My Pretend Girlfriend (2014)

[bunniefuu]

What is even more sudden than lightning?

Revenge

What is the greatest injustice?

Having things you don't deserve

Who really understands this world?

Those who understand themselves

What is the secret to 'eternity'?

Love

Where can you find it?

Momose!

Momose, look at me (My Pretend Girlfriend)

Sorry

Excuse me

[Blue Flowers]

[A novel by German poet Novalis]

Hello

Yes, I'm on my way

I'll be staying at my parents' place

A meeting?

Oh

What should we do..

Then, I'll drop by the school when I arrive

Oh... I saw it

Well, the letter is fine

You'd normally confirm that before sending it out, though

Nothing, nevermind

Uh, about the location

A gym..

That's far too large

It's not like more than 3 people will show up

That's.. do you know how big the first print was?

It was only..

Yes.. yes

Sorry

Then, later

Alright, thanks

Bye

Why this picture?

Menswear by Miyazaki

Aihara-kun?

It's been a long time

How many years?

Since graduation, I think?

So.. 15 years?

I'm sorry I haven't kept in touch

I haven't been back here at all

Then you haven't seen any friends, either?

You're drooling

How old is she?

She's 4

Her name's Sakura

Since she was born in April

(when Sakura bloom in Japan)

Your lecture is tomorrow, right?

You know about it?

The letter was sent to all the alumni

Really?!

Give me a break..

I don't really want to do it but Yoshioka-sensei is so pushy

I read your book

It's pretty good

You really are an author

Oh, please

The contract was only for one book

it's not much different from being unemployed

No, you're impressive

I've just become an old lady

Not at all

You're still very pretty, Kanbayashi-senpai

The town hasn't changed at all

Feels like I've just got off a time machine

Hey, it's Kanbayashi-senpai from third year

Tetsuko-san is as pretty as ever

I should confess to her

Idiot, there's no way she'd go out with you

Why? You don't know

There's no way she would

She's way too pretty

Where are you aiming?

Again

Level 32

What?

It's nothing

Level?

A person's level

A combination of their looks, intelligence, and youth

They have things like that in RPGs

Oh

Then what about Yamamoto-kun?

Level 21

His face is fine, but his personality is terrible

And Onishi-kun?

Completely average, so 50?

Then.. yourself?

Me?

I guess I'm level 2

Oh, good, not 1

Your own level should be like that

Being self-aware is enough

I see

Then I've just leveled up to 2, as well!

Tetsuko-san!

She looked at me!

No, me!

It was totally me

She's too cute

She has a great smile

Level 99

What kind of person does a person like her go out with?

It's hopeless unless you can beat the last boss

Aihara-kun, are you married?

There's nobody who would marry me

I wonder.. think you'd be popular

Not at all

Let me know if you ever need a white kimono

[worn by women at weddings]

Oh yeah, your family does tailoring

Sakura-chan will probably be popular at kindergarten

I also have a boy in grade 3

He looks just like his dad

I'd like to meet him

I can't believe you're a mom

Really?

Everyone feels that way

Like who?

Uh.. everyone

Your husband must be happy

I see, it's Miyazaki Shun

Huh?

Noboru!

Long time no see!

We're in the same high school

I didn't realize!

Ah, yes

How's your mom?

She still putting pineapple in the curry?

It's as bad as ever

Miyazaki-senpai, in the summer does your mom still

Call me Shun-niichan, like in elementary school

Earlier, I saw your girlfriend at school

Kanbayashi-senpai has a lot of admirers in my class

You should look out for her shoes

[they are taken by male students in schools sometimes]

I can give her all the shoes she needs

I saw you with a short haired girl by the station

Hey, Noboru

Yeah?

Are you seeing anyone right now?

Can't you tell?

No way I'd be seeing anyone

I see

You don't have someone in Tokyo?

There's no way there'd be one

A girl you like?

Sakura is a nice name

Thank you

I decided to name my kids after flowers

Do you know the meaning behind "Sakura"?

Refined, a beautiful heart, things like that

You've said something like that before, haven't you?

The day the four of us all went out together

Isn't that Miyazaki-senpai?

It is!

Senpai is here!

He's calling you

Who?

The last boss

This is Aihara Noboru

Hello, I'm Momose You

Nice to meet you

Hey, you looked like you are close with Miyazaki-senpai

Yeah, we've been friends since we were kids

Then you live close together?

Yeah

- Then you use the same train station?

- And went to the same middle school?

- Yeah

Wow!

What's going on?

Aihara-kun and Miyazaki-senpai were friends as kids!

Sorry, I'm going to go get some lunch

You don't look well, you alright?

Something happen?

I forgot my wallet..

In the classroom? Should we go get it?

I can help if it's 200 yen

Tanabe-kun.. There's something bugging me

Aihara-kun

Let's have lunch together

I'm going out with her

I'm Momose You, class 1-3

Aihara-kun's girlfriend

Oh, really

Hello

Uh, I want to have lunch with Tanabe-kun

Sorry

Then let's go home together

I'll wait for you on the roof after class

Sorry

Why are you sorry?

For some reason

She's cute

Who was that?

A classmate

But we've never spoken

You haven't spoken even though you're classmates?

Strange

Be careful not to trip!

Bye, Yoshioka-sensei!

They were holding hands

Hold on

Gross

Your hands are so sweaty

You're the one who grabbed my hand

Can you not talk to me outside of school?

But we might right into Kanbayashi-senpai

I might be late, so I'm gonna go

Late?

I should get going

I need to make food

Sa-chan, stand up

I've got it, senpai

It's fine, I'm the one who invited you

No, I'll get it

Could we talk a bit more?

Well, it's been a long time

Also.. there's.. there's something I've always wanted to ask you

Always?

Yes, always

Got it? This is a secret between us

It seems like we've been seen together

Rumors are flying, distrust is growing

Doesn't this mean you'd be playing both hands?

It's all a misunderstanding

But if we deny it, the rumors won't stop

For example, lets say my childhood friend is going out with her

Then there'd be no problem

She and I happened to meet at the station

And waited for the train together

It seems we looked close

But that wouldn't be strange

She's my friend's girlfriend

To stop the rumor, we need a bigger one

Anything strange about that?

That would mean.. we would..

It means.. we would act like a couple

And get rid of Kanbayashi-senpai's doubts

Simple, right?

Let's go this way

Why?

This way's a shortcut

Excuse us, passing through!

Who's this slithering guy?

Your boyfriend?

Yup!

Sorry

If you do that, we don't look like a couple, do we?

Do you actually want to do this?

Sorry

Come closer

We're supposed to be dating

Weather's nice

Talk about something

I can't talk while I eat

At least talk sometimes

It's hard when you're always grumpy

Who's grumpy?!

Time to go home

You're so slow

Here

Hey, do it properly

Use soup!

Here

I know how

Hurry it up, idiot

This is the only place I can live with how little you talk

I didn't ask for all this

I know

That's why I'm trying my best

Trying, huh

It's been two weeks

No rumors are spreading

Maybe we should stop this

Maybe you were the wrong guy the role

We don't seem like we'd ever be dating

Why do you look down?

Huh?

Normally you'd look to the sky when you come to the roof

There's nothing to see up there, not even clouds

You'll get dirty

It's fine

I can see your panties

So relaxing

Where do you talk with Miyazaki-senpai?

We text.. and call?

That's all?

Sometimes I go see him before he has to work

You're fine with that?

With what?

Well, Miyazaki-senpai is..

You've never fallen for someone, have you?

Hey

How was Miyazaki-senpai

as a kid?

Not much different from now

He's the reason I'm alive

She fell asleep

There really is nothing to see

Good morning

Good morning!

Morning

You've in a bad mood first thing, aren't you?

And you're pretty happy, aren't you?

Did something good happen?

Have you read this?

No

Miyazaki-senpai gave it to me

I was up all night reading it

Was it good?

I figured something out

Miyazaki-senpai is

Nil admirari

[A Latin expression: "to be surprised/moved by nothing"]

Even he isn't sure

If he likes me, or Kanbayashi

Nil.. ad..?

You'll never be popular without any culture

I got this from Miyazaki-senpai

In elementary school

Cool

I'm gonna take it, okay?

Hey, wait!

Another time, okay?

Noboru!

This is Aihara Noboru

Nice to meet you

I'm Kanbayashi Tetsuko

Shun-kun's told me about you

And you're Momose-san?

How do you know my name?

It's good you're close

Aihara-kun, thanks for being a good friend to Shun-kun

Let's be friends too, okay?

Momose-san, too

She seemed nice

Yeah

I'm glad our plan went well

Are you okay with this?

With what?

Our hands. We've left school

Hey, is there a reason to keep doing this?

There isn't

We'll do it anyway

Did you know?

45% of couples break up in the first 2 years

So I'll be patient

For when they do

Is there any credibility to that statistic?

I heard it on TV

But that means 55% don't break up, right?

I have to go

I'll be late to see him

She's seeing him today, too?

Keep coming, keep coming

Okay

Thank you

Was that your girlfriend?

No, she's not

She's cute

Must be nice being a high schooler

That's youth for you

It's not like that

You must be kidding, I'd love to have a relationship like that

It's really not like that

Sorry for coming so suddenly

It's fine, I wanted to talk about today anyway

Did I

Did I do well?

It was so sudden, I was surprised

Yeah, it was fine

I see

Good

Tetsuko said you seemed nice

I should thank Noboru, too

Maybe she wasn't worried about the rumor

Senpai

But, I

Momose

I get it

["Maihime", the book Momose had]

Hello

Sorry for calling so late

Thanks for today

It seems to have cleared up Tetsuko's misunderstanding

Kanbayashi-senpai seemed like a good person

She trusts people a bit too much

A bit like a child

How's Momose-san?

She's fine

I just saw her

[Notes about "Maihime", "Nil admirari" and its meaning]

Momose You

I read Maihime

You're an idiot

My stomach hurts

You alright?

Infirmary

It's the middle of class

I know

Did you eat something bad?

She says its stress

If that beats you, you can't get by in our society

It's fine, I'm only level 2

Things you say..

Sometimes I don't get it

Hey, what do you think about a double date?

What?

Kanbayashi-san wants the four of us to go out together

All four of us? The whole day?

Yeah

You don't want to?

You never should have taken part in this, then

I'll do it

Wow

You changed your mind

I'll do anything

If it's for Miyazaki-senpai

I wonder if Miyazaki-senpai is there

Hey

Is there a girl you like?

What?

If there is.. we're doing something terrible

We?

Miyazaki-senpai and I, of course

There isn't, really

I see

If you find one, let me know

I'll say you dumped me

That aside, what kind of clothes do you normally wear?

Are you realling coming to my place?

Yeah

Isn't just anything fine?

I'll be embarrassed if you come to a date in lame clothes

Train's here

Hurry!

How about

You found my notebook at the train station

And I came to you to get it

I wouldn't hand it to you

I'd probably give it to the station master

Okay, then, I found your notebook

You're a little too persistent about the notebook

We have to come up with something or she'll figure it out

So, you found my notebook

How about this?

One Sunday,

In my third year of elementary school

I was with my cute little sister at a park

I accidentally fell asleep

And when I woke up my sister was gone

"What's wrong?"

Asked the boy in front of me

I explained that I lost my sister

He told me to wait right here

And ran off somewhere

Did you know?

When people get too anxious, they can't think of what to do

Miyazaki-senpai has always been good at finding people

I think he'll eventually do something great

Something great?

I'm not sure

What will you be when you grow up?

I won't be anything special

What do you mean?

There's nothing I can be

Next station, right?

Sorry for intruding

Mom, slippers

Sorry! It's the first time Noboru has brought a girl home

Here

Mom, you're in the way, move

You always call me mother

Acting different for her

Mom!

Don't worry about it, I'll be leaving soon

I've only come to pick clothes for a date

Nice, a bed!

We only have futons at home

You're reading it?

Oh, yes

[Maihime]

I wonder why Senpai gave me this book

Who knows

I think Ellis was happy

[character in the book]

Was she?

If there is even one moment

Where one can open their heart

Then it's a fulfilled love

You're a romantic, huh

Where are your casual clothes?

In there?

There's nothing decent

Well, I guess it'll be fine

Just a shirt and some chino pants

We should cut your hair, too

You have a suit?

Ah, Miyazaki-senpai's dad made that

Senpai's dad did?

He was a really good tailor

He made fencing gear in the past

You don't know Miyazaki Tailors?

It was pretty famous

Cool

I got it from his will

His will?

He's dead

You didn't know?

Senpai doesn't talk about his family

It's so baggy!

Here you go

Why curry in the afternoon?

Normally it would be cakes or something

I don't care what's normal

You bringing home a girl is itself not normal

Momose-san, go ahead

Yes, thank you

You gotta stop putting pineapple in curry

It's delicious!

Really?

You don't have to force it

I'm not, it's really good

Your sense of taste is just weird

But she made it for my sake

So of course it would be good

So happy it has to be good

Thank you for the food

My pleasure

I'll take care of cleaning up

I'm good at cleaning dishes

Thanks for helping

The curry was good

Really?

You liked it?

Yeah, it's the first time I've had it with pineapple

It's unusual, isn't it?

Yeah, but it was good

Your mom's a good person

She seemed really happy about us

Yeah

My dad

is a really big liar

"This Sunday, I'll take you to the zoo"

He says that every week

For more than ten years

But he hasn't done it even once

So I hate lies

Hey

Let's stop this

There's no value in your feelings getting across for only a moment

If every other moment belongs to someone else

I know that

Should I tell Senpai?

He wasn't interested from the start

But I made him

So it's fine

Because I fell for him

You often call me an idiot

Yeah

I'm the idiot

Sorry

You can't do that!

You're so late!

I'm hungry

I'll starve to death

It's child abuse!

Where did you learn that word?

TV

No more TV for you

Where's mom?

Asleep. She said she works at the dollar store tonight

Make food soon!

Wait by the TV

Gets!

["Gets" is the catchphrase of comedian Dandy Banno]

[The closest cultural translation might be "Got you!", or TBBT's "Bazinga"]

Food's ready

Food, guys

Stop watching tv

It's time to eat

Thanks for the food

Looks good

Does it? Really?

It's good!

You're just eating rice, eat the vegetables too

Morning

Want some food?

Yeah

Where's dad?

He said he has an important meeting

What?

A meeting without a job?

He's probably just playing pachinko again

That's even dumber

He's an idiot~

Thanks

Thanks for the food

Hey, eat the carrots too

Tonight is your last night shift, right?

Yeah, for this week

I'll be back

See you later

See you later

Counting on you, little mother

Bye, then

Come here

Aihara-kun

Your girlfriend's here

Don't cut it too much

It'll be fine

I always cut my brother's hair

Today, a girl in my class asked me what's so good about you

I didn't know what to say

Enough that I wanted someone to tell me the answer

What did you say?

I said it's that you're about as hopeless as a slug

That's pretty mean

Makes me want to die

Yeah, you would

It's a lie, though

I did praise you

I said you've got guts

I want to die even more

Why? Are you dumb?

Okay, it's done

Momose, have you ever wanted to die?

Yeah

Of course

Please don't die

I won't

Of course I won't

Thank goodness

You're a nice guy

So nice it's gross

Makes me want to vomit

Why? It's a good thing, isn't it?

Being a good person is pretty worthless

But Miyazaki-senpai is a good person

He's not a good person

He's an idiot

You like him even though he's an idiot?

Yeah

I don't get it

I see

I hope you get it one day

Weather's nice

I'd like to die already

What?

I'm lying

Let me cut your hair

No

I don't think you know how

And I'm growing it out anyway

Like Kanbayashi-senpai?

Hold on

Grooooss~

Gross

I'm happy

I've always wanted to eat this

Why haven't you?

You know why

We're not allowed to have snacks out of the house

You still follow that rule?

Maybe it's more like a habit

Besides, it's better to not be able to get everything you want

We had ice cream together before, right?

It's a bit nostalgic

I should have had a matcha parfait

Let me have some

Okay

I have pretty good self control

Saying it about myself, though

Can you pull off the act all day?

I'll do it

We are dating

We are dating

I'm happy even though it's like this

What?

I'm happy I can spend my day off with Miyazaki-senpai

That's good

Alright, let's do this

Yeah

This flower is pretty

Ah, the Delphinium

This flower represents discipline, self sufficiency, compassion

It spreads happiness over you

You know your stuff

I like flowers

You're exactly how I pictured you

Really?

Yeah

I don't get women

I don't get you

You seem to be doing well with Momose

You looked like a real couple just now, it surprised me

You told us to do that

I don't get me either

Should we get something?

Sure

There's a theater here, huh

I had no idea

So this is what you do on dates

Detective John Book

Eye Witness

While trying to protect a boy who witnessed a m*rder

a detective stays in an Amish neighborhood that protects an older lifestyle

and falls in love with the boy's mother

[The premise of "Witness", a 1985 film starring Harrison Ford]

Love grows when there are obstacles, doesn't it?

This looks interesting

It does

Thanks for today

I'm happy we get to watch this movie together

What's wrong?

I don't feel well

I was so nervous yesterday, I couldn't sleep

Seriously?

That's a bit pathetic

Here

Thanks

Let's go in

You go ahead

Aihara-kun doesn't seem to be feeling well

Are you okay?

I'm totally

Please, go ahead

Then.. we'll go on in

Let's go

Even though I'm fine

You don't need to see it?

It's fine

It'll be boring anyway

What?

You're tired, right?

I'll let you use my shoulder

I want to ride a boat

But they say couples who ride these boats will break up

You believe things like that?

Well, not really

You want to, right?

Yeah

Then let's do it this way

Are you alright now?

Yeah, sorry I couldn't watch it

What kind of story was it?

A love story about two people who lead very different lives

The scene where they embraced eachother in front of a sunset was really beautiful

Do you think its possible for people that different to come together?

I think it's fine in a setting like that

God will let it be

I'm so happy, 4-Scoop Ice Cream!

It's been a while since I had it

This is called 4-Scoop Ice Cream?

Yeah

It's famous around here

You've never had it, Kanbayashi-san?

Her family has this rule

No eating snacks outside the house

Their maid prepares things to eat at home

Is this something people would normally have tried?

Yeah

In the summer of grade 2

Senpai took mine and made his an 8-Scoop

I've never forgotten it

That's awful!

Even then, 7 of them fell off!

I cried

Sorry

I had to see my favorite matcha ice cream on the road

Matcha is my favorite, too!

Mine too!

You're both old fashioned!

[Matcha is typically seen as something older people like]

I'm the only one who had no idea about this

I feel like an outsider

It's good!

Here

Kanbayashi-san!

Here

Here

Here

Here

Momose!

Tetsuko!

Aihara-kun!

Momose!

Miyazaki-senpai!

I picked up one that fell off

Thought I would give it to you

I'm going to see Tetsuko home

Thank you for today

See you both again

Bye

Playing catch was fun

It would be nice if we were all just friends

Don't follow me

I'll see you home

It's fine

I'll do it

You're troublesome

Let me be alone

Do you think I'm fine with this?

This is the worst

The absolute worst

The worst is..

Unattended bikes are the worst, aren't they?

They can't consider people's feelings

I really hate it

Tanabe-kun

What's wrong?

Are you alright?

So everything was an act

We're not going out

There's no feelings between us

But

The things she's done for me

Holding hands

Cutting my hair

Lending me her shoulder

Coming to my house

Wearing my clothes

Having fun with my mother

Complimenting her food

She's really mean

So mean

You've really fallen for her, havent you?

Which one do you want?

The chocolate one?

It'd be better if we never met

It'd be better if she stayed a stranger

I wonder

I don't think so

Do you know the ending of Maihime?

Hm?

Ellis, thrown away by the boy she loved, goes totally crazy

Love is terrifying

It being something she could go crazy over is proof it was special

It'd be better if I never knew all this

I'd like to know those things

This feeling is a monster

It grows in you and you can't do anything

"Monster"?

Tell me what zoo has "monsters" like that

I'm sure it's really pretty

If it's you, you can beat him

What?

The last boss

A level is something that goes up just by fighting

It's nostalgic, isn't it?

We played here a lot as kids

You still alone?

Yeah

I haven't been here since my dad died, though

Senpai

Do you remember?

It's scarred, huh

He couldn't pay off that amount of debt in his entire life

An artisan shouldn't try his hand in management

Right? It's a bit laughable

It's all because he's just an artisan

Shun-chan, where are you going?

Has Noboru come yet?

That day was your dad's wake, right?

Yeah

But it's fine

Why do you think I showed up?

I ran off

So it worked out

I was the one who was saved

So forget it

I'm still thankful

If you hadn't come, I'd have died of blood loss

You're exaggerating

You don't have to listen to me

I'm still using you

You've gotten taller

Do you have a dream for the future?

A dream?

Yeah

I'm going to re-open this shop

I'll do anything to make that happen

My dream is to grant my father's dream

You're doing it for that?

You're dating Kanbayashi-senpai just because of that?

Not just that

What about Momose?

What is she to you?

What's up with you? Don't get so serious

Come to think of it, you two are getting close

Why don't you just start dating?

Go ahead, hit me

Hit me!

You really are Nil admirari

You really don't have any interest

That's why you can live with it

I'm below you in every regard

I'm only level 2

I actually want to understand other people's struggles

So I get it

You're hurting everyone

So hit me

I respect you

sh*t

You're as annoying as ever

The things you know aren't the only right ones

Even I..

[He is acting the opposite of Nil admirari]

To Momose

[Momose]

Aihara-kun?

What are you doing?

I can't believe you're here

I came to give you a letter

I don't understand

This is from Miyazaki-senpai

Let's take a walk

I think he did like me

And there are lies written in here

I don't know

You didn't read it?

Of course not

People normally would

I wouldn't

I think I would

What was in it?

That we shouldn't meet anymore

No more calls or texts, either

Why?

There is no why

There are things that can't be helped

What should I do from now on?

You'll fall for someone else

Sorry

I can't believe that this would ever become a good memory

I'll be stuck with this feeling forever

He's an idiot

You're an idiot!

Miyazaki Shun, I love you, you idiot!

I still love you!

But I really hate you!

You idiot!

You don't understand feelings like this, do you?

No

I'm not able to understand

It'd be good if you can one day

You really are a good person

Let's go back

Yeah

This will be the end of our act

So we won't go home together anymore?

No

I suppose people who break up don't talk even if they see eachother at school

I guess not

I'm sure we won't speak again

I think I'll cut my hair

There's no reason to grow it anymore

Shall I cut it?

No way

Let's go to the zoo

Liar

I won't lie anymore

Do you need a napkin?

I don't

Your nose is running

It's not

Show me

I said I'm not crying, idiot

Look at me

I don't want to

Even though it's my last request?

Hey, Momose

Look at me!

Is Miyazaki-senpai at work right now?

Yeah

He's keeping busy

He always comes home after midnight

If I tell him I saw you, he'll be jealous

His shop seems to be doing well

I saw a poster of his at the station

Yes, it's going well

Did you pay for his classes?

Not me, my dad

He's left the school uniform business to my brother

so Shun-kun is looking forward to doing something new

It melted

I can never finish it

This is a dayflower, isn't it?

You know it well

I thought my next novel would be about Novalis

He's a German poet

Oh, right

The writer of this

It's a story about a man who dreams of a blue flower

and goes on a journey

"What is the greatest injustice?"

"Having things you don't deserve"

The blue flower turned out to be a dayflower

I was interested, so I researched it

"The Meaning of Flowers"

The dayflower represents

Respect, nostalgic relationships, things like that

Did you know?

Yeah

You gave him a Houzuki, right?

[Chinese lantern plant]

Huh?

The day the four of us went out together

You gave him a Houzuki that you found

[Houzuki]

[Betrayal] [Unfaithfulness] [Infidelity]

Did you know?

That's a secret

Thanks for the food

You're welcome

I wonder if she will come to your lecture tomorrow

Momose-san

Huh?

If you see her, there's something I'd like you to tell her

"Thank you"

There's been a lot between Shun and I since graduation

But I think the reason we got through it is thanks to back then

Back then?

Yes

Because it was fun?

Or..?

[implying it was hard for them]

Both

What about for you?

Both

Then, see you again

Senpai

Are you happy?

Of course

The happiest in the world

[Aihara Noboru]

Aihara

These too, please

Yoshioka-sensei, are you planning to give these to every student?

Well, you never know if another author will come from our school

I might be the last if the book fails

You haven't changed, Aihara

You probably don't even remember me from high school

I do

You and your friend, Tanabe

He's studying to become a teacher

You haven't seen him?

Weren't you close?

This book..

Is it not about your time in high school?

[First Love]

It is, of course, a work of fiction

Well, good luck tomorrow

You too

Um

Can I look around the school?

Yeah

[Students are not allowed on the roof without permission]

There really is nothing to see