Asako I & II 2019

Asako’s life in Osaka was forever altered when she laid eyes on Baku, her soulmate who ignited a passion that defied all rational advice from her friends. Despite their whirlwind romance, Baku’s unpredictable disappearances left Asako feeling lost and unsure of his true intentions. Yet, each time he vanished, he would return to her, promising to always come back, leaving Asako with the lingering hope that their love would ultimately prevail.

Two years went by, and Asako relocated to Tokyo, where she now poured coffee for a living. It was there that she encountered Ryohei, a doppelganger of Baku in both appearance and demeanor, sending her heart racing once more. Initially convinced it was Baku standing before her, Asako’s tentative interactions with Ryohei were met with confusion and curiosity. Not until he unexpectedly helped her friend gain entry to an art show did the veil of uncertainty lift, allowing Asako to glimpse a glimmer of the man beneath.

As they sipped coffee after the exhibition, Asako’s sudden departure left Ryohei perplexed and wondering what had sparked her hasty exit. It was then that his friend, a kindred spirit with a knack for matchmaking, proposed an evening dinner party where he would invite one of his acquaintances to meet Asako once more. Ryohei, smitten by the prospect of reuniting with Asako, extended the invitation and discovered that her friend was currently treading the boards in a production of Chekhov’s The Sea Gull. As the two pairs mingled and debated the finer points of acting, their evening together became an exercise in creative compromise.

In the end, Ryohei’s persistence paid off, as he managed to win Asako over, his determination kindling a flame that would soon engulf them both.

The tranquil harmony of Asako and Ryohei’s cohabitation is abruptly disrupted when Asako uncovers the astonishing truth: Baku, the enigmatic figure whose doppelganger-like resemblance to Ryohei had once captivated her heart, has skyrocketed to fame as a model and actor. Emboldened by her newfound understanding of her initial romantic inclinations, Asako musters the courage to confess her true feelings to Ryohei, who receives this revelation with grace and acceptance, thereby allowing Asako to finally find closure. However, just as it seems that the clouds have parted for this couple, Baku’s sudden appearance at Asako’s doorstep sets off a chain reaction of events that will forever alter their dynamics.

Asako is taken aback when Baku appears at her apartment, announcing his return the very next day, and her world is further turned upside down when he materializes uninvited at a celebratory dinner party hosted by Ryohei and their friends, where they are joyfully toasting their upcoming engagement. The tables have truly turned as Baku requests that Asako leave Ryohei mid-dinner, prompting her to make the unexpected decision to abandon Ryohei and join forces with Baku instead.

As they embark on a journey north together, bound for Baku’s family home, which lies uninhabited for the season, Asako is forced to confront the superficiality of her choices and the true nature of her feelings. In the midst of this introspection, she begins to realize that Ryohei was always the more genuine choice, but it may be too late. The couple’s beloved cat, Jitan, becomes an unwitting participant in their tumultuous reunion, as Asako attempts to rekindle a connection with Ryohei.

In the end, it is clear that Ryohei has been irreparably wounded by Asako’s betrayal, and her efforts at reconciliation are met with his unyielding hurt. With a heavy heart, Asako acknowledges the gravity of her mistakes and accepts the possibility that their relationship may never be able to recover from this deep-seated mistrust.