Huh?
Did I confess my feelings to you by mistake?
Yes.
So I can just bring this back for you.
Uh, why are you telling me this now?
I figured you'd wanna protect your pride.
Why would you even care about my pride anyway?
Well,
I feel sorry for you.
You're saying
you feel sorry?
Course I feel sorry for you.
This whole fantasy you've created is falling apart.
This is only going to hurt you. You know it's true.
Look, it's my problem if I get hurt, all right?
Don't stand there acting all upset for me.
No, no, I'm not upset at all.
I'm just concerned that one of my employees is in pain,
and I wanna make sure that--
Well, don't worry because this employee can handle her own issues, all right?
You're such a liar!
I'm not a liar.
Actually, the truth… is that I'm interested in you.
Huh?
-Huh? -Huh?
Huh? Uh…
Did you just, uh…
So I
am interested
in your well-being.
Making sure you're happy
as an employee of mine.
Because that's my responsibility.
Right.
So take care of yourself,
and make sure you're on time for work in the morning.
Wh… what?
Sorry about earlier.
This feels like a story from when I was a kid, actually.
You see, my mother was, uh, addicted to love,
and, well, sometimes, when things didn't work out,
she'd try to take her own life.
I think she was trying to get the other person's attention.
And… I was always the one left to deal with the aftermath.
Please save my mom!
Obviously, it affected me at first, but…
after a couple of attempts, I started to understand.
My mother was
incapable of loving herself.
And whatever love she felt
didn't include me in it.
I FOUND LOVE. I HOPE YOU WILL TOO.
And then, my mother just left me.
So I pushed myself and studied
as if it was a way of getting revenge.
And now I won't live for any man.
I refuse to do anything that could destroy my life.
That's where I'm at.
See?
I might be pretty, but
I'm not someone to get involved with.
I'm just not suited for love.
So what you need then
is to find someone a whole lot better than me.
And what does that mean?
Someone better.
What are you doing this weekend?
I have a conference.
I see.
And are you free…
after that?
I'll be staying overnight in Nagano.
Can I have my coat?
Not just yet.
How about you pick it up next time?
Then we can see each other again.
TWO-WAY CONFISERIE
This Two-way Confiserie
uses wine from Château Nagano,
a renowned Nagano winery.
It is symbolized by its distinctive lavender.
It's named "Two-way"
because it's meant to be enjoyed by both the eyes and the tongue.
Is that right?
Uh, yes, that's right.
The lavender on top is just decorative.
The flavor itself is determined by the raisin filling,
which has been soaked in Nagano wine.
That said,
I'm concerned that you think there may be a problem.
No, there's no problem.
It's just
I still wonder if this is the best we can do.
So,
I was thinking we could all work together
to see if we could find a way to improve the flavor.
Let's take a company trip to the winery in Shinshu.
So, sir, can we all go as well?
Of course.
Ooh!
-Oh, yes, yes! Yes! -Shinshu!
Thank you so much!
Since we're going all that way,
it might be good to have a professional sommelier with us.
-Yeah, that's true. -Oh, yeah, I agree. Mm-hmm.
Well!
Why don't we ask Hiro from Brush?
-Well… -Oh, yes! What a great idea!
How about I give him a call?
-Yes, call him. -Yes, yes, go on.
Oh wow! This is such an incredible idea!
Wow, this is Nagano?
Let's go to the winery in Nagano together.
I don't know.
I don't even know if I'd be of any help.
Hang on.
Where'd you say this winery was again?
Nagano. It's in Nagano.
Nagano.
I'll be staying overnight in Nagano.
Uh…
Okay.
Hey.
Oh.
-You came. -Yeah.
I hope it's okay that I parked back there.
-It's all right? -Mm.
Hey.
Hi there.
Um,
I'll be coming along to help you out.
-Amazing! That's great! -Sit here.
This is great!
-Glad you're here, Hiro. -Thanks for having me.
-So cool. -He's so cute!
This is gonna be so much fun!
I can't believe we're actually doing this.
This is so pretty!
Beautiful.
This is amazing.
Takuya, what are you doing?
-Come, let's take a picture. -Cutting them?
Thirty stalks.
-Say cheese! -Cheese!
Yeah!
It's so beautiful here.
It really is.
Hmm.
So much nicer than the pictures.
Um…
Yes?
Well,
an apology is in order, and, uh,
I'm sorry.
What for?
Um,
twice I stood you up.
It was at…
Hmm?
At Cielo.
Uh…
Ah!
So that was you, Hana.
Chef Kenji's Hana.
Yeah.
Huh.
I see.
Then, um…
I guess we could have
met a whole lot sooner then, huh?
Yeah, pretty much, I guess.
You'd be great together.
What?! No, no. No, no, no.
It's really… It's not like that.
Is office romance a no-no?
No, I swear. Just listen.
I… I already really like…
I mean… I'm interested in someone else.
Hmm.
You are?
Yes.
But I know it's one-sided.
One-sided feelings, huh?
No matter how much you love someone,
if it, uh, becomes a burden, then
it's best if you just let it go.
Easier said than done.
Yeah, well,
I think if we really could do that,
no one would ever be stuck in a one-sided crush anymore.
Hmm.
Maybe you're right.
Mm.
But…
when you really love someone…
Hm.
…I think it would be really nice
to know what they feel
so we can love that part of them as well.
Yeah.
Oh no!
What's he doing?
Oh.
Hana, your coat.
I still have it and, uh, you should come get it.
Yeah, I should.
Mm-hmm.
I should do that, yeah.
This region
has been dedicated to grape cultivation
for the past 50 years.
There were some tough times.
However, we can now take pride
in having the highest quality in the region.
The grapes that are grown here
have become known for their unique flavor and rich aroma.
They're now used in many different wines.
And it's all thanks to a lot of wisdom and dedication.
-Mmm. -Okay, yeah.
Wine that smells like lavender is incredibly rare, isn't it?
Hmm.
And that's because the label itself is, uh…
Hmm?
…scented with lavender.
Which allows you to enjoy the taste of the wine
and the scent at the same time.
Oh. Ooh!
Ah!
Yeah, the scent and the taste.
Mmm.
Ah!
Two-way…
It's the scent and the taste, meaning the nose and the tongue!
Hence, the name "Two-way!"
That's what it means!
-Not the eyes and the tongue! -Oh!
But lately, I feel like the confiserie at the shop
doesn't really smell a lot like lavender.
What do you think?
Yeah, I agree.
This year's lavender
just doesn't seem to have as strong a scent.
Hmm. We'll need to find a way
to bring out the scent of the lavender.
Mm-hmm, you're right.
Excuse me? Can we get a refill over here, please?
What are you doing? This isn't an open bar over here.
I'm sorry. We're fine.
-Relax! We're cool. -Everyone, this is your free time.
Hey, Sosuke!
Whoa!
Oh!
You see, with Two-way Confiserie,
um, you have to feel it with your nose and tongue,
not your eyes and your tongue.
But my tongue's not really working very well right now.
Now what?
I think you might've had too much to drink.
What?
Sosuke-kun!
Sosuke-kun?
I don't know about you guys,
but I think it tastes like Nagano in June,
full of delicious flavors and smells so nice.
Don't you think so, Mr. Takada?
-Mm. -All right!
So who's up for one more round?
-Yeah! Let's do it! Come on! -Uh, listen, guys.
-This was amazing! Thank you! -Next round's on me!
-Woo-hoo! Let's do this! -Yeah!
Now, this is a great day!
Yeah! Let's not let it go to waste!
Yay! Open sesame!
Open the door!
-Your chariot, milady! -Thank you!
-Come on, let's go! -Onward we go!!
Get in.
Hey, listen. Why don't you two just
chill here for a bit?
-Huh? -I'll take everyone back.
-All right, driver, we're ready to go! -No, no, no. Wait!
-Wait! Uh… -Huh? Wait. I…
Huh? Oh! Oh, oh.
Bye, Sosuke-kun! Ooh!
Ah, yep. I had a feeling about those two.
Yeah, same here.
He always sticks me on the floor and takes Hana with him wherever he goes.
He's the only one she looks at! She loves him so much!
-Yeah. -In love at work!
It sounds like something out of a romance novel.
They clashed at work,
but the star-crossed lovers still fell for each other.
I can't do this, my love.
I'm the president of a big corporation.
And I am only a lowly employee.
Yeah!
It's the two of us against the world!
-But I don't care, my love. -I think it's cute.
I wanna know more.
I don't know if we'll be able to get a taxi.
So, um,
there's this place I'd like to go to.
Would you like to come with me?
-Wow! -Yeah!
This is amazing!
Is it ever. Incredible.
-Whoa! -Welcome.
-Please come here. -We're from Le Sauveur.
Le Sauveur! We've been expecting you.
-Um, I'm Motomi Kawamura. -Ms. Kawamura, yes.
I'm Shimizu.
CONFERENCE 2024
Hiro?
Why are you here?
Hmm.
Coincidence?
Wow!
This is beautiful.
Amazing!
Huh?
No way.
They're identical.
W… why?
I saw you were using it as wallpaper on your phone.
Sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy.
This picture
is like one my dad took.
He was…
was always off traveling and was rarely ever home,
so I hardly ever saw him.
But every year on my birthday,
my dad used to send wonderful chocolates to me from all over the world.
That always made me so happy.
I thought, when I grow up,
I wanna be a chocolate maker for the whole world.
Sometimes fathers can't express their feelings to their kids.
So they rely on the sweet power of chocolate.
My father was the same.
Chocolate is, without a doubt,
sarang.
Sarang?
Yeah.
Sarang.
Sarang?
Yeah.
Uh, it's the feeling of wanting to share happiness
with the ones you love.
Sarang.
So you're finally able to look at me
without, uh, looking away.
When did I ever look away from you?
That sounds more like you.
So tell me.
How are you doing?
Are you still bothered by
that whole thing?
No.
Now I'm…
I'm totally fine with it.
In fact, I'm feeling, well, kinda refreshed.
Someone like me doesn't mind being alone.
I think it suits me, actually.
What do you mean by "someone like me?"
The Hana I know is, uh…
Hmm.
Let me think about this.
Uh, a great employee who pours her heart into her work.
A sweet person who comforts others from the kindness of her heart.
Also,
with this incredibly beautiful smile
that's so adorable that when I look at her,
before I know it,
I find myself smiling too.
That's why
I always wanna see you.
Huh?
Although you are…
really kind of terrifying.
Huh?
I guess I'll try to be
less terrifying.
All this time you spent practicing with me,
I really have to thank you for that.
I guess
no more practicing, then?
Right.
I don't think I…
I need it anymore now.
I guess you don't.
I wonder what couples who meet up during the day do until nighttime.
Without even drinking.
I don't think it matters, day or night.
People meet when they're meant to.
Hmm.
Sounds boring.
You know,
I've been really curious about that thing.
Let's check it out.
This thing? It's for kids.
Yeah.
Turn it.
Okay.
By the way,
if you had to pick one of these,
which one would you choose?
Uh…
Well, I'm pretty much fine with any of them, but this one maybe?
Okay.
Give me your hand.
-Hmm? -Your hand, please.
Okay.
-What? -It's gone.
-There's nothing in it? -It's empty.
Okay.
Give me your hand again.
What? Wow, that's amazing!
-The one you wanted! -Wow! How did you do that?
But, uh, I'd never wear something like this. It's just not me.
But it's… kinda fun, right?
To meet up during the day?
-Excuse me? -Yes?
-Would you mind taking our photo? -Ah.
-Sure. Okay. -Thank you.
We'd like that background, if that's okay?
Sure. Okay.
Should we do a funny pose?
-Come on, let's do something funny. -No way, it'll be embarrassing!
All right, say cheese!
-Okay. -Thank you so much!
Sure.
Would you like me to take one of you?
Uh, sure.
-Um, thanks. -Mm!
Come on. Here you go.
All right, are you ready?
-Yeah. -Smile now!
Say cheese!
All right. Well, thank you.
Wait! Wait, wait, wait!
Look, I can't do this kind of thing!
Did I
do something wrong?
No, it's just…
I'm really not into this typical cutesy, couple thing,
and… I hate it.
All right.
I'm sorry.
Irene, do you really hate me that much?
No, I don't.
I don't hate you.
And that makes it worse.
Just leave me alone.
It had to be you
-I wandered around and finally -Come on, guys. I love that song.
Hey, newbie!
What are you doing sitting by yourself?
Come have a drink with us!
-Sure! Oh, I didn't want to interrupt. -That's it. Come on.
-Thanks a lot. -Aren't you lonely over there?
Yeah!
-Good job, newbie. -Oh, good work, everyone.
You're a better drinker than I thought.
Have some meat too.
-Oh, thanks very much. -Let's toast!
Cheers!
Sorry!
Oh.
Oh!
Sosuke.
Are you drunk?
No.
"I'm totally fine."
"In fact, I'm feeling kind of refreshed."
Huh.
This isn't your floor.
Oh, sorry.
Oh.
-Hm! -Why don't you have some of this?
Oh.
This is
koi…
Not koi, coffee.
You're definitely drunk.
Why are you being so nice now?
Ah! 'Cause I'm your employee, right?
You said it was because I'm your employee, didn't you?
I'm your employee.
Hmm.
Well, uh, good night.
Good night.
Good night!
Mm.
Wait!
She's not usually late. Should we call her?
You all had a bit too much to drink last night, didn't you?
-Here she is. -So sorry I'm late.
Never known you to be late.
-Good morning. -Good morning.
All right, everyone's here now.
-Oh! Mr. Takada's still not here. -No, Hiro went back yesterday.
All right, so before we head back,
there's one more important place I'd like to visit.
-Huh? -Important?
Can't wait.
-What important place? Where are we going? -Where is it?
-Oh, Mama! -Mama!
-I don't believe it! -You look great!
It's been such a long time!
I can't believe you came all this way!
I didn't think I'd ever see you all again!
Mama, it's been so long!
Ah.
I really appreciate you bringing them all the way up here.
Thank you very much.
How are you feeling these days?
Thanks to that doctor you introduced me to, I'm great!
I've been getting the best possible treatment.
-Treatment? -Oh.
But you know,
maybe by next year,
I won't be able to see this beautiful scenery anymore.
That's why I'm so grateful for everything I can still see now.
I'm so happy I got to see all of your faces!
Being here reminds me
of how nice it was to be a child, you know?
How incredibly lucky I was
to have been able to spend so much time with you all.
And I can celebrate every single day
and realize I've had a pretty good life.
Even now, it's excellent!
Because I get to wake up every day to an amazing view.
-Wow, that's true! -The air is so fresh too!
See? It's amazing, isn't it?
Yeah, it really doesn't get any better than this!
-And… go! -Hey, wait up!
You run too fast!
Ah, I'm so burnt!
It's been a while, Miss Anonymous chocolatier.
-Sure it's off? -Yeah, don't worry.
-Where'd the boss go? -I think he's on the bus.
Occasionally, I'd see you from behind running away.
You came in as a customer a few times too, didn't you?
I was telling Chef Kenji, you know,
that you can't stay anonymous forever.
I know.
So they still don't know, then?
If you just come out and tell them,
I'm sure it would go over very well.
It's really not that big of a deal.
Life's too short for these little secrets, you know?
All done.
The moment of truth, huh?
-Ask everyone to come in. -Okay.
-Thanks. -Everyone, it's time for a taste test!
-Oh, okay. -Okay.
-Should I get the boss too? -Yes.
Sure.
Good.
Both taste and scent.
No.
It goes beyond just good.
It's truly
amazing.
This is… the result of our company trip.
-Well done, newbie! You're a part of this! -Oh! Ah!
Good job!
Way to go, everyone.
-We did it! -We killed it!
I heard from Takashi.
It appears that you've, uh, grasped most of Le Sauveur's recipes.
Yes.
Sales have also increased.
I'm planning to enter the upcoming World Chocolatier Masters.
I wanna prove beyond a doubt
that we make the best chocolate in the world.
There's no need for that.
All we need is the information we've got
to move forward with our original plan.
Once we've thoroughly analyzed their know-how
and there's nothing else for us to know,
then we'll shut down the shop for good.
-Shut it down? -That's right.
Going forward, Le Sauveur's chocolates will only be in convenience stores.
It'll make up part of Futago Confectionery's sales.
Was that your intention from the very beginning?
Could I just ask you to hold on before making a final decision?
Le Sauveur is Japan's best chocolate shop.
-For Futago Confectionery's sake-- -Enough.
Son, this little fantasy
could ruin everything.
It's time for you to grow up.
Dear Darth Vader.
First of all, I sincerely apologize.
It seems the connection between us was far more intricate
than I could have ever imagined.
A series of unexpected events drew us together
beyond anything we could have anticipated.
What has become clear to me
is that I, unfortunately, can no longer continue our consultations.
I have seriously misjudged the distance I should have kept with you.
And it's for that reason I can no longer counsel you.
But regardless of the mistakes I've made,
I continue to support your feelings, Darth Vader.
Warm regards, your counselor, Irene.
In the end,
what's wrong is wrong.
Uh, I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to interrupt you.
Are you okay?
Hiro?
Are you okay? Huh?
Hiro!
Why are you…
Why are you here again?
I'll get you some water.
No, wait!
I don't…
I don't wanna be alone either.
Please stay with me.
Like you used to.
SOSUKE FUJIWARA