WHAT I LEARNED FROM SLEEPING WITH MARRIED MEN
Keisuke and I have been divorced for six months now.
If people ask me why, I'd say, "It's because we have grown apart."
Did we grow apart because we we stopped having sex,
or did we stop having sex because we grew apart?
Now, having sex without love is my rehabilitation.
NAOKI: CAN WE MEET LATER TODAY?
You sound like you just got out of the bath.
More like...
just got out of the gym.
The gym?
I don't want a romantic relationship.
That's why you asked if I was married?
Yes.
Married men don't get too involved.
But you aren't married.
I'm divorced,
so I want to stay free.
Naoki, do you have sex with your wife, too?
No, not anymore.
Why is that? You love her, right?
I do, but...
I don't feel like it after she starts nagging me about our loans.
Have you talked about it with her?
No way. I expect her to read my mind.
Expectations always cause problems.
So, that was about the gender-based differences
from a sociological perspective.
As a side note,
from a physical standpoint,
the primary instinct of all living things is to preserve their species.
Humans are no different. It's an animal instinct.
However,
it differs between men and women.
In short, women give birth, so the quality matters.
On the other hand,
men don't give birth,
so the quantity matters more for them.
-Ms. Sato, can we talk? -Okay.
My boyfriend cheats on me. Do you have any advice?
She told us that it's a man's instinct.
-Why are you asking now? -She asked what we were thinking.
-Ask about the assignment. -I am.
KEISUKE
-What am I supposed to do? -I don't like it. Do you?
-I don't like that. I don't. -But...
Hello.
-Thank you. -Have a good time.
Keisuke!
-Long time no see. -Long time no see.
-How have you been? -Good.
I saved your usual seat.
-Thanks. -Okay.
-This part is impressive. -It is.
It's huge.
This arch is so pretty.
-How did they build this? -Very pretty.
-So, what did you want to talk about? -Right. Yes.
I'm going to write a series on bridges in a magazine.
That's great.
You were working on that.
Yes. I must thank you.
Thank me?
You told me that Tokyo looks different from a boat.
I wrote that in my proposal, and they liked it.
Oh, yeah?
I can't believe you remembered.
Yeah. I try to remember all the fun stuff.
By the way,
I need your help.
Would you read and review my column?
Because I tend to get too technical.
That's 'cause you're an expert.
I know.
But I want to write
about bridges and people's lives around them.
The bridges that survived the war,
the bridges that look new but are actually old.
The secret is the method
that specialists studied on how bridges affect people's lives.
I want to make my series like that.
For example...
Do you remember the red one, Nittabashi bridge?
Kana, what are your favorite bridges?
That's it?
Yeah. Do you mind?
I have to go.
-Okay. -I'll call you.
-See you later. -See you.
Yes, hello?
Yes.
Let's see.
At the bridge.
I'm over here.
-I was looking for you. -Sorry I'm late.
Are you Kana?
-Good evening. -Good evening.
Have a seat.
What would you like to drink?
-I'd like a beer, please. -Sure.
-I'll have one, too. -You, too?
Excuse me.
Thanks.
Can I ask you something?
Yeah.
What is it?
Why are you having an affair?
Your wife doesn't know about this, right?
Come on.
It's like telling a prostitute that she's disgracing her parents.
You're right.
Do you feel guilty?
Then, you should stop sleeping around.
Then, why do you?
I told you I'm married.
You did.
I pick married men on purpose.
I'm not blaming you for cheating.
I just think you should talk about it with your wife.
Do you know...
Do you know what sex is like for an infertile married couple?
NITTABASHI BRIDGE
This bridge is really cute.
Isn't it?
This bridge
was built by Dr. Akahige who lived nearby,
for his late wife.
A bridge is a boundary.
It connects the borders of two worlds.
So he hoped to connect this world with the afterworld,
so that his wife could visit this side whenever she liked.
I think that's what he wanted.
Stay there.
Let's go.
SUNOSAKI SHRINE
Ready?
What did you wish for?
I want a bridge that connects this world and the afterworld.
I want a bridge where souls can connect no matter what happens.
KEISUKE
Hello, Kana?
Sorry to call you so late.
It's okay.
What's up?
I'm thinking about selling my place.
Can you help me?
I'm coming.
-Hello. -Hello.
I'm Naito, the agent.
-Thank you for your time. -Thank you.
-Here. -Thank you.
-Go ahead. -Okay. Excuse me.
-The view here is really great. -I'm excited.
Okay, let me take a look at it now. Excuse me.
What a great view.
Wow!
-I'll take some pictures. -Okay.
The living room is spacious.
-Thank you. -This is wonderful.
Thank you for coming today.
My pleasure. Here.
You did great today.
Here. Cheers.
-Cheers. -Okay.
Tastes good.
-Yeah. -Yeah.
Go ahead and answer.
Isn't she your girlfriend?
It's not like that...
We met through work.
She contacts me all the time.
She must be Gen Z.
How old is she?
I think 24 or 25.
Something like that.
She is young.
She is.
What about you? Are you seeing someone?
I'm into working out at the gym, I guess.
What's that?
Don't play dumb.
I'm not playing dumb.
You do have someone.
Yeah, well, enough to get by.
Why don't you answer her?
It's okay.
Hello?
I was working.
KEN LIKED YOUR PROFILE
TSUKIJI OHASHI BRIDGE
It's easy. Ready?
To the right.
Like this and go back.
One more time.
Go back.
-Ready for a turn? -What?
Keep it going. Yes!
Good. One more time.
Now go back.
-Ken, are you leaving now? -Yeah, bye.
-Hey! -Bye-bye!
Bye. Take care.
They buy liquor at the store and go back to the bar.
I used to be one of them,
until I married my wife.
Do you dance with her?
No, I don't.
She's more of a Tango person than a Bachata person.
She's stuck up.
She is accomplished,
and earns a lot of money at a foreign firm.
When did you get married?
About two years ago.
Let's change the subject.
Stop spoiling the fun we're having.
Don't you sleep together?
-Are you still asking me? -Sorry.
I still do.
Because that's my job.
Your job?
She provides me with a luxurious life.
In return, I make her happy as a woman.
The opposite version of a trophy wife?
Exactly.
But I don't get hard for her lately.
Cheating won't make it any better.
It's therapy to get my manhood back.
Talking to her might be a better solution.
Talk to her?
"Other girls make me hard, but you don't"?
Imagine how badly that would hurt her.
But you love her, don't you?
This isn't working.
Besides, all she wants from me is just sex.
But...
nobody gets married only to have sex.
Let's call it a night.
UMAYA BRIDGE, EITAI BRIDGE,
KOMAGATA BRIDGE, NIHONBASHI BRIDGE
TOKIWA BRIDGE, NITTABASHI BRIDGE
AZUMA BRIDGE
Hello.
Yes.
-Sorry to call so late. -No, it's okay.
I wanted to tell you that there is a potential buyer.
Really?
Yes.
Hey!
Hello.
Do you want to race?
What? Again?
Why not? You're going to the gym, right?
But I won't lose.
You're cheating!
Slow down. That's enough.
That's enough.
You've already lost.
No need to run so hard.
Why don't you sit down?
Here.
You're sweating a lot.
Sorry.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
I'm fine now.
I just wanted to give you this.
Are you sure you're okay?
Kana, thank you.
BRIDGES OF TOKYO
BRIDGES THAT CONNECT YOU AND ME
It's breathtaking.
It is.
Can we...
go to a hotel tonight?
Sure.
You told me
to discuss the lack of sex with my wife.
So I bought these.
This side shows you're in.
And this side shows you're not.
Showing your intentions beforehand would save some awkwardness in bed.
But...
when I saw the "yes" on the pillow,
I sighed unconsciously.
And then,
I locked eyes with her.
That's terrible.
I just happened to be exhausted that day.
But my wife didn't believe me.
I don't blame her. For her, that sounds like an excuse to avoid sex.
What?
What should I do then?
If I'd known this would happen,
I wouldn't have listened to you.
Do you mean you'd rather just let things be the same?
Exactly.
If I hadn't brought it up,
we could have avoided talking about sex.
That's not true.
A lack of sex means your marriage is already broken.
It might be broken,
but it's better than losing.
Why?
What is so good about a broken marriage?
Love.
It is love!
I also...
I also loved Keisuke so much.
I loved him, but I failed to preserve his genes.
What?
Is that why you got a divorce?
Not just that...
It was an easy excuse.
Really?
I was confused about what was important to me.
In the meantime,
some couples cheat and lie,
and they're okay with it.
I hate
the pressure to have sex with your spouse just because you're married to them.
Me too!
I'll be looking forward to the day when I don't have to have sex like that.
I agree.
I learned the reason for not having sex varies from couple to couple.
Just like there are many reasons for divorce and many types of love,
there are many types of couples.
Sorry, I called you up so late.
It's okay.
What's up?
Going to the gym taught me something.
That's abrupt.
I want you, Keisuke.
What?
And I found a buyer for my place.
Wait. Don't change the subject.
I'm not.
I was glad I asked you for help,
and I was happy you asked for my advice about your project.
And...
I remembered.
We had a great relationship,
except for our sex life.
I agree.
I was happy, too,
when you asked for my help.
Really?
Yes.
I was happy and that surprised me.
Is that it?
It is.
I see.
Anyway, let's go!
To where?
Nittabashi Bridge!
Free yourself from the limitations of love and sex.
Then you can get over it.
Do you want to join me?
I still want to stay...
Sure!
...connected to Keisuke.
Like that bridge.