On a Midsummer Night, Natsuki Deguchi and Takumi Kitamura in School Uniforms… Their “Beaming” Smiles from the Set of a Movie Set for Release in November

“I’m glad Mr. Kitamura was there.”

It was recently announced that the movie *Your Story* will be released on November 27.

The film is based on the novel of the same name by author Tsuru Miaki.The screenplay is written by Erika Yoshida, who worked on the first half of the 2024 NHK Morning Drama “Wings of the Tiger,” and directed by Ryutaro Nakagawa, known for the films “Quiet Rain” (2020) and “Eventually Reaching the Sea” (2022).

“Takumi Kitamura Umi (28) plays Chihiro, a college student who undergoes a treatment to erase her memories in order to forget her tragic past. However, for some reason, she retains memories of her first love with her childhood friend, Tōka—a girl she has never actually met.One day, Touka—who exists only in Chihiro’s memories—appears right before his eyes… Natsuki Deguchi (24) plays the heroine, Touka, in this pure love story centered on “memory.”

“The two had just co-starred as teacher and student in the April drama *Saba Can Goes to Space* (Fuji TV), but according to sources, filming for this movie took place for about two months starting in January of this year—before the *Saba Can* shoot began,” said a film magazine writer.

I happened to come across the filming location in late January of this year.

On a winter night with a biting wind blowing, a large crowd of staff and extras had gathered inside Shinagawa Intercity (Minato Ward), located at the East Exit of JR Shinagawa Station. After a while, Deguchi and Kitamura appeared, both wearing school uniforms.

Deguchi wore a coat over her uniform and had a cream-colored scarf wrapped around her neck. Perhaps still feeling the cold, her knees were trembling and her shoulders were hunched. However, her sparkling gaze was fixed firmly on Kitamura, who stood facing her in his uniform, and the space between the two of them alone seemed enveloped in a warm atmosphere.

Next, the two stood side by side in front of the camera and filmed a scene where they looked straight ahead.

When asked about a scene that left a lasting impression during filming, Kitamura said,

“The first day of filming was the school uniform scene. Personally, it had been a while since I’d worn a uniform, and as I looked in the mirror, I thought, ‘There’s no way I can wear this anymore…’ But I remember the director watching the two of us act with such a sparkle in his eyes that I felt I could trust him.” (From “Kinema Junpo WEB,” published July 29)

Deuchi added,

“I saw the director and Mr. Kitamura saying, ‘Tomoka’s role is a very difficult one,’ and making adjustments so that I could play Tomoka more easily and comfortably… It was a set where I truly felt glad that Mr. Kitamura was there” (ibid.)

she said, highlighting her great chemistry with Kitamura. This marks the second time this year that Deguchi and Kitamura have co-starred. There’s no doubt that this winter, we’ll be wrapped in warm feelings thanks to the love story brought to life by this perfectly matched duo.

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