hathor-nim

I think the beauty of this story is that Tojo was the catalyst to his own change. He saw the idea for the list and initially started with grandiose ideas like, seeing the northern lights. But eventually he decided, the daily things were more attainable in a few short months. The fact that he quick edited his list for feasibility is why he's so good at his job. I believe he thought Keishi was handsome, admired his work and social skills, but he's his subordinate. Also, Tojo assumed he was straight.

So, imagine Tojo's shock that not only was Keishi gay, but he was also into him?!

Tojo's practical side allowed him to work with Keishi on the list. To Keishi's point, where else would he find a partner to do all of those things in such a short span of time. But as we learned in ep 6, Tojo believes this will all end with the last item on the list. He's not deluding himself to believe there will be more. But he is expressing his appreciation for the experience. And poor Keishi is struggling to communicate that he wants more than a relationship based on a list.

The next few episodes should be interesting. Now, the ball is in Keishi's court. He has to clearly express his desire to continue their relationship beyond the list. Just kissing Tojo will not do, since "kissing" is an item on the list. This is where it's time for Keishi to be brave.

Ok, can we talk about Tojo's work bestie, Keisuke, I love him so much. He's an introverted co-workers dream and nightmare. I love how over the years he has adopted Tojo and teases him relentlessly. I can see how Keishi has paid close attention to how Tojo behaves around Keisuke to know more about Tojo. Keishi literally pokes Tojo in the stomach in the same way Keisuke does. Tojo is just so loveable I wish he thought more of himself.

Here are some things I love about Tojo as of Ep 6 (Tojo Appreciation List):

1. Tojo is easy going and doesn't take himself too seriously, without being a push-over. For example, when Tanaka pointed his finger at him and he immediately said, 'Don't point your finger at your boss.'

2. Tojo is warm-hearted and speaks his feelings freely. I think this is something Keishi probably admires most about Tojo because, as his sisters said in ep 5, Keishi struggles with expressing himself. I think Tojo's ability to speak his feelings freely draws Keishi to him even more. Also, the way he pats the plushie and cares for them shows he take care of the things people gift to him. And Keishi seems to have a thing for people who are kind to everyone.

3. Tojo is flexible and not rigid. When Tojo used the face mask and researched beauty influencers on his own. He proved that even though he's stuck in a rut in his personal life, he's not incapable of change and growth. The fact that he took an honest look at himself and said, "I want to change." says everything about his character. As we age, it's easy to get complacent and say, "Well this is just who I am?" but how do you fully live? In ep 6, Tojo admitted that the time he's spent with Keishi has made his life more colorful.

4. Tojo can be brave in ep. 5, he expressed to Keishi that he was nervous about clothing stores, but he muster enough courage to ask Keishi to leave so he could have the full experience that he wanted for himself. Another example was in ep 6, he freely tells Keishi that he wonders if this is what day-to-day life would be like with him. That line knocked me out. Just imagine, the person you like, telling you they wonder what day-to-day like would be like with you! On top of that. Tojo invited him to his house, Keishi looked like he was about to have a heart attack.

5. Tojo is super self-driven, especially when challenged. This trait was highlighted by their co-worker as they watched Tojo make phone call after phone call during a crisis. Then Tojo went home to a mess and pumped himself up to clean. And when challenged to learn a new sport with a former athlete, he didn't back down.

6. One more, Tojo is a great leader. Tojo isn't jealous or fearful of his younger subordinates. He is inspired to do better and he continues to encourage and support them without trying to control or overpower them. I think his leadership and his warmth are really the main reasons Keishi fell for him more and more over time.

Tojo is proof that we all have the capacity to grow and change. That age doesn't define us and sometimes we need, and it's ok to need a buddy to push us out of our comfort zone. This make me think of a dear friend who forced me to get on the same roller coaster, over and over and over. She knew I was afraid. The first time around, I screamed and closed my eyes. The 2nd time around, I opened my eyes sometimes. The 3rd time I kept my eyes open the entire time. The 4th time I threw my hands up and laughed.

I've read the manga, so I know where the story goes from here, but the version of Tojo written in the story, along with the choice of actor is more inspirational, I feel. It's one of those dramas I think you have to watch a few times at different stages in life to truly get the full picture from both sides. Looking forward to Ep 7.

Keishi went all in on the skinship this episode. Stretching Tojo over his back, tickling him, patting him on the head a few times AND getting him on his knees. hehe

Edit:
- Feeding him and using the same spoon.

While I was on my 100th rewatch the new episode came out, I'm so excited.

I like this perspective too! Keishi is definitely being forceful but cautious with Tojo. He's pushing him just enough to move him out of his comfort zone, but not too much to scare him off.

For example, he waited a week after they discussed the list before he made the first move to have the takoyaki party. Then he just barged in Tojo's house haha.
I really want to see more of Keishi's POV, because part of me feels like that entire week before the takoyaki party he spent researching and preparing for their first date.

That cliffhanger should be illegal. how cruel.

Even though the original manga was spicy. I'm guessing a lip touch and that's it.

YES to all of this!! I love how Keishi is taking his time with Tojo. One, because he is his boss and they are co-workers and two, because he really likes him and doesn't want to scare him off.

When his sister said, "He looks like that on the outside but he's really shy." I think Keishi has learned over the years that because he is good looking, he probably comes off as a player. Which he uses to his advantage in how he throws Tanaka off by making comments about his "girlfriend" being a G-cup. Keishi knows that everyone will assume he's serious and won't dig any deeper.

But when it comes to Tojo, he reassures him that he isn't playing around with women and that he is the only person he is interested in.

Right! I love how they looked at each other when they realized the story Tojo was telling was about Keishi. And the look on their faces when Keishi picked out the perfect outfit for Tojo immediately because he's observed him enough to know what he likes.

it's cute! and close. But this isn't the same plushie. thank you for searching with me.

Subtle and Not So Subtle Signs That Keishi Is Truly Down Bad For Tojo:

- He goes out of his way to greet Tojo every morning. Tojo later reveals that he noticed he did that and he makes him happy.
- He wears a blue suit with a stripe tie and a blue button down with a white collar exactly like Tojo. Everyone else in the office has a unique style.
- He is the only subordinate that knows Tojo’s age and that he is turning 40 next.
- He is visibly sad to find out Tojo spends his birthday alone because it’s on Christmas Eve.
- He decides to stay behind to go to the birthday party for Tanaka with Tojo that’s when he first sees the list Tojo makes.
- He diverts the pressure from Tojo when Tanaka starts pressuring him for details on the type of women he likes.
- He looks pleased when Tojo says he’s not interested in the dating app. Then he gives Tojo an extended stare down until Tojo looks away.
- He notices Tojo’s pattern for leaving work change the day he goes to meet up with a guy.
- He was excited to find out Tojo was single and that he wasn’t hiding that he was in a relationship.
- He immediately jumped at the chance to complete the list with Tojo and he was excited by the items on the list.
- He’s always reassuring Tojo when he thinks he might be misunderstood; telling him the girlfriend story was fake and then later making sure Tojo knows he was meeting his sisters and that he doesn’t play around with women.
- He outright tells Tojo that he was into him and he hugs him.
- He researches the best takoyaki machines before they go to pick one out.
- He carries the machine and the groceries back to Tojo’s house.
- He notices Tojo jump for Suzuko, the plushie, and he is respectful.
- He’s genuinely interested in Tojo.
- He texts to confirm their plans at the aquarium two days before they are supposed to meet.
- He notices Tojo staring at the sparrow ice cream and immediately buys him one.
- He makes it clear that he has no issue with Tojo like dreamy and cute things.
- He buys a matching sparrow with glasses as a memento of their outing to the aquarium. I think he knew Tojo would put it next to the other sparrow he won for him.
- He's always watching Tojo working in awe. Even complimenting him and expressing how Tojo feels out of his league.
- He compliments and reassures Tojo any time he feels him holding back.
- He makes a point to tell Tojo that he isn’t completing the list with him on a whim.
- He tells Tojo he hopes he can value himself more.
- He forgot how old Sakuma was by 2 years but he remembered how old Tojo was.
- He knew what type of clothing he would like. Down to the colors and types of fabric.

I've searched everywhere. Anybody find the plushie online for purchase? I have a "nephew" who would love this... it's me, I'm the nephew.

You're right! I love how their outfits have the same silhouette, but different colors and patterns too! They are also sharing earrings. they each have 1 of two pairs of earrings. And I agree, the casting in this show is just top tier. Every actor is well matched to the characters. The characters in the show don't have the same vibe as the manga, but I still like it.

Did anyone else catch the symbolism in the scene where Keishi throws the ball to the little boy, but it falls short? Since he's a former athlete, I found it odd. But then it seems this is symbolic of how, in that moment, Keishi feels his efforts to reach Tojo's heart are falling short.
When the boy tells him to, "throw it harder", it's almost like he's telling Keishi to try harder!

Yes, the chemistry! The way they stare at each other randomly, like they are looking into each other's souls.

In the first episode, while Keishi was cleaning the beer spill on the table. While he and Tojo were talking, the way Keishi looked at Tojo made me say, 'Oh my' out loud. It was like he wanted to scream, "I know you're gay and you're not interested in that dating app. I know you always stare at me the way I stare at you. I have a painful crush on you." And the way Tojo responded nervously. Almost like he was thinking, "Was I staring too much? Why is he staring at me like that? Stop looking at him you idiot!" haha

Such great facial acting from them both.

yes! because it seems he is doing a lot of preparation before the dates. even telling his sisters about Tojo.

The twin sisters are so cute! They even have similar mannerisms. They look like they are really twins in real life.

"just to silently orbit him" -- beautifully said. The invisible line is what makes this story so great. Watching them both working to step across the line to each other has been a treat.

For me it started with the takoyaki party. When Tojo openly expressed his adoration for Keishi and openly complimented him on his way with people. And then it continued when they were at the aquarium and Keishi made it clear to Tojo that this wasn't just a whim for him, he's really interested in Tojo. Then today's episode, seeing how long Keishi has been pining after Tojo was both reassuring and eye opening. When his sisters said he is often misunderstood, then it clicked for me how his reserved nature is probably why Tojo just can't believe Keishi is as into him as he says. Well that and his age.

The actors they chose to play these characters are perfect. I just can't get enough of this show. I need a season 2, though we won't get it. I wish.

I love this! Thank you for this context. I've always felt hesitant to ask for overly customized orders, even at Starbucks where they are use to elaborate orders. I always felt I was being a nuisance and just needed to get on with it. The first time I had a truly customized order, my co-worker ordered it for me and I asked her how she even figured out the combination, she said she just tried different stuff and asked the baristas. I was like.. ok, I'm not living enough. haha I still don't do it, but I admire people who just try stuff without hesitation or reservation.

I've re-watched the first 4 episodes over and over because they are so adorable. I loved the manga and this is a great complimentary adaptation. I just want to put the actor who plays Tojo in my pocket and protect him from the world.