Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge Episode 04 Synopsis & Review
Now that Auntie's back, things are bound to get interesting. It's already been established that the love team to watch for this show is the Kyouhei-Sunako one, and I've always been hoping he'd realize his feelings for her soon. Maybe, a little push in the form of a rival could do that. This episode offers just that.
Disclaimer: As usual, this is my personal recount of the events in this episode, so they're not necessarily in chronological order, and some key points may be missing.
Salient Points Synopsis for Ep04 [DramaCrazy]
With Auntie in the mansion, it's impossible to conceal Sunako's true nature. Nevertheless, Auntie still wants to turn Sunako into a lady, telling the boys that they have three days to turn her niece into a Yamato Nadeshiko. It turns out an omiai, an arranged marriage meeting, has been set between Sunako and a rich man named Kurume. Auntie is thrilled with the prospect of Sunako meeting Kurume; Kyouhei is only interested in getting the free rent Auntie has promised if Sunako becomes a proper lady.
Later that evening, a reluctant Sunako plans to talk to Auntie about the omiai, but just as she's standing outside the door to Auntie's room, she overhears Auntie and Takeru talking about her late Uncle, who used to take her on trips all over the world with Auntie. Remembering the time when Auntie told Sunako she was the most beautiful girl in the world, Sunako resolves to push through with the omiai for the sake of Auntie's happiness. As she and Kyouhei talk about her upcoming marriage meeting, Auntie is having a drink at Shinichi's bar, and she ends up talking about her late husband. It is revealed that Auntie views the omiai as a way for Sunako to find love; given Auntie had lost the love of her life, she had always been on lookout for her next great love, as her late husband had instructed her. As Shinichi the Bartender becomes more immersed to the story of Auntie's marriage - and its narrator, too - Kyouhei tells Sunako he is relieved that his rent problem has fixed itself now that Sunako has agreed to attend the omiai.
The days leading up to the marriage meeting give the boys ample time to train Sunako; Auntie and Takeru are off viewing polar bears in the Arctic. Yukinojo and Ranmaru reenact the anticipated oral interview and prepare mock questions for Sunako to practice with, while Kyouhei supervises the process. Takenaga attempts to teach Sunako the art of ikebana, but apparently fails. On her own, Sunako studies French cuisine, which Kurume reportedly likes.
The day of the omiai arrives. The restaurant where it is to be held has locked its doors to outsiders, so the four boys are compelled to dress up as waiters. Sunako arrives, looking like the perfect lady, and everybody comments on how she could land this omiai successfully if she doesn't speak. Kurume arrives in a flashy yacht and a flashy convoy of bodyguards; it becomes evident that the picture he has sent as an application for the marriage interview was taken years ago, for present-day Kurume appears to be in his 50's, with a balding head. Just as Auntie is about to call the deal off, Sunako catches a glimpse of Kurume's handkerchief - it has a picture of the cat's paw, an ancient torture device. With this starting point, Sunako and Kurume start of a conversation, and discover that they have the same interests in horrific things and gore. The omiai is deemed successful by both parties, and after Kurume shows Sunako some of the torture devices he carries around, he moves into the mansion so he can bond with Sunako.
During his stay, life in the mansion changes. For one, Sunako keeps serving French food, which at first seems tasty due to its exoticism, but which Kyouhei eventually grows to detest because he misses Japanese food. It is evident early on that Kurume and Sunako have a tie that binds them. Auntie notices how Kyouhei reacts to seeing Sunako with Kurume, and it is implied that she thinks Kyouhei has feelings for Sunako.
At the boys' University, Noi-chan, Takenaga's not-so-girlfriend, pesters Kyouhei about Sunako being his first love. Apparently, she has heard of the omiai from Takenaga, and she is opposed to the idea of Sunako being closer to Kurume. When she finds out Kyouhei feels a burning sensation near his heart, she tells him that's the physical manifestation of love. Kyouhei ignores her, but the burning in his heart does not go away. Bothered by it, he spends the rest of the time in a daze.
Later that evening, Noi-chan, Ranmaru and Yukinojo trick Kyouhei and Sunako into falling into a deep pit - which seems like the same pit Sunako fell into when Mari and the other fangirls kidnapped her. They tell Kyouhei they're doing this so he can have the chance to sort out his feelings for Sunako. As some plywood covers the hole and Sunako and Kyouhei are left in the dark, he asks her what she feels about Kurume. Before they can discuss the matter seriously, Sunako declares Kyouhei to be too bright, and with her maniacal superhuman powers, she kicks Kyouhei out of the hole.
Back on land, it appears that Kurume has met Noi-chan, who was lingering by the hole with Ranmaru and Yukinojo. She tells him upfront that Sunako has Kyouhei - it is at this moment that Kyouhei comes flying out of the hole. Realizing Sunako is still inside the hole, Kurume jumps in, attempting to save her, but he ends up finding the hole cozy, so he and Sunako stay there for a while. Much later that evening, in Kyouhei's room, as Takenaga - who didn't help with the crazy plan of plunging Sunako and Kyouhei down the evil hole - does his own version in making his friend realize his true feelings, Kurume interrupts and announces his intention to propose to Sunako. Kyouhei tells Kurume to proceed with his plans, and Kurume is later shown presenting yet another torture device to Sunako, asking her to come to his house. She agrees; a marriage is arranged.
The next day, a wedding dress is prepared without Sunako's knowledge. Apparently, Kurume wants to give Sunako a surprise wedding, so he has kept things under wraps until the next day, when he and Sunako are scheduled to be married. Auntie realizes that Kyouhei has special feelings for her niece - after he walks into her room, telling her that Sunako is getting married for Auntie's sake. She also overhears Takeru talking to Ranmaru and Yukinojo, saying that he must protect his mother because she suffered much because of his father's illness, and his subsequent death.
Kyouhei, wandering around the mansion late that night, accidentally sees Kurume wearing a dominatrix costume and play-acting a whipping scene. Kyouhei, who had been initially resigned regarding the topic of Kurume and Sunako's marriage, becomes incensed when he sees the things Kurume plans to do to Sunako after they're married. Before he can warn Sunako, however, he is abducted by Kurume's bodyguards.
The day of the wedding comes; Sunako is confused as to why she's standing on the altar, wearing a wedding dress. Kurume tells her he wanted things to be a surprise, and when she shows the first sign of backing out he reminds her that he has the guillotine used on Marie Antoinette. He tells her he can have everything he owns after they're married. With this 'reassuring' thought in mind, Sunako manages to hold out until the end of the wedding. When it's time for the groom to kiss the bride, however, Sunako wakes up, and pushes Kurume away. He, however, has handcuffed himself to her - now they're inseperable.
Kyouhei arrives to tell Sunako off for selling herself in exchange for some torture devices. Sunako, waking up fast from her state of inactivity, slaps Kurume, who asks her to slap him some more. Kyouhei realizes that Kurume is actually a masochist, not a sadist. To save Sunako, he calls her Ugly Sunako, which, as always, fills her with immense strength that allows her to break her handcuffs. Together, she and Kyouhei fight with Kurume's bodyguards. Auntie, Takeru and the other three boys participate in the fight as well - Auntie apparently sees Sunako's fighting as 'cool'. With Kyouhei and Sunako racing out of the church, Kurume blurts out that he's tired of being rejected. Auntie talks to him, saying that he was always rejected in omiai not because of his weird hobbies, but because he never put his true self out for his marriage interview partner to see. Loving oneself, says Auntie, is the first step for others to love you.
Kyouhei and Sunako reach the mansion. After some skillful question, Kyouhei finds out that Sunako didn't really understand what Kurume's version of a proposal meant; she thought he was only inviting her to his house to see his torture device collection. She also says that the French food she had prepared unceasingly was for Auntie, who also loves French food, not for Kurume. Coming to this understanding, Sunako prepares a hearty Japanese meal for Kyouhei, and the others walk in on them in the dining room, seeing Sunako as the perfect lady, only with a dark black hood.
Later, Sunako apologizes to Auntie for being who she is, for being a disappointment. Auntie says she loves Sunako no matter what, but when asked whether Sunako being just herself is okay, Auntie replies that Sunako still has to become a lady. The next morning, Auntie is preparing to leave - for a meeting with a king, it seems - and after she walks out the door, the boys comment on how she came and went like a hurricane. Finally, they say, there will be peace at home at last. Auntie, however, returns just moments after and greets them a Happy Valentine - which implants fearful images of hordes of girls giving them chocolates.
Review
I swear: this show only gets better and better. I checked the wiki site for the manga earlier, and was surprised to see that it's still ongoing. I wonder if this means there won't be my version of a happy ending for the dorama? I certainly hope the screenwriters decided to change the storyline 'for the better'.
This episode is the first in the series which seriously deals with the idea of a lady. According to Auntie, she doesn't know what a lady is either, although she thinks that when a woman is in love with the best man, she becomes the perfect lady. It seems to me that the boys have only been trying to get Sunako to become a lady superficially: teaching her ikebana, arranging her hair and makeup, telling her what to say or what not to say. Kyouhei is the first to say a lady is someone kind; even that, however, seems vague. Just what is a lady anyway? It's a vague concept much like beauty.
Speaking of beauty, it took me four entire episodes of this show to realize that Kyouhei really is the most handsome among the four. At first, it was Takenaga who drew my attention - until now, he still sort of does - and I didn't think much of Kyouhei. Watching him in this episode, however, I realized why he is considered the prettiest of the four. It's not just because of his personality, it's also because of his face. His features are very Asian, his eyes beautifully almond-shaped, and although he isn't exactly striking, his beauty is the type that grows on you. Which is the best type, methinks.
Having Auntie back on the frontlines really helped this episode. The comedic timing of the guys is becoming better and better, and now they've even started adding more slapstick humor to the presentation. A most notable actor in this amazing cast is Kato Seishiro, who plays Takeru. Even though he's got very little range in terms of facial expression - come on, he's just a kid! - his vocal acting is excellent; he means every word he says.
I seriously hope Sunako wakes up and realizes she likes Kyouhei. I hope Kyouhei realizes his feelings soon, too.
Disclaimer: As usual, this is my personal recount of the events in this episode, so they're not necessarily in chronological order, and some key points may be missing.
Salient Points Synopsis for Ep04 [DramaCrazy]
With Auntie in the mansion, it's impossible to conceal Sunako's true nature. Nevertheless, Auntie still wants to turn Sunako into a lady, telling the boys that they have three days to turn her niece into a Yamato Nadeshiko. It turns out an omiai, an arranged marriage meeting, has been set between Sunako and a rich man named Kurume. Auntie is thrilled with the prospect of Sunako meeting Kurume; Kyouhei is only interested in getting the free rent Auntie has promised if Sunako becomes a proper lady.
Later that evening, a reluctant Sunako plans to talk to Auntie about the omiai, but just as she's standing outside the door to Auntie's room, she overhears Auntie and Takeru talking about her late Uncle, who used to take her on trips all over the world with Auntie. Remembering the time when Auntie told Sunako she was the most beautiful girl in the world, Sunako resolves to push through with the omiai for the sake of Auntie's happiness. As she and Kyouhei talk about her upcoming marriage meeting, Auntie is having a drink at Shinichi's bar, and she ends up talking about her late husband. It is revealed that Auntie views the omiai as a way for Sunako to find love; given Auntie had lost the love of her life, she had always been on lookout for her next great love, as her late husband had instructed her. As Shinichi the Bartender becomes more immersed to the story of Auntie's marriage - and its narrator, too - Kyouhei tells Sunako he is relieved that his rent problem has fixed itself now that Sunako has agreed to attend the omiai.
The days leading up to the marriage meeting give the boys ample time to train Sunako; Auntie and Takeru are off viewing polar bears in the Arctic. Yukinojo and Ranmaru reenact the anticipated oral interview and prepare mock questions for Sunako to practice with, while Kyouhei supervises the process. Takenaga attempts to teach Sunako the art of ikebana, but apparently fails. On her own, Sunako studies French cuisine, which Kurume reportedly likes.
The day of the omiai arrives. The restaurant where it is to be held has locked its doors to outsiders, so the four boys are compelled to dress up as waiters. Sunako arrives, looking like the perfect lady, and everybody comments on how she could land this omiai successfully if she doesn't speak. Kurume arrives in a flashy yacht and a flashy convoy of bodyguards; it becomes evident that the picture he has sent as an application for the marriage interview was taken years ago, for present-day Kurume appears to be in his 50's, with a balding head. Just as Auntie is about to call the deal off, Sunako catches a glimpse of Kurume's handkerchief - it has a picture of the cat's paw, an ancient torture device. With this starting point, Sunako and Kurume start of a conversation, and discover that they have the same interests in horrific things and gore. The omiai is deemed successful by both parties, and after Kurume shows Sunako some of the torture devices he carries around, he moves into the mansion so he can bond with Sunako.
During his stay, life in the mansion changes. For one, Sunako keeps serving French food, which at first seems tasty due to its exoticism, but which Kyouhei eventually grows to detest because he misses Japanese food. It is evident early on that Kurume and Sunako have a tie that binds them. Auntie notices how Kyouhei reacts to seeing Sunako with Kurume, and it is implied that she thinks Kyouhei has feelings for Sunako.
At the boys' University, Noi-chan, Takenaga's not-so-girlfriend, pesters Kyouhei about Sunako being his first love. Apparently, she has heard of the omiai from Takenaga, and she is opposed to the idea of Sunako being closer to Kurume. When she finds out Kyouhei feels a burning sensation near his heart, she tells him that's the physical manifestation of love. Kyouhei ignores her, but the burning in his heart does not go away. Bothered by it, he spends the rest of the time in a daze.
Later that evening, Noi-chan, Ranmaru and Yukinojo trick Kyouhei and Sunako into falling into a deep pit - which seems like the same pit Sunako fell into when Mari and the other fangirls kidnapped her. They tell Kyouhei they're doing this so he can have the chance to sort out his feelings for Sunako. As some plywood covers the hole and Sunako and Kyouhei are left in the dark, he asks her what she feels about Kurume. Before they can discuss the matter seriously, Sunako declares Kyouhei to be too bright, and with her maniacal superhuman powers, she kicks Kyouhei out of the hole.
Back on land, it appears that Kurume has met Noi-chan, who was lingering by the hole with Ranmaru and Yukinojo. She tells him upfront that Sunako has Kyouhei - it is at this moment that Kyouhei comes flying out of the hole. Realizing Sunako is still inside the hole, Kurume jumps in, attempting to save her, but he ends up finding the hole cozy, so he and Sunako stay there for a while. Much later that evening, in Kyouhei's room, as Takenaga - who didn't help with the crazy plan of plunging Sunako and Kyouhei down the evil hole - does his own version in making his friend realize his true feelings, Kurume interrupts and announces his intention to propose to Sunako. Kyouhei tells Kurume to proceed with his plans, and Kurume is later shown presenting yet another torture device to Sunako, asking her to come to his house. She agrees; a marriage is arranged.
The next day, a wedding dress is prepared without Sunako's knowledge. Apparently, Kurume wants to give Sunako a surprise wedding, so he has kept things under wraps until the next day, when he and Sunako are scheduled to be married. Auntie realizes that Kyouhei has special feelings for her niece - after he walks into her room, telling her that Sunako is getting married for Auntie's sake. She also overhears Takeru talking to Ranmaru and Yukinojo, saying that he must protect his mother because she suffered much because of his father's illness, and his subsequent death.
Kyouhei, wandering around the mansion late that night, accidentally sees Kurume wearing a dominatrix costume and play-acting a whipping scene. Kyouhei, who had been initially resigned regarding the topic of Kurume and Sunako's marriage, becomes incensed when he sees the things Kurume plans to do to Sunako after they're married. Before he can warn Sunako, however, he is abducted by Kurume's bodyguards.
The day of the wedding comes; Sunako is confused as to why she's standing on the altar, wearing a wedding dress. Kurume tells her he wanted things to be a surprise, and when she shows the first sign of backing out he reminds her that he has the guillotine used on Marie Antoinette. He tells her he can have everything he owns after they're married. With this 'reassuring' thought in mind, Sunako manages to hold out until the end of the wedding. When it's time for the groom to kiss the bride, however, Sunako wakes up, and pushes Kurume away. He, however, has handcuffed himself to her - now they're inseperable.
Kyouhei arrives to tell Sunako off for selling herself in exchange for some torture devices. Sunako, waking up fast from her state of inactivity, slaps Kurume, who asks her to slap him some more. Kyouhei realizes that Kurume is actually a masochist, not a sadist. To save Sunako, he calls her Ugly Sunako, which, as always, fills her with immense strength that allows her to break her handcuffs. Together, she and Kyouhei fight with Kurume's bodyguards. Auntie, Takeru and the other three boys participate in the fight as well - Auntie apparently sees Sunako's fighting as 'cool'. With Kyouhei and Sunako racing out of the church, Kurume blurts out that he's tired of being rejected. Auntie talks to him, saying that he was always rejected in omiai not because of his weird hobbies, but because he never put his true self out for his marriage interview partner to see. Loving oneself, says Auntie, is the first step for others to love you.
Kyouhei and Sunako reach the mansion. After some skillful question, Kyouhei finds out that Sunako didn't really understand what Kurume's version of a proposal meant; she thought he was only inviting her to his house to see his torture device collection. She also says that the French food she had prepared unceasingly was for Auntie, who also loves French food, not for Kurume. Coming to this understanding, Sunako prepares a hearty Japanese meal for Kyouhei, and the others walk in on them in the dining room, seeing Sunako as the perfect lady, only with a dark black hood.
Later, Sunako apologizes to Auntie for being who she is, for being a disappointment. Auntie says she loves Sunako no matter what, but when asked whether Sunako being just herself is okay, Auntie replies that Sunako still has to become a lady. The next morning, Auntie is preparing to leave - for a meeting with a king, it seems - and after she walks out the door, the boys comment on how she came and went like a hurricane. Finally, they say, there will be peace at home at last. Auntie, however, returns just moments after and greets them a Happy Valentine - which implants fearful images of hordes of girls giving them chocolates.
Review
I swear: this show only gets better and better. I checked the wiki site for the manga earlier, and was surprised to see that it's still ongoing. I wonder if this means there won't be my version of a happy ending for the dorama? I certainly hope the screenwriters decided to change the storyline 'for the better'.
This episode is the first in the series which seriously deals with the idea of a lady. According to Auntie, she doesn't know what a lady is either, although she thinks that when a woman is in love with the best man, she becomes the perfect lady. It seems to me that the boys have only been trying to get Sunako to become a lady superficially: teaching her ikebana, arranging her hair and makeup, telling her what to say or what not to say. Kyouhei is the first to say a lady is someone kind; even that, however, seems vague. Just what is a lady anyway? It's a vague concept much like beauty.
Speaking of beauty, it took me four entire episodes of this show to realize that Kyouhei really is the most handsome among the four. At first, it was Takenaga who drew my attention - until now, he still sort of does - and I didn't think much of Kyouhei. Watching him in this episode, however, I realized why he is considered the prettiest of the four. It's not just because of his personality, it's also because of his face. His features are very Asian, his eyes beautifully almond-shaped, and although he isn't exactly striking, his beauty is the type that grows on you. Which is the best type, methinks.
Having Auntie back on the frontlines really helped this episode. The comedic timing of the guys is becoming better and better, and now they've even started adding more slapstick humor to the presentation. A most notable actor in this amazing cast is Kato Seishiro, who plays Takeru. Even though he's got very little range in terms of facial expression - come on, he's just a kid! - his vocal acting is excellent; he means every word he says.
I seriously hope Sunako wakes up and realizes she likes Kyouhei. I hope Kyouhei realizes his feelings soon, too.