Kazu points to her face: "You had the same look I get. The 'oh no, another romantic approach' face. It's like a survival instinct." They end up sitting on a park bench, eating the sushi Sakuko bought (which is now slightly warm). Kazu explains himself bluntly: "I don't fall in love. I never have. I don't get crushes, I don't want to kiss anyone, and the idea of 'romantic destiny' feels like a script I never learned. I've been told I'm 'cold,' 'immature,' or 'just scared.' But I'm not scared. I just... don't feel it." Sakuko's eyes widen. For the first time in her life, someone is describing exactly how she feels.

He then reveals his dream: to create a – a shared living space for people who don't want romantic relationships, where they can support each other without pressure, jealousy, or the expectation to pair up.

Then he says something strange: "You don't want to date anyone either, right?"

Sakuko hangs up. She doesn't cry. Instead, she opens her laptop and searches: "Aromantic" – "Asexual" – "No romantic attraction" – "Koisenu futari" (the two who can't fall in love).

Kazu grins: "Not yet. But I'm building it. And you're the first person I've met who gets it." Sakuko returns to her apartment. That night, her mother calls to confirm the matchmaking party for the following weekend. Sakuko, now emboldened by her conversation with Kazu, says clearly: "I'm not going. And I'm not going to pretend anymore. I don't want a husband. I don't want a boyfriend. I want to live my life without lying about who I am." Yoshiko is silent, then says coldly: "You're being selfish. You'll regret this when you're old and alone."

Original Japanese Title: 恋せぬふたり English Subtitle Source: Various fansubs / Official streaming (e.g., Viki, NHK World) Genre: Slice of Life, Social Drama, Aromantic/Asexual Representation Air Date: January 2022 Opening Hook: The Sushi Counter Confession The episode opens in a bustling supermarket. Sakuko Kodachi (played by Mai Fukagawa), a woman in her late 20s, is staring at a package of sushi. A male coworker, Kameda , approaches her. Their conversation is painfully mundane until he suddenly blurts out: "Kodachi-san... I like you. Please go out with me." Sakuko freezes. She doesn't feel joy, excitement, or even nervousness. She feels blank . Her internal monologue reveals the core conflict: "Why can't I feel anything? Everyone else gets butterflies. I just feel... pressured."

She declines politely, saying she's not interested in dating anyone right now. Kameda is confused but backs off. That night, Sakuko lies in bed, scrolling through social media, seeing friends post engagement photos, pregnancy announcements, and memes about "the agony of being single." She doesn't feel agony. She feels broken. The next day, Sakuko visits her mother, Yoshiko . The conversation quickly turns to Kameda (her mother already heard through the neighborhood gossip network). Yoshiko sighs dramatically: "You're 28. If you keep rejecting everyone, you'll end up alone. Don't you want a family? Don't you want to be happy?" Sakuko tries to explain: "I'm not unhappy. I just don't feel romantic love. I never have."

She admits: "I thought something was wrong with me. Like I was a defective woman."

Sakuko is intrigued but hesitant. "Does such a thing even exist?"

Sakuko looks at the package of sushi in her hand, then at Kazu's earnest, non-romantic smile. She nods. "Okay. Let's do it." The two of them walking side by side out of the supermarket, not holding hands, not making heart eyes. Just walking. Equal. Free.