天下制覇

Right in front of your girlfriend’s back.

Impressions:

Well, things kept moving this episode, but it just didn’t feel quite as good as the last few… probably due to a lack of manly man Kazuki and vulnerable Sakino. The montages at the end didn’t help too much either. Nor did the awful awful bait and switch of Kouichi confessing to kick off the episode. Still, Yumi and Kouichi finally kissed, and somehow managed to do it in front of Mao too, so points for finally playing tonsil hockey and breaking Mao’s heart at the same time. The whole "Mao likes Kouichi" thing still seems stupid to me anyway. Hopefully it’ll just convince her to throw herself at Kai. Dude’s on the fast track to musical stardom… at least… as much stardom as you can have as a saxophone player.

I like that the preview for next episode has Sakino shaking Futami around. That can only end well. Sakino back on the soccer field is also a good sign. Mao in Kai’s arms… also promising… though Mao crying… not so much. Anyway, the important thing is that Kouichi confessed to Yumi about 21 times this episode, introduced her to his mother, and then kissed her. I think they’re not only officially married, but by Japanese standards, they’re now joined at the hip. Also, there were no frogs this episode either, and I have to admit that puffed-up Nana is kind of cute. Now just Sakino is left to get a taste of her man and I’ll be satisfied.

Kouichi confesses his love for Yumi, but she thinks that he still loves his childhood friend.

Then Hiiragi yells cut and wants them to do it again with more feeling.

God damn it.

They redo the scene, repeatedly. Yumi’s sucking at it. I’m actually kind of surprised. Kouichi has no problems confessing his love, but Yumi breaks down in tears at take 21.

At the Udon Factory, Yumi apologizes to all of them for her inept acting abilities. Kazuki’s looking especially suave in a backwards baseball cap. YES, THAT WAS WHAT WAS MOST INTERESTING TO ME IN THIS SCENE.

Everybody tries to cheer Yumi on, but she softly says that time is important. Seems like only Kouichi hears her.

Narumi brings out the special udon for Yumi and she perks up. Everybody chows down and wonders what to do now. Hiiragi says that they’ll probably scout for some new people. Mitsuki suggests they ask Mao for help because her image is topnotch. If you say so, darling.

Mao is lurking around the studio waiting for Kai to come out. When she sees the band leaving, she runs around the corner like a little nymph. The band loved working with Kai and he’s happy as he leaves. Mao jumps out to surprise him.

The two head to a restaurant and he regales her with his lusty sax tales. They chat about Kai and the band for a bit. Then, Kai turns the conversation back to Mao and her own crazy and out of control life.

Kazuki and his sister walk home, discussing Mao as the new image. Nana is a little grumpy and thinks they should be doting on Mao a lot more. Kazuki’s phone rings. He gets all excited, but is annoyed when it’s just Sakino. We only hear one side of the conversation as they make plans for tomorrow. Kazuki hangs up and calls Futami, but there’s no answer.

Kouichi heads home, bringing Yumi wish him. His mother, pleased that Kouichi isn’t gay afterall, is ecstatic. I think at this point, Yumi and Kouichi are officially married by Japanese standards. The three chat together over the usual subjects; Mao’s location, mom’s attempt to get a grandchild, etc. Then his mom tells him to go for it and leaves.

Yumi tells Kouichi that his mom’s a fun person and the two silently sit at the table together, thinking about how late Mao is.

Yumi busts out the whole "it’s all my fault" routine and Kouichi goes to comfort her. After a very long moment, Kouichi leans in to kiss her… but Mao opens the door and they stop.

Mao is shocked to see them both at the house and goes to leave to let them be together. They stop her and explain that they need Mao for the theater club.

Yumi makes an especially impassioned plea to do it for Kouichi and Mao relents, but she has her own conditions. Kouichi has to make Yumi happy. They both blush. Surprise surprise!

The next day, Kazuki is sucking at soccer as usual while Sakino yells from the bench. After the game, everybody thanks her… except Kazuki, who’s moping around elsewhere. The two walk home together and make small talk. Sakino’s particularly happy about how hard Kazuki’s been trying… though he wants to know why they had to walk home together. His phone rings… it’s his sister. He yells at her for calling this a date, making Sakino sad. You bastard.

Futami sits at home alone and thinks about Sakino and Kazuki together. She flips her phone closed.

Mao looks over the script and easily recites the lines. She reads something that makes her pause… and she remembers back to kissing Kouichi’s forehead.

Kouichi knocks on her door and she spazzes out. He’s here to ask for her camera for his date tomorrow. She’s got her own plans to go see Kai at the live concert anyway. She reminds him of his promise, saying "Now’s the time" (in English) with a final go for it, before slamming the door in his face.

She heads back into her room and looks at Kai’s ticket, thinking that she’s got her own stuff to do.

The next day, Yumi and Kouichi head to the beach together. Don’t look at me, it’s just a montage until Kouichi’s in his trunks. Yumi walks out onto the beach, and Kouichi is speechless at her bikini. The two try to apologize to eachother at the same time, but they Kouichi takes her hand and the two run into the sea to frolic together.

Oops, back to the montaging, this time with the OP in a violin arrangement. They even ride on a banana boat thing. The two are so happy to be together like this. Yumi gets a little overly dramatic about it. Spaced within it, Mao runs off to Kai’s live concert.

As Kouichi leaves Yumi on the train, she steps off it. He takes her by the arms, and the two kiss. Mao stands stunned at the other train door.

Preview:

 Sakino throws down with Futami… and Kazuki… and Mao throws herself at Kai.