Miyata has a bittersweet reunion with his first love and finds himself swept up in Iwanaga’s charms once again. Let’s find out the truth in ‘Love Is Better The Second Time Around‘ episode 1.
Miyata Akihiro, a business magazine editor, reconnects with his high school crush, university professor Iwanaga Takashi. Despite his current relationship, Miyata finds himself entangled with Iwanaga again, leading to unexpected confrontations and a drunken night that leaves Miyata waking up in Takashi’s home.
Warning: Spoiler alert! Read at your own risk.
In a past scene, Hoshizawa and Miyata are lying on the grass together when Hoshizawa rubs his hands due to the cold. Without hesitation, Miyata offers him the other pair of his gloves and sits up. He looks at Hoshizawa and asks that he be taken along to the places his senior wants to go to. Hoshizawa sits up, tightening his grip on Miyata’s hands. As they walk back together across the bridge, Hoshizawa suggests the idea of traveling somewhere far like this. Miyata appears to want to say something, but the scene ends before he can say it. In the present, Miyata strolls along the riverside in Tsukishima, reflecting on how people would adjust to Tokyo after twelve years of living there. He’s packing his belongings at work to visit Iwanaga Takashi from Touou University’s Economics Department. As he walks through the hallway, he considers how he’s grown accustomed to his magazine editor job of 8 years, and how he’s much calmer now when meeting teachers and writers. He knocks on the door of Iwanaga Takashi, the assistant professor, and introduces himself. Iwanaga turns around to face him, and Miyata is surprised to see senior, Hoshizawa. Miyata explains the magazine column’s rebranding strategy to target a younger audience, but Iwanaga remains silent, staring at him. Iwanaga is surprised by Miyata’s maturity, to which Miyata responds that it’s because he’s now 30 years old. Iwanaga remarks that Miyata’s career choice in publishing makes sense given his love for books. Miyata insists on proceeding with the meeting, but Iwanaga claims he calls him like he used to. Miyata brings up Iwanaga’s name change, and Iwanaga explains that it was due to the revelation that he was adopted at the same time he graduated high school. Iwanaga tries to change the subject by asking why Miyata did not show up when he was waiting for him, emphasizing how easily their promise was broken. Miyata angrily claims that he had no idea that his senior was just playing and teasing him, even though he didn’t even like him. Miyata apologizes for his outburst and tells Iwanaga that he will simply contact him via email, bumping into the associate professor’s assistant as he leaves.
Hoshizawa was so well-known at his local high school that no one didn’t know him. Young Miyata was in the library when he heard the girls making a fuss over Hoshizawa, who was reading. He sees Hoshizawa in the next aisle through the gaps and tries to walk past but Hoshizawa calls out to him. Miyata thinks back on it and realizes he was foolish for thinking about falling in love with such a man at a young age. He mulls over this at work until his girlfriend texts him and asks if she can stay at his place. Miyata responds that since work hasn’t ended yet, they should schedule another date, to which his girlfriend responds with an “Understood.” Later, Miyata returns to the university to pick up documents from Iwanaga, who claims that his computer isn’t working, preventing him from sending the files. Iwanaga hands over the folder but does not let go, instead inviting Miyata to join him for lunch. Miyata immediately declines, but Iwanaga refuses to hand over the documents, assuming they’re not needed right away. Miyata responds that if it wasn’t, he wouldn’t have come to take it, prompting Iwanaga to let go. Iwanaga requests that Miyata at least listen to him, as he has been worried about him since then, and emphasizes that they were once in love. Their conversation gets interrupted by Shiraishi who introduces himself and apologizes on Iwanaga’s behalf. Shiraishi explained that he intended to send the documents electronically but Iwanaga insisted on handing them over directly because they contained important data. Shiraishi places the documents on Iwanaga’s desk and excuses himself. Miyata observes Shiraishi and comments on what a young lover he is, to which Iwanaga responds that he is not his lover. Miyata mentions his girlfriend, whom he intends to marry, and requests that Iwanaga sweep their past under the rug. He hopes to continue working as a business partners before leaving. Miyata walks with his girlfriend at night, but his mind is preoccupied with thoughts of Iwanaga. His girlfriend attempts to get his attention and complains about his recent absent-mindedness. She asks that he visit her parents next time, to which Miyata casually agrees. Fukuda advises him not to force himself and remains silent when asked what’s wrong. They decide to head home and Miyata invites her to his house, but their plans are interrupted by a call from Iwanaga. Fukuda walks away, and Miyata attempts to pursue her but is distracted by Iwanaga’s incoming mail.
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