Sensei, Would You Sit Beside Me?

As a pair of married manga writers, Sawako Hayakawa (Haru Kuroki) and her husband Toshio (Tasuku Emoto) have a keen understanding of and appreciation for each other’s work. But just because they can respect each other professionally, doesn’t necessarily mean that respect carries over into their married life. Having been married for the past five years now, whatever passion once burned between them has since cooled; so much so that lately, Sawako has started suspecting Toshio might be having an affair. Though she may not have proof of Toshio’s infidelity, just the thought of him cheating on her is enough to both hurt and enrage Sawako. Fully aware of the fact that if things continue the way they are, between herself and Toshio, she’s going to need to start being more self-sufficient, Sawako begins to take steps to ensure she’ll be alright on her own. To that end, she takes Toshio’s advice and begins taking driving lessons. Inspired and enamored by her handsome driving instructor, Ayumi Shintani (Daichi Kaneko), Sawako begins work on a new manga series; a series in which the heroine begins having an affair with her handsome driving instructor. Suddenly suspicious of Sawako, Toshio begins to dig through her work and is horrified when he learns what her new series is about. Consumed by fear and jealousy, Toshio becomes desperate to know whether Sawako’s work is based on real-life events. Could this be the end of Sawako and Toshio’s “happily ever after” or the catalyst they need to get their marriage back on track? A delightful mix of spirit and sentimentality, “Sensei, Would You Sit Beside Me?” is a thrilling 2021 Japanese romantic comedy film directed by Takahiro Horie.