Ticket Girl returns, and this time she’s peddling free tickets to the new water park and cable service. Everyone ends up getting free tickets, and Honoka uses the chance to invite Yamato. Yet again, however, her plans are spoiled as Miki and Kobayakawa invite themselves, and Suzuka comes along at Miki’s request. Yamato is surprised by this, since he figured that Suzuka would be going to Kazuki’s grave again, but it looks like maybe things are warming up again. Too bad he never gets to find out, as Miki keeps whisking Suzuka away; meanwhile, Honoka also keeps getting foiled by the persistent Kobayakawa.
After an afternoon of frustration, Yamato trips on his shoelaces and finds that only Suzuka cares enough to wait for him. Then the fireworks start, and Yamato remembers the last fireworks show they saw. Later that night, Suzuka’s sister teases her about going to the pool and not visiting Kazuki’s grave. Honoka also picks up on the change in Suzuka’s attitude and finally confronts her and tells her how she feels about Yamato. Suzuka tries to tell Honoka that she doesn’t like Yamato, but he overhears and Suzuka ends up trying to stammer an excuse.
There was some liberal use of flashbacks this time, but they were all appropriate, and it beats fugly animation (although the production values did dip again). They brought back Ticket Girl to move the plot along, and there was plenty of fanservice. I was so sad for Honoka as even the insect world conspired against her and blinded Yamato to her cleavage charms. The girl’s got good ideas, getting a cute swimsuit for the boys to ogle and ambushing Suzuka after practice. Too bad fate keeps conspiring against her. Yamato also seems to be wising up, using the effective hot/cold tactic against Suzuka for a devastating effect. Suzuka’s now back to blushing all the time, and reduced to a stammering mess in the final scene as Yamato calmly walks away. Nicely done! Of course it wasn’t too shocking that he overheard Suzuka at the critical moment, since he’s always stalking her 24/7.
Next episode looks like Yamato will take the path of least resistance by succumbing to Honoka, but I’m sure it’s just a ploy to make Suzuka jealous. There was a great quote from Yasunobu about how Yamato isn’t “in some convenient manga or drama series,” but it looks like Yamato is suddenly wising up. It was also good to see Kobayakawa have some good luck for a change, after getting continuously screwed for the last few episodes. Yasunobu continues to have no luck, missing out on a chance to hang with the scantily clad Miki for a day.
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This post was written by...
Kabitzin – who has written 1940 posts on Sea Slugs! Anime Blog.
One of the founders of Sea Slugs, I handle most of the blog admin tasks while wearing my I AM BOSS shirt. I like my action series well choreographed, and my romance series extra trashy. I also have a soft spot for puns.
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You should also read the review over at Memento. He’s linked all his screenshot to a scan of the corresponding manga page. That’s really nifty.
Path of least resistance? Heh… the dork hasn’t even REALIZED Honoka’s interest at all. The preview is ultra-idiotic, because it’s both royally spoilerific and very misleading at the same time. Whoever still hasn’t watched ep12 should skip it.
Well if you are madly in love with someone, you basically ignore everyone else except for the people who are in love with. Well, maybe not completely ignore them but your attention is more focus on the person you’re in love with.
YOOOOOOOOOSH!!! drop that Suzu stiff bitch and go for Honoka-chan!!!
really looking forward to the next episode now.