Living with Him – Season 1 Episode 1 Recap & Review

Episode 1

Living with Him Episode 1 begins with Natsukawa and Kazuto, as university students, unpacking at their new apartment. Their mothers decided they would make good housemates as they were childhood friends. Most importantly for Natsukawa, he’s happy to be away from the endless chores of living at home, looking after his sisters.

Natsukawa recalls his sisters excitement that he’ll be living with the perfect, shining, baseball star, Kazuto. His mother notes that they’ll save on rent this way.

As the two organize their new place, they chat, catching up. Natsukawa thinks it may be a bit weird, moving in together though they haven’t spent time together since grade school. Kazuto says he’s been looking forward to it.

Natsukawa notes he’ll change his tune when he has a girl over, but offers to clear out with a little advance notice. Kazuto doesn’t think that will be a problem, as his relationships don’t last. Natsukawa is aghast after his sisters had gone about how wonderful he is. Kazuto claims he doesn’t know why they dump him.

Kazuto changes the topic – they should be heading out find some dinner but Natsukawa says he’ll cook since he has supplies from his mother. Kazuto is surprised Natsukawa can cook, as he can’t, but promises to clean up after.

Over dinner Natsukawa grills him about getting dumped. He can’t understand why such a nice, talented guy can’t keep a girlfriend. Kazuto tries to shift gears but Natsukawa insists. He proposes they hang out so he can try to identify the problem from a woman’s perspective.

That night, Kazuto looks at photos of the two of them as children while Natsukawa recalls a day when Kazuto hung out at their house, eating cheesecake with his family.

The next morning Kazuto finds Natsukawa asleep on the couch. He tries to make coffee to warm him up but they forgot mugs. Instead they get ready and head out for their day together, so Natsukawa can assess Kazuto’s flaws. They start at a batting cage, even though Kazuto doesn’t play anymore because of a previous injury.

Even just playing for fun, he’s impressive. Natsukawa notices how nice he is, buying a glove for a kid who’s staring at a glass case of them. Next, they go shopping and find a pair of matching mugs. Then eat at a nice restaurant chosen by Kazuto. Natsukawa can’t discern a shortcoming.

Natsukawa continues to ponder the mystery of Kazuto’s relationship failures. After a day of cleaning, he falls asleep on the couch once again. After work, Kazuto finds him not feeling well and takes him to bed. In his sleep, Natsukawa won’t let go of Kazuto’s hand, so he stays with him, sleeping on the floor.

The next morning, he feels badly but Kazuto brushes it off. Natsukawa notes a girl would swoon over such solicitousness. But he’s never done that for a girl, doesn’t even touch them really. They break up saying something like ‘you must like someone else.’

While Kazuto makes coffee, Natsukawa ponders that statement. But he’s distracted by the wonderful cheesecake Kazuto brought to share.


The Episode Review

The first episode typically sets the stage for the drama and that’s definitely what’s happening here. Childhood friends, pushed together but they’re getting along just fine. The ‘caretaker’ Natsukawa is already setting up home, cooking and cleaning and looking after his friend’s needs like he would have at home with his sisters. Old habits die hard, eh?

Kazuto does indeed seem like an awfully sweet guy, going out of his way for others. Yet he’s opened the door in admitting that 1. He doesn’t like to touch his girlfriends and 2. They believe he likes someone else. And here he is, rather happy to be living with his friend.

So, we know where this is going. But this a J-drama – what do you think the twist will be? It could be a straight-forward love story – especially with only ten 30-minute episodes – but what are the chances? We’ll just have to keep watching to see. I’ll keep you updated right here and via the preview stories. 

 

Loving the pairing of Natsukawa and Kazuto? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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Expect A Full Season Write-Up When This Season Concludes

 

READ MORE: Living with Him Preview Ep 2 | Click for more Japanese drama and movie reviews and more BL drama reviews 

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