The third episode of the drama series "Shumaku no Rondo" (Kantele/Fuji TV, Mondays at 10pm), starring Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, aired on October 27th. The exchange between Itsuki Torikai (Kusanagi) and picture book author Makoto Mikuriya (Nakamura Yuri) became a hot topic on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers
Itsuki learns that Makoto had supported his son, Riku (played by Nagase Yahiro), who was being bullied at elementary school. Itsuki calls Makoto out to the park at night and expresses his gratitude for Riku, before saying, "It was your mother who called you."
Itsuki reveals that Makoto's mother, Koharu (Jun Fubuki), has pancreatic cancer and only has three months to live. Makoto apologizes for not telling her until now because Koharu had told her not to. Makoto replies, "No, it's me who's the one who's been bothered. I was angry and lonely that my mother wouldn't tell me," and apologizes for taking out her anger on Itsuki.
The two chat while drinking miniature bottled drinks. Itsuki reveals that Koharu had said she would tell Makoto about her remaining life expectancy once she had sorted out her feelings, and suggests, "Would you like to wait with me for your mother's timing to come?" He adds, "The fact that you know how much time your mother has left to live will remain a secret between you and me. And if you ever feel like taking your anger out on someone again, please call me here."
When Makoto declines, saying, "You're being too nice, especially with Riku here," Itsuki smiles gently and says, "I can't do it for long, but I can keep you company until you finish this bottle."
On social media, people were talking about the incident, saying things like, "The two of them have gotten a lot closer," "Torikai told her to call him if she ever feels like taking her anger out on someone...it's the kindness of someone who has gone through a difficult time himself," "It really hits home when someone says something like that," "This is the first time I've ever felt this excited over a single plastic bottle," and "It's nice that they get to spend the time they spend together over the size of a single plastic bottle."
This human drama follows Torikai Itsuki (Kusanagi), an estate organizer who lost his wife five years ago and has a young son, as he and his colleagues at the estate organizer company "Heaven's Messenger" work with families facing various circumstances.
