Asako Yuzuki, one of Japan’s most acclaimed female writers, takes a sharp look at how the institution of marriage affects women. The story realistically depicts how two women’s established relationships are hindered by social constraints and outdated stereotypes, while delicately portraying how the two protagonists grow into their full selves by breaking the mold of marriage. The story conveys the message of ‘being yourself and living the way you want to live’ without being trapped by any stereotypes set by society.
Sachiko, who runs a cafe with her mother-in-law, has been friends with Mika since college. For the past ten years, Mika has been raising a popular idol group, Date Cleansing, and has always been immersed in her work, and Sachiko is proud of her. One day, Mika comes to visit Sachiko and suddenly announces that she is getting married. “I’m getting married!” Empty after the breakup of the date cleansing, Mika struggles to find a man to marry, as if her age of thirty-five makes marriage her life’s goal, and Sachiko feels sorry for her…