Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You. Episode 1: An Awful Birthday

The episode opens with Mizuho Nishino now an adult, a manga artist struggling in a demanding industry. She meets her former editor, Yamamoto, in a brightly lit office breakroom. He offers sympathy for the cancellation of her latest manga, a professional setback she takes with a resigned sadness. Their conversation reveals the harsh realities of her chosen path, a stark contrast to her youthful idealism.

Yamamoto remembers Mizuho's high school 'guts,' reminding her not to give up on her dreams. His words bring her relief, a small comfort in the face of failure. A soft flashback to a carefree Mizuho and Kizuki Kashiwagi confirms Yamamoto's assessment, showing her 'dazzling' youth. Mizuho herself admits that she was too childish then to fully appreciate the brightness of her days, now seen through a melancholic adult lens.

We are then thrust back into Mizuho’s high school years, with Mizuho, Kizuki, Shugo Hoshikawa, and Airu Urabe enjoying a summer night festival by bioluminescent waves. The scene is intimate, capturing the deep comfort of their friendship. This easy camaraderie is shattered when Airu casually reveals he confessed his feelings to Mizuho in middle school. The confession, though old, hangs in the air, creating a palpable tension between the friends, especially Shugo and Kizuki.

Later that night, outside a convenience store, Mizuho encounters Togo Hoshikawa, Shugo's older brother, who is visiting from university. Togo, charming and direct, immediately begins to tease Mizuho, remarking on how 'cute' she has become. He asks if she has a boyfriend, a question that visibly flusters her. The air between them thickens as Togo moves closer, placing a hand under her chin, asking about her first love.

The intimate moment with Togo is abruptly broken by Shugo, who appears suddenly and pulls Mizuho away from his brother. Shugo glares at Togo with a raw, protective anger, warning him to keep his hands off Mizuho. His aggressive demeanor surprises Mizuho, highlighting the depth of his unacknowledged feelings. Kizuki and Airu arrive, finding a tense scene, but Togo merely smiles, amused by his brother's display of jealousy.

As the group walks across a bridge, Kizuki falls behind, lost in thought. He remembers that Togo was Mizuho's first love, a quiet realization that adds a layer of melancholic understanding to his own feelings. Shugo continues to mutter insults about Togo, who ignores him, instead focusing his attention on Mizuho. Togo’s continued flirtation, even in front of the others, intensifies Shugo's palpable jealousy.

A flashback transports us to their childhood, showing a young Shugo, Kizuki, Airu, and Mizuho playing in Mizuho's room. Little Shugo, impressed by Mizuho's praise, suddenly proposes marriage to her. In a heartbreaking moment, young Mizuho rejects him, instead pointing to a lounging Togo and declaring her preference for him. Togo, dismissive at first, then pats her head, promising to consider her when she grows up, leaving little Shugo devastated.

In the present, Shugo seeks out Shiraishi-sensei, a teacher trainee, in the music room. He attempts to engage her, but she maintains a cold, professional distance, focused solely on her piano. Shugo’s blunt question about a man he saw her with prompts a sharp rebuke. Shiraishi-sensei firmly tells him there is a 'vast gap' between them and she has 'zero interest' in him. After she leaves, Shugo reflects on her harsh words, a bitter smile on his face, stating he is 'used to unrequited love,' a thought accompanied by an image of young Mizuho looking toward Togo.

The scene shifts to Mizuho in the classroom, utterly exhausted from working all night on her manga manuscript. Her friends, Kizuki and Airu, tease her gently about her 'zombie face,' but offer genuine, heartfelt encouragement. Kizuki’s warm smile and declaration that she’s a 'genius' clearly lifts her spirits. Their simple presence and unwavering support provide a much-needed emotional boost after her intense creative efforts.

The homeroom teacher then introduces the new student teacher trainee: Togo Hoshikawa. His appearance in a sharp suit sends a shockwave through the class, especially among Mizuho and her friends. Shugo and Mizuho stare in disbelief, their bodies frozen as they process his unexpected arrival. Togo, ever confident, introduces himself with a charming smile, his gaze briefly sweeping over the stunned group of friends, clearly aware of the disruption he causes.

During PE class, Togo effortlessly demonstrates his athletic prowess, earning cheers from many students, much to the annoyance of the friends. Shugo watches his brother with a dark expression, his frustration barely contained. When a stray basketball hits Mizuho, Togo reacts instantly, catching her in a protective embrace. The moment is charged with tension, leaving Mizuho flustered and blushing, while Shiraishi-sensei, observing from the doorway, reacts with a cold, disgusted expression before turning away.

After school, Mizuho realizes she must mail her manga manuscript that very day to meet a contest deadline. She sprints through the city streets at sunset, clutching the large envelope, with Kizuki and Airu running alongside her, offering fervent encouragement. They reach the post office just in time, Mizuho securing the day’s postmark with immense relief and joy. Her triumph is shared by her friends, a moment of collective satisfaction.

Back at school, Togo teases Kizuki playfully in the faculty room, a brief moment of levity. This is quickly overshadowed by Shugo's arrival, bringing the news that the school festival, Aoko-sai, is canceled due to budget reallocations. Both Togo and Shugo share a look of genuine disappointment. Later, Mizuho, exhausted from her day and her successful submission, collapses onto her bed, falling immediately into a deep sleep.

Mizuho's dreams begin with lonely childhood scenes: a family photo, eating alone, drawing by herself in a dark house. The dream shifts as young Mizuho hears a knock, and her friends—Shugo, Kizuki, and Airu—appear, filling her lonely room with books, games, and laughter. She cries in her dream, realizing she’s not alone. This transitions to the present, where the three boys have quietly entered Mizuho's room, finding her asleep. They watch her with gentle, protective expressions, reflecting on her dedication and how they’ve always been 'playing house' together, a bond that makes her dreams real.

On a sunny beach, Togo, in a wetsuit, confronts the boys directly. He asks if any of them are dating Mizuho. Met with silence and flustered reactions, he playfully declares that if they don't act, he might 'take her for himself.' The boys are visibly stunned and bothered, their competitive instincts flared by his challenge. The episode concludes with a title card for the next, leaving their future relationships uncertain.