Countdown to Yes (2026) Episode 5

High school classmates Yokoi Minato and Nakano Wataru became close friends through their shared love of photography, and during their university years, they lived together as roommates. When Minato left for Hokkaido for work, Wataru saw him off. Alone in the now-empty apartment filled with memories of his best friend, Wataru comes to realize his romantic feelings for Minato. As if sealing away those feelings, he avoids even contacting him, and three years pass. One day, while working at a local photo studio, Wataru receives a message from Minato saying that he will be returning to their hometown due to a job transfer. Though excited about their long-awaited reunion, Wataru resolves to remain nothing more than Minato’s best friend. However, the moment they meet again, his feelings resurface almost immediately! Then, out of nowhere, Minato blurts out— “Live with me?”! Although unable to hide his happiness at the suggestion, Wataru turns Minato down, clinging to the idea of being “best friends” rather than risking a relationship as “lovers” that might someday end. But Minato presses forward, confronting Wataru head-on with his honest words and actions!