Tatta hitotsu no koi

- Season 1

(2006)

Three grease monkeys augment their meager income with illegally fishing in a restricted area and selling the catch. It is this activity that brings them in literal contact with two girls leading to a repeat meeting at a university party - at which they definitely are not students. They are there under false pretenses pretending to be students and well-to-do, picking up girl, but one thing leads to another and the truth is revealed.

With his lie exposed a man is ashamed of his behaviour, but does not know how to handle the situation. The girl, however, makes the next move and leaves her address and telephone number with his friend. He visits her, but only to drop off an envelope. She wonders why and he wanders not knowing what to do. They do meet at the festival however. Here is his chance. Here is her chance. Will they properly connect?

Nao is head over heels and into Hiroto who, being insecure and unsure, is unresponsive and almost rude about it. She professes her love to him only to be rejected. She feels dumped and becomes angry, but they both have good friends around them who do their best for them. This includes the promise of a date, false appointments and perhaps a fine dining meal.

Hiroto and Nao are apparently officially a couple, but are they? The two have kissed, been seen kissing and are supposed to be out on a date when matters become complicated. First, there is a sexy former girlfriend. Then there is a baseball game that leads to a complication and thirdly comes the mother who believes in class differences and has become jaded through her own history. Hiroto is about to accept his station when he finds new resolve in new information.

The young man and woman reconcile and decide to take it slowly, get to know one another and allow things to take their course. Ther parents are against it and her father has done his research on the young man, but Nao is not to be swayed. In the meantime, a thug who is dating the ex-girlfriend has his own designs on Nao. A date for two turns out to be a group date and the couples can at least take a respite from their complications.

In the aftermath of the kidnapping attempt of Nao, she and Hiroto are closer than ever. On the other hand, as much as the two are close, somethings need to be worked out. On the other side of town a girl is on a group date and being tempted by tales of travel and wealth. The contrast could not be larger, but there is hope when a girl refuses a bouquet of flowers. Has ashamed material girl come back down to earth?

Just as the couple seem to have steadied Hiroto meets Nao's father who makes it clear that he wants him to stay away from his daughter. The father also makes it clear that he does not have the permission to be in contact with his daughter. A bank account is emptied and the fledgling business is in trouble. Friends chip in and Hiroto is on the hunt for money to be borrowed as the business is in dire straits. Nao has caught a cold.

Nao is out of the hospital and well in enough to stay overnight with her man, but while her mother keeps her secret and lets this one pass she is united with her husband that Nao has to avoid Hiroto for good. Nao is now given a chauffeur and a body guard which means she cannot see Hiroto. Nao hopes to convince her parents otherwise soon, but can she?

Nao runs away from her parents and decides to make her way to Hiroto forever. She is a runaway and needs a place to stay for that night as well, but at the exact time Hiroto has to tend to an emergency and is not available for her. Nao finally finds a place to stay and goes on a cruise with Hiroto the next day. They could finally be together forever. Will they? It is up to them to decide. There is a wedding at the harbour, which leads to a surprise.

Nao is engaged to a jewelry store employee and trying on wedding dresses. However, is she happy? Is she still thinking of Hiroto? The groom-to-be is not feeling the love and takes his bride-to-be to task. He deserves to know the truth and she agrees. Nao has a job offer to move and given the developments she agrees to accept. She reaches out to her best friend Yuko and her parents are discussing the situation.