Of Sunflowers and Missed Buses, Takuto and Maai Look Back on Key Moments in Romance Reality Show ‘The Future Diary’

Two strangers are put together and given a diary that maps out their whole relationship, including instructions on how to behave as well as how the relationship will end in separate ways. Yet will they still fall in love? Maai, a 19-year-old student from Okinawa, and Takuto, 24, who is from Hokkaido but works as a chef in Tokyo, star in Netflix’s reboot of the wildly popular romantic reality show, The Future Diary. We find out how they truly feel about each other. (The following contains spoilers.)

How was it to follow the instructions in the diaries?

Takuto: It was actually quite refreshing and fun to go on dates in this way. Because we received different diaries, there were times when the endings were a surprise too.

Maai: In my previous relationships, I was always too embarrassed to hold hands, kiss the other person, or be the first to do anything. So I wasn’t sure what to do when things like that were written in the diary. Also, one of the earliest instructions was that I was not to tell Takuto I love him until the end of The Future Diary. But because I’m usually quite a transparent person, I was so worried that he would be able to tell even if I didn’t say anything.

At which point did you realize you’ve fallen in love?

Takuto: In the third episode at Hokkaido, my diary said that the story would be over if I didn’t make it in time for Maai’s last bus. I really didn’t make it and was so worried. But that was the turning point where I realized my feelings for Maai had changed. During the filming, I thought of telling her that I love her but it seemed so sudden and I was quite self-conscious so I didn’t express how I felt.

What went through your mind when you saw the page that said you could meet again?

Maai: When the fireworks ended, I thought that was the end and we couldn’t even exchange numbers. So I was really happy when I found out that we could meet again even though I thought we would still have to say goodbye after that.

Takuto: I also thought it would just be a one-off meeting. But when we received the final diary in the sunflower field, and it was just blank, I took it to mean that we were free to write our future, and I figured I was free to be with Maai.

How did you feel about audiences around the world rooting for your romance?

Maai: When Episode 6 was released, many viewers thought the next episode was the finale, and they messaged me on social media saying things like “I don’t want it to end like this” or “I hope you two get together in real life.” We were laughing when we read those messages because we were actually dating. It’s so heartwarming to have all the support when we’re just regular people.

How’s your relationship going now?

Maai: It’s going well! We’ve already met each other’s parents. In November, Takuto came to Okinawa and met my family. At the end of the year, I went to Hokkaido and visited a hot spring with his family. We were lovey-dovey throughout! (laughs)

Takuto: Because of the distance, we can only talk on the phone most of the time. But I told Maai that time would fly by if we work hard at our job and in school, and when we do get to be together once a month, we will treasure each other even more!

The Future Diary is available only on Netflix. The romance reality show will return for a second season with another couple. Stay tuned!