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“Tonight, it’s the most dramatic season finale you’ve ever seen.”
The TV announcer drones on, chronicling the sordid romances of this season’s Bachelor contestants. Tonight, the viewers will finally get to see who Ainosuke will pick to marry.
“Previously on The Bachelor: Ainosuke and the two remaining contestants made their way to a tropical destination paradise, where one person will receive the final rose and Ainosuke’s eternal love. But who will it be? The stunningly beautiful but callously calculated Kaoru? Or Kojiro, the hardbody with a heart of gold? Find out right now in the most shocking rose ceremony ever!”
The scene moves on to show Kaoru leaning over a balcony overlooking a gorgeous private beach. His voiceover follows him across several scenic shots, walking on the beach, long, pink hair blowing in the wind, staring pensively out across the ocean. He talks about how special Ainosuke is, how enchanting he is, and ends it with a terse, “We’ll see.”
Kojiro’s interview is a bit looser, mainly detailing the ways they laugh together and the physical attraction between them. It’s shorter and more to the point, but still filled with lots and lots of shirtless beach footage.
Each contestant has a final date with Ainosuke before the final rose ceremony to decide the winner. Dates this season have been interesting, to say the least. Although Ainosuke is always perfectly charming and flirty, always the perfect date, he’s been a bit… distracted? It’s easy to see that both of the remaining contestants have fallen for his charms, but Ainosuke himself still seems to be lukewarm on both of them, even now, in the finale, when there’s no one else left.
Will he really get engaged at the end of this? Is he really going to propose? It seems insane, watching his and Kojiro’s date, to think that they could be married at the end of it all. Kojiro has decided for their final date to finally show off his culinary skills. He’s talked all season about being a professional chef and his love of food and making people smile with his cooking, his studies in Europe and how much he loves to travel. It’s a lot of what he and Ainosuke have bonded over— a shared love of travel and romantic gestures. Yet, for all of that, it just doesn’t feel like there’s any real spark.
This is an interesting season, too, because so far, Ainosuke has refused to kiss anyone. He’s been saying since the beginning that he doesn’t want to kiss or sleep with anyone he meets here until he knows they’re the one. He admitted to everyone right off the bat that he had been wild in his teens and college years, but now he’s looking for the real deal, and he won’t settle for anything less.
This knowledge has been a specter hanging over the entire season as Ainosuke has ruthlessly sent home contestant after contestant for falling short of his intense standards. And boy, are they intense. The person he chooses is going to have to be a very special person, if he chooses anyone at all, which is starting to seem less likely the longer the date goes on.
It’s a sweet date, and judging by Ainosuke’s reactions, Kojiro really is a very good cook. But their interactions seem more like friends than lovers, their touches not quite tender enough, and by the end of the date, it seems like Kojiro will probably not be receiving the last rose.
“Being with Kojiro is always great fun,” Ainosuke explains to the camera post-date. “And the food! Spectacular! I must admit I was quite surprised by his skill.”
That’s all they show of Ainosuke’s commentary. Which… does not bode well.
The next day, it’s Kaoru’s turn to attempt to leave a lasting impression on Ainosuke. He takes him on a meticulously planned date, every minute of the day accounted for, with an early morning hike to a very picturesque mountaintop, followed by a picnic lunch (in a temperature-controlled cooler, of course), and then another hike back to the beach where they watch the sunset together over a bottle of champagne.
There’s at least a little bit of heat there, or so the camera angles and close-up zooms make it seem, but still Ainosuke never kisses him. And through it all, he even looks a little bored.
Kaoru spends the entire date telling Ainosuke about the local flora, and the customs, and the geographical makeup of the island, and about a thousand other things that show the kind of research he’s put into this place. But he doesn’t get personal with Ainosuke. And when Ainosuke asks him to “give it a rest with the history lesson, already,” Kaoru scowls and swats him with a fan he pulls from the sleeve of his kimono. It crushes any shred of romance that might have been growing thanks to the sunset and the champagne and the very obvious mutual attraction.
“For someone who claims to be so cultured, you certainly don’t care much about actually learning about any other cultures, do you?”
Ainosuke doesn’t even bother to hide his eye roll, saying, “The purpose of a date is to get to know the other person. Do you have anything interesting you’d like to say about yourself?” which elicits another scowl and a hard glare and, yep, that date is definitely over.
Which leaves Ainosuke in a bit of a conundrum.
This is not something that happens. The Bachelor is supposed to pick someone, propose, and live happily ever after with his brand new love. He is not supposed to bro out with one and bicker with the other and hold a final ceremony in which he hasn’t informed either participant of the final outcome.
Typically, it is courteous to pull each contestant aside separately to let them know if he is going to propose or not, but Ainosuke has elected to hold a final rose ceremony instead— which, honestly, is on brand with how over-the-top and dramatic he has been all season long. It makes him a very likable Bachelor, but clearly has not worked very well in securing him a life partner.
“There’s no doubt that Kaoru is a fine man, and a beautiful one, at that. But I have questions as to whether or not we would be able to grow together longterm,” Ainosuke says to the camera. “Coming into this competition, I expected Kaoru to be the one. He caught my attention right away. He’s intelligent, gorgeous, talented, poised, elegant— everything a person could want in a partner. However, I find myself missing something very important.”
It cuts off there.
The next scene shows Ainosuke getting ready for the rose ceremony. Despite his less-than-excited attitude toward his two potential future husbands, he’s dressed to the nines in a full tuxedo, complete with a red silk rose-patterned waistcoat and a red silk tie. Everything fits him perfectly, accentuating his broad shoulders, cinched waistline, and long, perfectly muscled legs. And the view from behind is especially nice.
He puts the finishing touches on his outfit, picks up his final rose, and heads out toward the ceremony where Kaoru and Kojiro wait.
“Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for,” the host says dramatically into the camera. “Ainosuke is on his way here right now to announce to the world who will be the next Mr. Ainosuke Shindo. Will it be Kaoru or Kojiro? Or will Ainosuke find himself without a husband in the end? Stay tuned.”
After the break, they air a montage showing a bunch of behind-the-scenes footage that didn’t make the cut during any of the previous episodes. It shows previous contestants’ talking heads, mostly saying things along the lines of, “He’s unfocused,” “Ainosuke has been distracted since the beginning,” “Ainosuke has his eye on something he won’t find in the house,” and on and on until every past contestant has made a point of mentioning that they were doomed to fail right from the beginning thanks to Ainosuke’s tunnel vision.
This is the first time the show has ever mentioned anything about Ainosuke’s attention being anywhere besides on the contestants.
So, what does that mean?
The next video is a series of clips from various dates, all showing Ainosuke looking at something off camera and obviously not listening to whatever his date is saying.
“Are you listening?”
“Did you hear what I said?”
“What are you looking at?”
“Seriously? Again?”
“Oh, come on, is he even allowed to do this?” — This one is directed, presumably, at the producer off screen, just before someone yells “Cut!” and the video cuts to black.
It’s… a weird lead-in to the final ceremony, to say the least.
When the camera pans to Ainosuke, standing front and center looking every bit the dreamy, perfect man he’s supposed to be, his expression is unreadable.
“Gentlemen,” he begins, addressing both Kaoru and Kojiro, who are each dressed to impress in their own ways as well. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve asked you both here today.”
The camera zooms in on the contestants. Joe looks relaxed— resigned, even; and Kaoru rolls his eyes, looking cranky and put out.
Ainosuke continues: “It has been my distinct pleasure to get to know you both over these past few months, and I certainly hope that this will not be the last time I see either of you.” He pauses for dramatic effect. “Kojiro, you are such a kind and vibrant person. I have greatly enjoyed becoming your friend. Kaoru, you are truly breathtaking, and your wit is incomparable.” Another pause. The close-up camera pans in time to show Ainosuke turning to look at something off screen.
“However,” he says solemnly, “I’m afraid I will not be able to give my final rose to either of you. I’m sorry.”
The gathered crowd gasps.
Kaoru, apparently finished with pretense (and patience), throws his hands up in a giving-up gesture. He doesn’t stick around to find out what Ainosuke has to say, and the cameraman struggles to follow his exit. He stops just before he gets outside and turns back.
“Kojiro, are you coming?”
Kojiro shrugs. “I’ll be out later. Kinda want to see what’s about to happen here.”
Kaoru hesitates for a moment, then shrugs and makes his way out to the limo. The interview inside the limo is brief.
“Of course I knew it wouldn’t be me. It shouldn’t be. Yes, there is a strong attraction there, and yes, Ainosuke is an excellent conversation partner. But we both came out of that last date fully aware that we would be no good for each other in the long run.” He shrugs again, so casual, so opposite of the elegant and rigid appearance he’s been keeping up all season. “I think I know better now what I’m looking for in a partner,” Kaoru says. “And I certainly met some interesting people while I was here, and that experience was worth it.”
With Kaoru gone, the focus shifts back to the tension at the rose ceremony.
“Ainosuke,” the host says. “Can you walk us through your thought process? Do you intend to go home from The Bachelor alone?”
“I do not,” Ainosuke says, eliciting confused murmurs from the crowd. “In fact, I believe I have found the person my soul has been searching for.”
“And who is that?”
“You see,” Ainosuke begins, ignoring the question in favor of drawing out the story for dramatic effect. “I am a firm believer in love, that there is a right person out there for everyone in this world. Truth be told, I did not expect to find the right person for me here. I hoped, of course, but I have met many, many people in my life, and none of them have ever been the one for me.”
During the monologue, the cameras start to pan around the studio, showing not just the crowds but also the camera operators, boom operators, and various other crew. There’s a snack table all the way in the back with a kind of young-looking, attractive guy in all black, standing next to the cheese tray popping one cheese cube after another into his mouth with seemingly no awareness of what’s going on in the room around him. The shot lingers on him for a long moment before moving back to Ainosuke, who now has a soft smile on his face as he comes to the conclusion of his explanation.
“However, over the past several weeks, I have found myself enchanted by one individual time and time again. This person is beauty incarnate. He is graceful, strong, and kind. And we have a connection like none I’ve ever felt before. Which is why I would like to present my final rose—”
The camera pans to the guy eating cheese again.
“—to you, Langa.”
Cheese Guy pauses mid-chew with another cube halfway to his mouth to look up at Ainosuke. With the hand holding the cheese, he points at himself, and with his mouth full of cheese, says, “Me?”
“Of course,” Ainosuke says, expression and tone filled with adoration. “You are the most genuine person I have ever met. I enjoy every moment I have spent in your presence, and I hope to spend many more with you in the future, if you’ll have me.”
Cheese Guy, apparently named Langa, finishes chewing his bite and swallows, pops the other piece of cheese into his mouth and eats that, and then, after a long enough pause that it’s starting to get weird, smiles and says, “I like you, too.”
It’s… sweet.
Ainosuke’s face splits into a huge grin, so much more joyful than he’s appeared any other time on the show, and that’s why people watch. Well, for the drama, of course — and Ainosuke has provided very good drama this season — but also for the chance to see two people find true love.
Whoever this Langa guy is, he sure better know what he’s getting himself into, because Ainosuke looks properly in love with him.
Now the show cuts back to show more previously unaired footage, this time all featuring Langa. They show their first meeting, when Langa accidentally wanders onto the set while trying to deliver the food for the crew, and Ainosuke is clearly immediately taken by him. There are clips of the two of them laughing together by the snack table, waving to each other when they aren’t within speaking distance, sharing secret smiles and inside jokes, and so on and so forth. Time and time again, everyone watches as Ainosuke loses all interest in his date when Langa walks into the room. They always look like they’re having so much fun together, and Ainosuke has never looked like that with any contestant on the show, even while flirting or genuinely having a good time.
It’s obvious, after seeing all of that, what’s going to happen next, but something about watching their relationship develop over a matter of seconds, rather than weeks, makes it seem much more dramatic as the crowd draws a collective breath.
“Langa,” Ainosuke says, reaching out to take Langa’s hand and pull him a step closer. “Would you accept this rose?”
Langa’s face turns bright red as he notices how much attention he’s getting, eyes flitting across all of the cameras before finding Ainosuke’s again.
“Ignore them,” Ainosuke says. “Just give me your honest answer.”
The camera zooms in on their locked eyes, gazing adoringly at each other as Langa slowly returns to a normal shade. Ainosuke holds the rose between them with one hand and rubs the back of Langa’s hand with the the thumb of his other.
It takes another long moment before Langa finally reaches out with one shaky hand and closes it around Ainosuke’s hand— and the rose.
“Okay,” he says. “Yeah. I accept.”
With that, Ainosuke slides the hand holding Langa’s up Langa’s arm, across his shoulder, and over his neck until it cradles the back of Langa’s head.
“May I kiss you?”
The crowd gasps again— Ainosuke has not kissed anyone for the entire run of the season. It has been teased week after week, and yet, he has never gone so far as to initiate more than fleeting touches with any of the contestants on the show.
“Yes please.”
Langa surges up to meet him in the middle, apparently having forgotten his shyness in front of the cameras (or maybe the existence of the cameras themselves), and when Ainosuke kisses him, he melts into the man and grips him hard, like he has to or else he might fall over.
“Langa,” Ainosuke breathes into the space between them, “I— I think I love you.”
Langa gasps, but it takes no time for him to press in for another kiss, this one longer and a little greedier.
“Me too,” Langa says. “I didn’t think— I mean, the show—”
“From the beginning I’ve only had eyes for you, little Langa. I intend to spend the rest of my life proving that to you.”
They’re interrupted by the host, who made his way over sometime during their emotional confession scene.
“That sounds a lot like a proposal to me!” he exclaims, apparently trying to wrangle the show back into some sort of familiar formula before closing it out.
To everyone’s confusion, Ainosuke chuckles. Then, with a twinkle in his eye and a smile playing on his lips, he shakes his head.
“As much as I would love to propose to you someday,” he says to Langa, “how about we start with a date? Right now?”
Langa nods, his expression equally soft and smitten. “I think I’m about to get fired anyway.”
Ainosuke laughs, links his fingers with Langa’s, and pulls him to the door.
“Thank you very much, everyone! This has truly been the experience of a lifetime!”
The cameras follow them both as far as they can, literally running away together hand-in-hand.
🌹 🌹 🌹
“So there you have it, folks,” the host says as the final episode draws to a close. “You never know when you might meet the love of your life.”
Ainosuke pulls Langa closer on the sofa where they’ve sat for the past hour, watching their own love story bloom. The host is still speaking, but whatever he’s saying now is inconsequential, so Ainosuke leans forward to pick up the remote and turns off the TV.
He never would have guessed when all of this started that he would eventually end up at home with someone he met on this show, not only content but truly happy for what feels like the first time in his life. He looks at Langa, who is, of course, indulging in the fruit tray Ainosuke had set out to snack on while watching the show, and he looks as beautiful as ever. Even more, with each passing day.
“Langa,” Ainosuke says, drawing his lover’s attention. “I love you.”
Langa places the grape he had been about to pop into his mouth back onto the tray and smiles up at Ainosuke. “I love you, too.” He leans in for a kiss, never hesitating, not even once since the first time they’d kissed on the air so many months ago, and Ainosuke can’t help but smile into it.
He does that a lot, now— smile. Langa challenges him every day, in ways Ainosuke never expected to be challenged. And he loves it. He doesn’t think he’ll ever tire of the way Langa makes him feel. It is pure love and joy, and he never, ever wants it to stop.
“Marry me,” he says, suddenly and not at all romantically. “It doesn’t have to be right now, but… please, Langa. Marry me, someday.”
Langa nods immediately without so much as a second thought. “Of course I’ll marry you.” He kisses Ainosuke again as Ainosuke’s heart threatens to soar right out of his chest.
“I accept.”