Yay!
Good morning.
I can't believe you didn't make a move on me.
How'd you manage to sleep with this face and body next to you?
You said there wouldn't be a second time.
Yeah, but who actually does as they're told?
Well, that's what you wanted, so…
Oh.
You're seeing someone?
No way.
Are you mad I left without saying anything that day?
Hmm.
How should I put it?
I haven't been sleeping well since that day.
Maybe you're my sleeping pill?
Even so, how could you just sleep and not do anything?
Anyway, your food's getting cold.
Sorry to say,
but I'm not really a breakfast person.
Yum!
What? Don't look at me with that "You're so cute" face.
Was I making that face?
You were.
What's with that suggestive look?
Don't worry.
I won't fall for you any harder.
You're doing as you're told again.
Nice guys are such a turnoff.
Here, try this too.
Hey, wait!
Thanks for the meal. But I'm never seeing you again.
No, wait. H-Hold on!
Ugh, why did I even go see him?
All right. Please go.
Your coat!
WASABI EN SOIE
BACK IN STOCK
So, what did the inquiry forms say?
Right.
After Rainbow Palette came back,
even Futago Confectionery has been getting complaints.
"I regret buying the wasabi chocolate."
"The wasabi-flavored chocolate was awful."
"I bought the wasabi chocolate by mistake due to unclear labeling."
"Can I get a refund?"
They bought Rainbow Palette and found wasabi chocolate inside.
Basically, they didn't know the contents and got an unpleasant surprise.
They didn't know the contents? It's written on the box.
Not many people read it when they buy the set.
On top of that, wasabi prices are soaring,
so suppliers are demanding higher prices.
As you can see, it's not selling well by itself either.
What's HQ saying?
"Too many complaints and a low profit margin."
They told us to stop production.
Hmm?
Why'd you decide to make something as tricky as wasabi chocolate?
Well, wasabi isn't meant to be eaten on its own.
And if you use too much of it, it becomes a disaster.
But get the balance just right,
and it creates an exceptional flavor no other ingredient can match.
Even when it's hiding, it does a splendid job.
I see.
I'd say it's kind of like you, Hana.
Me?
Like me?
I just wish
it'd step out into the outside world a bit more.
The outside world, huh?
Yeah, that's what I'm hoping.
It's true wasabi prices have gone up,
but we barely use any at this shop.
Oh. May I?
Speaking as a member of the floor staff,
Wasabi en Soie is popular with foreign tourists.
Yeah, it is!
Even KitKats have a wasabi flavor, right?
By the way, aside from tourists,
what kind of customers buy Wasabi en Soie on its own?
Oh, I guess I should ask those who know it best.
Does anyone here think Wasabi en Soie is the best it can be?
So, why don't we all work on it together?
Especially the chocolatiers.
Is there any way to renew and improve the recipe?
What do you think, Chief?
I…
I've always believed Chef Kenji's recipe was ideal.
So, to me, the current flavor is already the best it can be.
If you don't intend to change it, we'll have to stop individual sales.
Good work today. See you all tomorrow.
-See you. -See you.
You wanted to speak up in front of people but couldn't.
Wow.
I'd say that's a huge step forward.
Even though I failed, how can it be a step forward?
You only failed because you tried.
And trying is proof you wanted something more.
You used to not even want to put yourself in that situation, right?
Maybe you're right.
So, does that mean I'm slowly getting better?
Of course.
You even made eye contact and empathized with someone, didn't you?
Yes, I did.
Physical symptoms don't go away overnight.
But your heart wants to change, Darth Vader.
I think you just need to practice one step at a time.
Practice…
Give yourself credit.
You were able to step out into the outside world.
It's all thanks to Chef
that even wasabi like me could make it out into the world.
Hmm.
Oh.
What?
Thank you for reaching out about the issues of the wasabi chocolate
and ideas for its renewal.
I appreciate it.
Wasabi is a very bold ingredient.
People either love it or hate it.
But with just the right balance,
it creates an exceptional flavor no other ingredient can match.
As for the renewal, I'd like to suggest
changing the order of the flavors.
Be yummy.
I brought the shy wasabi filling, hiding on the inside, to the surface.
First, your tongue feels a spicy kick.
Then, the sweet chocolate wraps around it,
making it taste even smoother and sweeter.
Mmm.
Plus, this way we can use less wasabi than when it's used in the filling.
Oh, there's that face.
Hmm?
You always make that face when you're happy.
Something good happened?
Not really.
Something good did happen.
You've got this, Mr. Wasabi.
P.S.
Like the wasabi that came outside,
I hope one day I can meet everyone at Le Sauveur.
From the Anonymous Chocolatier.
I'll try one.
How is it?
So annoying.
It's annoyingly good.
To come up with this idea,
I have to admit they're a genius.
It really is better.
Yeah, I thought so too!
First, the wasabi hits your tongue.
Then, the sweetness of the chocolate follows.
I could eat a ton of these!
The design screams "wasabi chocolate," and it's even cuter now.
This is good, but I still like Chef Kenji's version too.
No.
I lost this time. I'll admit it.
No, it's not about winning or losing.
What matters is not giving up easily and always striving for better.
So, are we okay to go ahead with this new Wasabi en Soie?
Yes.
Starting tomorrow, we'll use the new recipe.
Yes, Chief.
-Let's compare them. -So good.
I think this could really sell.
Good job, everyone.
I thought you wouldn't accept it, but that's our Chief.
That reminds me, our boss…
I don't think he's ever left before us.
You think he feels the same way we do?
Hard to say.
Who knows what he's really thinking.
Hmm.
Anyway, this calls for a celebration.
Drinks, anyone? It's been a while!
Nah, I'm wiped out today.
So of course I need to go for drinks!
Here we go again.
These guys will use any excuse to drink.
Hey, I heard that. Show your senior some respect.
Sure.
You're coming too, newbie. It's also your welcome party.
Um, I think I'll pass.
How come?
Uh…
On a day like this, we've got to toast!
Come on, join us.
-Let's go, newbie! -Yeah! All of us, together!
Let's sit. Who's sitting where?
I'll take this seat.
Thanks.
That was awesome!
Thank you so much!
Okay, next up,
I'd like to give the mic to our newest member, Ms. Lee Hana!
-No! -Please?
No way!
-We want to hear you sing! -No, I really can't.
I can't.
You sing!
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
No, seriously, I've had enough of your singing.
Want me to play something?
We were just getting started. Come on!
Do you know any Japanese songs?
You can do it, Hana!
Not me. The newbie's the star tonight.
I'll give it a try.
Uh-huh.
I'll give it a try!
Hanako!
I look up as I walk
So the tears won't fall
Remembering those spring days
But tonight I'm all alone
-She has a lovely voice. -Yeah, she does.
Um…
There's something I want to tell everyone.
I am…
Actually, I'm…
Hey, look at me!
-Mr. Fujiwara? -It's Mr. Fujiwara.
Everyone,
don't you think it's a bit rude to make someone sing unprepared?
Oh.
Sorry about that.
Why'd he suddenly show up?
I know, right?
I've got an important announcement.
Oh, you can go back now.
R-Right.
Okay.
Is she okay?
Mic check. Testing, one, two.
Sorry to interrupt, everyone.
I have a very important announcement to make.
Tonight's drinks
are all on me!
Here. Let me know if it's not enough.
I wonder if Hana's okay.
Honestly, it's so much work trying to cater to every employee.
See you.
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
Doesn't look like it.
Just leave me alone!
Why are you following me?
This umbrella's extra big and sturdy.
You came all this way to brag about your umbrella?
Come in here.
I'm fine!
Don't worry about me and just go!
Are you crying?
I'm just wet from the rain.
What were you trying to say earlier?
Are you
afraid of being stared at?
Could it be…
I'm the only one you're okay with?
I'm the same.
I…
I can't touch people.
But…
you're the only one I can.
For some reason, it's just you.
Take this.
I can't let my employee catch a cold.
Actually, no!
I don't wanna get wet!
-Are you okay? -No, I'm not.
Sorry, but could you go home without the umbrella?
-What? -Oh, no.
I really can't! Sorry!
Huh? Oh!
Seriously…
What are you doing?
Are you okay?
Were you…
crying?
Just wet from the rain.
Anyway, you're rather dutiful, chasing after me like this.
I was worried you might've collapsed on the way.
That's why I ran after you too.
I was ready to call an ambulance if you'd passed out in the rain.
But,
I know you want to be left alone.
Ever since my mom died,
I've avoided making eye contact with people.
And I was totally fine with that.
But sometimes I get sick of always running away.
I swore I'd try my best this time.
Like you did earlier?
Yeah.
I thought I'd gotten a little better, but nothing's changed.
I'm not asking for much.
I just wanna look the one I'm into in the eye and…
Is there someone you feel that way about?
There is.
Sounds great.
I just…
want to be with the one I like, lock eyes with them,
laugh together, cry together…
I just wish
I could do those things.
I think I get it.
There's so much I can't do either.
Like messing around with friends, putting an arm around their shoulders,
or high-fiving.
For that matter,
I wanted to shake hands too.
But everyone just thinks I'm a nasty, over-the-top germophobe.
I…
don't think people are dirty.
It's just…
I'm the one who's dirty.
Yeah.
I just think…
I'm too dirty to touch anyone.
That's why
I felt comfortable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Everyone in the world was like me,
avoiding physical contact.
But… that made me sad too.
What was a nightmare for the world… made me happy.
I wonder why we're okay
with each other.
Beats me.
Maybe
we're soulmates?
There's no way.
You're right.
But maybe… there's a reason for it.
A reason?
Maybe we can help each other.
We can?
Let's try practicing.
Like rehab.
We'll touch and make eye contact, since we're okay with each other.
Let's do that.
Uh, but,
it'd be a real hassle if we did that and you fell for me.
No way. That will never happen.
Yeah.
I think we can practice.
Well, there's no way I'd fall for you either.
Yeah.
All right.
Let's give it a try.
I want to change.
I really do.
Okay, then.
Let's practice.
Practice.
Sorry.
N-No.
It's fine.
I-It's just practice.
Practice.
Let's get better.
Together.
So he improved Kenji's recipe to boost sales.
I guess he's become a real businessman now.
But he should quit wasting time
and focus on obtaining the recipes.
The convenience-store chocolates need to launch
in the second half of the year as we planned.
Get the other recipes quickly and report back to me.
Yes, sir.
Once that place's no longer of use,
we'll liquidate it.
So you intend to shut down…
Le Sauveur.
Subtitle translation by: Yuki Asami