Makoto is a high school student who works as a rental boyfriend for his classmates, particularly baseball-mad Natsumi. The girl yearns for Makoto and lavishes money on him which he saves up to buy a luxury pillow for his favourite friend, but, all is not as it seems…
This short comes from SU Yu Chun, writer/director of Inch Forward (OAFF2024). Between the subtle and ambiguous atmosphere and Makoto’s characterisation, KANEMITSU Yuumi’s soothing music and URUSHIYAMA Takumi’s detached performance, this is a dreamlike concoction that is pleasant to watch and re-watch for the little moments of foreshadowing for the twist. Fantastic support is provided by IWATA Kanade, as the friend, and MASUI Coco, as Natsumi. Also, watch out for a cameo by director SUWA Nobuhiro! [Jason MAHER]