“It feels like an undercover mission... Sure, I'll play Ryo's girlfriend.” My best friend Ryo asks us to help convince his marriage-obsessed mother that he already has a girlfriend. I intend to refuse, but my wife reminds me how much we owe him and reluctantly agrees. Days later, she attends dinner with Ryo at a hotel and expects to come straight home, only to learn that his considerate mother has also booked them a room. Her final message says she will return before the last train—then she stops replying.