What a Wonderful Life
Yume (Asano) is a single mother raising a now teenage daughter, Haruka, by herself. She has trouble trusting men, as Haruka's real father Kunio left before Haruka was born, and her first marriage ended when her husband cheated on her. It is then though that she meets Kunio's younger brother, Mitsugu (played by Oda). He falls for her immediately, and sets out to win her heart despite her disbelief.
Episodes
Episode 1
Shibaki returns to his hometown to work as a high school teacher, only to find that his niece Haruka is his student. He visits her mother, Yume, and his long buried feelings of love for her reawaken.
Episode 2
Shibaki confesses his love for Yume at school. Her ex-husband Shimpei hits Tsubaki, but then Yume's daughter Haruka and Shibaki's girlfriend Hatsune appear, baffled by what the fight is about.
Episode 3
Shibaki tutors Haruka. Yume comes, and overhears him telling Haruka about his first love, Yume. He takes them out to supper. Yume explains she fears love because of what she's been through.
Episode 4
Shibaki takes over the announcements to speak out for true love. Meeting with the principal, Yume says Shibaki should marry Hatsune, but Shibaki yells how can she talk about love, while hiding from it herself.
Episode 5
Yume is admitted to hospital to have a breast removed. Shimpei stays there all night. The next night Shibaki comes, and swears her he will take care of her no matter what.
Episode 6
Shibaki ends it with Hatsune. He convinces Haruka to let him marry Yume, who finally accepts Shibaki's love. Haruka returns home to find a tape from her real father, Shibaki's older brother.
Episode 7
Kunio meets his daughter Haruka for the first time. Her adoptive father Shimpei leaves, and Haruka yells at Kunio for leaving. Shibaki worries that with his brother back, Yume's feelings will turn to him.
Episode 8
Haruka heads out on a trip with her father. Shibaki invites Yume and Shimpei to a special class where he proposes to Yume in front of everyone. She says yes.
Episode 9
Shibaki's ex-girlfriend Hatsune starts stalking him, while the father of Yume's child, Kunio, hatches his own plot to try to pry Yume away from his younger brother.
Episode 10
Hatsune is pregnant with Shibaki's child. Shibaki asks her to get an abortion, but gets cold feet. Amiko finds out, and tells Shimpei who tells Yume. Yume confronts Shibaki at Hatsune's place.
Episode 11
Yume and Mitsugu get word that Hatsune is dead. They go to the funeral. Mitsugu accepts the blame, but then disappears. Yume sets out for his father's home trying to track down Mitsugu before he does something rash.
Top Cast
Atsuko Asano
Yume Takahata (present)
Yuji Oda
Mitsugu Shibaki
Yasuko Tomita
Hatsune Ito
Rie Tomosaka
Haruka Takahata
Koichi Sato
Shimpei Hosaka
Ken Tanaka
Kunio Nagasawa
Asaka Seto
Yume Takahata (high school)
