It’s interesting to see the speed of which Ouri and Tamon are coming to terms with their feelings towards Utage. Ouri was much faster on the uptake, as he has quickly come to realize he really has fallen hard for her. Tamon on the other-hand, we know he definitely has feelings blossoming for her, but he’s not quite there yet. In-fact. Compared to Ouri, who’s feelings has mostly been selfishly driven for her attention, Tamon’s taking this a bit more slowly. Today he found himself reflecting on their relationship, thinking about what he wanted to say to her before Ouri had interrupted them. It underlined the harsh reality that he doesn’t actually know Utage at all. The only sides of her he does know is her professionalism as his housekeeper and being his fangirl. Everything else, is a mystery.
And on top of that, Utage has helped him so much, Tamon would like to be helpful to her in return (beyond simply existing, as she had put it). But what he doesn’t realize is that he already has been supportive in his own way. One of which is recognizing that she seems to be hard on herself, and because of that, she works twice as hard to do well. To be told that’s admirable is a great way to validate one’s effort, and it touched her heart. But ultimately what he really wants is to be something to her too, not as an idol, but as simply himself.
We also got to see how Tamon remembered and took it heart of past mistakes that has made Utage uncomfortable. While Darkhara was seeping out when he undoubtedly felt jealous and angry to see Ouri holding onto Utage’s arms like that, he was able to cool down and calmly tell Ouri to release her, because he knows she doesn’t like that.
As for Ouri, we got some more background as to why he’s so obsessed with number one and in part why he feels like he has to win Utage over (before coming to terms he had fallen for her). I mentioned his feelings being rooted in selfishly driven for Utage’s attention, and that’s very much true. As a son of two exceptionally famous people, his parents are one of his biggest obstacle to overcome in the entertainment industry. He has to surpass them to escape their shadows. That’s why he’s so fixated on winning everyone over. But that desire to win Utage over to his side has evolved into love for Ouri. And it’s moments where she points out how he can’t be anyone but himself, just makes him fall for her even harder.
Poor Ouri though, he really got no chance in winning Utage’s heart. This is a dead on arrival situation despite being the first recognize he had fallen for her.
And last but not least, we must appreciate Keito this episode! It is really nice to see him warm up to Utage. Seeing her professionalism, earnest efforts and proven not to be a stalker (as he had checked Tamon’s apartment for spyware and other signs of trespassing), he has given her permission to hang out with Tamon even off work hours. He had even dragged them back to his place to give her a place to do her summer homework quietly (without it being Tamon’s apartment) because he has enough self-awareness to keep them away from prying eyes.
It was also endearing to see how he has basically become more so of a mother-hen with Tamon. Instead of clicking his tongue and getting angry at him, Keito has learned to communicate better in terms of telling Tamon what he’s thinking. And Tamon appreciates that change a lot.
