The fifth episode of the drama series " Taigan no Kaji ~Kore ga, Watashi no Ikiru Michi~" (TBS, Tuesdays at 10pm), starring actress Mikako Tabe , aired on April 29th. The episode depicted an irreplaceable moment between Shiho (Tabe) and her daughter Ichigo (Nagai Kana), and became a hot topic on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers
After hearing from Nakatani (Dean Fujioka) about the disparity in children's experiences, Shiho wonders if she has deprived Ichigo of "some opportunities" by choosing to be a full-time housewife.
After hearing Shiho's thoughts, Reiko ( Noriko Eguchi) gave her some encouragement, saying, "I don't think that's true. I think Shiho gives all kinds of things to Ichigo every day. Because you've been together with Ichigo all this time and you're a full-time housewife, I'm sure there are things that you've been able to give to Ichigo. I'm sure there are."
Afterwards, when Shiho got home and was putting the laundry away, Ichigo called out, "Look, Mommy." When Shiho looked at where Ichigo was pointing and said, "It's sparkling," the light was reflected on the ceiling and it was sparkling.
Shiho immediately lay down with Ichigo and looked up at the ceiling. "Mama, it's pretty, isn't it?" "Yeah, it's pretty." The two of them exchanged such words and spent the time relaxing.
"I get to spend these ordinary moments with Ichigo. I hope that one day when she grows up, she'll remember what happened today."
With these thoughts in mind, Shiho is depicted gazing lovingly at Ichigo.
On social media, people posted comments such as, "The scene where Ichigo and Shiho lie down together on a sunny afternoon and watch the sparkling light reflecting off of them makes me feel happy," "Ordinary time is a treasure," "Spending ordinary time is truly a happy thing," "I think Ichigo will be happy to be able to spend ordinary time with her mother," and "Ordinary times are the greatest source of emotional support in life."
Some of the comments included, "Once you start working, you lose these kinds of trivial moments...", "I cried as I remembered looking at the reflected light with my daughter during my maternity leave", and "This really hit home for me as I was a full-time housewife. I cried as I remembered the three years I spent with my daughter every day."
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.
