01x01 - Episode 1

[bunniefuu]

My life has always been ordinary.

Something not even worth mentioning.

Whether I remember it or not,

it was never anything special.

No,

if anything,

it's full of memories I'd rather forget.

As a kid,

I never had the courage
to stand up to the bullies.

A girl with a strong sense of justice
just happened to pass by and save me.

And I fell in love for the first time.

But I couldn't even thank her.

In the end, I never worked up
the courage to speak to her.

No matter how long.

I waited, the love of my life never came.

I was always just an observer.

That was my life.

And I thought I was okay with it.

But…

The day I met you…

My life…

Had changed.

We opened our directly operated
Meguro store on the first of last month,

and we've added 13 new retailers.

We now have 62 locations...

We still don't have enough locations
in central Tokyo.

What about a major shopping complex
attached to a terminal station?

Is there any chance of getting
into NEWoMan Takanawa?

We've approached them several times.

- It isn't so easy...
- Whether Velel gets into that location

could change the company's
overall sales by two or 3%.

IZUMI TAKEDA - MARIKO'S SECRETARY

- Are you saying you can't do it?
- Oh, no,

I'll do my best.

- Please do.
- Yes.

- She's scary…
- Continuing…

TAKUMI SANO, SECOND BRAND DIVISION
RYOKO HASHIMOTO, SECOND BRAND DIVISION

Please schedule a meeting
with Ms. Hara from NEWoMan.

I'll speak with her personally.

Understood.

I'd like to discuss this
with the branch's president.

Make sure you tell them that.

- I will let them know.
- Did you hear?

Apparently, Mariko has seriously started

- looking for a husband.
- What? Really?

- Excuse me.
- I hear

- she's been on some dates already.
- What? Seriously?

Another date that didn't go well?

Don't say "another".

So I was right.

I mean, we just had nothing in common.

He asked me what I do on my days off,

so I said I watch movies,

and from there, he spent the rest
of the conversation talking about Top g*n.

He was trying to connect with you.

I've never even seen Top g*n.

When I told him that, he said, "Seriously?

You're missing out on life!"

Yes, I know that type of person.

- They're annoying, aren't they?
- Yes, I know.

But this time, it's your fault.

What? Why?

Because you only watch
Marvel superhero movies.

You don't watch movies on your day off.

You have to say Marvel movies.

That's why he brought up Top g*n.

Still, that's what dating for marriage is.

It's about figuring out each other's
boring parts and weird quirks,

then finding someone
you can compromise with.

That's marriage hunting.

Though I guess it's funny hearing that
from someone who's divorced.

But it's okay.

My marriage gave me
the greatest treasure of my life.

You don't seriously

expect to meet someone
where you instantly click, do you?

You don't actually believe in destiny,
do you?

Of course not. I don't believe in that.

Let me assure you.

There's no such thing.

Thank you for waiting.

Here's the daily lunch special.

Thank you very much.

- Thank you.
- Sure.

VELEL BEGINS ITS SKINCARE DEPARTMENT

DAD: CAN WE TALK ABOUT
THAT PROPOSAL FROM THE OTHER DAY?

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

- Credit card, please.
- Okay.

That'll be 2,000 yen.

- Okay.
- Thank you.

- Okay.
- Just touch here, please.

- Ah, one more time, please.
- Okay.

Sorry. I think the machine just broke.

Sorry, do you have cash?

I didn't bring any cash.

- I'm sorry.
- Well then…

You can put hers together with mine.

No, you don't have to.

Together.

Thank you.

Okay then…

- All right, thank you.
- Sure.

- Excuse me!
- Yes?

- Thank you very much.
- No, not at all.

I can send it back to you
with a payment app.

That's okay.

I can't let a complete stranger
pay for my lunch.

Would you rather have cash?

If so, I can send it to you later.

Just give me your contact information.

Um…

I'm not trying to do anything.

- I'm sorry.
- I know.

You know?

GINJIRO NOSE
MARIKO'S FATHER AND PRESIDENT

VELEL BEGINS ITS SKINCARE DEPARTMENT

Your cost estimates are too optimistic.

You should be able to lower
the production cost further.

Understood.

The ingredients aren't that great either.

GOTA ASAI, GINJIRO'S SECRETARY

As it stands, I don't see how launching
a skincare line under Velel

has much chance of succeeding.

I understand.

Revise it before the executive meeting.

Thank you very much.

It's been decided?

Pretty much.

- You did it!
- You really did.

If we add skincare alongside makeup,

Velel could become
the company's top brand.

I hope it sells!

It definitely will!

Stem cells are really popular right now.

Nothing has been decided yet.

We still have a lot of issues to solve.

I see.

So the ingredients need
to be rethought as well.

Using PDRN as-is doesn't make us unique.

We need something original…

I heard.

Velel's starting a skincare division, huh?

Congratulations.

- Nothing has been decided yet.
- It practically has.

People say you and the president
don't get along,

but I guess he still
has a soft spot for his daughter.

Doors are closing.

- I'm sorry.
- Excuse me.

Sorry.

Sorry about that.

So you said "I know"
because you're our employee?

Excuse me.

Oh, wait.

For lunch…

- Really, don't worry about it.
- No.

There's no reason for you to buy me lunch.

- Thanks for helping me.
- Okay then…

Oh, uh, this isn't mine.

SKINCARE MARKET RESEARCH

That's mine.

You did this?

There have been a lot of Korean products

using stem cell culture
supernatant lately,

so I thought I'd learn more about it.

If we combine it
with plant-derived stem cells,

I think we could develop
something ourselves.

We could get ahead of the competition.

Ah, sorry, I shouldn't act like
I know what I'm talking about.

Which department do you work in?

Going up.

These are the approval documents

for our current product
development projects.

Who's that?

I think he's Yukimura
from General Affairs.

SOTA YUKIMURA, GENERAL AFFAIRS

People in General Affairs
say he's completely harmless.

The invisible type.

So why is this invisible guy
joining our department?

If you have any questions, just ask.

Um…

Why was I transferred here?

Because Mariko believes
you're someone who could come in handy.

Look, look. Mariko's here.

- Hey.
- Yes?

Could you write a proposal after looking
into whether we could use those

plant-derived stem cell ingredients
you mentioned the other day?

Oh, uh, well, the papers
I read didn't include

- any in vivo test results.
- So you can't do it?

No, no.

I can if I have the data.

I ordered some. I'll send it to you later.

Thank you.

I understand.

Mariko is a bit scary, isn't she?

I couldn't even tell
why she was angry just now.

Was she angry? I thought
she was just giving me instructions.

Yukimura, are you one of those people
who's weirdly immune to pressure?

I'm not sure.

I'm surprised.

So that's your type, huh?

- What are you talking about?
- Yukimura.

What?

It's the first time I've ever seen you
take an interest in someone.

Only professionally.

- Oh, look, look.
- Stop that.

- You're blushing.
- Honestly…

Wow, a guy like him, huh…

GRANDMA: COME SEE ME AFTER WORK,
I HAVE SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT

AKIKO NOSE, MARIKO'S GRANDMOTHER

So, what's the important thing?

Your grandma has finally met
her person of destiny.

What?

I stopped by one of our clients today,

and on the way home, I found a man
at a vegetable stand selling potatoes,

and he said, "They're only 500 yen."

I see…

But they got so heavy,
I couldn't continue walking.

Really? Are you okay?

A wonderful young man
happened to come by and help me.

Your person of destiny is a young man?

Older than you, I'd say.

He's a good person.

Perfect husband material for you.

Is that what this was about?

You're looking for someone
to marry, aren't you?

Or have you found someone already?

No, but…

I arranged for the three of us
to meet tomorrow.

What?!

Why would you do that without asking me?

- Like I said, it's for your…
- What?

Mariko's proposal?

I think the president
intends to approve it.

If that happens,

her position inside the company
will only get stronger!

What have you been doing?

I'm sorry.

Keito won't be joining the company

and becoming an executive
for another five years.

Stop this, no matter what it takes.

I know.

I've already set things in motion.

Are you sure about this?

You don't even know who the man is.

- Oh, sis! You're here.
- Yes.

That serum sample you gave me
the other day was great.

Can I have another one?

- Another one?
- Please. One more. Please.

- Hello.
- Sure, fine…

Oh, Mariko, you're here.

Yes.

Have you eaten yet?

- Why don't we have something together?
- That's right. We should.

It's been a while
since we've all eaten together.

I'll pass. I've got plans with friends.

Hey, Keito, you little…

I still have work to do,
so I'd better get going.

- I see…
- Oh, that's too bad.

Come by again anytime.

MARIKO

Hey…

I think I'm just going to leave.

Don't worry.

He's a good man.

Oh, over here!

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I'm sorry.

I was just surprised
by how beautiful you are.

Ah, what am I saying?

This is my granddaughter, Mariko.

This is Taisuke Sakura.

- It's nice to meet you. My name is Sakura.
- Nice to meet you.

Thank you for helping my grandmother

- the other day.
- No, not at all.

- Well, first, let's sit down.
- Of course.

I forgot to ask before.

What do you do for a living, Mr. Sakura?

I'm a civil servant.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Perfect husband material.

Grandma, don't be so pushy.

You're making him uncomfortable.

To be honest, I almost didn't come.

You just suddenly wanted me
to meet your granddaughter.

I'm very sorry.

But I'm glad I came.

Hello?

I need you to do something for me.

Good work today, everyone.

I'm heading out.

- You as well.
- Have a good day.

As always, she leaves right on time.

That's fine. It makes it easier
for us to leave too.

That's true.

All right then…

VELVEL SKINCARE PROGRESS REPORT

Pardon me.

Thank you.

You've been coming here a lot lately.

Sorry for staying so long.

Not at all. You're always welcome.

Take your time.

Good luck.

Hello.

I thought you'd already gone home.

You come back to work
at night a lot, don't you?

I was wondering.

Do you pretend to leave on time

so your staff will feel comfortable
going home?

Um,

I don't know if you'll like it, but…

- No, isn't that for you?
- No, no,

I bought one for myself too.

Is this from that old
traditional-style cafe behind the office?

Visiting cafes is one of my hobbies.

I've been there too.

I wanted to keep it as my secret hideaway.

Then I won't go anymore.

What? Oh, no, that's not what I meant.

Cafes belong to everyone.

Your phone…

Iguazu Falls, in Argentina.

You've been there?

Yes.

Actually, it was used
as a filming location in a Marvel movie.

I'm a huge Marvel fan.

People think Marvel movies
are just superhero films,

but they're actually
full of deep human drama.

Each hero has their own
standalone story, but then they all

come together in the Avengers movies,
like a giant puzzle.

It's so exciting.

Why am I getting so carried away?

Oops.

The Warrior Falls, from Black Panther.

I've been there too.

You're the first person I've ever
been able to have this conversation with.

I've actually visited a lot
of other Marvel locations too.

The first one I went to
was Grand Central Terminal in New York.

Look, look.

Standing there thinking,
"This is where the Avengers fought."

Oh, sorry.

I must seem creepy,
talking your ear off like this.

I'm really sorry.

What?

What? What?

What is this?

It's practically identical to ours.

Mr. Tateiwa's team

already submitted this proposal
to the company.

No way. They totally stole it.

Apparently, they've already secured
a major partnership too.

I don't think we have any chance now.

Aren't you ashamed using
such underhanded tactics?

Underhanded?

What are you talking about?

You're the ones who came up
with a similar proposal afterward

and tried to use your influence
as the president's daughter to steal ours.

- What are you talking about?
- You

really believe you're here
because of your own ability, don't you?

A spoiled little rich girl like you
should know her place.

You can stop.

There's no point anymore.

I know.

But I still want to see it through.

I'VE ATTACHED SUPPORTING MATERIALS

PLEASE CHECK
THE SEPARATE DOCUMENT. YUKIMURA

It's useless! None of this matters!

I know.

I know how serious…

And how much time you've devoted…

To this project.

What?

Excuse me.

What?

I was planning to approve
Tateiwa's project,

but we're going with yours.

- Why all of a sudden?
- Where are the documents?

They're all ready.

We'll announce it officially
at the executive meeting, then.

Thank you.

Congratulations!

It got approved.

Yes.

How did that happen?

Seriously. What changed all of a sudden?

- Right?
- But…

- Yay!
- Yay!

- Yay!
- That's great!

- All right! That's great!
- That's great, that's great!

- Yes!
- Yes.

It's still too early to celebrate.

Contact the research lab immediately
and begin developing the formulation.

- Okay.
- Okay.

Once they have the formulation down,

being strategizing on PR
to get the biggest pull of consumers.

There's no one at our company
who doesn't know Mariko.

Please get me an appointment

with the supervisor of that.
I'll speak with them.

Understood.

She's always the center of attention,
someone who lives in the spotlight.

I was always content…

Just watching her from afar.

- I will let them know.
- Did you hear?

Apparently, Mariko has seriously started

- looking for a husband.
- What? Really?

A day like this would of course come.

Welcome in.

Take your time.

I knew someone other than me

would one day be sitting beside her.

I thought I was prepared, but it hurt…

More than I expected.

Watching Mariko from afar…

That was enough.

Sorry.

- I think the machine just broke.
- It should have…

Do you have cash?

I didn't bring any cash.

I thought it would be enough.

You can put hers together with mine.

No, you don't have to.

Life…

It definitely will! Stem cells

- are really popular right now.
- …sometimes changes unexpectedly.

We still have a lot of issues to solve.

I want to help Mariko.

GENERAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT

TRENDING INGREDIENTS IN KOREA 2026

I just want to help her.

SKINCARE MARKET RESEARCH

- Really, that's all.
- I'm sorry.

What?

TRANSFER TO THE BRAND DIVISION

I want Mariko to be happy.

PHOTOOS

MARIKO

A NEW FAV SPOT I FOUND

THE ATMOSPHERE IS SO GREAT
YOU FORGET ABOUT TIME

That's all.

ANCIENT FOLK HOUSE
WOOD HEARTH

Is this from that old
traditional-style cafe behind the office?

Visiting cafes is one of my hobbies.

You really believe you're here
because of your own ability, don't you?

A spoiled little rich girl
like you should know her place.

Mariko…

Mariko is hurt,

and I'm just watching.

APPLICANT: TSUYOSHI TATEIWA

No.

TSUYOSHI TATIEWA'S PROPOSAL
TO NOSE COSMETICS

I have to protect Mariko.

I will make sure.

I will.

Excuse me.

I have evidence that you
obtained that partnership through fraud.

Who the hell are you?

PLEASE WALK YOUR BICYCLE

If you don't want this exposed,
withdraw from the new project.

What?

You claimed you landed
the partnership legitimately,

but you paid money to the agency
with company funds, didn't you?

This transfer labeled "preliminary market
research expenses" is suspicious.

- Also…
- You…

Work in the brand division, don't you?

Did that spoiled princess
put you up to this?

If this comes to light,
you won't just lose your job.

You'll be facing criminal charges.

Hey!

How did you even get those documents?

You're the one who illegally
accessed company data.

Mariko

isn't treated specially just because she's
the president's daughter. She works hard.

Harder than anyone else.

Every single day, she works
with everything she's got.

I don't get what you mean.

- Hey.
- Please, withdraw.

If you withdraw, I won't tell anyone.
Please, withdraw.

Get out of my way.

- Hey! Let go. Let go!
- Please, withdraw. Please!

What is wrong with you?

Are you crazy or something?

- Hey.
- Please withdraw.

Please withdraw!

Please! Please!

Please withdraw!

I won't tell anyone.

Please continue with the strategy
for PR that we have.

Please decide the release date
by next Friday with Izumi.

- Okay.
- Understood.

Huh? What happened to your mouth?

I just fell a little.

How do you fall hard enough
to cut yourself like that?

I know, right?

Hey, wait!

Uh, yes?

I only called your name.

Don't be so nervous.

Sorry.

You're the reason.

I mean,

things worked out
because you insisted on finishing

those presentation materials.

Thank you.

Come inside.

Excuse me.

I'm starving.

I picked up a few things. Want to eat?

Yes, thanks.

- So?
- Hm?

What's it like

finally getting noticed by the girl
you've been in love with?

My heart's filled with equal parts
happiness and guilt.

What does that mean?

You haven't done
something crazy, have you?

What? That's scary, you know.

Oh, thank you.

All right.

- Let's eat!
- Let's eat.

So, do you actually think
you've got a chance?

Hmm…

- Hey.
- Mm?

Do you think anyone
is born liking cilantro?

Huh?

Years ago, my boss took me
to a Thai restaurant.

It was the first time
I'd ever eaten cilantro.

He loved it.

But I couldn't stand the smell
or the taste.

I think that's how most
Japanese people feel.

You want to be the kind of foodie
who enjoys Thai food,

but without the cilantro.

So you remove it
from your salad before mixing it in.

I guess if the other person likes it,
they can just take it, right?

But there's always someone who says,

"Come on, just try one bite."

As you know, I'm terrible at saying no.

So instead of refusing,
I held my breath and ate it.

Then the next time we went out,
he said, "Oh, yes, you liked this stuff."

So he kept putting more on my plate.

Where is this story going?

Keep that up, and who knows.

Before I knew it,

I became the kind of man
who buys cilantro salad.

I wasn't born liking it.

But if something
is always there, everywhere,

you start eating it without realizing.

Before you know it, you actually like it.

Do you think I could become her cilantro?

I've been told to try it
plenty of times, and I still hate it.

I can't believe you've stayed in love
with the same girl for 25 years.

I could never do that.

I mean, it's scary.

You think it'd make her happy
if she knew it'd been 25 years?

Me? Never.

Mariko…

Saved me.

I'm exhausted.

JAPONICA WORKBOOK

May 7.

Something great happened today.

Like always,

Nakamura and the other boys
from Class Three were bullying me.

- Hey, you.
- What?

A girl passing by saved me.

She was so strong.

So cool.

MARIKO NOSE

May 10.

It looks like she goes
to a private elementary school.

I want to thank her, but…

Cute…

I can't do it.

I can't talk to her.

TRAFFIC SAFETY

Somebody! Somebody help! Let me go!

Somebody! Somebody! Let me go!

Help me! Let me go!

Somebody! Somebody, please come!

Somebody, please help!

Please come out! Somebody!

- Hey! What's wrong?
- Help! That girl!

Whoa! Hey!

What are you doing? Stop!

Even though she was so strong,

the girl who saved me…

Almost became a victim herself.

DIARY

I've decided.

I'll protect that girl, no matter what.

MATH DRILLS

I'll always stay by her side.

Always.

SOTA YUKIMURA

SCHOOL ENTRANCE CEREMONY

April 6.

I got into the same
middle school as Mariko.

Our classrooms are as far apart
as they could be,

but she's closer to me than ever before.

I got into

the same high school as Mariko
through the escalator system,

but it won't be so easy going forward.

Mariko has the best grades,
so I have to work very hard.

I finally got into

the same university as Mariko
a year after she did.

It's sad we're in different years,

but just sharing the same campus
makes me happy.

December 3.

CAREER COUNSELING

I want to become Mariko's junior at work.

- Which company are you applying to?
- Nose Cosmetics.

I have to get hired.

NEW-HIRE ENTRANCE CEREMONY

April 2.

Today was the entrance ceremony.

I managed to become Mariko's junior.

Mariko's only in her second year,

but she's already
one of the company's key employees.

I have to work hard too,
so I can get even a little closer to her.



I've been transferred
into the same department as Mariko.

And she finally

is aware of me.

In these 25 years,

I've never been this close to her.

But this is no time to celebrate.

NO SUBJECT

INCONSISTENCIES IN SOME EXPENSE PROCESSING
BY MR. TATEIWA

PRELIMINARY MARKET
RESEARCH EXPENSES: 1,672,000 YEN

I must do what I need to.

President, look at this.

SERIAL CHILD KIDNAPPER AND m*rder*r
SATORU HATANO RELEASED FROM PRISON

RELEASED AFTER 25 YEARS
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

"I HELD A GRUDGE AGAINST THE ENTIRE WORLD"

RELEASED FROM PRISON

Darkness always tries to sneak
into things that shine light.

SATORU HATANO

But Mariko?

You only deserve the light.

State of the body?

Clear the way. Clear the way.

- Hello.
- Hi.

TAISUKE SAKURA

- m*rder?
- Most likely.

Looks like a knife. The victim was stabbed
multiple times in the abdomen.

Judging from the rigor mortis, they've
probably been dead for more than 24 hours.

Who is the victim?

Tsuyoshi Tateiwa.
An employee at Nose Cosmetics.

I won't forgive anyone
who gets in the way…

Of Mariko's life.

For 25 years,
Mariko's the only one I've protected.

PLEASE CHECK THE SEPARATE DOCUMENT
YUKIMURA

But…

Destined love

was never going to find me,
no matter how long I waited.

So…

I'll create destiny myself.

I'VE DECIDED

I've decided that I'll become
the person you're destined to be with.

NEXT TIME…

May I speak with you for a moment?