Love Like the Falling Petals is a 2022 Japanese film. It was made by Yoshihiro Fukagawa and written by Tomoko Yoshida. The movie is based on a 2017 novel with the same name by Keisuke Uyama. The film stars actors Kento Nakajima and Honoka Matsumoto.

Plot

A young photographer named Haruto meets a kind and young hairdresser named Misaki. Misaki tells Haruto that he was her first client, which he finds sweet, and he falls in love with her at first sight. Haruto lies about his job and says he is a photographer.

Haruto keeps returning to get his hair cut by Misaki, and the two become close friends. One day, Haruto asks Misaki on a date while getting his hair cut. By accident, Haruto moves his head, and Misaki cuts the tip of his earlobe. He bleeds a lot and passes out.

A few days later, Misaki meets Haruto to apologize for hurting him. Haruto brings up the topic of a date again, and Misaki agrees. However, Misaki's older brother does not approve of the relationship because he wants to protect her.

They go on a date to see cherry blossoms. During the visit, Haruto tells Misaki that he is not currently a photographer and is unsure about his future. Misaki is upset that Haruto stopped pursuing his dream and tells him not to give up. Haruto is surprised but decides to work hard to become someone Misaki can be proud of. He finds a job at a photo studio and continues to work hard. He asks Misaki out again, and she agrees. They begin dating seriously.

Their happy relationship ends when Misaki becomes seriously ill. After visiting a doctor, she is diagnosed with progeroid syndromes, a rare disease that causes her body to age extremely quickly. Her condition is very severe, and doctors say she has less than a year to live.

Misaki is deeply sad and stops talking to Haruto. She also quits her job as a hairdresser and lies about finding new work. After several months of ignoring Haruto, she tells him she has found someone else, which breaks his heart.

Misaki's older brother tries many treatments to help her, including expensive electromagnetic therapy from a clinic that promised results. However, the clinic is not real and takes money from people in need.

As the year progresses, Misaki's illness worsens. Her body slows down, and she loses hope. Haruto tries to move on and focuses on his photography. His hard work helps him heal and grow.