A Taste of New Beginnings Concludes ‘Old Fashion Cupcake’ Episode 3-5

BL Recaps Japan

2023-09-21
10:30

Nozue, encouraged by the young and attractive Togawa, is determined to use his anti-aging program to overcome andropause.

Meanwhile, Togawa continues to accompany Nozue in trying new things and visiting new cafes to support the boss he looks up to, but is it just professional admiration that he feels or perhaps something more? Find out in BLtai’s recap of ‘Old Fashion Cupcake‘ episodes 3-5.

Warning: Spoilers alert! Read at your own risk.

Episode 3

Following their minor misunderstanding, Nozue and Togawa continue to meet and try different foods and cafes as part of the anti-aging program. Recognizing that his outlook on life has begun to improve, Nozue offers to cook for Togawa as a token of his appreciation. Togawa eagerly invited him on the same day, despite his initial panic.

Nozue cooks tobanjan for Togawa in his apartment after discovering that he enjoys spicy foods. Togawa praises Nozue’s cooking and declares that he can eat it every day. Nozue notices that the apartment is cleaner than he expected, joking that it could be because Togawa hid all of his belongings, including pornographic materials, inside the closet. Togawa, to his surprise, denies it and instead tells him that when he jerks off, he thinks of the person he likes. He choked on his drink when Togawa asked him what he does when he masturbates and tried to change the subject.

At home, Nozue uses his new smartphone to message Togawa, inviting him to a zoo on the weekend before going to bed. The next day, he finds his messages unanswered.

Inside the office, Nozue notices Togawa talking to a female employee and tries to avoid his gaze. He is confused as to why he is upset by what he witnessed. Later, Togawa invites him out for lunch, but he declines under the guise of being sick. He continued to avoid Togawa throughout the day, which did not go unnoticed. He also attends the team’s party that evening only after learning that Togawa will not be there. To everyone’s surprise, Togawa follows them into the bar, only to discover that Nozue has already left. He rushes outside and sees Nozue sitting on the sidewalk, watching a video he took of him. Togawa takes him home despite his repeated refusals.

Togawa is about to leave after helping Nozue settle in, but he is surprised when he is invited to stay the night instead. He decides to confront Nozue about why he has been avoiding him all day. Nozue apologizes and admits that he feels he has overstepped his boundaries as boss due to their frequent meetings and even visits to each other’s homes. He believes that sending a text message in the middle of the night might be strange, but Togawa strongly disagrees. Togawa tells him that he is okay with receiving one from him as he is a special person whom he looks up to. To Nozue’s surprise, Togawa suggests they continue their anti-aging program, beginning with their plan to visit the zoo. Togawa realizes that Nozue’s new smartphone may have confused him, causing him to miss his responses to the invitation. Embarrassed, Nozue apologizes for being angry and avoiding him.

After Togawa leaves, Nozue reads all of his replies in which he says yes to his invitation, as well as his follow-up text messages after not receiving a response from him. He falls asleep with a smile on his face. Togawa returned after using his spare key and kissed him before leaving.

Episode 4

After a good night’s sleep, Nozue discovers a note from Togawa stating that he took his spare keys. Togawa returns the keys that Nozue immediately covers from their team at the office and asks him to return things more discreetly next time. They are interrupted when Kirishima arrives and informs them, much to their surprise, that Togawa will be going on a group date with their clients. Nozue initially declines on Togawa’s behalf, but Kirishima insists that not everyone will be like him, who prefers to have no partner for the rest of his life. Togawa, on the other hand, informs Kirishima that he will decide later that day.

While eating outside, Togawa tells Nozue that he will be skipping the date, but is surprised when Nozue tells him that they must attend because they might meet someone nice on the group date. The rest of the boys wait for Kirishima and the other ladies at the restaurant. The client, Ochi-san, immediately sits and clings to Togawa, while Nozue sits with Kirishima and another girl who compliments him on his youthful appearance despite his age. Togawa watches Nozue converse and exchange phone numbers with her. To everyone’s surprise, Togawa begins to order more beers and becomes drunk. Leaving Nozue with no choice but to accompany him back to this apartment. On the way, Togawa collapses drunkenly on the sidewalk and declares that Nozue would probably rather take the woman he met on the group date than him. Nozue explains that he is happy to talk with her because he was complimented on his youthful appearance, and he sees it as proof that their anti-aging project is working. Togawa falls asleep with a smile on his face, and Nozue can’t stop himself from touching Togawa’s hair.

Togawa awakens to find himself in his apartment, where Nozue is drinking coffee on his couch. He immediately apologizes for bothering Nozue into bringing him home instead of the lady he was speaking to. Nozue laughs at him before complimenting Togawa’s exposed upper body, telling him that he was just being polite to her as a client. Togawa inquires shyly if anything happened that night and is relieved when Nozue responds that he did nothing embarrassing. To prevent Nozue from going to the gym with the lady, Togawa invites him as part of their anti-aging program, even telling him that exercise will improve one’s immune system and sexual life, making Nozue choke on his coffee.

To demonstrate his point, Togawa makes Nozue do a plank on his bed, but they end up tickling each other. Things become awkward when Togawa accidentally falls on top of Nozue, causing him to immediately pull away and begin cleaning the room, much to Nozue’s surprise. Togawa continues to explain the benefits of working out while avoiding looking at Nozue, explaining that he tries many things in life because Nozue inspired him to do better from the first time they met, and he told him about regret being the fuel of life and not committing his entire life to work. Nozue recalls telling Togawa that he should love himself more, which the latter learned to do.

Nozue admits to Togawa that he, too, has begun to change since they began spending time together. Togawa is about to get closer to Nozue when his phone rings with a call from Ochi-san. Nozue abruptly packs his belongings and attempts to leave, but Togawa draws him in for a kiss. Nozue pushes him away, thinking Togawa is still drunk, but the latter insists on kissing him again. The two slump on the floor, and Togawa finally admits to him that he has been courting Nozue the entire time because he likes him and is crazy about him. He also mentions that he has been thinking about confessing for a long time but is afraid that Nozue will avoid him. Before Nozue can respond, Togawa covers his mouth and tells him that he understands and that he is already satisfied that he made Nozue happy for the time being. Togawa moves back and apologizes while crying his heart out, pleading with Nozue to let him continue working for him. Nozue tries to console him but stops himself before leaving Togawa’s apartment.

Episode 5

Nozue wakes up the next day with no messages from Togawa. Meanwhile, Togawa notices Nozue’s watch he accidentally left on the dining table. At work, the two awkwardly greet each other in front of the other employees. Nozue discovers his watch on his desk and recalls telling Togawa to return his belongings discreetly. Togawa requests that Nozue check his report, but is frustrated when Nozue does not look him in the eyes while they are talking. In an attempt to restore normalcy between boss and subordinate, Nozue invites Togawa to lunch, but he declines. On his way out, he sees Togawa hanging out with their team and gives him a sidelong glance.

Over dinner, Nozue meets Kirishima and is offered the position to lead a new department in an office that is closer to his home. Although Kirishima was expecting another refusal from Nozue to proceed, he is surprised when Nozue asks him to give him a little more time to think about it while eating his parfait.

Upon securing another transaction, the team decides to celebrate, and despite his initial reluctance, Nozue agrees after learning that Togawa will also be joining. While the girls are complimenting Nozue, an officemate tells them about the rumor that Nozue has been assigned to a new department and office. Togawa forces a tipsy Nozue to return home; he walks him to the taxi bay, where Nozue accidentally falls over him; fortunately, Togawa catches him. Togawa asks Nozue if he will be relocating to a new office as they wait for a taxi to pass by. Although he answers that nothing has been decided yet, Nozue requests that he support him before leaving and walking to the train station instead.

Nozue is surprised when Togawa runs after him on the way to the train station and hands him an umbrella before leaving. Nozue stares at Togawa’s dwindling figure before running after him, realizing that he doesn’t want to be just his boss and wants to share many emotions and experiences with him. After finally catching up with Togawa, Nozue admits that he also likes him and apologizes for not realizing it sooner. Togawa pulls him into an alley and tells him that what he is feeling is pity for him and apologizes for ruining their relationship, but Nozue insists that what he is feeling is genuine romantic feelings for him.

Nozue admits to running away because he is afraid, but he soon realizes that waking up without Togawa is even more terrifying. Togawa insists that Nozue’s feelings are just pity until the latter hugs him. Nozue looks him in the eyes and repeats that he likes him and wants him to be a part of his life. Only then did Togawa return the hug and ask Nozue to become his entire world, not just a part of it. Nozue says yes, and they are about to kiss when the noise of people on the main road interrupts them. They run together, holding hands.

A few weeks later, Nozue’s old team is led by a new supervisor; in the meantime, Togawa meets him for lunch in a cafe near his new office. When Nozue and Togawa are teasing each other about the changes in their jobs, Nozue suddenly becomes serious and tells him that he accepted the position in the new department because he wants to try something new and move forward, just like Togawa has been inspiring him to do. Togawa gives him a supportive smile before asking where they should go the next day.

The beauty of ‘Old Fashioned Cupcake’ is that it is a simple story about getting together with someone who inspired you to do better and learning to take risks or move forward in your life. In an era when most BL series are set in academia, the series is a breath of fresh air that shows how friendships and romance can blossom despite the slavery of being an adult with responsibilities at work. Another focus of Nozue’s character’s ‘Old Fashion Cupcake’ is the old but true adage that ‘age is just a number,’ whether it’s getting into a relationship, trying a new hobby, or moving forward in your career. It also depicts the anxieties and desperation that one may experience when leaving the comfort of studying and stepping onto the ladder of employment, as in Togawa’s case, while also pursuing self-love. With its good old-fashioned way, ‘Old Fashion Cupcake’ is a gem in the BL shows that everyone must see.

Enjoy watching ‘Old Fashion Cupcake‘ on a bigger screen because GagaOOLala is now available to watch on your Smart TVs by downloading the app on Google Play, Amazon Appstore, and Roku.

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