Is this story going to feature a love triangle, square, or any polygon for that matter? Who knows? But Minato already seems to be jumping to conclusions. Why is he so fixated on Koyuki anyway? And why so soon? Hell, he just recently got dumped, so he’s had a girlfriend this whole time. You can of course befriend the opposite sex regardless of your relationship status, but his jealousy over Koyuki and Giraffe Boy seems to suggest something more. So what’s his deal?
Well, the episode’s cold opening seems to imply that he sees himself as a savior of sorts. He likes to go around unlocking the hearts of introverts. Gosh, how noble of him. If those people are happy with the results, then I guess there isn’t much to be mad about. It just bothers me whenever people are treated as means to an end. His girlfriend dumped him because she felt as if she never got to know him on a deeper, more meaningful level. If they’re still this far apart after all this time, then like she says, how can she trust him? Her instincts are probably correct, because Minato doesn’t seem too torn up about losing her. The guy might unlock people’s hearts, but maybe that’s as far as he goes. He doesn’t get too invested; he doesn’t step on through the doorway to offer his own heart up in return. He could be an iceking himself — just as guarded but in a different manner. The next day, a girl remarks, “Amamiya, you broke up? Again?” Sounds like this sort of thing happens a lot. People easily fall for his charms, then immediately run into a wall.
Point is, Minato perhaps sees Koyuki as yet another person whom he can save, but her relatively instant bond with Giraffe Boy is making him feel jealous and inadequate. Giraffe boy has stolen his thunder. This was supposed to be his job. Minato seems desperate. He’s invading her personal space almost as if he’s trying to make up for lost ground. We already know that Koyuki is a guarded person, so she’s a bigger challenge compared to Minato’s previous “targets.” When both boys are talking to her, he complains to himself, She won’t even glance at me. She wears a slight but perceptible smile when facing Giraffe Boy, but instantly swaps to a more neutral expression with Minato. To be fair, she doesn’t know him. But high school kids like to overreact to everything, so this might be like a dagger to his heart. Minato actually has do more than be effortlessly congenial in order to win Koyuki over. And as an unintended consequence, these ugly feelings of jealousy might develop into something more as he is forced (by himself) to spend more time with the icequeen. But with a girl this guarded, he’ll probably be fighting the good fight for a long while. He might become her friend, but boyfriend is a whole ‘nother matter.
Elsewhere, Koyuki realizes that she’s been smiling this whole time. She’s been having fun. Hurts, doesn’t it? Your unused muscles always ache after a sudden workout. After this passing thought, however, her doppelganger shows up as a reflection in a window. The two Koyukis proceed to have a bit of a debate. A side of her still wants to protect herself. A side of her doesn’t trust the new guy or this new arrangement. And that’s fair. You don’t become besties in a day or two. As they often say, it takes years to build trust, but just seconds to break it. Sometimes, you get swept up in the flow of things, so you agree to whatever plans are being made. An extra study session? Sure, I’m game! But when you’re finally alone, you think to yourself, Uh, do I really want to do this?
But I also want to look at this from a different angle: the doppelganger feels shafted. Nice, fun Koyuki used to only come out for Miki, but now she gets to have a new friend? She gets to have more screentime? Hey, icequeen Koyuki didn’t agree to this! You can’t just revise the contract willy-nilly! She had to deal with all the bullshit from the bullies, so when does she get to have a friend. My point isn’t that Koyuki has multiple personalities. Rather, can anyone ever truly be your friend if they never see every side of you? Kaguya from Love is War had this problem. I wonder if Koyuki will too.
Stray thoughts & observations:
— Giraffe guy is kinda clueless. Fine, he’s not wearing his glasses. He can still hear her, can’t he? It couldn’t be more honest that Koyuki sounds bothered and agitated.
— I’m just calling him Giraffe Boy, because his height is the only thing about him that stands out. Until we get to know him better, he’s kinda boring.
— It’s probably just the artstyle, but her legs look like they would snap if you put any extra weight on them.
— Koyuki thinks she needs to keep up a conversation for the entire duration of the walk. I think silence is fine. I’ve never been bothered by pockets of silence with a friend. If he wants to talk so much, he can come up with a topic. Luckily for them, however, they have a common point of interest: Miki.
— I don’t know why Miki is having such a huge reaction — an overreaction, if you will — over seeing two of her friends sitting together at the study room. I’d just be like, “Oh hey, when did you guys get to know each other?” And that’s it. No need to get so worked up.
— “What a…” what? Finish your thought! “P” could be anything! My first thought is pain, but he hardly knows her. But hey, he might be judgmental.
— Miki lies about them getting off at the next stop to avoid taking a seat from an elderly man. As a result, she and Koyuki have to hurry to the next train car before the doors closed. I would’ve just insisted on standing, and kept talking to my friend. Kids… half of the things they find embarrassing are nothingburgers.
— Speaking of burgers, a good one here starts at like twelve bucks. The price is probably going to go up too thanks to all the mess over in the Middle East.
— Bold of Minato to nonchalantly pull up a desk immediately after asking if Koyuki and Giraffe Boy were dating. This freakin’ guy. Like the post’s title implies, I’m not a big fan of his energy. Giraffe Boy is kinda bland, and Minato seems like he’s got issues. I’m still hoping for no romance to blossom in this series. I can change my mind, but right now…? Meh.
