Countdown to Yes (2026)

Minato Yokoi and Wataru Nakano became best friends in high school after a shared love of photography, and even lived together during university. When Minato moved to Hokkaido for work, Wataru returned to their empty apartment and finally realized he was in love. Scared of those feelings, he stopped contacting Minato entirely. Three years later, while Wataru is working at a local photo studio, Minato suddenly messages him to say he’s being transferred back home. Wataru is thrilled but tries to convince himself to stay “just friends.” That resolve collapses the moment they reunite, and all his feelings come back at full force. Then, Minato casually drops a bomb: “Let’s live together.” Wataru can’t hide how happy it makes him, but he still refuses, clinging to the safety of friendship over a relationship that might someday end. Minato doesn’t give up, though. With straightforward words and actions, he pushes closer, determined not to let Wataru run away from love again.