The third episode of the drama series " Taigan no Kaji ~Kore ga, Watashi no Ikiru Michi~" (TBS, Tuesdays at 10pm), starring actress Mikako Tabe , was broadcast on April 15th. Imai Naoki, played by Reo Matsumoto, became a hot topic on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers
Imai is a colleague of Reiko ( Noriko Eguchi) in the General Affairs Department. She is a modern young employee who strictly separates her work and private life. She is dissatisfied with having to take over Reiko's work, who often leaves work early to raise her children.
Imai revealed to Reiko that her pet Chihuahua, Cocoa, has cancer. "I was so worried about Cocoa that I couldn't concentrate at work. I took paid leave to take her to the hospital and had surgery, but yesterday at the hospital they told me she only has a month left..." she said, shedding tears.
Imai learns that Reiko, who seemed strong, was actually struggling with hardships. Reiko also thanks Imai, saying, "Thank you for always helping me."
"Why don't you propose to your company that we revise the work rules so that you can take time off for your pet?"
Imai agreed with Reiko's happy suggestion, saying, "I think it's a great idea. It will have a positive effect on recruiting and other situations where it will show that you are an understanding company." He continued, "Ah, but Nagano-san, you should change the way you say pets. It's not well received by dog lovers. Cocoa is my family. Well, in the end, it's just a matter of how you say it."
On social media, people posted comments such as, "Imai-kun... I understand, you're family, right? I want to spend as much time together as possible," "Imai-kun's tears made me cry," "Matsumoto Reo's Imai is unexpectedly kind!" "I'm sure I'm not the only one who thought, 'Imai, you were such a good guy, weren't you?'," "The MVP is Imai-kun (Matsumoto Reo) right?" and "Imai-kun had properly noticed Reiko's hard work, so I'm glad you were able to have a proper talk."
The film is based on the novel "Taigan no Kaji" (Housework on the Other Side) by Kiko Akano (published by Kodansha Bunko). It depicts the "endless work" of housework through the protagonist's interactions with "people on the other side" who have different positions and ways of thinking than her.
