Wasted Eggs

You know about egg donation?

A friend told me.

I'm a gynaecology nurse.

That's how I know.

An ad popped up on my smartphone browser.

My big sister went through fertility treatment.

I found out on the net.

About egg donation.

They pay you a lot, don't they?

I saw up close how people are suffering, so I wanted to help.

It sounded kinda cool.

Like a kinda special experience.

Honestly, I want to know how the system works.

I might need to use it myself one day.

Do I have to give a reason?

For me, it's self-satisfaction.

Not some volunteer spirit.

Will this take much longer? I need to pick up my kid.

Raising a child really costs a fortune.

Is it easier if you've given birth?

Japan's lagging.

No help for women who want children.

You have to get treatment overseas, which is a strain financially.

Donors have to be able to live abroad long-term too.

Isn't that ridiculous?

I mean, you can help people, and get paid,

and travel too. Isn't that awesome?

Being able to do that is so cool.

I want to go to Hawaii! Hawaii...

Huh?

No swimming?

But it's Hawaii.

So what do donors do?

Huh? A needle in the stomach?

No way!

I graduated university, and found a job.

It's easiest to get pregnant when your career's just starting, you know?

I don't want to give up on my career, or marriage, or childbirth.

So I understand why people want to use this system.

I'm a lesbian.

I like girls.

So having a child's out of the question for me.

I wonder about why I was born female.

The reason why I was born a woman.

The whole point of it, I guess.

Maybe becoming an egg donor will help me figure that out.

Thank you.

Junko?

ABOUT THE EGG DONATION PROGRAMME

I'm not sure I fully understand it yet.

I register as a donor and provide an egg,

but I won't have the child?

No. It's not like surrogate birth.

Right.

It'll be fertilised in-vitro,

and supplied to a married female recipient who'll give birth.

What does egg donation involve exactly?

A thin needle is inserted into your ovarian follicle, to extract an egg.

You'll be anaesthetised, so it'll hardly hurt at all.

It's the same procedure used to extract eggs for your own future use,

so it's said to be harmless.

In some rare cases, donors experience mild pain like menstrual cramps.

However, as there's no legal framework in Japan yet

covering egg donation,

the actual procedure

is performed in Malaysia or Hawaii, during a 2-3 week stay.

You'll donate an egg then.

MUST BE AGED 20-30 AND HEALTHY

I'll be 30 in 3 months. Can I still register?

Of course.

However, there's no telling how long it could take until you're chosen.

Frankly, you might not be chosen at all.

So... younger women are more likely to be chosen?

Their eggs are fresher?

Not at all.

Recipients use profiles to choose.

Would it help if I was prettier?

No.

Japanese couples don't usually tell their child about using a donated egg.

So they tend to base their decision on factors like

the donor's resemblance to them, and blood type.

Also, I give them my impression.

I won't meet them?

Donors don't meet recipients.

Or the child?

No.

If you wish,

we can tell you how the birth went, and the child's gender.

Becoming a donor won't affect your own--

I don't care.

No marriage or kids for me.

You're still young.

No, I'm nearly 30.

When I was 30, I never dreamed I'd get married.

Children?

My daughter's 2.

I bet your mother was happy.

She was.

How do donors tell their mothers?

My mother's hardheaded. If I tell her I'll be a donor...

Some donors don't. You're not required to.

But one donor actually brought her mother along.

Along?

To Hawaii. A "mother-daughter vacation."

Maybe it was, for them.

JUNKO KONDO

Junko.

So that was you, Aoi.

Haven't seen you since Grandma's funeral.

I never thought I'd meet you here.

How are Uncle and Auntie?

I rarely go home. They sound well though.

And you?

- Huh? - How are your folks?

Beats me.

Why the suitcase?

I lived with my lover. We fought and split

so I stay at manga cafes and other places.

You won't go home?

Coming in!

Just for one night?

Problem? Your boyfriend?

Don't have one.

Prefer to be alone?

No, not at all.

Thanks.

Make yourself at home. We're cousins.

Can I move in then?

I need to save money. We can room-share.

Three months will do.

I won't tell Auntie.

About egg donation. It's your secret.

We've both got them.

Okay?

Not answering?

But...

It's just my ex.

Wanting to make up.

A guy?

No way. A girl.

AIKO

Sorry.

Huh?

I should've explained.

You don't like it...

No, it's fine. Totally fine.

No need to pretend.

Really, it's fine.

I'm not bothered.

I'm cool with it. I don't discriminate.

One of my college seniors was gay.

Anyway, we're cousins.

Right, Aoi honey?

Cut it out.

"Honey."

Sure. Sorry.

Aoi honey.

I told you about the light...

Oh, my bad.

Aoi honey, my pudding.

My bad.

Aoi honey...

My bad.

Hey.

No "Aoi honey."

Oh. Sorry.

Something happen?

You can tell?

Lucky you.

My life's so boring.

What do you think happened?

You didn't find a guy?

Why think that?

You look kinda satisfied.

Does this face look satisfied to you?

Then what?

Nothing.

My cousin's staying over.

That's all?

Yeah.

Not so much staying over as moved in.

But your place is tiny.

No way. I couldn't do it.

She's my cousin, so I couldn't...

Throw her out. Tell her parents.

No, I can't...

For a specific reason.

She's got dirt on you?

Dirt, huh...

We've kind of got dirt on each other.

What dirt?

Make tea.

Yes sir.

Work's enough stress. Don't invite more.

But it might be good for you. Like rehab.

Rehab?

Romantic rehab.

No, my cousin's female.

But living together's good.

Your skin's so smooth. It's not fair.