Sometimes, you need an outsider’s perspective, so the Nishi-clone finally clues Koyuki in on how disinterested she comes across: “If anything, you made it seem like Amamiya was coming on too strong. You seemed quite put off by him.” Be that as it may, I still think Minato is a coward for jumping to conclusions instead of just confessing. If a friend really cuts you off for having feelings, then I dunno, doesn’t feel like a strong friendship to begin with.
But I disagree with what the Nishi-clone suggests next, which is that Koyuki should make her move. C’mon, don’t do that. You had your chance and you fumbled it. He’s dating someone else now. Is he serious about her? No. But pursuing Minato now that he’s dating someone else is such a bad idea on so many levels. Just the optics alone should be enough to make Koyuki back off.
Weird that Igarashi should suddenly come back into this story at this very moment. We are suddenly privy to Igarashi’s thoughts and feelings, specifically how he came to fall for Koyuki. I… don’t really care? But fine, let’s do this. We gotta put old demons to rest before we tackle current ones, right? Apparently, Igarashi was a big idiot who wanted to brag to his bros, so he acted like he and Koyuki were gonna do it. Koyuki overheard him, and used this as a reason to break up with him. Honestly, she wanted to end their relationship already, but he kept love-bombing her. I don’t think she needed a better reason to break up with him, but he certainly provided the ammo. This was back in middle school, by the way. I have no doubt that some middle schoolers are dumb enough to have sex, but sheesh, he got what he deserved. But why did she forget this? When Koyuki thinks back to Igarashi, she just remembers using him, not the gross comment he made. She’s not without fault, but I think what he said was more than worthy of a breakup. In fact, it makes his snotty attitude with her in the first season even worse!
Back in the present, Koyuki reflects on the Nishi-clone’s advice: “I can’t imagine myself being happy in a relationship with anyone.” Oh, don’t be dramatic. You’re a kid. You haven’t even experienced what life has to offer. But to be utterly transparent, I don’t believe in true love. It may very well be the case that Minato is 10 out of 10 on the compatibility scale. But you could very well meet a 9 out of 10 and still be very happy. Are you going to pin all of your hopes on the 10 out of 10? Not me. I know that makes me sound very unromantic, but I’m fine with that. I’m not made for Hallmark cards. Regardless, Koyuki also starts thinking back to her failed relationship with Igarashi.
Sifting through Koyuki’s memories now, we finally see how Igarashi was way too pushy. Why didn’t any of this come up in the first season?! Koyuki made it seem like she was totally at fault — that she used him and then had to hurt his feelings when she ultimately called it quits. We see now, however, that he was a total clod. I hate that the story keeps changing. But fine, let’s take this latest flashback as gospel. Basically, Igarashi would often condescend to Koyuki. She was never sold on the relationship, but he would override her legitimate concerns. Worst of all, Igarashi did not properly gauge whether Koyuki was comfortable with him closing the physical distance between them. Does every single interaction between a couple need to be formally agreed upon with a notary present? Of course not, don’t be hyperbolic. But you can tell if someone is uncomfortable, and he clearly ignored her blatantly obvious signs. Like c’mon, they weren’t even subtle. She had both hands up as he tried to embrace her in this flashback. Boys nowadays always act like modern dating is like walking into a field full of landmines, but I don’t agree. I think guys finally have to try to understand girls and they’re throwing a tantrum about it. Was Igarashi a monster? No, but he didn’t deserve a girlfriend, Koyuki or otherwise.
Well, these two later bump into each other at the combini, banter a little, then finally have the big argument they should’ve had when they were still dating. Koyuki confronts Igarashi for always acting like she was weird and he was normal. Igarashi doubles down on Koyuki being difficult to read and assuming his feelings. Whatever, I can’t really side with the pushy guy who would kiss an uncomfortable girl. I also wouldn’t bother arguing with an ex either, especially in front of the kiddos at a public park.
But I guess this is Koyuki and Igarashi’s way of “making up.” Oh, they’ll never date again. There is only one real ending for Koyuki, and it’s with Minato. Despite all the drama surrounding her, Minato, and Momoka, I firmly believe that she and Minato will eventually get together. We just can’t have that yet, because then the story would end. So I look at this exchange between Koyuki and Igarashi as nothing more than yet another pointless exercise in trying to attain closure. Normal people are obsessed with closure. They always think everything has to be resolved with a neat, little bow on top. Just let it go, man. Closure is being at peace, not forcing a resolution when you don’t need one.
The episode truly ends, however, with Momoka seeing pictures of Koyuki and Minato with friends at the festival. They’re not even standing next to each other, but you can already see the jealousy welling up in Momoka. Oh boy, here we go… the thing is, I totally agree that Minato is doing her dirty. Momoka is no peach. She lied and spread rumors to get her man. But Minato is a piece of shit too for agreeing to date her while having feelings for someone else. Now there’s a scenario where you can play the “both sides” card!
