La Corda d'Oro – Blue Sky Episode 2

*GROSS SOBBING* JUST GIVE ME A MOMENT. EVEN THOUGH WE DIDN’T SEE HIS FACE, I KNOW THAT WAS FREAKING TSUKIMORI LEN. *SCREAMING* Sorry he is like my favorite character back in the first La Corda d’Oro series that I pretty much squealed was was flailing when I saw him playing Ave Maria and was able to get a better look (his hair has darkened significantly). *SOBBING* AVE MARIA GIVES ME SO MANY FEELS, I CAN’T. That song is like the foundation and the root of the whole Corda series because it always (as it has proven once again) gives everyone that boost they so desperately need. *TEARS* Either way, it was so great to see familiar faces!
What a great episode this was. I am absolutely loving the mood and the intensity that the Concours is creating, and we aren’t even at the competition yet! They are only forming the official ensemble now! But make no mistake, the stakes are just as high as competing in the Concours because first, you must make the team. Both Kyoya and Kanade were hesitant about being selected for the ensemble and the orchestra club members were rightfully upset about it. So it was proposed they hold a test to prove that they are talented enough to make the team. Kyoya was planning to wing the thing, but ends up doing it anyways. If there is one thing the episode made clear today, it is the fact Kyoya hates how far advanced both his brother Ritsu and Kanade are and appears to be feel inferior to them. I am presently under the impression that he was never a prodigy musician, so he really has to work at it and Ritsu doesn’t want him to feel that way.
Speaking of which, I was surprised we didn’t get to hear Kyoya perform, but it is safe to assume he had passed the test. I don’t understand why they had decided to skip out on him, but whatever. I suppose they are saving up his performance for the bigger moments.
Kanade however finally figured out what have been throwing her out of her musical loop. She realized that she forgot how much fun she had playing the violin. Frankly I am glad they are not dragging this problem on, and she can become more energetic and enthusiastic than being a total downer. It would have ticked me off if she had performed half-heartedly for the test after feeling terribly guilty that she is getting a place in the ensemble instead of one of the orchestra students that have been working their asses off to get picked.
Meanwhile, we witnessed Sosuke, a student from Amane High School who was trying to chuck his Cello into the river after having failed to make it into his school’s ensemble, and on top of that, was expelled from the Chamber Music Club (that’s some seriously intense shit going down here). He is terribly upset about it because he aspires to perform alongside with Reiji. Fortunately by the end of the episode, after seeing Kanade perform, Sosuke is re-inspired to return to his school (LOL it sounded as if he was planning to leave altogether).
Poor Ritsu, at this rate he won’t even be able to compete. Hell, if he continues like this, he may not be able to play the violin ever again… I hope it won’t be too long before someone catches him in this state. He’s stubborn, much like myself when it comes to writing and both of us refuse to give up on our passions. So I understand his reasons, but still… He needs to rest or at least get medical attention, because I doubt he had gotten any. I learned the hard way and it looks like he will be dealing with the cruel reality very soon.
There is a mysterious girl that has been appearing and disappearing without a trace today. I wonder if she is a ghost, or a fairy, or is she actually a student with ninja skills. A part of me hopes she is actually a fairy because that would be pretty cool. If she’s a ghost- even better because that would be a musing as hell, but no- she is probably human, therefore I won’t hold my breath for anything supernatural ahahaha.
On the extra note, they also took the opportunity to make it pretty damn clear that Kanade indeed does have a childhood crush on Ritsu. It can’t get anymore obvious.