01x05 - Episode 5

[bunniefuu]

AYA: How much do you think I spent
to get myself a face like this?

We'd all wind up
with liver spots and wrinkles, anyway.

AYA: I'm worried that I've kept
too many secrets from him.

KOSEI: But the thing is,
you don't need to work so hard.

That's how I feel.

AYA: Should I just marry him already?
Will I finally be happy if I do that?

I could get all the surgery done
before the wedding.

I could never afford all that.

The ATM's not far.

HIYAMA: How can you just say
you're leaving after I gave you the money?

KOSEI: Actually, I was just out having
a few drinks with some clients.

It was right at the station,
the one by your place.

Aya! Hey there!

[chuckles]
You okay?

Uh... Kosei?

Uh, is that a new dress?

Mm, I got it last week.

I don't know what it is,
but something's totally different.

Sure?
[chuckles]

Is that how you dress to work
at the call center?

For real?

Mm, there's no dress code,
so we wear what we want.

Oh.

Sorry, it's a bit messy.

Ah.

At this party you went to tonight,
were there men there?

Yeah.

A number of them,
including the boss I told you about.

Do you want something to eat?

-Uh, no, I'm fine.
-Mm.

Actually, I wanted to...

Would you like to take a bath first?

Oh, hold on.

[sighs]

I'm still... feeling like things
aren't adding up.

-Listen, Aya.
-[scoffs]

What do you mean, "not adding up"?

So you have absolutely no faith.

No, I...

[sighs]
Sorry, I'm just tired.

HIYAMA: Ayana, did you make it home?
Let's get together for longer next time...

Hold on. Hey, stop it!

-What? Who is he?
-Stop it!

[dramatic music]

Aya...

Were you seeing a man earlier?

Are... are you cheating on me?

Hold on. You aren't listening.

You lied about your company's party,
so you could see a man?

-No!
-I can't believe it.

How long's it been going on?

No, it's not like that!

It's my job!

Huh?

The guy I was meeting with
was just a customer.

I swear I didn't cheat.

I work as a rental girlfriend for hire.

GIRL GIRL TOKYO

This is... What? Is it a brothel?

It's different! They're just fake dates.

[stammers]
Hold on, wait a minute.

What?

[breathes heavily]

You never told me any of this. Any of it.

How could I tell you? You don't get it!

AYA: The call center doesn't pay me
nearly enough to live on.

I didn't exactly want to ask you
for a loan.

[sobbing]

I needed to save,
so that you and I could get married.

[sniffles]

I didn't want to be
a burden to you, so I...

[sobbing]

No way.

It's one thing for me to accept
that this is your job.

[Aya sniffles]

But am I supposed to believe
that the guy you saw earlier...

is just a customer to you, Aya?

You're telling me you didn't cheat,
but that's not enough.

Okay, fine.

If that's how you feel,
then call him and see for yourself.

Go on. Call him and ask him if it's true.

[tense music]

I don't need to... to go that far.

But then, even if he's your customer,

the fact is you lied
about going to see someone.

[sighs]

[exhales heavily]
I need to get some fresh air.

I'm gonna go on and go home.

AYA: Wait, Kosei!

Kosei!

[sighs]

AYA: He's a gentle enough person
not to break up with me right away.

I'll send him a text to check in later.

Oh, and I need to make
a consultation appointment

for tomorrow, too.

[theme music]

Ayana, got a sec?

EPISODE 5

So, I just got a call from a client
who wanted to book Yuki for tomorrow.

AYA: Yeah?

But Yuki's all booked up for now.

You'd said that you were looking
for more hours.

Would you mind taking this over for her?

Yes, please.

Thank you!

MANAGER: Also, just so you know,
this client wears makeup.

Thanks for that.

MANAGER: Cheers.

[beeping]

[background chatter]

AYA: What?

What's up with this guy?

Those lips...

Huh? Oh, no, don't.

No, no, no. Don't come over here!
I'm telling you!

Nice to meet you. You're Ayana, right?

Yeah. Yes. Nice to meet you.
[soft chuckle]

TSUBASA: The other day, Yuki helped me
pick out these products.

She taught me a lot about makeup.

And so today, I thought I'd ask you
to take a look and tell me what you think.

I've been trying my best to apply it all
on my own. Do... Do you like it?

-[chuckles]
-AYA: Do... Do I like it?

Even for his first time, this is pathetic.

I... I, uh...

AYA: I mean, did Yuki not even teach him
anything on how to use this stuff?

Listen, I don't mean to toot my own horn,

but I think that I look
a little cuter than usual.

AYA: Ugh. Come on, this is such a pain.

Okay, Tsubasa, listen.

Did you look in the mirror
before you left?

What?

Are you actually satisfied with that look?

Is this really what you were going for?

To tell you the truth, if that's the best
that you could manage,

then there's no point in me trying
to teach you anything.

[Tsubasa sobbing]

AYA: Huh? What?

Oh, give me a break!

So, okay. I'll say that what you have
to work with is really good.

And you've got fair skin
and a well-defined nose.

You've got beautiful teeth.
And your build is pretty good.

You're what many think of as handsome.

Sure, but... what I want
is just to be cute.

[sniffles]

I wanna be cuter than I am.
Much more than now.

[sobbing]

[sighs]

[crying]

I get it.

Sorry I made you cry.
I'll cute you up as an apology.

Huh?

Is this everything you brought with you?

Oh. Yeah.

Uh, but are we going to do it right here?

[sighs]
Where else would we go?

Can you afford the extra fee
to extend our time slot?

Uh, no.

Do you have a favorite celebrity,
or someone you wanna be like?

Yeah.

This person. Chi. They're a model.

All right. Come on, scooch in.

Oh, okay.

Chi's cuteness comes from using makeup
to create a clean, more natural look.

You had way too much makeup on
to begin with.

If you glob on all the products,
it just turns into a big mess.

I see what you mean.

You've gotta put on less than you think
if you want to be like him.

Okay. Take a look.

What... Oh, wow.

Is this actually me?

[soft chuckle]

If I try hard enough, I can be cute, too!
[chuckles]

AYA: Right. Anyone can,
as long as they put in the effort.

That simple truth
is what's always gotten me through.

It's helped me to accept myself
and move forward.

[buzzes]

HIYAMA: It's lunchtime!

These are yummy,
but I'd rather nom on you instead!

[Hiyama chuckles]
Just kidding!

[clicks tongue]

What the... Yuki?
So you get work done here?

No, actually, I...

What'd you get done?
I'm here to get Botox this time.

Oh, by the way. You know Tsubasa?
He's one of your clients?

I met up with him once
when you were booked up.

I did his makeup, and it was not easy.

But he's got great skin,
so it turned out great.

Actually, would you like to get lunch?
I'd love to get to know you more.

Unfortunately,
there's somewhere I need to be.

Got it. Of course.

Sorry about that.
I guess I got a bit excited.

[chuckles]

Okay. Well, I'll be going.

Mm. See ya.

AYA: What do you know?
So she's the same as me.

MANAGER: I'm afraid that Ayana
has no openings available

on her next workday,
all slots have been taken.

There's nothing at all?
I just want the next available!

I'm terribly sorry.

MANAGER: Nothing.

Got it, got it. Mm. Okay, how about Yuki?

HIYAMA: I... I can't get in touch
with Ayana.

[clicks tongue]

You're the only one
who knows about our relationship.

Sorry.

Sure. I'd be happy to help.

Although, the best I can do
is lend an ear.

Ever since I gave her some cash,
I haven't heard from her.

So part of me is wondering,
if she's been playing me.

But we're in a relationship.
Of course, she wouldn't do such a thing.

Mm.

Have... Have you heard anything?

Ah, nothing.

Aya and I don't know each other very well.
So I haven't heard.

[sighs]
Okay.

Well...

I know there have been
some difficulties, in her family, for one,

so I haven't been reaching out as much.

I mean, her not contacting me

is really her showing love
in her own way, I think.

-I need a woman's opinion.
-[inhales sharply]

Well, let's see.

Taking what I've heard from you,
she has some things going on in her life.

So, what I'd like to recommend

is to stop reaching out
until she contacts you first.

-Right.
-Yeah.

-I gotcha.
-[chuckles]

Wow, look at this, Yuki! Come here!

[chuckles]
Don't you think it looks like Ayana?

-Ah, yes, you're right!
-[both laugh]

I made her angry last time.

Mm.

I wasn't showing up for her.

-I wanna make it up to her.
-Mm-hm.

Oh, you all see each other
at the office, right?

Ah! I see her once in a while.

[laughs]
I'll go pay.

Sounds great.

[Hiyama yipping]

NAGASHIMA: What her boyfriend said to her
is what started it all.

MAN: But to spend seven million yen
on the procedure,

-it must've really gotten to her.
-MIINA: Yeah, for sure.

ANNOUNCER: Here are her
before and after photos.

-MIINA: Wow. She's so pretty.
-NAGASHIMA: That's seven million yen!

MAN: That's the same
as a foreign luxury car.

-[Miina chuckles]
-Ah, well...

I don't think that putting herself
under the knife

to change her face was really worth it
in the end, you know?

MAN: Yes. My mind goes to,
it's the body your parents gave you.

[Miina chuckles]
Boomer!

You're calling me a boomer?

It sounds like something
you were taught in the 60s.

You get plastic surgery
to take care of yourself.

You really don't know anything, Nagashima.

[men laugh]

NAGASHIMA:
Okay, but at the end of the day,

isn't it about what's on the inside?

MIINA: You're right.

-[people on TV chattering]
-What's this act they're putting on?

Such bullshit.
[scoffs]

AYA: These fools talking about
how they don't judge people by their looks

when they do care what
a person looks like. Sooner than later.

[sighs]

Nobody chooses ugly people.

[cell phone buzzing]

INCOMING CALL
KOSEI

KOSEI: Hey, Aya?

Mm.

You have time to meet? Next Saturday?

I can do that.

I don't want you to lie anymore.

Be real with me.

I get it.

Okay. See you.

Mm.

[somber music]

-Hi, Aya.
-Hi, Yuki.

Getting your check, too?

The manager told me
you'd be coming in.

Mm. Can I help you?

The other day,
Mr. Hiyama made an appointment with me.

Ah. He did.

He was asking me what I knew about you.

[groans]
For real? Sorry.

Sorry for the trouble.
[sucks air]

Actually, he was...

He was worried that he was being tricked.

-If you don't clear things up with him--
-I see.

-Thank you for all your concern.
-Wait, I have this.

What is it?

I brought it from Mr. Hiyama.
He felt bad for what happened.

PRESS

HIYAMA: Ayana,
I'll always be here for you.

I... I love you.

What a... piece of junk.

Do you mind? Could you toss this for me?

I'm in a bit of a rush. Sorry!

[rapid footsteps]

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Uh, no, I just got here, too.

You like oolong, right? I ordered you one.

Mm. Thank you.

[sighs]

I... So, I wanted to talk
about where we go from here.

Mm.

To be honest,

I was shocked that you lied to me
about having that kind of job.

[sighs]

I'm not sure that...

I'll be able to trust you again.

But the time we spent together
was amazing.

And I missed you.

Even at work,
you were all I could think about.

So if you'll quit your job,

focus on working at the call center,

and promise
that you won't lie to me again,

if you can do that...

[Kosei exhales sharply]

I want to start over with you.

[sighs]

Understood.

I'll tell you everything honestly.

First, I've never worked at a call center.

What?

My age is a lie.

[jazz music playing]

Excuse me, but would you like to...

have a drink with me?

If you're free. Ah... Oh!

Not even a cup of tea?

I thought you looked beautiful
from the moment I saw you.

[scoffs]
Well, we don't agree on that.

Huh? No! You are stunning!

[gasps]

[exhales sharply]

[Ayana scoffs]
A business card doesn't prove anything.

Huh? Ah! Oh, yeah. You're totally right.
This card doesn't do anything.

[chuckles]
So, okay. Well, um...

Okay, what to talk about?

Do you... Uh...

Oh, I thought of one.
How old are you? Me, I'm 27.

[laughs]
Looks like I'm the older one.

You are? Okay, so, like, 29?

Mm, yeah, around there.

Wow, you don't look it at all!

I'm actually 35 years old.

[gasps]

You're 35?

And you've told me over and over
how beautiful you think I am.

But I've had a lot of work done,
so I can look this way.

Huh?

What...

Uh... Surgery?

That's right.

Wait. What?

Not only was your job and age a lie,

but your appearance is, too?

[laughs]
No. How can my appearance be a lie?

You had plastic surgery, didn't you?
Your face is a fake!

But that "fake face," Kosei, is something
you really loved about me, wasn't it?

I've got one for you now.

If I put in the effort to fix
my own flaws, is that really an issue?

[scoffs]

[exhales sharply]

What you did's not effort.

[sighs]

Okie-dokie. Right you are.

I’m a woman who lied and cheated her way
to being beautiful.

But if I hadn't gotten surgery,
you never would've asked me out.

[scoffs]
Listen.

If I were a person
who looked like Maeda's wife,

would you have slept with me?
[chuckles]

Of course not!

How is it that you can be so arrogant?

[grunts]
Two-faced...

When you don't get your way,
you turn to aggression so quickly, Kosei.

It's not a good look, you know.

Try and be rational. Just for a sec.

[thumps]

STAFF: Excuse me,
are you two doing all right?

Yeah. We're just fine.
Could we get the check, please?

Sure.

Ah. Oh, yeah. One last thing.

This is me from before.

[gasps]

[laughs]
Exactly.

AYA: You can go ahead and toss out
anything of mine that's at your place.

[gloomy music]

[sighs]

[sighs]

[cell phone buzzes]

One, two, three.

Wait, it's a video?

-No, I look weird.
-[chuckles]

No, you look very nice. Come on.

If you're gonna take a photo,
make sure I look good.

I've got you. But of course.

[laughs]

You look good! Come on. Look up.

WONO AGENCY

MANAGER: Ayana, you've been
getting payments directly

instead of going through us.

We've received complaints
from multiple clients.

And we can't protect you when you do that.

I'm sorry, but you're fired as of today.

You're saying
I've been deceiving the agency?

Do you have evidence?
And who said those things?

MANAGER: I think...

you'd know that better than anyone.

[closing theme music]

CLIENT 1: Who in their right mind
would believe she's 26?

CLIENT 2: Ancient.

CLIENT 3: Ayana! Give back my money!

[buzzes]

CLIENT 4: I'm getting a lawyer.
'Cause I'm gonna sue you.

AYA: What is this life that I'm living?

[Ayana scoffs]
How pathetic.

What happened to you?