Will we finally find out why Izumi has a photo of Haruta on his locket? Let’s dive into episode 4 of ‘Ossan’s Love Returns‘!
Haruta and Maki were surprised when they opened the door and saw the mysterious couple next door — Izumi and Kiku. The two gave a basketful of onigiri to the newlyweds and wanted to apologize for the ruckus earlier that day. However, as Haruta was getting the basket from Izumi, his necklace was pulled out, revealing a picture on the locket. As Haruta was getting it, he was shocked to see his own face on the locket! Maki had a glimpse of the photo and was also taken aback. As they were about to ask the two regarding the photo, Izumi and Kiku immediately ran back to their homes. Haruta and Maki started to talk about it, but Maki said that it might just be that Izumi had a person close to his heart who looked a lot like Haruta. Then, Maki mentioned that he would be going on a business trip for a couple of days, but Maki’s suitcase was broken. The couple, then, decides to go shopping the next day.
At the archery dojo, Izumi asked Choko for advice regarding how to move on. Choko told Izumi the story of the time she and Chief Kurosawa decided to part ways, telling him that it did not used to be easy for her, too. She used to only cut cabbages to forget her problems, but then, she eventually managed to move on. Izumi, however, said to himself that he was still probably on the “cutting cabbage” part. Choko told him that everybody goes at their own pace, which relieved Izumi a bit.
Back to the couple on a date, aside from buying a suitcase, the two also bought couple clothes (due to Haruta’s insistence). They also decided to eat at a Thai restaurant called “Moonlight Chicken” which was owned by two familiar faces (hello, Earth and Mix, who will be playing in the Thai version of ‘Ossan’s Love’!). Once the two get home, Haruta begins complaining about how Maki is going for a while and was he is not worried that he’ll cheat. The two bicker jokingly back and forth, and Haruta even throws all of the clothes Maki packed, gets inside the suitcase, and declares he would also go with him! Then, as the two were being playful, Maki received a call from his father, saying he could not wipe his own butt, making Maki more concerned. Haruta, then says that he will visit his father for him.
Haruta goes to Maki’s father’s house and cooked and cleaned for him, amidst Maki’s father’s complaints. Maki and Haruta, being in a temporary long-distance relationship (again), call each other. Haruta updated Maki on what happened with his father, saying that he refused help from him but he did so anyway, however, he wouldn’t let him wipe his butt. Maki apologized and said that his dad was a shy man, but Haruta said he just wanted to help his father-in-law. The two, then, began watching the show Takegawa was in, and the reason he was on leave for a while. However, the dating show he was in was so full of cringe that they decided to not continue watching.
The next day, Haruta came back to Maki’s house to help him out again, this time, with Izumi tagging along. Maki’s father was still hesitant to get help from him, but he was happy to play chess with Izumi. After that, Izumi and Haruta finally had the time to talk about the awkward situation that they were put in. Izumi began to finally reveal the truth that he used to be a police officer, and that is where he met his former partner, Akito. They did not meet on good terms initially, however, as they eventually worked together, they began growing feelings for each other. However, during a botched operation, Akito risked his life to save Izumi. He was shot multiple times, and he was not able to survive after that. Izumi explains that it was surprising for him when he first saw Haruta because he looked so much like his former partner. Haruta, then, finally understood everything.
