Courage can be as simple as taking that first step toward something you’ve longed for but were afraid to hope for.

In the Japanese BL film Sono Koi, Jihanki de Kaemasu ka? (Can I Buy Your Love From a Vending Machine) adapted from the manga of the same name by Yoshii Haruaki, Salaryman Koiwai Ayuma (Matsuda Ryo) takes that first step and finds himself face-to-face with a love he wants while being afraid of losing it.

The film follows Ayuma as he shyly approaches the strong and muscular vending machine worker Yamashita Ryoma (Tazura Shogo) at his office, using his desire to add orange juice to the options as an opportunity to talk to the man he’s been crushing on. To his surprise, it leads to much more when the more direct Yamashita asks him out.

Sono Koi, Jihanki de Kaemasu ka? is a beautiful look at the growing awkwardness and missteps of first love while also being filled with the same joy and giddiness of falling for and spending time with someone you’ve only watched from afar.

While there isn’t much to the film outside of the sweet romance happening on screen, I cheered for every interaction and conversation as Ayuma’s courage grew, taking him beyond the things he’s always wished for and into the love he thought he’d never find.

It is refreshing to see a film with an openly gay office worker in Japan who accepts that and confronts it by admitting it to his coworker and Yamashita. While Ayuma comes across as the more timid of the two men, his bravery is in accepting who he is and not being afraid to let people know to avoid misunderstandings. His timidity comes from never having been in a relationship despite being aware of his sexuality and being afraid he’s not reading the social cues correctly with Yamashita. It’s relatable and makes watching him realize that Yamashita’s feelings are the same as his, a beautiful thing to watch on screen.

First love only comes around once, and whether it’s a good or bad experience, it still manages to be the love that leaves the most memorable impression. Sometimes, it ends quickly, and sometimes, it lasts forever, but either way, it remains a vivid reminder of the first time your heart fell, the first time it felt something deeper for someone else. The first time your heart ever tried to be in love.

And that’s precisely the kind of feel that Sono Koi, Jihanki de Kaemasu ka? captures: the beauty and fear of first love.

And I loved every sweet and awkward moment.

For a captivating exploration of first love and the courage it takes to pursue it, I highly recommend watching Sono Koi, Jihanki de Kaemasu ka? It’s a film that will leave you feeling both nostalgic and hopeful.

Rating- 4 out of 5