Synopsis

Escape the soul-crushing routine of the corporate world alongside Sasaki, a middle-aged salaryman whose only reprieve from the daily grind is a quick nicotine break and the radiant smile of a supermarket cashier named Yamada. Life takes a sharp, intriguing turn when Yamada is nowhere to be found, and Sasaki is instead greeted by Tayama, a sharp-tongued, edgy woman with a piercing gaze who invites him to smoke in the supermarket's hidden back alley. Little does the oblivious Sasaki know that his cool new smoking buddy and the sweet, polite cashier he adores are one and the same person. This charming, award-winning tale explores the unexpected connections formed in the quiet corners of the city, blending heartwarming romance with a dash of adult comedy. It is a slow-burn masterpiece that proves it is never too late to find a reason to smile, even in the haze of cigarette smoke.