately.

Did something good happen?

What fun conversations are we having over here?

- I didn't call you over, Boss. - Come on!

My pain is flaring up! Go easy on me.

So Momose, what is the story?

No, it's nothing.

Don't hide it! Share the fun with everyone.

When you share your happiness with someone,

the happiness doubles! It doubles!

It doubles, right?

That could be true.

Doubles... Yes...

Doubles. Yes.

Could be.

[Morita Design]

Did we not win the competition?

The plan from Tou Adverting won.

It probably wasn't because of the design so don't get too upset about it.

Even my work is fruitless...

Akiha-san, that guy came again.

Aki!

I stopped by.

What? Are you studying to become a vet?

That's wonderful!

Then when I become a vet, will you take me out to dinner?

Of course! I will let you eat whatever you want!

Miyuki-san, you're late for your marriage hunting party.

I am! I will see you next time then, Yuito-kun!

See you.

You're super good at fawning over people.

Humans are the same as cats and dogs.

They have to be fawned over to live, don't they?

And so, how is it?

Yes, it looks good.

I just have to this font look a bit cleaner

and make the background design a little cuter.

Wow! You're a genius!

Friends really are a blessing, right?

- Friends...? - What?

Actually, my husband called me a "friend."

Oh! Your fake husband that looks like white asparagus?

Hey!

That's a good thing, right?

You've been promoted from "wife in name only" to "friend."

A promotion, right?

So you love that white asparagus that much, don't you?

No, I don't love him.

It's obvious.

Are you going to work hard to make that sister-in-law-loving white asparagus notice you?

I can't.

There's no room for me in his heart. Besides, it's a rule.

What? A rule?

[Rules for Cohabitation]

Though we will live together, do not fall in love with the other.

After all, we are a fake couple.

I see...

So he can't ever find out about my feelings.

So how do you want things to end up with you and white asparagus?

How do I want things to end up with Momose-san?

[4,740,000 yen]

I'm Momose-san's wife until this becomes zero,

but I can't love him,

and he can't love me.

That means I will always be...

Momo... se... san...

No, no, no! I have to get out of this barren land while I still can!

- What are you talking about? - Oh!

It's nothing.

I heard the news. I'm sorry about the competition.

Yes, but it was a good experience.

- I will make some food to cheer you up. - What?

You haven't eaten, right? Let's eat together.

But the rule says we eat seperately.

Well, you're my friend.

He said it... friend.

No, thank you. I'm not hungry yet.

Then I will eat later, too.

Don't worry about it, just eat. I don't have an appetite.

Do you feel sick?

Shall I make you some vegetable juice?

I'm fine. You don't have to worry so much.

But I am worried when a friend doesn't have an appetite.

I'm fine, really!

Ah, hey...

That reminds me, you said you had Monday off, right?

Yes.

I got free tickets from the owner of a hot spring inn in Hakone.

Do you want to take a day trip?

A day trip to a hot spring?

I have Monday off, too, so I will take my brother's car to Hakone.

I'm sorry, but that isn't a good day for me.

- Then we can go on another day. - I can't go on another day either.

And let's eat separately from now on.

Let's use our own tableware and take out our own trash.

You went through the trouble of making the rules, after all. Good night.

That was mean, wasn't it?

However, the only way to get rid of my fruitless love

is to get some distance from Momose-san.

That was probably for the best.

I can stay out here, but can we talk for a second?

Okay.

I was always someone

who didn't have many friends,

and I never had a female friend before.

So I'm worried that I misjudged the distance between us

or made you feel uncomfortable.

I was hoping to share fun things with you,

but if it is only annoying for you,

I will go back to how things used to be.

I'm sorry for being too familiar

and always calling us friends.

Momose-san...

I will go to Hakone on my own, so don't worry.

That's all.

Good night.

Momose-san!

You weren't annoying me.

We can go the hot spring

as friends, right?

Yes, of course.

Then I have to separate my feelings, too.

Let's go to the hot spring.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

Because we are friends.

Thank you.

I decided.

To get rid of this fruitless love, starting today,

I will become Momose-san's friend!

[Only Just Married]

- This, please. - Okay.

Welcome.

[Episode 4]

Hakone! [Hakone]

Hakone!

I haven't been to Hakone since my elementary school field trip!

It has been since junior high for me.

You're here? Mamiya Shoko?

Same for you. What are you doing here?

Are you helping at the bento shop again?

No, I'm here to borrow my brother-in-law's car.

Are you going to drive with Momose-san to Hakone?

Yes.

Why?

You must be excited, right?

Going on a date with the guy you love.

It's not a date!

You're not denying the "guy you love" part.

You have a rocky road ahead of you.

My condolences!

I don't need your condolences!

Momose-san and I have become friends who are fake-married!

If you'll excuse me.

What is her deal?

Condolences for what?

Today, Momose-san and I are driving to Hakone, just the two of us.

[Momo's Bento]

Sorry for the wait!

Thanks for letting us borrow your car today!

Good morning, Aki-chan!

- I will be in your care today, Akiha-chan. - In my care?

Micharu, where did you put those complimentary tickets?

- I gave them to you, didn't I? - What?

- I didn't? - No way...

Oh?

Did you only buy two drinks?

Well, by chance are all four of us going today?

Yes.

Did I not tell you? I got four complimentary tickets.

- No. - It's not just the two of us.

Maybe you didn't know, Akiha-chan?

Shu! You need to tell her these things!

I'm sorry. I was so sure I did.

It's fine.

That's the place?

Why am I so shaken by this?

We are just friends, so we don't need to go alone.

It's totally fine!

Let's all four of us have lots of fun together!

Wow, it's so sunny! This is perfect!

Will the shop be okay today?

Yes, there aren't many orders,

so Mom and Dad said it would be better for us to rest for today.

Are you not feeling well, Brother-in-law?

No, not me. It's Micharu.

What? What's wrong, Miharu?

I've just been getting a little tired lately.

Asahi is exaggerating.

But if anything were to happen to you,

I wouldn't be able to go on!

- You're still exaggerating! - What?

What sounds good? What about ice cream?

Let's get some!

- What about the hot spring? - I want to go in!

Then let's go.

No! Think of fun things!

- Are you okay? - What?

Won't you get motion sickness by reading in a car?

No, I'll be fine.

I can handle myself well in cars.

Hey! Wait!

Brother, do you have a bag? A bag?

- Crap! Hold on, hold on! Watch out! - Oh no! Wait, wait!

There is the medicine for car sickness.

Oh, there it is.

Here.

Should we get something for Asahi, too?

Let's wait for him to get back from the bathroom.

Oh, bread.

- Are you really okay? - What?

You said you've been getting tired easily.

Yes, I'm fine.

Maybe it's because the shop has been busy.

You shouldn't overdo it.

If you get tired, you should tell Asahi—

I'm really fine!

Shouldn't you be more worried about Akiha-chan right now?

Yes.

How do you feel?

- I'm sorry! - It's fine.

Oh, sorry.

Was he holding my hand the whole time?

Asahi and Miharu are still shopping.

You should rest more until they get back.

You can use my lap, if you want.

What?

Because we're friends.

Friendship lap pillow?

Friendship hand holding?

How far is this man going to take me in this barren land?!

I'm all right now.

I already feel really refreshed!

[Hakone | Hanayu Garden]

We have been expecting you, Momose-sama.

I'm sorry I wasn't able to take you up on your invitation until now.

Not at all!

It's an honor that you're staying here with your family.

And I finally get to meet your beautiful wife!

I wouldn't say "beautiful"...

Your husband has been such a great help.

What?

You really are a beautiful couple!

A picture-perfect husband and wife!

- Well... - She's my brother's wife.

She is the one I married.

Oh, dear!

I'm terribly sorry about that.

Man, what a nice inn!

It must be pretty expensive to stay here normally.

And they gave us two rooms for a day trip!

I feel kind of bad!

Yes.

What's wrong?

Did you get carsick, too?

I get uncomfortable bathing with other people.

What?

- That was the best! - So good.

Then why did you come to a hot spring?

I had free tickets.

Then use the private bath in your room.

Akiha-san's using it.

You're newlyweds.

You can surely go in together, right?

I knew it. I can't do this.

What?

[Momose Family]

Is this it?

Wow! How fancy!

What?

This is the place?

Wow!

That's amazing!

Shu-kun?

What? Didn't you go to the public hot spring?

I did, but...

Let me guess. You didn't want to go in with other people.

I will take the bath in our room when Akiha-san leaves.

Can I cool down here?

What?

I used the public hot spring, but the water was too hot. I got light-headed.

It's so hot.

Shu-chan and Miharu-san are a little late.

Miharu does love bathing.

Uno?

That's so nostalgic!

They were selling this in the store. I wanted to play it with everyone.

- Let's all play later! - Yes.

This feels like a school field trip.

I'm sorry, Aki-chan.

What?

I bet you wish we didn't come along.

Not at all! Why would you say that?

You pretended to be fine earlier, but you really didn't like it, did you?

Shu and Miharu being mistaken for husband and wife.

Weren't you upset, Asahi?

I'm used to it!

Used to it?

It's happened so often.

Even at my wedding! I wore a tux, but our relatives thought he was the groom.

I suppose Shu is more at Miharu's level. It's unavoidable.

Don't you get upset or jealous?

Maybe I used to before, but I'm so happy now!

Even if some seams come apart in our marriage down the line,

even if it's full of patches, as long as I can be my Miharu's side,

that's enough for me.

Seams coming apart?

It's a hypothetical! That would never happen to Miharu and me!

Right! You two are so in love.

Right!

It was my dream.

What?

To go on a trip with relatives like this.

And one day we will have children, and they'll liven things up.

It's been a while since I got married.

I'm thinking it's time to take the next step.

The next step?

I want to raise a child with Asahi-kun.

Asahi-kun loves children. I'm sure he'd be thrilled.

But...

things won't really go the way I want.

Don't worry about Asahi.

With or without children,

he only cares about your happiness.

You're right.

Asahi-kun is a really good husband.

If I'm with Asahi-kun, I can make the perfect family.

What do you mean?

If I'm with him...

I can get the perfect family I've always wanted.

Without any torn seams.

Torn seams?

That's why I married him.

Your older brother.

Are you disappointed to learn I'm this kind of woman?

That totally flew by, didn't it?

I wished we could have stayed the night.

Yes.

Momose-san's been acting weird since we got back from the hot spring.

I wonder if something happened.

Did something happen with Miharu-san?

Did he tell her his feelings and get rejected?!

No way! Why would he confess when he's in a fake marriage?

All right... I'll ask him.

Momose-san?

Yes?

Wait! If we are just friends, can I pry any further?

That was a wonderful inn, wasn't it?

The hot spring was really big and pretty, too!

It was, wasn't it?

I'm still so curious!

Something must have happened with Miharu-san!

But more importantly,

right now, I need to cheer him up as a friend!

What do you think, Momose-san?

I don't feel like drinking tonight.

Don't be like that! Keep me company.

We are friends, aren't we?

- Cheers! - Cheers.

You'll be okay, Momose-san.

When you're down, you usually feel better after lots of drinks with a friend!

But there is a chance you might not feel better...

I have to get up early tomorrow.

I'm going to bed.

Please wait!

We only just started drinking, didn't we?

I had no idea you were such an annoying drunk.

I'm not an annoying drunk!

You should stop being an obnoxious drunk. It's annoying.

What? Trying to cheer up a friend who's depressed is annoying?

I'm not depressed.

You've been super depressed since we went to the hot spring.

What is a friend to you, Momose-san?

Do you hold hands and use your lap as a pillow with friends?

That's weird!

Friends are still men and women.

Men and women?

Well, I suppose you don't know about that.

What do you mean?

I mean, you've loved Miharu-san since junior high school, right?

That means you don't have experience with dating or...

That sort of stuff, I can do it even without romantic feelings.

Why don't I try to shut up that annoying mouth of yours?

Why don't I try to shut up that annoying mouth of yours?

Come on! Stop teasing me!

Momose-san, you're drunk!

I'm going to go to sleep.

Good night!

I'm really trying to be his friend, and he does something like that?

I couldn't sleep at all.

How do I face him now?

Let's both forget about it. It was just the alcohol.

Do I act like totally unconcerned?

What? Did something happen yesterday?

I could feign ignorance...

Man, that almost-kiss yesterday was quite the surprise!

I could also deliberately bring it up...

I will act like I don't remember.

Momose-san? It's time to wake up!

"I have a meeting first thing in the morning, so I left early."

Maybe he doesn't care about what happened yesterday?

Are you disappointed to learn I'm this kind of woman?

I'm so disappointed!

I was totally betrayed!

Momose-san, have you ever met the idol Shirosaki Ayana?

No, I haven't.

We went to see her filming a commercial,

but her personality was awful! "I won't wear that outfit!"

And she sells such a pure image! What's up with that?

The illusion is shattered!

Illusion?

[Cutely Daily Illustration]

Okado, you didn't kiss him, did you?

Ryuji's lips are wet, and there's a grain of rice on them!

- You didn't kiss him, did you? - Yes, I didn't.

- Think about how to not kiss beforehand! - What?

Take notes! Think about how not to miss anything beforehand.

Right. I'm sorry.

It was "miss," not "kiss"...

Oh no... My brain is totally full of kissing!

Are you okay?

You look totally exhausted!

That's no good! Girls must always be pretty!

Sakahara-san, the reason you have no friends is that you say things like that.

What? What do you mean?

You can talk to me if you're worried about something, Okado.

I'm not really worried. I just don't know what a friend is thinking.

Even when he was feeling down, he didn't tell me anything.

Then why not try asking him directly?

Yes, I should, but...

But it's not good to force someone to open up, is it?

For friends and spouses, the other party will start the conversation when they want to talk.

Until then, it's best to just leave them alone.

- Boss coming in with wisdom again today! - Right?

When our boss with a happy marriage says it, you know to listen.

Well, I guess.

That reminds me, Okado. Masuda-san from Shudendo seems to have returned to work.

- He has? - You haven't thanked him for the competition yet, right?

I have a meeting with him now. Want to join me?

Sure.

Maybe I should've got him Western sweets instead...

It'll be fine. That man seems like he'll eat anything.

I guess so.

Hello. Thank you again.

I'm Morita from Morita Design. It's nice to formally meet you.

You're welcome.

Likwise. Thank you for always looking after my wife.

Wh-What a coincidence! Are you going home?

No, I have a meeting with Sensei Maruzono.

Sensei Maruzono?! You mean, Sensei Maruzono Fumi?

Yes.

- We are meeting now to discuss the slogan for her next event. - What?

Is Sensei Maruzono coming here?

Yes.

Oh, didn't you say you were a fan?

I'm not a fan. I'm a mega fan!

It's my dream to one day do work for her!

- Then why don't you have Momose-san introduce you? - What?

It's fine, right? She is your wife, after all.

Yes, I suppose.

Yes.

Is that so? I understand. Then I will be waiting at the entrance. Sure.

She will be arriving soon.

I see.

What's that?

My impressions of Sensei Maruzono's books.

I always wanted to talk to her about them if I ever met her.

I never thought it would happen so soon.

I don't think you should bring that up.

What?

Some authors don't like that sort of stuff.

Sensei Maruzono is not like that!

She writes very straightforward and human characters,

so I'm sure she'd listen to her fans.

You shouldn't get your hopes up too high.

What does that mean?

Sorry, I'm late.

Thank you for coming, Sensei Maruzono.

Who is this?

This is my wife, Akiha.

She's a designer and a huge fan of yours, so I hoped I could introduce you two.

I'm Okado Akiha!

I've loved your books for such a long time.

I was super moved by your new book, "A Contrarian's Melancholy" too, of course!

Your depiction of the beach house at the end was amazing.

It was the liberation of the protagonist's ego and—

- That enough. - What?

I leave the interpretation of my books to the readers.

If you call yourself a creator, be more confident in what you feel.

- I'm sorry, Momose-san, but can I have a smoke before the meeting? - Sure.

The smoking area is down and to the left.

That's why I warned you.

It's better not to get your hopes up.

I can't believe it.

She's like that to everyone. It's best not to worry about it.

I can't believe I got to talk with Sensei Maruzono.

What?

She's amazing! So that's what she's like.

Are you not shocked?

Shocked? Why would I be?

I mean, she's different from how you imagined.

Yes. A total 180 difference,

but I had just thought up that image of her on my own.

But the books she wrote and Sensei Maruzono herself,

they're both the real her, right?

If I'm with Asahi-kun, I can make the perfect family.

That's why I married him.

Your older brother.

Are they both the real her?

I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Yes.

I just met her!

Yes. Sure.

Where are you now?

I understand. See you soon. Okay.

You're that guy.

White asparagus.

White asparagus?

Here, have one.

The design's pretty good, right?

Aki gave me advice when I was making it.

Yes. This font and background look like the stuff she makes.

Maybe I should get more advice from Aki,

about stuff other than design.

Sure. I hope you and Aki become friends.

You... Why did you marry Aki?

What?

[We're searching a new family]

Aki's too good for you.

[Shu & Akiha Momose]

Welcome home.

I'm sorry.

Yesterday, I lost my composure with you.

It's fine.

I said some tactless things to you. I'm sorry.

Something was wrong with me.

I was so upset I had no idea what to do.

I thought I knew her so well...

but there was a side of her I didn't know.

When I saw it, the illusion was shattered.

Is this about Miharu-san?

Yes.

I always thought

Miharu married my brother out of love.

But the truth is...

she chose him so that she could make her ideal family.

But

no matter which side of her I see

it's not like Miharu has changed, right?

I made my own image of her in my head.

I shattered my own illusion.

It was all my own doing.

That sort of stuff is only natural.

After all,

you love her.

Making an image of her in your head...

The illusion shattering at an unexpected revelation...

In the end, it's all because you love her, right?

Falling in love with someone else is a selfish act.

That might be true.

Thanks to you,

I was able to realize something again.

I love Miharu.

No matter what.

Forever.

I know that! You don't have to spell it out.

Right.

I might have to introduce you as my wife more in the future

so I thought I'd better do this.

Wedding rings?

I think the size is right.

How do you know my size?

I measured it when we were in the car to Hakone.

That was you checking my ring size?

Yes.

I think it will fit, but can I put it on just to be sure?

Sure.

♫ I just can express my feelings ♫

♫ The heartbeat sparks on a night when you can't sleep ♫

♫ With the love that overflows in me ♫

Thank goodness. It fits perfectly.

♫ I'm laughing all the time ♫

♫ You wake up right after ♫

Akiha-san.

Thank you for marrying me.

♫ You are not warm enough to withstand the cold ♫

I don't think I could be married like this with anyone but you.

♫ I've never been in love ♫

This isn't a real wedding ring.

We are not really husband and wife.

I know all that, but...

With these on, we look like a real married couple, right?

♫ But you two are tied together ♫

♫ Is there a love that begins? ♫

♫ That's why I think of you even today ♫

Momose-san?

Yes?

♫ You are not warm enough to withstand the cold ♫

What would happen...

♫ I can warm you up ♫

if I broke one of the rules?

♫ My love is not confident at all ♫

If I told you I loved you...

would you dissolve this marriage?

Broke one of the rules?

♫ I'm sure this is the beginning of love ♫

♫ I'm sure this is the beginning of love ♫

Timing and Subtitles brought to you by Love Under Contract Team @Viki.com

Miharu isn't here?!

- Miharu? - Did something happen to Miharu-san?

When I got back from doing deliveries...

I found this.

[Request of Divorce]

[Wife: Momose Miharu]

Why?

[To be continued]

[Next Episode] Our sister-in-law is staying with you? [Suddenly sharing a house with his sister-in-law!?]

- Then why not stay here? - This is bad!

So you two sleep in the same bed? [A quick development with my brother's wife?!]

A switch could flip in an instant.

I don't understand Asahi-kun's feelings anymore. [A robbery?! Love is heating up!]

It's so you can help the person you love.

How can I make you happy?

It's all over now.