The First Stage of Love(2004)

Kankei wa Mada Level 1

Cold clammy hands, sleepless nights, excessive sweating and nervous stuttering… almost everyone has gone through this at least once in their lives. It is the first stage of love. You know, that stage where the mere sight of a crush sends your heart racing and you can't bring yourself to say "hi," because opening your mouth means turning yourself into a blubbering mound of mush. Yep, that stage.

It is a stage Kikuchi, a bookstore attendant, must hurdle if he wants to start a relationship with Kaji, a regular client of the store. But Kikuchi's hopes are dashed when a co-worker gossips about Kaji's latest buy: a storybook for children. Is Kaji a family man? Is it game over already for Kikuchi when he hasn't even cleared the first level yet?

(Source: Juné)