Miki used to be a lot more assertive in middle school. She used to speak her mind a lot more. But I’m often told that in Japan, you don’t want to be the nail that sticks out. Doing so only invites trouble. It’s really unfortunate that Miki feels as though she needs to change her personality — that she needs to conform. Yeah, she now gets to make new friends, but are these meaningful relationships? They were initially drawn to her because… why? She was pretty? Bro, I’ve never wanted to become friends with someone for their looks. From my perspective, this is such a weird thing to say to someone you’ve never talked to. Miki even admits that she has little in common with her classmates, so what is she getting out of this? The appearance of being friendly? Does that make you happy?

So yes, this is the Miki episode. This is the episode where we finally understand why she projects this idol persona in public when she’s completely different with her close-knit friends. Before we really dive deep into her past, however, it feel weird when every single character has to have some sort of baggage. Koyuki being picked on and also the drama with her ex-boyfriend, Miki being bullied because she would speak her mind, Giraffe Guy not feeling as though he fits in with his step-family… I’m sure Minato’s got something, but I forget what. All I’m saying is that is it really like that in real life? Some people are just plain ass normal, and maybe it would help if we had at least one plain ass normal character in the group. Y’know, as a control. I dunno, I guess I’m just frustrated when shows play musical chairs with emotional baggage. It’s like we’re just taking turns dumping on the viewers in a way that feels unnatural and forced.

Anyway, back to the main subject. The problem is that you can’t keep your true self hidden forever. I mean, if you could, then is there any meaningful difference between your “true self” and your other personas? Like they say, fake it until you make it. Unfortunately, Miki can’t fake it all the time, so eventually, the mask slips. People are starting to notice that she’s a lot different around her actual friends. This is why it’s not worth lying in the first place. Unless you have a talent for it, it’ll just wear you down.

Miki’s friend group is already gossiping behind her back about what she’s really like. Man, who gives a shit? Does this really keep you up at night? Furthermore, if your friends are going to act like this, they’re not worth a damn. I would have no qualms about cutting these people off. Though to be fair, she was kinda dishonest with them. She did lie to them about who she really is. Shallow relationships also have shallow reasons for breaking apart. This shouldn’t be a surprise. I feel bad that Miki feels like she can’t be herself. But I don’t feel bad about her new friend group distancing themselves.

But hey, this gives Giraffe Guy an opening to be there for Miki, so all’s well that ends well? She can lean on him for support, and come to the realization that her true friends are all she really needs. Meanwhile, he gets to spend more time with the girl he likes. This is a win-win for everyone. Everyone we care about, anyway. Too bad Miki’s shipping him with Koyuki. Hell, she might even develop feelings for him and feel guilty over it. In fact, that’s exactly the sort of drama I would expect from this show.

On the other hand, Koyuki gives the cold but pragmatic advice: just cut them out. Obviously, I agree with her. All of Miki’s close friends actually take turns helping her out. Minato actually goes even further by paving a few things over between Miki and her friend group. Not completely, of course. But they now understand that she wasn’t… uh, talking bad about them? But why would they make that assumption to begin with? Sure, they heard some rumors, but why would they automatically believe them? Okay, feeling a bit weird that your friend is faking it with you can put you off. I understand that… a little. Personally, I don’t think it’s a huge deal, but I get why it seems weird. But why did they think she was badmouthing them at all? So on the one hand, I get why Miki wants to repair her relationship with them. But on the other hand, are they really worth the trouble? Especially when they just jump to conclusions about her?

Miki ultimately decides to split the difference: she won’t keep faking it around others, but she does genuinely want to be their friends. Well, all you can do is hope that they are understanding and be prepared to walk away if they aren’t. Miki opens up to the three girls about everything, specifically why she felt the need to reinvent herself for high school. She eventually apologizes for not being upfront with them. I think Japanese culture is no stranger to apologies. Still, it takes a lot of courage to allow yourself to be vulnerable in front of your peers like this. She could’ve just walked away. It’d be a lot easier and less stressful to just cut them off like Koyuki suggested. Again, that’s what I would’ve done but I also don’t think these are friendships worth preserving (and still don’t). To be fair, these girls are also apologizing back to Miki. They seem to understand that they haven’t really tried to get to know her either — that they’ve inadvertently caused her to try and conform herself to their standards.

Kind of a schmaltzy ending. The fact that they all got over it in the end is a little… unrealistic. Different people process things at different speeds. I could totally see one or two friends still holding back a bit. Plus, it draws this weird division between middle school and high school. Why was it that everyone shunned Miki in middle school for being herself, but now it’s magically okay in high school? I mean, high schoolers are literally older, so maybe they’re also literally more mature. But again, it just feels unnatural. All of the nuance has gone out of the window for neat, tidy endings.

Everyone wasn’t fine back then, everyone is fine now.

Stray thoughts & observations:

— Minato asks Miki for advice on how to become better friends with Koyuki, but Miki just tells him to be himself. Hah, the irony.

— Some people are too shoujo-pilled. So not only does Koyuki think Miki likes Minato, but other people think they look good together. But Miki and Minato thinks Koyuki and Giraffe Guy have a thing even though Giraffe Guy likes Miki. This is so exhausting.

— This advice seems dismissive on the surface, but it’s totally true. 90% of the situations you encounter in high school (or earlier) means little in the grand scheme of things. Even your closest friends will likely drift away over time.

— As friends though, right…? Yeah, just as friends. Friend love is underrated. Not only that, I prefer going into relationships this way anyhow. I know people get all anxious about relationships ruining a friendship, but I’d rather start with a real, solid foundation than just dating someone out of the blue. That’s why a lot of blind confessions in anime seem so silly to me. Bro, you don’t even know me, but you say you like me? Nah, you’re just infatuated.

— This “I love you” is a little heavier, though.

— Oh geez, this is certainly impulsive of Miki. But I guess that’s just who she really is.

— More misunderstandings at the very end to remind us that this subplot is still ongoing. Hoo boy. I miss You and I Are Polar Opposites. But hey, at least the second season is just around the corner.