Love My Life (ラブ・マイ・ライフ)

Eri.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Give me some.

It's been three days. Maybe he's mad at me.

But you called and said you would stay here, no?

Yes, but I'm thinking maybe it's time to tell him about us.

I think he'll accept it fine.

You think?

Yes, because your father is the wise, literate Izumiya.

Not like mine, who thinks being gay is a disease.

Lots of ketchup.

I'm home.

Dad, what are you translating now?

Nid Cranz, a story from The New Yorker.

Something wrong?

No.

I was just wondering what you were doing.

I was alone 3 days. I missed you.

Ichiko, you were with a boyfriend, not a friend, right?

Oh, no, I'm right.

You don't need to keep it secret.

Oh, really?

Do you want to know that person?

Of course I do.

Really?

Even if it scares me a little.

I'd be sorry for your mother if you chose someone weird.

But well, life is about making mistakes.

So, even if it's someone strange,

you'll be OK, right?

Is he that weird?

No...

it's a nice person.

So, you're taking her to meet him?

That's right.

Umm, but... that's risky.

It is?

I think so.

You may say he understands our love, 'cause of his work, but...

if his own daughter brings a girlfriend home,

I'm not sure what happens.

Really?

Eri thinks it'll be fine.

I hope so too.

Our way of life isn't very accepted by society.

We may feel we're alone

but we have to deal with it.

Maybe Take is right,

but... anyway...

I took her so she could meet my dad.

We met at a disco club.

Since our eyes met,

I knew I had been looking for her.

Suddenly, I was dancing with Eri.

We've been dating since then.

So... Eri, you study?

Yes, I study at Jounan University.

Eri studies Law, to become a lawyer.

She's a hard working girl.

She also knows a lot about Literature.

Isn't it so?

I'm not sure, but I like to read.

Recently I read the anthology of Hyrum's short stories.

That book hasn't been translated yet.

No, I read it in its original language.

I found it very interesting.

You read the original version? That requires quite some knowledge.

You have good taste.

The book I translated will be published soon.

I'll give you a copy, if you like.

Oh, yes, please! Thank you.

There are more than enough.

Sir...

Yes?

When I'm with Ichiko, my heart is filled with joy.

I don't know any girl that sees things in such an honest way.

You're also lovely.

You have beautiful, sincere eyes.

Wow...

Ichiko, I haven't seen a girl so beautiful since your mother.

I'm embarrassed.

Daddy, you're turning red.

That's because it's so hot in here.

You're making that up.

Were you surprised?

Honestly, yes.

And then I realised that you're a product of your mother and me.

I'm gay. And your mother was a lesbian.

Oh, I annoyed her.

I promised your mother I would never tell you.

Ichiko, your mother would forgive me, right?

Your mother and I were old friends, and best friends.

But we were never in love.

It happened that we broke up with our partners at the same time.

And then your mother said

she wanted a baby, she wanted a family life.

I was surprised because I was thinking the same.

So when we were going home, we decided to marry.

Ichiko, do you remember your mother's friend, Chinami?

That woman so cute?

Yes, she was your mother's lover.

Look, this marriage wasn't a farce.

When you were born, we felt so happy.

This is as if you saved your father.

Saved?

He had to live his life hiding his true nature from his daughter.

That must have been really hard for him.

But...

Why that face?

No reason to get depressed.

Ichiko, you were very loved by both of them.

I know.

I don't doubt it.

Yep.

But, Eri, if you wanted a baby,

would you marry a man?

Unlikely.

I don't want a family.

I see.

And you?

Um...

I can't imagine it.

You can't do anything but to accept what was done.

Done. The other one.

So, can you understand them?

No.

All this seems illogical.

I know, right?

Wait!

Don't move. You'll ruin it.

Sorry.

But you know,

surely that made their lives complete.

Better than living in a small world...

trying to be logical.

For you, Ichiko.

Really?

This kind of surprises causes a chain reaction.

This is how the world works.

Like domino pieces falling.

Ichiko,

I told you the other day your mother had a lover.

Eh... well... I also have one.

I mean, at the present time.

Well... I'm the one who wanted to see you.

Now I don't know what to say.

Me neither.

But this is good for both of us, you know?

You don't need to make such an effort to be nice.

I'm not saying this out of spite.

I know.

After all,

you live in a world different from mine.

He's the only person that can visit both worlds.

During these 3 years that I've know him,

I've never been in your world.

It's not for you or him.

I just wanted to protect my world,

and him from me.

Well, in my world...

he's not your father at all.

Hello.

Hello.

I just left him.

He's not really that bad.

How old is he?

He said 28.

28!

Surprising, isn't it?

He's a magazine editor.

It went well, right?

You saw he's OK.

Yes.

But...

Maybe deep down inside he hates me a little.

If I didn't exist, he would have had my dad's total devotion.

If you didn't exist,

I'm sure your father wouldn't have attracted him.

You think?

Ichiko...

If you think about it,

you realize

that the things that motivate you more are the ones you hate.

Do you like my Special Eggplant Curry?

You like eggplants so much.

Yep, it's delicious.

There were fresh eggplants at the market, and I bought tons of it.

Today curry, tomorrow soup, and the next day...

Daddy...

I'm glad I met Mr. Tachibana.

Oh... Oh, yes?

Yes.

You never brought a woman here.

Luckily, it's because you're gay.

Um...

Maybe that's good for me.

You know, your lover.

This way he'll never say he wants to be my mother.

What have you two talked about?