“Help me someday.”
Impression
After all the drama we’ve had recently, this was a wonderful episode with lots of cuteness! I especially liked Yukinon and her fixation on Pan the Panda, that was absolutely adorable. I love how she looked so ready to walk up to Yumiko and verbally thrash her until Irohasu also proclaimed that Pan was cute. I also had a small heart attack at this scene:
Both Yui and Yukinon scored major points. Yui was her usual cheerful self, but I got the feeling that she was extra happy this episode – not only because they were visiting Destinyland, but also because the relationships in the Service Club are rapidly on the mend. Yui even made a point of sitting extra close to Yukinon in the club room, which was a really cute gesture – I wonder if there’ll come a time when Hikki draws up closer to them as well. Her imitation of Pan the Panda in asking Hikki if there was anything he wanted for Christmas was met with an awkward realization of the answer soon after: because of course, he wants something genuine. It’s awkward, but at least Yui knows now – she knows a bit more about Hikki as a person, and that can’t be a bad thing. Hikki may be embarrassed, but it feels like that confession is the sort of thing being genuine is about – the ability to open up to others. He’s gotten closer to the two of them, if only slightly. And that can only be a good thing.
What does Yukinon want? Something different, that neither her sister nor Hikki has. It’s an abstract answer, but also a very Yukinoshita one. It also feels like it’s an indirect compliment to him – that the skills and abilities of both Haruno and Hikki are something to be valued. I don’t disagree, even though I may not like the way Haruno uses what she has. It’s true she doesn’t try to cover things up when someone sees through her – a lot like Irohasu, actually. Although the latter is relatively harmless and the former wrecks havoc and pain. A significant part of Hikki and Yukinon’s conversation ended up being about Haruno – I guess it’s something important to Yukinon. It’s like she’s trying to find herself, and it’s kind of sweet that she’s sharing her thoughts with Hikki. It was also really cute to see her so excited about Bamboo Fight, to the point that she didn’t even need one of the tickets Shizuka offered because she already has a season ticket to Destinyland. Oh Yukinon. And of course, I had another small heart attack when she told Hikki to help her someday. Has Yukinoshita Yukino ever relied on someone, before this? It’s unlikely. Hikki, you did good.
Why were they even at Destinyland to begin with? At poor Shizuka’s expense as well. I get it’s officially supposed to be a way to get a feel for what a Christmas event should be like, and in reality is a reward to cement the Service Club’s relationships, but it still felt like it happened out of the blue. It was also odd to see Hayato and his clique there, although I accept that’s primarily because Hayato himself is also there. In turn, that was the fault of Irohasu, who is definitely the kind of girl who would jump at the chance to get free stuff. Naturally, that was all part of a wider plan to have her find a good time to confess to her precious Hayama-senpai, with Tobe on board as a wingman. I had no clue she was gearing up to do something like this, by the way – I thought we would be staying at the level of them giving us subtle hints, like how both Irohasu and Yumiko start fighting over a seat next to Hayato on the Destinyland rides (Tobe then takes one for the team, and gives up riding with Ebina to go with Hayato instead). But I’m not surprised that Irohasu got rejected. She’s definitely cute enough, but Hayato has never given off the impression of someone actively looking for romance, other than the one time he confessed he was interested in someone with the initial ‘Y’. It does link back to what he said a couple of episodes ago about how he wasn’t as nice a person as Hikki thinks – in this context, it’d probably be that he’s not nice enough to accommodate someone to the extent of going out with them. In a way, it’s for the best – if he actually doesn’t like Irohasu, it would be unfair to her to go out with her regardless and pretend that he does.
So it looks like there are two things going forward: the aftermath of Irohasu’s confession, and the Christmas event. After unleashing the Tamanawa, both Yui and Yukino agree that it’s looking pretty bad, and I hope Yukinon in particular has some sort of plan in mind. Whatever it is, I hope it involves Rumirumi. Baka, baaaka~
Oh btw.. have you realized the change in the opening since the last episode?
In the frame where they are sitting in the room together.. hikki, yui, yukinon.. AND IROHASU (filling the gap between hikki and yui)
Now i am wondering how much effect the confession/rejection will have on hikki and co.
But overall it was a really sweet and refreshing episode as somewhat of a compensation for last weeks feels episode
I have! Along with Plastic Memories, the OP for Oregairu is one that has its ending subtly change every week, depending on the mood of the episode. It’s looking good – not only has Irohasu joined them, but the teacups are now in use instead of being turned over!
It won’t have much direct effect on Hikki, Yui and Yukinon – I doubt they care much about Hayato’s love life. It’s more that Irohasu will probably go to them for help, or Hayato’s clique will start having problems again. To avoid the latter, Tobe will probably keep what he knows to himself.