Tani has been thinking about the kiss ever since their trip to the museum in last week’s episode. As a result, he’s even less talkative than usual. He’s even more awkward around her than usual. Sheesh. It was likely just a peck on the cheek. Even for a teenager, that’s kinda nothing. Kinda strange to me to be in a relationship and not talk about those kind of things with your girlfriend.
Meanwhile, Suzuki looks carefree on the surface, but she’s been wanting to push the envelope — she’s been wanting to take their physical affection to the next stage. In response, Azuma says, “I mean, the peak is everything that leads up to it.” Nah, man, nah. I’ve had enough of slow burn romances. I think it’s totally fair for Suzuki to desire a kiss from her boyfriend, whom she’s been dating for several months now. Sadly, the guy gets jump-scared by her showing up simply without her usual pigtails. Truth be told, Tani was only bold in the first episode when he reached out and grabbed Suzuki’s hand unprompted. Since then, he’s been the typical nerd in the nerd x gyaru pairing that you so often see in anime. I gotta confess, I’m a little disappointed. We then get the usual spiel from him. Y’know, how everything is different now with all the new people in his life, and he can’t say whether or not it’s better or worse overall. But he knows one thing for certain: he’s definitely glad he’s with her. Ugh, it’s the same message as always. Bring something new to the table, Tani!
Elsewhere, Nishi is still flipping out because she has to carry on a conversation. Nevermind a kiss, because she can’t even handle talking to Yamada for an “extended” period of time. Heavens forbid! Sigh… I shouldn’t really blog when I’m in a bad mood, but small things are a little more annoying than usual. C’mon, it’s a fucking conversation! You’ve known this guy for months now! You can’t even talk to a friend?!
Well, we go from one overthinking couple to the next. And this pairing ain’t even a real couple yet (or ever). Even so, bro really tried to duck into a combini to avoid his friend only for her to follow him in. JUST BE NORMAL. IS THAT SO HARD?
Anyway, they have a class trip coming up, and Azuma assumes that she’ll be the odd one out. This is partly her fault, though. She confesses that she avoids committing to any particular friend group. In the past, she would get swept up in other people’s problems, and I guess she felt used. Nowadays, she prefers to float between friend groups, so she can feel less anxious. Can’t get hurt if you don’t emotionally invest yourself. But it also means her bond to them won’t be as deep or meaningful as it could be. And, well, I don’t think she really needs to worry about the current friend group. When have they demanded anything of her? I can’t remember the last time Suzuki, Yamada, et al ever tried to take advantage of Azuma. She’s letting the past control her too much. Plus, Suzuki isn’t the type to just let any of her friends feel awkward or lonely. In for a pound, in for a penny with that girl. So in the end, it’s the same hangout as always. And sure enough, she even gets an extra hangout with Nabesato, two girls who certainly don’t get enough screentime simply because they don’t have a romantic pairing of their own. Point is, maybe Azuma should have a little more faith in this friend group.
Ultimately, all of this is just to say Azuma has never had any problems being normal around Taira. If only the reverse was true. Through his usual lens of pessimism, he surmises that she’s only comfortable around him because they’re not on equal levels. Yeah, he’s going to be a tough nut to crack. Suzuki and Tani are already together. Nishi and Yamada are on their way there; the girl just needs to stop acting like a friendly conversation is something difficult or scary. Taira’s pessimism, however, will prevent him and Azuma from ever being a thing. He can’t even imagine himself being with anyone. He’ll sink his own ship before it ever sets sail.
Stray thoughts & observations:
— Do all Japanese high schools do a class trip? I don’t think my school ever did. Of course, I was in band, and we did go to Sea World once. Not quite the same, though. These class trips feel like opportunities to absorb another place’s culture, so I’m kinda jealous. I wish we had this sort of thing. Making Japanese sweets sound awesome as hell. Ceramics would be cool too. It would’ve been cute to still use a coffee mug that I made as a kid.
— Honda’s complaining about her fellow class rep not sticking around to help. Then speak up. Don’t let people take advantage of you only to whine about it behind their backs. I would expect this from Nishi, but I feel like Honda should be a little more honest and straightforward.
— So many side characters we rarely ever see, because they’re in a different class.
— Yeah… yeah, Honda’s sort of right.
— Yamada engineered it so that his group and Nishi’s group would end up in the same place. Pretty sly for a guy whom people often write off in terms of smarts.
— Some people still don’t know that Suzuki and Tani are dating. Some people can’t even imagine Tani in a relationship. Personally, I can’t find it in myself to care about other people’s love lives.
— Suzuki wants Azuma’s “good woman” vibe. I don’t even know what that means. What’s a “good woman” vibe?
