Family Values (Toi Shinseki Chikaku no Tanin?)
Kayama Shizu is the only daughter of the fourth-generation owners of the traditional Japanese restaurant, "Kayama." Shizu is a modern young woman, itching to get away from her family business bound in protocol and tradition. However, when her parents both fall ill, her aunts arrive to try to run the restaurant. This is the story of the trials and tribulations of Shizu, living her life her way while dealing with her relatives and the traditional family business.
Episode 1
Engaged office worker Kayama Shizu is the only daughter of the fourth-generation owners of a traditional Japanese restaurant. Shizu is a modern young woman, itching to get away from her family business bound in protocol and tradition. However, when her parents both fall ill, her mother's sisters, including Shizu Williams, who married a count in England, all arrive to try to run the restaurant. Shizu decides to leave her current job to work at the family's restaurant until her father's recovery.
Episode 2
Aunt Shizu is determined to train her niece, Shizu, to become a full-fledged proprietress, and in the process, she gives her much grief. Her other aunts, Yoshiko and Kazuko, are outwardly sympathetic, but are never around to help. Because of her new role, Shizu's relationship with her fiancé is on the rocks. Shizu begins to find little joys in her family business, but her relationship with her aunts becomes increasingly more tense.
Episode 3
Shizu Williams had returned to Japan to train her niece, but it seems there is another reason for her return--marital problems. Meanwhile, "Kayama" is given ten days to repay 3 million yen in interest and young Shizu comes up with the idea of selling bento lunches. Aunt Shizu vehemently opposes any idea that would tarnish the reputation of the restaurant, but finally relents.
Episode 4
Urged on by her aunt, Shizu goes to Jun's apartment, but he's not there. She waits patiently outside in the snow until the wee hours of the night. Saddened to see her namesake heartbroken, Shizu Williams marches into Jun's office and soundly scolds him for his treatment of her beloved niece. Although shocked, Jun is touched by the aunt's love for her niece and finally proposes to Shizu.
Episode 5 Final Episode.
Shizu, who is supposed to have left on her honeymoon, suddenly shows up at "Kayama" after hearing the news of the restaurant's sale. She refuses to let the restaurant go, and swears that she will rebuild it. The two Shizus join forces to publicize a "phantom" menu which had once made the restaurant famous. Will their last-ditch effort be successful? It's the eleventh hour and the whole family sits in suspense, pondering the fate of their beloved restaurant.
