A chef's life is disrupted by a chime that brings with it an increasing sense of dread.

Due to his impoverished upbringing Nishihata Tamotsu is unable to read or write. Fortunately he is supported by his beloved wife Kyouko who helps him with the things he cannot do alone. As thanks for her support Tamotsu wishes to write her a love letter, and so decides to enroll at a local evening school in order to finally learn to write.

An American actor in Tokyo struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig: working for a Japanese 'rental family' agency, playing stand-in roles for strangers. As he immerses himself in his clients' worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality.