Hana Yori Dango 2, Episode 3 Recap, PART I
Wheeee... Am so glad this wasn't as ANGSTY as the last episode. (Not saying that this didn't have its fill of angst.) But yeah, I really loved this episode and looking forward to the next episode. Anyway, here's the recap for this episode!
After Writing: I apparently wrote too much. I NEED to stop babbling, I think. And again, I always had way too many pictures. @.@ Hopefully next recap won't be as wordy/lengthy/picture-y?
We start out with the opening. Which is a REAL change from the... other two episodes. Heh. Guess they didn't find a good place to stick this in so decided to just put it in the beginning. *shrugs* Or other reasons. (In other news, I'm starting to REALLY warm up to this song. I still don't know about the opening sequence though.)
As always, we have some clips of the previous episode. This time though, it's clips of Shigeru really. And the scene of the "kiss." Gah. I cringe everytime I see her kissing him. It just ... it's just all wrong. And NOOOO. And poor Makino. (Okay, I finally decided not to call her Tsukushi. I know with everyone else, I use their first names. But for her? It's just a HABIT to type out Makino. And easier. I can't even TELL you how many times I've typed Makino in that last recap instead of Tsukushi, then had to go back and ... well, you get the idea.)
So we hear Soujirou telling the guys that Tsukasa was supposed to go meet Makino. But that's when Akira tells them that he heard that Tsukasa was going to meet Shigeru as well. Rui looks perplexed as he hears this. Mind you, they're all at Soujirou's, about to drink tea, it seems. (And I love how kinda formal this all is, but whatever.) Soujirou goes "Huh?" and we jump back to Makino who's back-steps as she still sees Tsukasa and Shigeru kissing. She walks away from there and we're back to Soujirou who asks them what's going on in Tsukasa's head. While Akira appears to be listening, Rui seems lost in his own thoughts. Hopefully asking himself why he decided to wear that sweater that day. Because, I'm sorry, but it's not that pretty. And awkward with the pattern on it. XP But I digress. (Rui is still all kinds of hot, if that makes up for it.)
Rui and the sweater of doom? Well, not really, but I sure don't like it. (And Akira staring STRAIGHT at us... Or the camera, but preferably us.)
We're back to Makino striding away and then back to Rui who excuses himself from their little tea ... thing. Whatever you call it. Akira calls out to Rui, but he's rapidly walking away. We hear Shigeru's voice before we ever see anything and she says "Ouch" first and then asks "What was that?" We're FINALLY back to Tsukasa and Shigeru and wow, he must've pushed her VERY hard for her to be THAT far. Tsukasa yells at her that he should be the one asking why she did that. Shigeru innocently asks if something's wrong and Tsukasa complains about the fact that she kissed him. At first, I had a problem with this. If Tsukasa didn't plan this whole Shigeru thing and the fact that she would kiss him, then WHY OH WHY did the kiss go on for so long? Then I thought about it; remember how long Tsukasa was frozen after she bit his ear? I think it was something along the same lines. Shigeru acts so forward towards him that it catches him off-guard EACH and EVERY time. Sure, the kiss may have gone on a little longer than should be. But that could just be because he's not used to such forwardness. (We all know how Makino is with forwardness.)
I DIGRESS though. Anyway, Tsukasa screws something up again, but Shigeru finds this ever so charming and tells him that he's hip. Um, that's one way of looking at it. She ends it with "Tsukasa" which sets him off again, telling her to stop calling him by his first name. She takes this as him being embarrassed and "calls" him on it. Heh. She's so delusional that it's kinda cute. She tells him that he's shy (which, amusing) and still calls him Tsukasa. Then she does this giggle that scared the crap out of me. I saw this actress in Attack No. 1 and it's a COMPLETELY different character. I mean, whoa. Anyway, Tsukasa threatens her again, as he's prone to do, especially towards her. Shigeru wonders what's made him so mad and that kissing in front of people shouldn't be such a big deal, especially if he'd be in America for a year. Heh. Even more so since he was in New York.
Tsukasa tells her that they don't have that kind of a relationship, which causes her to ask whether he wanted that kind of relationship with her. Um, I don't recall those words EVER coming out of his mouth (then again, we never did hear their conversation). Then she explains her thoughts about how he was the one that asked her there in the first place. He argues that it was just a meeting and then asks whether she just kisses anyone she'll see. No, just those that she REALLY likes. Duh. ...Ha! She says exactly what I said. Although it was more of "only because it was you, Tsukasa." She looks extremely girly as she talks about how happy she was when he asked her out. He, on the other hand, is pissed and commands her to go home. She looks utterly confused and asks him what he means. He explains that the only reason he asked her there was to make her understand her "role," not to have her kiss him. He again confuses another word and there's this whole thing where he tries to explain it and Shigeru corrects him and starts cracking up. I think I'm starting not to like her laugh. XP Which is unfortunate, because the rest of her character amuses the hell out of me.
Anyway, Tsukasa snaps at her to both shut up and go home. She, understandably and surprisingly not sooner, snaps back that fine, she will go and storms off. Tsukasa watches her go, probably to make sure that she'd finally leave, then turns back to look for Makino. She comes back, likely curious, and asks him who he's looking for. Instead of just saying the name and getting this WHOLE thing over with, he just tells her that it's none of her business. Hehe! I love how she yells out "So frustrating!" It was just so amusing how she motioned? the word. Just too good. Anyway, Shigeru storms off.
And there's a scene change. Yuki is obviously talking to Makino as she asks "You're not going to see him?" We see Makino fitting her ... uniform as she's getting ready to work. She tells Yuki the affirmative to her question to which Yuki asks whether she turned halfway. Makino lies that she did which leads Yuki to kinda guilt her by reminding her (despite the fact that Makino DEFINITELY doesn't need to be reminded) that Makino had been the one that asked him. Makino acknowledges this and then goes on to explain about how she's taking her college exams soon and she doesn't have time for love. She goes to the counter and starts rearranging some packets... Despite the fact that they definitely don't need to be rearranged. She's so just trying to keep herself busy so she won't be thinking about Tsukasa. Yuki asks her whether she told Tsukasa and all, and Makino shakily says that she doesn't know if he's even coming. Or going to the meeting place. Once again, Makino lies about how she doesn't have feelings for him anyway. Sure you don't, Makino. The doors open in the background and Makino is about to greet them, but her words falter. Why? Because it's Hanazawa Rui that appears!
He greets her with a "Yo." Makino immediately asks him "What's happened?" because... Well, he's never been to her dango shop. He kinda laughs a little at this and we switch scenes.
But before that, here's a lovely picture of Rui with that strange fur that I can ignore because he's just so pretty. *grin*
Back to the drama. We switch to Tsukasa who's still at the meeting place, waiting for Makino. He looks at his watch and complains that Makino's so slow. He's pretty much pacing and shivering, to which I say BUTTON UP YOUR JACKET. It might help. XP Plus, he looks quite warm, but that could just be me. In the background, we can see that Shigeru never left and is in fact just watching Tsukasa and waiting to see who exactly the male is looking for. We're back to Makino and Rui who are walking down some path and Rui (I am getting more and more tempted to just type out his whole name like Makino does) asks if her job's okay. She tells him that it's okay and that she was going to take the day off anyway. (On a side note, I think I'm getting used to that sweater now. I do have some qualms about Makino's outfit, but that's a whole different topic.)
Rui "hmmms" in reply and Makino picks up the conversation asking him whether it was Rui's first time going to the pastry shop. He tells her probably and I am insanely amused by how tall Oguri Shun is. Inoue Mao only comes up to his shoulder... And I think barely up to his shoulder. @.@ Wow. He's got some height on him. Rui explains that he had the feeling that if he went there, he'd see Makino. In a teasing voice (that'll backfire on her), she asks him if he was thinking of her. Quickly, Rui says yes (while I squeal). And Makino goes "eh?" Rui furthers his response by saying that he can't say why, but he just wanted to see her. And again, I squeal in the background. She seems utterly pleased and tells her that it's her honor... to be thought of in that way? That's how I took it.
Makino looking pleased at Rui's words.
Rui changes tracks slightly and tells her that he didn't think it would turn out like this. And how he was surprised. He walks away from her (since she had stopped their walking when she had teased him a few minutes back) and Makino is left to just watch him walk away. We hear Tsukasa asking "What's the meaning of this?" and complain about Makino (annoying girl). He's still freaking shivering, but has YET to button up his jacket. Do rich people never close their jackets? Because Rui had his open and so does Tsukasa. Gah. He throws his scarf over his neck and STILL Shigeru is there, watching him. You know, this totally could be thought of as stalkerish behavior. And it's funny how Shigeru is DEFINITELY wearing less... Or just not as covered, but she's not shivering really. I wonder if there are heaters where she's standing. XP
Anyway, we're back to Rui and Makino and Rui asks Makino whether she had a date with Tsukasa. We see that Rui has brought Makino to another new place that's looking really pretty and I'm SO jealous that she has such a cool friend. Anyway, Makino looks at him in surprise and goes "eh?" Rui asks whether she went, and Makino denies that. Rui still pushes the matter (good for him) and tells her what he thinks. That she had gone, he said something and she ran back. She tells him "Not really." And amusingly enough, the song "Irreplacable" is playing in the background. (I honestly am behind in music so didn't really know this song until about a day ago when I went to karaoke with my friends, and now I just laugh at the irony of the lyrics in this setting.) Anyway, Makino asks Rui how he even knew that she'd be meeting Tsukasa and Rui explains that Tsukasa had bragged to everyone that he was going to see her. (Everyone, except Shigeru to which this information would TOTALLY help out the situation. Blah.) Makino goes "Really?" kinda sounding disbelieving to which Rui asks what happened. She tells him "Nothing really" and tells him the same lie she told Yuki. About how she decided not to go halfway. (Although in this version, she tells him that she thought she was being a fool.)
Rui again asks if she didn't go and Makino reiterates the SAME old tired point that it's over between her and Tsukasa. Rui points out that he might still be waiting and adds in that Tsukasa's stubborn like that. (To which I go, DUH, Makino. Remember the "first date?" And it had been RAINING that day so... See how stubborn he is?) And looky here, she's remembering the first date as well. Rui asks whether it's okay to leave him hanging like that and Makino starts to look like she's reconsidering her decision.
However, we're back to Tsukasa and it's night time now. Tsukasa's still waiting, and shivering. They seem to go hand-in-hand in these scenes and melancholic music is playing in the background. Shigeru is STILL there, watching, because she's becoming a stalker now. At least she's shivering as well. Though not as much as one should be when they're out for this long. We hear her make a little noise and we see someone approaching Tsukasa. He gets up in anticipation, hoping that it's Makino.
Tsukasa looking anxious with the scarf really firmly around his neck now. As opposed to the LAST time we saw him where it was just ... there? Anyway.
He sits back down in disappointment and we see that it's only Nishida that showed up. Nishida breaks the news that the president, MFH (mother from hell), wants him to go home now and how he's waited until how and that he doesn't think Makino will show up. Tsukasa asks how he knows (I'm guessing to the fact that he was going to meet Makino), but gets up to follow Nishida who's walking towards the car? They pass by Shigeru's hiding spot, and she has to shuffle around a pillar to make sure that Tsukasa doesn't see her at all. She's able to hide from him and then asks herself whether Tsukasa was waiting for "that guy" aka Nishida.
We're back to Makino, who's studying REALLY HARD and obviously didn't return to go see Tsukasa. She stops in her writing to think again about THE kiss when her cell phone rings. Not her REGULAR one, but the gaudy gold one and she opens up the drawer to see that it is IN FACT Tsukasa calling, who has programed himself to show up as "The Man." Haaa! That's too funny. Oh Tsukasa, you slay me. She shuts the drawer closed and tries to go back to studying, but that ring tone would bother ANYONE. She asks outloud "What does he want?" and when the air doesn't answer, she rushes into her bed, throwing the covers over her head, in hopes that it'll mask the sound. We HEAR Shigeru asking her whether she's going to pick up her phone since it's ringing. Makino goes "eh?" as she fights to take the covers off and she sees with her own eyes that Shigeru's at her room's door. Shigeru points at the ringing phone and Makino says "No way!" Shigeru just smiles at her, which totally doesn't make up for the invasion of privacy.
Anyway, we hear her family starting to eat, and Makino is just standing there, watching them. Makino's mom explains that Shigeru brought them many gourmet dishes and Shigeru explains that she had her chef make it all so it's fresh. And damn, some of that looks delicious! ^_^ Makino's dad says that he saw those all on TV before and that he never thought he'd see them in person. Heeee! That was funny. Susumu adds in that he can eat many bowls of rice just by smelling them. Um, okay. Makino, on the other hand, is on the fact that Shigeru's even there and asks her why.
We don't hear Shigeru's answer because there's a scene change and Tsukasa is accusing MFH of doing some dirty trick that caused Makino to not show up at the meeting place. MFH goes "Whatever could you mean?" which makes her sound guilty when she's really not (for once). Tsukasa reiterates that she did something so Makino couldn't come. MFH tells him that Makino did go and then quietly went home. To which I ask how in lord's name did she know? Was Nishida there watching everything? Wouldn't put it past her actually. Tsukasa asks her what happened, not even thinking that HE could be the cause of everything and she just laughs, telling him that he should ask himself that. He seems to be heavy in thought when MFH drops that Shigeru's parents will come visit next week and that it's time they should have a big press conference to formally announce their engagement. Tsukasa tells her that she must be joking and all MFH does is laugh.
...Which overlaps with the laughing of Makino's family who are utterly pleased with their dinner. Makino doesn't look very pleased, although Shigeru seems happy that they're so happy with the dinner. Makino tries hard to smile, but can't do it. We hear someone ask her "Really?" and her reply is "I've had it" and we see that Makino's now in the F4 lounge (with Rui in the background, sitting and reading some book). Makino's closing her box and the camera changes and we see that she's sitting with Soujirou and Akira. Soujirou asks why Shigeru went to her house in the first place, and we get a clip of Shigeru complaining about Tsukasa's actions towards her. Akira basically says this in words and Makino goes on to say that Shigeru stayed over at her house too. Is Shigeru stalking BOTH Tsukasa AND Makino? @.@ Although, is it stalking when Makino already knows about it?
Anyway, both boys go "Huh?!" in reply and then another short clip of Shigeru being happy that she's staying at a friend's house and how it's her first time. And how she's so excited. Then Shigeru shows a small vulnerability as she asks Makino whether she'll always be her friend and Makino tries to explain something to Shigeru when she looks over and sees that Shigeru is fast asleep. Hehe. Soujirou goes "What a happy fellow," but Akira kinda changes tracks and asks Makino why she didn't go. Makino goes "Eh?" as the camera shows that Rui is paying attention to their conversation. Then back to the table as Soujirou explains that if she had gone, Shigeru would've sensed something, that Tsukasa is still in love with Makino. Akira asks whether they think Tsukasa can be that devious (devious about what, exactly?)
Makino tells them that it looks like they got it all wrong and that there's no room left in Tsukasa's heart for her. Soujirou immediately argues that that isn't what he sees. But Makino adds in that Tsukasa had been the one that called Shigeru to where they were supposed to have a date, "just to brag how attractive he is." It's here where she starts to complain about Tsukasa, but the F3 notice something quickly approaching. And lookie here, it's Tsukasa who's walking up the staircase. Isn't this utterly cliche-ish? But do I care? No.
Anyway, Makino is STILL complaining about Tsukasa's actions and about how he orders everyone around. Tsukasa asks who's the guy that orders people around. And Makino kinda makes a noise, but Tsukasa goes on complaining himself about how she called HIM, but didn't show up. All she says is "here it comes" which sets off Tsukasa on is she insulting him? Makino shoots out of her chair as she asks him who's insulting who? Akira tries to break the argument, but Tsukasa pushes his hand away and yells at her about how long he waited. Makino calls him a fool for even waiting. He tells her not to get sassy with him, and she tells him that he KNOWS what he did. And the two of them are SO close that I'm hoping that the show'd fulfill another cliche in which two obviously in love characters are in the middle of arguing when they just start making out.
Because ONE picture isn't enough, here's three.
So it doesn't turn out like I'd like it to, since Makino storms off in anger. Soujirou tries to call her back. She rushes down the stairs and Tsukasa takes a seat at the table. Akira calls for Tsukasa's attention to which he unwillingly gives and then Akira asks him what happened, and that Makino isn't someone who would break her word. Isn't it sweet how much these guys seem to know about her? And defend her at almost any turn? I LOVE it! We shoot back to Rui who's getting up from his chair as Tsukasa's talking about what he wanted to show Shigeru when Tsukasa kinda halters in his talk after seeing Rui slowly walking down the stairs. He's able to catch himself and explains his thoughts about how he wanted to show Shigeru that she couldn't compare to Makino. Then he says the words "I wanted to get serious with Makino" and makes me want to MELT. Why couldn't she have heard this?! Damn. If this doesn't push Akira and Soujirou to TRYING to fix this situation, I don't know what will.
We hear Makino yelling "Completely unbelievable" at where else, but the fire escape. She starts kicking at the walls around her and just complaining about Tsukasa in general. His attitude, how he pretended it didn't happen, about how it was just a kiss and there's nothing to brag about. She's FURIOUSLY kicking at a corner when we hear Rui going "So Tsukasa kissed?" Heeee! She spins around in the small quarters and finds Rui lying on the staircase with his book over his face.
Just because.
Rui explains to both himself and to the viewers (even though that's not really necessary) that that must've been the scene that made her leave. He gets up and goes to her saying "I see, I see" and "So that's what happened." Makino is pretty much trapped here, not knowing what she can say since she was caught in her lie. Rui then asks her "why did Tsukasa have Shigeru leave?" Makino argues that it doesn't matter who it was, as long as it was going to hurt me. Now, I'd TOTALLY AGREE with this mentality (since it had been what I was thinking last week), but after Tsukasa's "I wanted to get serious with Makino," I can never agree. XP Rui looks at her and goes "Really." Makino tries to push the whole thing aside, as she tends to do, and says that they should stop talking about this and how talking about that dumbass is making them stupid too. Heh. She tries. Rui smiles at this, likely amused at her attempt to change directions, but doesn't say anything and goes back to his book. Makino then asks Rui to help her study for her test and Rui goes "Eh?" as Makino smiles at him.
We switch scenes we see a car driving down the road and we find out that Tsukasa is in said car. He's just deep in his thoughts when he sees a homeless man pushing a cart down the street and his nightmares start to flash before his eyes. Yikes, this is getting SERIOUS if he can now see this when he's awake. We get a new flash now of the man stating that Tsukasa came to NY to study management and they seem to be walking down some construction. As he watches the man jump off the ledge, the car comes to a screeching halt and Tsukasa's a little thrown in his seat. This is why they invented SEAT BELTS. Use them. Tsukasa yells at the driver to watch his driving and the driver apologizes, adding in that someone ran onto the middle of the road. Tsukasa goes to look at who's foolish enough to stop a moving car, and hey! Lookie here, Shigeru.
Shigeru in front of their car... Because she has a death wish. XP
I do have a question, how the HELL did she know which car to stop? God, she IS becoming a stalker, isn't she? Should I nickname her Stalker!Shigeru? Hehe. Kinda lengthy, but who cares? Anyway, Shigeru waves at Tsukasa from the front and I am kinda surprised that Tsukasa didn't just go, "Run her over." Wouldn't that've been wild? Instead, he just sits back in the chair, looking dejected. What'd he expect, Makino? Even she's not crazy enough to stop a moving car.
Gah. They do this a lot, where the person is talking WHILE we're at another scene. Anyway, Rui states that Makino wants to be a lawyer in a bit of mild surprise. Makino explains that she wants to get into the law department and Rui asks whether she can pass.
Can you believe that at first I thought Rui was on the OUTSIDE of the rail? I was SO afraid he'd fall at any second... But then I realized how silly that was.
Makino tells him that she can BARELY pass it, but she wants to still try. Rui asks whether this is influence from Shizuka and Makino tells him "Yeah" and how she wants to become a woman like Shizuka, which is honestly a great goal. I love how much Makino admires Shizuka, especially with all that Shizuka has done. *grins* Anyway, Makino goes on to compliment Shizuka's character and Rui looks on, pleased. He then tells her in what has to be his GIDDY voice that Shizuka is coming in two weeks. Makino smiles at this and tells him that she missed her. Rui smiles again, and does this little head bob that makes me giggle before ducking down (as though not to show JUST how happy he is) and returns back to his book. Makino goes back to her study material, looking more determined now.
Shigeru "invites" herself into Tsukasa's car, asking him where he's going and Tsukasa complains that she's loud, before going out through the other door. He storms onto the sidewalk, just as Shigeru gets out of the car, asking him what he's angry about or at. She chases after him as best she can, wearing high heeled boots that'd probably be WAY too hard to walk in, much less run in. Tsukasa complains that when she's around, he can't help himself (being angry, that is). Shigeru complains that what does he mean, and since she's his fiancee, of course she'd hang out with him. Yes, dear. But stalking is a WHOLE different level. Tsukasa tells her that he still hasn't accepted her as his fiancee and Shigeru argues that even if he doesn't accept it, it's their fate. Tsukasa stops in his tracks and Shigeru catches up to him, surprisingly enough. He goes "Fate?" And Shigeru says "Isn't it?" to which Tsukasa tries to explain, "you understand, right?" calling her a monkey as well.
He then explains their situation that there's a hidden scheme behind this marriage. As he talks, the scene is of MFH talking to some men in ENGLISH, I might add. Wow. I'm actually kinda impressed at how well her English sounds. Sure it was BRIEF and all, but her accent isn't as heavy as some of the people that have tried to speak in english. *coughTSUKASAcough* Anyway, said men walk out of her office and MFH looks absolutely irritated as she looks at the papers in her hands. She crumples it up and throws it on the ground before kinda collapsing against the ground. It's really strange seeing MFH so weak here... But she's not all-powerful, so it works.
MFH looking weak.
Anyway, MFH is still collapsed on the ground when Nishida comes into the room. He asks her whether she'd like to rest a little and she gives him a forced smile before standing up, trying to regain her composure. She says nothing to him and Nishida kinda breathes out, before grabbing the paper MFH had thrown on the floor and pretty much kinda cleaning up the place. Wouldn't it be kinda funny if Nishida liked MFH? Okay, not funny HA HA. But funny as in... Actually, I have NO idea what. Anyway, back to the recap. Shigeru kinda repeats what Tsukasa is saying that if they didn't ally, his company would have no future. Tsukasa tells her that he will think up a way where he won't have to marry her and still save the company. Shigeru tells him that there is no better way, right? Tsukasa says that his fate's already connect with another woman and for the SECOND time this episode, Tsukasa has made me swoon at just his words. Damn it, Tsukasa! Why can't you say these words to MAKINO who'd really benefit from this information?
After those words, Shigeru seems to really be thinking about this as she watches him walk away. Couldn't he have just run to his car by this point and gone, "GO! SHE'S DISTRACTED! RUN LIKE THE WIND!" Or something alone those lines? Anyway, we have another scene change and Shigeru's now at the dango shop talking about fate with the girls. She asks them what they think and if they cannot BECOME destined for each other. Makino's kinda to the side, looking at her study guide, but still listening in on the conversation. Yuki goes "Who knows?" when the manager walks in and talks about how fate is about results. She sees Shigeru and asks whether she's their friend. Shigeru is enthusiastic as she replies, "Yes! Best friends!" (Although you'd never hear THEM say that.) There's a small flash of Makino ... doing what exactly? No idea. Anyway, the boss goes on to talk about how one loves someone so much that even if they're tossed away again and again, one won't give up. Then if said person succeeds, that's fate. Sure, or just sheer persistence. Then she continues that fate is something one explores and that one should go after their goal, no matter what, until they achieve it. The camera shows Makino and Yuki really thinking about this.
Shigeru and the boss looking into the distance as she regales them with her knowledge and wisdom.
Shigeru says outloud that if she doesn't hold on and that if she gives up, she'll be doomed to pass her fated one by. That's one way of looking at it. Another is that if you're not pestering him, he might actually LIKE you instead of disdaining you. Either way. Anyway, Yuki starts talking about Soujirou and how he's not taking her calls. Shigeru tries to encourage her to explore it further... Just don't give her stalkerish tips, please. We hear the boss talking on the phone to none other than Akira! Dude, that's insane. Anyway, she asks him what he's doing recently, and the boss is able to get the information that tomorrow, Soujirou is going to Akira's house. Hee! That was too cool. I totally think Akira's a match-maker in disguise (although Nishida's even more stealthy, but I digress). Yuki's a little surprised and wonders whether it's okay to go visit Akira's house and all to which she asks the boss what she should do.
As that's going on, Shigeru goes over to Makino and asks Makino whether she has a fated one. All Makino says is "Eh?" to which Shigeru goes on to talk about if Rui has a crush on Makino. Makino isn't able to give much thought to that when Yuki asks Makino to go with her to Akira's house. Makino seemed to have agreed since, next thing you know, we're at Akira's house. (I had VERY LITTLE pictures up to this point... I guess I'll make it up with these pictures.)
The very outside... With lots and lots of those arches.
They're invited into the house and both girls bow in gratitude. They look up to see a female wearing... a very frilly dress, petting a stuffed doggie?? who has her curly hair tied with a ribbon.
Said lady tells them that this is the first time they've had girls over. She leads them the way and both are trying hard to keep their smiles on. Yuki tells Makino "What a cute sister" to which Makino agrees. Oh, boy. Wait'll you find out who she really is.
Hearts.. Balloons of hearts. Plus there are more in the background next to that ... tree?
Bunnies... In front of a painting of nude kids with ... bat wings? WTH?
Awww... Is that a daddy bear and his child bear? Is the giraffe the mommy?
Hee! The bunny looks even better than I imagined!
Back to the ACTUAL recap. The female tells Akira that the girls are there and he stands up and greets them. He tells them that Soujirou'll be coming soon and to come and sit. I find it amusing that in a place covered in pink and white, he's wearing black. They really made him a contrast. The girls let themselves in, and they walk towards where Akira is sitting. The lady asks them if there's something they'd like to drink and Makino tells her not to worry about them. She's persistent and tells them that she baked cookies and that if they don't mind, if they could try some. Akira tells her not to worry about them, to which she exclaims in horror about how he could say that and how she spent all this effort to make them for the girls since this is a special occasion. He tells her that he understands but she goes on about how she worked so hard and only wants him and his friends to have fun.
Hee! I love how he took the two heart pillows (they ARE hearts, just so you know) and like crushes them together in irritation.
Makino tries to stop the lady's weepings by telling her that they'll definitely have some and Yuki chimes in that she LOVES cookies. Instantly, the lady cheers up and says that she'll go and bring some over. She giggles as she rushes away and Akira is just horrified by the entire scene. He apologizes a second later, after realizing that Yuki and Makino are LIKELY not used to this sort of thing, and then says that he hopes that didn't scare them and explains that she's always like that. Makino tells him that no, it didn't scare them. Yuki then tells him that his sister's so pretty. (And speaking of Yuki, I like her outfit a LOT.) Anyway, Akira clarifies that the female who had just left, was NOT his siter, but his mom. Both girls go "Eh?" in sheer surprise and Makino asks him whether's he's kidding and if that really is his mom.
Akira looks oh so amused as he tells them, "she's getting up there, but she's shameless." To which I say, huh? I'm guessing the 'she's getting up there' refers to her age, but she's shameless? Whatever. Anyway, seconds later, Akira's attacked by two little fuzzballs... Wait. Those are his SISTERS. TWIN sisters, I might add.
The sisters! Who are currently glaring at Makino and Yuki. (Okay, I tried SO hard to find a picture where ONE of the little girls does NOT have her hand in a potentially bad area... But that had does NOT MOVE. @.@ I was so horrified by it, but I just could NOT find a scene during the first few moments. And then got too lazy to go back and forth and whatnot.)
Anyway. One of the girls, the one to the right, asks who the girls are and Akira explains that they're his friends. The one on the left asks if they really are just friends and Akira ignores the question, explaining that the two girls are his younger sisters and that they're twins. (Not so hard to see that with our own two eyes, love.) Anyway, Makino calls them cute while Yuki asks them for their names. The girl on the right is Emi, and the girl on the left is Meimi. Heee! They're ADORABLE! Makino and Yuki bow, greeting them both with a good afternoon. Then Emi tells them to give up on Akira because she's going to marry Akira. Then Meimi argues that SHE'S going to marry Akira. I'm just glad they're like 7 when they're saying this because if they were older than 10, this would be creepy. (Watch them be 10.)
Akira tries to break up the little minature squabble and tells them to go find their mom. Both girls refuse and then the mom's voice filters in, calling to the two. The mom walks in with a cart as she tells them that there's cake over there, outside of the room judging by her gesture, and whether or not they want some. And OMG, as they get up, you realize that BOTH girls are wearing the SAME dress as their mom. (Well, almost, I think it's a slightly different color... Okay, ALMOST the same.) *blinks several times* Anyway, the twins rush for the cart, yelling "Cake!" The mom's about to put the foods and drinks onto the table, but Akira stops her, saying he'll do it. She lets him and tells the girls to enjoy, then takes the twins out of the room with her.
The mom and the twins.
Makino breathes out an "Amazing" and Akira tells them that they should understand why he's into older women. Well, if they don't, I sure as hell do. Makino says that she kind of does, she guesses. We hear the door opening in the background and we see Soujirou walk into the room. Yuki immediately lifts her head to see him, and Soujirou looks both surprised and mildly pissed to see her. Yuki greets him and he nods with a forced smile. (Did I MENTION just how hot Soujirou is looking? I think I'll have a screencap of that LATER when we see Soujirou and Yuki together.) As Akira reaches him, Soujirou asks in an angry whisper as to why they're there. Akira explains that he had sais that Soujirou was going to come today, so Yuki said she wanted to come too. Soujirou hisses in Akira's ear, "Blabbermouth!" which just causes me to giggle. Akira looks confused, saying "What?" as Soujirou smiles at the girls and does an IMMEDIATE 180 out the door. Quickly, Soujirou rushes out the door and Yuki yells at him to hold on, trying to get his attention. She follows after him and as Soujirou is passing on his way to the front door, we see Tsukasa walking in, asking if Soujirou is leaving. Soujirou just tells him later, and he leaves. Yuki is right behind him as she sees Tsukasa. She greets him then excuses himself, exiting soon after.
Then MAKINO rushes from behind her, calling out to Yuki, when she runs into Tsukasa at the entrance. Akira's right behind her and he sees Tsukasa and makino, slightly frozen in their spots. He tries to break the ice and tells them since they're all there, why don't they have some coffee? Makino and Tsukasa meet each other's eyes and then we have a time shift. We hear the front door open, once again, and we are watching Akira just sitting down by himself. We see Rui walking into the place. Akira sees Rui and Rui apologizes for being late. He asks where everyone is, looking around the place like he's expecting someone to just pop out from one of the walls... Which, would you REALLY be surprised if that happened in Akira's home? Anyway, Akira sounds dejected as he goes "this and that." Rui looks at him in confusion and Akira gestures towards a place in front of them. Rui looks to see Tsukasa and Makino sitting... nowhere near each other, but still in the same vicinity.
At first I could NOT tell where Makino was sitting, because her jacket kinda blends into the plantish thing behind her. But anyway, those two sure don't want to be near each other, do they?
Rui looks on in mild curiosity, but we're taken to the conversation between Tsukasa and Makino. Tsukasa brings up the topic of the missed date when Makino interjects, telling him that she saw THE kiss. Tsukasa tries to explain that, but once again, Makino interrupts him, extolling the virtues of Shigeru and Tsukasa does NOT interrupt her! Why, oh why are you letting her ramble on like this?! He does try to explain again, and she goes "Enough." This is NOT how their conversation should be going! XP She tells him that she doesn't want to hear it and that there's nothing to say between them. Tsukasa doesn't take the opportunity during the little pause she gives to shout at her that he loves HER, not SHIGERU. Makino talks about how they'd been separated and how, no matter what, she thought they'd still be together. And then how that wasn't real.
Tsukasa looking at Makino as she's talking about how their relationship is obviously ending.
Makino brings up that many couples can become friends after they break up and she tells him that she just can't do that. She tells him that they should just break up and never see each other again and that for someone like her, that's all she can do. God, this scene is just breaking my heart! Makino's trying to stay strong as she's talking and Tsukasa is letting her go on and on about BREAKING UP, when that's the last thing he wants to do! Gah!!!! He tries to say something by this point and even stands up to go closer to her, but it's too late. Makino gets up too and first apologizes for calling him out of the blue and how she'll never do it again, and then... She says "Bye bye" and leaves just as "Flavor of Life" kicks in.
Makino trying to stay strong as she ends the relationship.
Tsukasa watches as she leaves and we get a shot of Rui watching her leave through a window, looking all sorts of concerned.
Rui staring out the window.
Makino is trying hard to hold back her tears at first, and Tsukasa is just looking on as he's thinking about what just happened. Why do you keep THINKING?! Just act, dangit! We change scenes and Makino is striding down a pathway, presumably towards home, this time, not really holding back the tears anymore. We see Rui in the background, having run to catch up to her and then he sees her. He runs towards her, when he sees her stumbling as she's walking. Rui stops at one point and just watches her. He then turns around and walks away. GAH! Another stream of pictures because... it seems that I UTTERLY enjoy every scen that involves Rui and Makino in the same place... kinda.
This'll be a weird comment, but Rui is looking more like Oguri Shun than Rui at this moment... *coughs* It's all because his hair's all windswept from all the running, but seriously. Still, I love Oguri Shun. *sighs* (I really need to stop taking pictures of MOSTLY Oguri Shun and more of the REST of the cast.. Gah.)
We're still in musical montage mode and we see Tsukasa staring at the box Makino had given him OH so long ago. He opens the box and we see that the cookies been broken into pieces... Some parts seeming to be missing. He reaches out and kinda tries to piece it back together a little... as well as start petting it. We go to Shigeru who's just walking down a pathway, all in her thoughts. Then to Makino who's holding Tsukasa's present which is basically the cookie she gave before, only smaller and much more. She looks at it before covering the box again and stuffing it back into the gift bag and into the garbage.
She starts to study again when her dad knocks, opens the door, and asks her if she has a moment. She nods and we get a scene where the entire family is around the dinner table. The father says that he's going to announce something important, all serious and this just goes to show that NOTHING good is going to follow. Makino's mom asks whether the dad finally became management and he shoots that down when he tells them that the project he was working on FAILED. Susumu asks what happened and the dad goes on to explain that he thought that it can't end like this and thus, bet in the stock market. The mom asks how he even got the money for that, and he explains that he used company funds. Oh boy... Good move there, pops. At first the father and son are both like, that's cunning! But the mom's angry, saying that it doesn't matter if it was cunning. He goes on saying that he thought if they made money, their problems would be over. Yes, IF you made money. What are the chances? Makino asks if they made money and the dad doesn't answer and just says that this is the biggest crisis ever for their family and that they'll find a way through it. Then he collapses into a fit of tears and begs everyone for help.
Her dad collapsing on the table. XP
We hear Yuki talking to Makino and she asks her whether Makino'll find a new part time job. Makino tells her "Yep" and we see Makino is now at work, looking through a ... magazine thing that seems to have all the available jobs. Dude, I need something like that for HERE. I need a job. XP She finds one and Yuki says that it's a late night construction site, but Makino argues that it has the highest hourly wage so that's the one she wants. Yuki points out that since college exams are coming up, shouldn't she be studying harder? Makino says that this is perfect since she can concentrate on these things to which Yuki just tells her to take care of herself and not to stress herself out. Then, Makino asks Yuki whatever happened between her and Soujirou after she had chased him out of Akira's house.
Yuki explains that she had dragged him to a cafe afterwards and they have a small conversation about tea ceremonies and how Yuki's mom learned it before. At first the conversation is kinda good, until Yuki shows her ignorance to all that involves tea and its ceremonies. Soujirou sounds kinda disappointed when he says that she has no interest in tea ceremony.
Soujirou looking YUMMY! ^_^ (I have to fangirl about someone ELSE, otherwise it'd all be about Rui/Oguri Shun. And we all know, I do that ENTIRELY too much.)
Anyway, Yuki talks about how the whole thing became pretty awkward and that they didn't have much to say after it. Makino goes "I see..." and then Yuki tells her that she thought that she must try harder and thus signed up for a tea ceremony class, since she thought that if she doesn't understand it, she can't possibly understand Soujirou very well. To which I go, GO YUKI! I love this girl; she's as DETERMINED as Shigeru, but not as creepy. It WORKS. I think Shigeru could take some lessons from this girl. Anyway, she does end up going to the tea ceremony class and meets some girl who invites her into the class.
Mysterious girl who seems to be the teacher but doesn't introduce herself. Strange.
Yuki goes on to say that she thought that the people who'd want to learn about tea ceremony would be old woman, but discovers that there were many young people and many pretty girls. MG (mysterious girl, what I'll call her until we find a name) tells Yuki that if she doesn't understand anything, just ask her. Yuki tells Makino that she got the feeling that she had met MG somewhere before. (Or maybe seen a picture of her, perhaps? But that's a manga spoiler thingie... I digress.) Makino compliments Yuki, telling her that she's really great, a thought I agree with wholeheartedly, and Yuki asks her "Why?" Makino explains that Yuki's heading into an unknown world by herself and Yuki says "Really?" They smile at each other for a brief second before their boss comes in, talking about how when one falls in love, strength will keep "surging up." Heh. Yuki asks the boss whether she heard everything, to which the boss says neither a yes or no, instead "Go for it!" That probably equals a "Yes, I heard everything!" She tells the girl that only those with guts will open the door of fate. Yuki agrees while Makino leans against the wall, looking halfway between dejected and miserable.
We switch scenes and Tsukasa is talking to MFH, telling her that he has something to say, that still him and Makino... But then MFH stops him, telling him that he should realize the consequences of what he might say. We get flashes again of MATD (man about to die) ... Or should that be SMTTK (Suicidal man that Tsukasa knows). Let's go with MATD, because it's shorter... by a letter. We see MATD plunging off the ledge again and MFH talks about how if they break their alliance with Shigeru's family's company and tell them that he wants to be with a poor girl, that it'll affect the lives of the people that work for them. Tsukasa tries to understand what she's saying and asks if that happens, their company can't operate anymore? She tells him that it can't and that they've done all they can and there's no other way. Tsukasa stares at her in horror... kinda. Not really, I'm just TAKING it as horror. On a side note, I can't remember, but was there mention in the first season on Tsukasa's father? Because where is HE in all this?
Anyway, we switch scenes and Tsukasa is walking down the sidewalk, looking chilly in that seemingly thin, ugly, blue jacket that he decided to wear outside. He's remembering Makino's words about Shigeru and look, foreigners. Couldn't they have made these guys Japanese? I mean, REALLY NOW. We left New York already. WTH! Whatever, they start ragging on Tsukasa and how terrible he looks and how crappy he's dressed and how bad his curly hair is... Um, sure. At least there's a white guy in there. They're CRACKING up, like the silly people they are and Tsukasa is remembering Makino's "Bye bye" when he snaps, turns around and just punches one of the guys out of NOWHERE. *sigh* This is true to character... as when Tsukasa's all emotionally distraught, he can't help but release all that anger on "innocent" bystanders. He starts beating up on all of them.
We switch off to Makino who is trying to assure the boss that she can definitely keep up with this kind of work and we see her... doing something. Swinging a light around to tell them where to go? That's what I think she's doing anyway.
For the next minute or two, we just get scene after scene of Tsukasa beating up the guys, and Makino at her job. Both looking ragged from what they're doing.
Because LIVEJOURNAL tells me that my post is too long. Well, XP to you too!
After Writing: I apparently wrote too much. I NEED to stop babbling, I think. And again, I always had way too many pictures. @.@ Hopefully next recap won't be as wordy/lengthy/picture-y?
We start out with the opening. Which is a REAL change from the... other two episodes. Heh. Guess they didn't find a good place to stick this in so decided to just put it in the beginning. *shrugs* Or other reasons. (In other news, I'm starting to REALLY warm up to this song. I still don't know about the opening sequence though.)
As always, we have some clips of the previous episode. This time though, it's clips of Shigeru really. And the scene of the "kiss." Gah. I cringe everytime I see her kissing him. It just ... it's just all wrong. And NOOOO. And poor Makino. (Okay, I finally decided not to call her Tsukushi. I know with everyone else, I use their first names. But for her? It's just a HABIT to type out Makino. And easier. I can't even TELL you how many times I've typed Makino in that last recap instead of Tsukushi, then had to go back and ... well, you get the idea.)
So we hear Soujirou telling the guys that Tsukasa was supposed to go meet Makino. But that's when Akira tells them that he heard that Tsukasa was going to meet Shigeru as well. Rui looks perplexed as he hears this. Mind you, they're all at Soujirou's, about to drink tea, it seems. (And I love how kinda formal this all is, but whatever.) Soujirou goes "Huh?" and we jump back to Makino who's back-steps as she still sees Tsukasa and Shigeru kissing. She walks away from there and we're back to Soujirou who asks them what's going on in Tsukasa's head. While Akira appears to be listening, Rui seems lost in his own thoughts. Hopefully asking himself why he decided to wear that sweater that day. Because, I'm sorry, but it's not that pretty. And awkward with the pattern on it. XP But I digress. (Rui is still all kinds of hot, if that makes up for it.)
Rui and the sweater of doom? Well, not really, but I sure don't like it. (And Akira staring STRAIGHT at us... Or the camera, but preferably us.)
We're back to Makino striding away and then back to Rui who excuses himself from their little tea ... thing. Whatever you call it. Akira calls out to Rui, but he's rapidly walking away. We hear Shigeru's voice before we ever see anything and she says "Ouch" first and then asks "What was that?" We're FINALLY back to Tsukasa and Shigeru and wow, he must've pushed her VERY hard for her to be THAT far. Tsukasa yells at her that he should be the one asking why she did that. Shigeru innocently asks if something's wrong and Tsukasa complains about the fact that she kissed him. At first, I had a problem with this. If Tsukasa didn't plan this whole Shigeru thing and the fact that she would kiss him, then WHY OH WHY did the kiss go on for so long? Then I thought about it; remember how long Tsukasa was frozen after she bit his ear? I think it was something along the same lines. Shigeru acts so forward towards him that it catches him off-guard EACH and EVERY time. Sure, the kiss may have gone on a little longer than should be. But that could just be because he's not used to such forwardness. (We all know how Makino is with forwardness.)
I DIGRESS though. Anyway, Tsukasa screws something up again, but Shigeru finds this ever so charming and tells him that he's hip. Um, that's one way of looking at it. She ends it with "Tsukasa" which sets him off again, telling her to stop calling him by his first name. She takes this as him being embarrassed and "calls" him on it. Heh. She's so delusional that it's kinda cute. She tells him that he's shy (which, amusing) and still calls him Tsukasa. Then she does this giggle that scared the crap out of me. I saw this actress in Attack No. 1 and it's a COMPLETELY different character. I mean, whoa. Anyway, Tsukasa threatens her again, as he's prone to do, especially towards her. Shigeru wonders what's made him so mad and that kissing in front of people shouldn't be such a big deal, especially if he'd be in America for a year. Heh. Even more so since he was in New York.
Tsukasa tells her that they don't have that kind of a relationship, which causes her to ask whether he wanted that kind of relationship with her. Um, I don't recall those words EVER coming out of his mouth (then again, we never did hear their conversation). Then she explains her thoughts about how he was the one that asked her there in the first place. He argues that it was just a meeting and then asks whether she just kisses anyone she'll see. No, just those that she REALLY likes. Duh. ...Ha! She says exactly what I said. Although it was more of "only because it was you, Tsukasa." She looks extremely girly as she talks about how happy she was when he asked her out. He, on the other hand, is pissed and commands her to go home. She looks utterly confused and asks him what he means. He explains that the only reason he asked her there was to make her understand her "role," not to have her kiss him. He again confuses another word and there's this whole thing where he tries to explain it and Shigeru corrects him and starts cracking up. I think I'm starting not to like her laugh. XP Which is unfortunate, because the rest of her character amuses the hell out of me.
Anyway, Tsukasa snaps at her to both shut up and go home. She, understandably and surprisingly not sooner, snaps back that fine, she will go and storms off. Tsukasa watches her go, probably to make sure that she'd finally leave, then turns back to look for Makino. She comes back, likely curious, and asks him who he's looking for. Instead of just saying the name and getting this WHOLE thing over with, he just tells her that it's none of her business. Hehe! I love how she yells out "So frustrating!" It was just so amusing how she motioned? the word. Just too good. Anyway, Shigeru storms off.
And there's a scene change. Yuki is obviously talking to Makino as she asks "You're not going to see him?" We see Makino fitting her ... uniform as she's getting ready to work. She tells Yuki the affirmative to her question to which Yuki asks whether she turned halfway. Makino lies that she did which leads Yuki to kinda guilt her by reminding her (despite the fact that Makino DEFINITELY doesn't need to be reminded) that Makino had been the one that asked him. Makino acknowledges this and then goes on to explain about how she's taking her college exams soon and she doesn't have time for love. She goes to the counter and starts rearranging some packets... Despite the fact that they definitely don't need to be rearranged. She's so just trying to keep herself busy so she won't be thinking about Tsukasa. Yuki asks her whether she told Tsukasa and all, and Makino shakily says that she doesn't know if he's even coming. Or going to the meeting place. Once again, Makino lies about how she doesn't have feelings for him anyway. Sure you don't, Makino. The doors open in the background and Makino is about to greet them, but her words falter. Why? Because it's Hanazawa Rui that appears!
He greets her with a "Yo." Makino immediately asks him "What's happened?" because... Well, he's never been to her dango shop. He kinda laughs a little at this and we switch scenes.
But before that, here's a lovely picture of Rui with that strange fur that I can ignore because he's just so pretty. *grin*
Back to the drama. We switch to Tsukasa who's still at the meeting place, waiting for Makino. He looks at his watch and complains that Makino's so slow. He's pretty much pacing and shivering, to which I say BUTTON UP YOUR JACKET. It might help. XP Plus, he looks quite warm, but that could just be me. In the background, we can see that Shigeru never left and is in fact just watching Tsukasa and waiting to see who exactly the male is looking for. We're back to Makino and Rui who are walking down some path and Rui (I am getting more and more tempted to just type out his whole name like Makino does) asks if her job's okay. She tells him that it's okay and that she was going to take the day off anyway. (On a side note, I think I'm getting used to that sweater now. I do have some qualms about Makino's outfit, but that's a whole different topic.)
Rui "hmmms" in reply and Makino picks up the conversation asking him whether it was Rui's first time going to the pastry shop. He tells her probably and I am insanely amused by how tall Oguri Shun is. Inoue Mao only comes up to his shoulder... And I think barely up to his shoulder. @.@ Wow. He's got some height on him. Rui explains that he had the feeling that if he went there, he'd see Makino. In a teasing voice (that'll backfire on her), she asks him if he was thinking of her. Quickly, Rui says yes (while I squeal). And Makino goes "eh?" Rui furthers his response by saying that he can't say why, but he just wanted to see her. And again, I squeal in the background. She seems utterly pleased and tells her that it's her honor... to be thought of in that way? That's how I took it.
Makino looking pleased at Rui's words.
Rui changes tracks slightly and tells her that he didn't think it would turn out like this. And how he was surprised. He walks away from her (since she had stopped their walking when she had teased him a few minutes back) and Makino is left to just watch him walk away. We hear Tsukasa asking "What's the meaning of this?" and complain about Makino (annoying girl). He's still freaking shivering, but has YET to button up his jacket. Do rich people never close their jackets? Because Rui had his open and so does Tsukasa. Gah. He throws his scarf over his neck and STILL Shigeru is there, watching him. You know, this totally could be thought of as stalkerish behavior. And it's funny how Shigeru is DEFINITELY wearing less... Or just not as covered, but she's not shivering really. I wonder if there are heaters where she's standing. XP
Anyway, we're back to Rui and Makino and Rui asks Makino whether she had a date with Tsukasa. We see that Rui has brought Makino to another new place that's looking really pretty and I'm SO jealous that she has such a cool friend. Anyway, Makino looks at him in surprise and goes "eh?" Rui asks whether she went, and Makino denies that. Rui still pushes the matter (good for him) and tells her what he thinks. That she had gone, he said something and she ran back. She tells him "Not really." And amusingly enough, the song "Irreplacable" is playing in the background. (I honestly am behind in music so didn't really know this song until about a day ago when I went to karaoke with my friends, and now I just laugh at the irony of the lyrics in this setting.) Anyway, Makino asks Rui how he even knew that she'd be meeting Tsukasa and Rui explains that Tsukasa had bragged to everyone that he was going to see her. (Everyone, except Shigeru to which this information would TOTALLY help out the situation. Blah.) Makino goes "Really?" kinda sounding disbelieving to which Rui asks what happened. She tells him "Nothing really" and tells him the same lie she told Yuki. About how she decided not to go halfway. (Although in this version, she tells him that she thought she was being a fool.)
Rui again asks if she didn't go and Makino reiterates the SAME old tired point that it's over between her and Tsukasa. Rui points out that he might still be waiting and adds in that Tsukasa's stubborn like that. (To which I go, DUH, Makino. Remember the "first date?" And it had been RAINING that day so... See how stubborn he is?) And looky here, she's remembering the first date as well. Rui asks whether it's okay to leave him hanging like that and Makino starts to look like she's reconsidering her decision.
However, we're back to Tsukasa and it's night time now. Tsukasa's still waiting, and shivering. They seem to go hand-in-hand in these scenes and melancholic music is playing in the background. Shigeru is STILL there, watching, because she's becoming a stalker now. At least she's shivering as well. Though not as much as one should be when they're out for this long. We hear her make a little noise and we see someone approaching Tsukasa. He gets up in anticipation, hoping that it's Makino.
Tsukasa looking anxious with the scarf really firmly around his neck now. As opposed to the LAST time we saw him where it was just ... there? Anyway.
He sits back down in disappointment and we see that it's only Nishida that showed up. Nishida breaks the news that the president, MFH (mother from hell), wants him to go home now and how he's waited until how and that he doesn't think Makino will show up. Tsukasa asks how he knows (I'm guessing to the fact that he was going to meet Makino), but gets up to follow Nishida who's walking towards the car? They pass by Shigeru's hiding spot, and she has to shuffle around a pillar to make sure that Tsukasa doesn't see her at all. She's able to hide from him and then asks herself whether Tsukasa was waiting for "that guy" aka Nishida.
We're back to Makino, who's studying REALLY HARD and obviously didn't return to go see Tsukasa. She stops in her writing to think again about THE kiss when her cell phone rings. Not her REGULAR one, but the gaudy gold one and she opens up the drawer to see that it is IN FACT Tsukasa calling, who has programed himself to show up as "The Man." Haaa! That's too funny. Oh Tsukasa, you slay me. She shuts the drawer closed and tries to go back to studying, but that ring tone would bother ANYONE. She asks outloud "What does he want?" and when the air doesn't answer, she rushes into her bed, throwing the covers over her head, in hopes that it'll mask the sound. We HEAR Shigeru asking her whether she's going to pick up her phone since it's ringing. Makino goes "eh?" as she fights to take the covers off and she sees with her own eyes that Shigeru's at her room's door. Shigeru points at the ringing phone and Makino says "No way!" Shigeru just smiles at her, which totally doesn't make up for the invasion of privacy.
Anyway, we hear her family starting to eat, and Makino is just standing there, watching them. Makino's mom explains that Shigeru brought them many gourmet dishes and Shigeru explains that she had her chef make it all so it's fresh. And damn, some of that looks delicious! ^_^ Makino's dad says that he saw those all on TV before and that he never thought he'd see them in person. Heeee! That was funny. Susumu adds in that he can eat many bowls of rice just by smelling them. Um, okay. Makino, on the other hand, is on the fact that Shigeru's even there and asks her why.
We don't hear Shigeru's answer because there's a scene change and Tsukasa is accusing MFH of doing some dirty trick that caused Makino to not show up at the meeting place. MFH goes "Whatever could you mean?" which makes her sound guilty when she's really not (for once). Tsukasa reiterates that she did something so Makino couldn't come. MFH tells him that Makino did go and then quietly went home. To which I ask how in lord's name did she know? Was Nishida there watching everything? Wouldn't put it past her actually. Tsukasa asks her what happened, not even thinking that HE could be the cause of everything and she just laughs, telling him that he should ask himself that. He seems to be heavy in thought when MFH drops that Shigeru's parents will come visit next week and that it's time they should have a big press conference to formally announce their engagement. Tsukasa tells her that she must be joking and all MFH does is laugh.
...Which overlaps with the laughing of Makino's family who are utterly pleased with their dinner. Makino doesn't look very pleased, although Shigeru seems happy that they're so happy with the dinner. Makino tries hard to smile, but can't do it. We hear someone ask her "Really?" and her reply is "I've had it" and we see that Makino's now in the F4 lounge (with Rui in the background, sitting and reading some book). Makino's closing her box and the camera changes and we see that she's sitting with Soujirou and Akira. Soujirou asks why Shigeru went to her house in the first place, and we get a clip of Shigeru complaining about Tsukasa's actions towards her. Akira basically says this in words and Makino goes on to say that Shigeru stayed over at her house too. Is Shigeru stalking BOTH Tsukasa AND Makino? @.@ Although, is it stalking when Makino already knows about it?
Anyway, both boys go "Huh?!" in reply and then another short clip of Shigeru being happy that she's staying at a friend's house and how it's her first time. And how she's so excited. Then Shigeru shows a small vulnerability as she asks Makino whether she'll always be her friend and Makino tries to explain something to Shigeru when she looks over and sees that Shigeru is fast asleep. Hehe. Soujirou goes "What a happy fellow," but Akira kinda changes tracks and asks Makino why she didn't go. Makino goes "Eh?" as the camera shows that Rui is paying attention to their conversation. Then back to the table as Soujirou explains that if she had gone, Shigeru would've sensed something, that Tsukasa is still in love with Makino. Akira asks whether they think Tsukasa can be that devious (devious about what, exactly?)
Makino tells them that it looks like they got it all wrong and that there's no room left in Tsukasa's heart for her. Soujirou immediately argues that that isn't what he sees. But Makino adds in that Tsukasa had been the one that called Shigeru to where they were supposed to have a date, "just to brag how attractive he is." It's here where she starts to complain about Tsukasa, but the F3 notice something quickly approaching. And lookie here, it's Tsukasa who's walking up the staircase. Isn't this utterly cliche-ish? But do I care? No.
Anyway, Makino is STILL complaining about Tsukasa's actions and about how he orders everyone around. Tsukasa asks who's the guy that orders people around. And Makino kinda makes a noise, but Tsukasa goes on complaining himself about how she called HIM, but didn't show up. All she says is "here it comes" which sets off Tsukasa on is she insulting him? Makino shoots out of her chair as she asks him who's insulting who? Akira tries to break the argument, but Tsukasa pushes his hand away and yells at her about how long he waited. Makino calls him a fool for even waiting. He tells her not to get sassy with him, and she tells him that he KNOWS what he did. And the two of them are SO close that I'm hoping that the show'd fulfill another cliche in which two obviously in love characters are in the middle of arguing when they just start making out.
Because ONE picture isn't enough, here's three.
So it doesn't turn out like I'd like it to, since Makino storms off in anger. Soujirou tries to call her back. She rushes down the stairs and Tsukasa takes a seat at the table. Akira calls for Tsukasa's attention to which he unwillingly gives and then Akira asks him what happened, and that Makino isn't someone who would break her word. Isn't it sweet how much these guys seem to know about her? And defend her at almost any turn? I LOVE it! We shoot back to Rui who's getting up from his chair as Tsukasa's talking about what he wanted to show Shigeru when Tsukasa kinda halters in his talk after seeing Rui slowly walking down the stairs. He's able to catch himself and explains his thoughts about how he wanted to show Shigeru that she couldn't compare to Makino. Then he says the words "I wanted to get serious with Makino" and makes me want to MELT. Why couldn't she have heard this?! Damn. If this doesn't push Akira and Soujirou to TRYING to fix this situation, I don't know what will.
We hear Makino yelling "Completely unbelievable" at where else, but the fire escape. She starts kicking at the walls around her and just complaining about Tsukasa in general. His attitude, how he pretended it didn't happen, about how it was just a kiss and there's nothing to brag about. She's FURIOUSLY kicking at a corner when we hear Rui going "So Tsukasa kissed?" Heeee! She spins around in the small quarters and finds Rui lying on the staircase with his book over his face.
Just because.
Rui explains to both himself and to the viewers (even though that's not really necessary) that that must've been the scene that made her leave. He gets up and goes to her saying "I see, I see" and "So that's what happened." Makino is pretty much trapped here, not knowing what she can say since she was caught in her lie. Rui then asks her "why did Tsukasa have Shigeru leave?" Makino argues that it doesn't matter who it was, as long as it was going to hurt me. Now, I'd TOTALLY AGREE with this mentality (since it had been what I was thinking last week), but after Tsukasa's "I wanted to get serious with Makino," I can never agree. XP Rui looks at her and goes "Really." Makino tries to push the whole thing aside, as she tends to do, and says that they should stop talking about this and how talking about that dumbass is making them stupid too. Heh. She tries. Rui smiles at this, likely amused at her attempt to change directions, but doesn't say anything and goes back to his book. Makino then asks Rui to help her study for her test and Rui goes "Eh?" as Makino smiles at him.
We switch scenes we see a car driving down the road and we find out that Tsukasa is in said car. He's just deep in his thoughts when he sees a homeless man pushing a cart down the street and his nightmares start to flash before his eyes. Yikes, this is getting SERIOUS if he can now see this when he's awake. We get a new flash now of the man stating that Tsukasa came to NY to study management and they seem to be walking down some construction. As he watches the man jump off the ledge, the car comes to a screeching halt and Tsukasa's a little thrown in his seat. This is why they invented SEAT BELTS. Use them. Tsukasa yells at the driver to watch his driving and the driver apologizes, adding in that someone ran onto the middle of the road. Tsukasa goes to look at who's foolish enough to stop a moving car, and hey! Lookie here, Shigeru.
Shigeru in front of their car... Because she has a death wish. XP
I do have a question, how the HELL did she know which car to stop? God, she IS becoming a stalker, isn't she? Should I nickname her Stalker!Shigeru? Hehe. Kinda lengthy, but who cares? Anyway, Shigeru waves at Tsukasa from the front and I am kinda surprised that Tsukasa didn't just go, "Run her over." Wouldn't that've been wild? Instead, he just sits back in the chair, looking dejected. What'd he expect, Makino? Even she's not crazy enough to stop a moving car.
Gah. They do this a lot, where the person is talking WHILE we're at another scene. Anyway, Rui states that Makino wants to be a lawyer in a bit of mild surprise. Makino explains that she wants to get into the law department and Rui asks whether she can pass.
Can you believe that at first I thought Rui was on the OUTSIDE of the rail? I was SO afraid he'd fall at any second... But then I realized how silly that was.
Makino tells him that she can BARELY pass it, but she wants to still try. Rui asks whether this is influence from Shizuka and Makino tells him "Yeah" and how she wants to become a woman like Shizuka, which is honestly a great goal. I love how much Makino admires Shizuka, especially with all that Shizuka has done. *grins* Anyway, Makino goes on to compliment Shizuka's character and Rui looks on, pleased. He then tells her in what has to be his GIDDY voice that Shizuka is coming in two weeks. Makino smiles at this and tells him that she missed her. Rui smiles again, and does this little head bob that makes me giggle before ducking down (as though not to show JUST how happy he is) and returns back to his book. Makino goes back to her study material, looking more determined now.
Shigeru "invites" herself into Tsukasa's car, asking him where he's going and Tsukasa complains that she's loud, before going out through the other door. He storms onto the sidewalk, just as Shigeru gets out of the car, asking him what he's angry about or at. She chases after him as best she can, wearing high heeled boots that'd probably be WAY too hard to walk in, much less run in. Tsukasa complains that when she's around, he can't help himself (being angry, that is). Shigeru complains that what does he mean, and since she's his fiancee, of course she'd hang out with him. Yes, dear. But stalking is a WHOLE different level. Tsukasa tells her that he still hasn't accepted her as his fiancee and Shigeru argues that even if he doesn't accept it, it's their fate. Tsukasa stops in his tracks and Shigeru catches up to him, surprisingly enough. He goes "Fate?" And Shigeru says "Isn't it?" to which Tsukasa tries to explain, "you understand, right?" calling her a monkey as well.
He then explains their situation that there's a hidden scheme behind this marriage. As he talks, the scene is of MFH talking to some men in ENGLISH, I might add. Wow. I'm actually kinda impressed at how well her English sounds. Sure it was BRIEF and all, but her accent isn't as heavy as some of the people that have tried to speak in english. *coughTSUKASAcough* Anyway, said men walk out of her office and MFH looks absolutely irritated as she looks at the papers in her hands. She crumples it up and throws it on the ground before kinda collapsing against the ground. It's really strange seeing MFH so weak here... But she's not all-powerful, so it works.
MFH looking weak.
Anyway, MFH is still collapsed on the ground when Nishida comes into the room. He asks her whether she'd like to rest a little and she gives him a forced smile before standing up, trying to regain her composure. She says nothing to him and Nishida kinda breathes out, before grabbing the paper MFH had thrown on the floor and pretty much kinda cleaning up the place. Wouldn't it be kinda funny if Nishida liked MFH? Okay, not funny HA HA. But funny as in... Actually, I have NO idea what. Anyway, back to the recap. Shigeru kinda repeats what Tsukasa is saying that if they didn't ally, his company would have no future. Tsukasa tells her that he will think up a way where he won't have to marry her and still save the company. Shigeru tells him that there is no better way, right? Tsukasa says that his fate's already connect with another woman and for the SECOND time this episode, Tsukasa has made me swoon at just his words. Damn it, Tsukasa! Why can't you say these words to MAKINO who'd really benefit from this information?
After those words, Shigeru seems to really be thinking about this as she watches him walk away. Couldn't he have just run to his car by this point and gone, "GO! SHE'S DISTRACTED! RUN LIKE THE WIND!" Or something alone those lines? Anyway, we have another scene change and Shigeru's now at the dango shop talking about fate with the girls. She asks them what they think and if they cannot BECOME destined for each other. Makino's kinda to the side, looking at her study guide, but still listening in on the conversation. Yuki goes "Who knows?" when the manager walks in and talks about how fate is about results. She sees Shigeru and asks whether she's their friend. Shigeru is enthusiastic as she replies, "Yes! Best friends!" (Although you'd never hear THEM say that.) There's a small flash of Makino ... doing what exactly? No idea. Anyway, the boss goes on to talk about how one loves someone so much that even if they're tossed away again and again, one won't give up. Then if said person succeeds, that's fate. Sure, or just sheer persistence. Then she continues that fate is something one explores and that one should go after their goal, no matter what, until they achieve it. The camera shows Makino and Yuki really thinking about this.
Shigeru and the boss looking into the distance as she regales them with her knowledge and wisdom.
Shigeru says outloud that if she doesn't hold on and that if she gives up, she'll be doomed to pass her fated one by. That's one way of looking at it. Another is that if you're not pestering him, he might actually LIKE you instead of disdaining you. Either way. Anyway, Yuki starts talking about Soujirou and how he's not taking her calls. Shigeru tries to encourage her to explore it further... Just don't give her stalkerish tips, please. We hear the boss talking on the phone to none other than Akira! Dude, that's insane. Anyway, she asks him what he's doing recently, and the boss is able to get the information that tomorrow, Soujirou is going to Akira's house. Hee! That was too cool. I totally think Akira's a match-maker in disguise (although Nishida's even more stealthy, but I digress). Yuki's a little surprised and wonders whether it's okay to go visit Akira's house and all to which she asks the boss what she should do.
As that's going on, Shigeru goes over to Makino and asks Makino whether she has a fated one. All Makino says is "Eh?" to which Shigeru goes on to talk about if Rui has a crush on Makino. Makino isn't able to give much thought to that when Yuki asks Makino to go with her to Akira's house. Makino seemed to have agreed since, next thing you know, we're at Akira's house. (I had VERY LITTLE pictures up to this point... I guess I'll make it up with these pictures.)
The very outside... With lots and lots of those arches.
They're invited into the house and both girls bow in gratitude. They look up to see a female wearing... a very frilly dress, petting a stuffed doggie?? who has her curly hair tied with a ribbon.
Said lady tells them that this is the first time they've had girls over. She leads them the way and both are trying hard to keep their smiles on. Yuki tells Makino "What a cute sister" to which Makino agrees. Oh, boy. Wait'll you find out who she really is.
Hearts.. Balloons of hearts. Plus there are more in the background next to that ... tree?
Bunnies... In front of a painting of nude kids with ... bat wings? WTH?
Awww... Is that a daddy bear and his child bear? Is the giraffe the mommy?
Hee! The bunny looks even better than I imagined!
Back to the ACTUAL recap. The female tells Akira that the girls are there and he stands up and greets them. He tells them that Soujirou'll be coming soon and to come and sit. I find it amusing that in a place covered in pink and white, he's wearing black. They really made him a contrast. The girls let themselves in, and they walk towards where Akira is sitting. The lady asks them if there's something they'd like to drink and Makino tells her not to worry about them. She's persistent and tells them that she baked cookies and that if they don't mind, if they could try some. Akira tells her not to worry about them, to which she exclaims in horror about how he could say that and how she spent all this effort to make them for the girls since this is a special occasion. He tells her that he understands but she goes on about how she worked so hard and only wants him and his friends to have fun.
Hee! I love how he took the two heart pillows (they ARE hearts, just so you know) and like crushes them together in irritation.
Makino tries to stop the lady's weepings by telling her that they'll definitely have some and Yuki chimes in that she LOVES cookies. Instantly, the lady cheers up and says that she'll go and bring some over. She giggles as she rushes away and Akira is just horrified by the entire scene. He apologizes a second later, after realizing that Yuki and Makino are LIKELY not used to this sort of thing, and then says that he hopes that didn't scare them and explains that she's always like that. Makino tells him that no, it didn't scare them. Yuki then tells him that his sister's so pretty. (And speaking of Yuki, I like her outfit a LOT.) Anyway, Akira clarifies that the female who had just left, was NOT his siter, but his mom. Both girls go "Eh?" in sheer surprise and Makino asks him whether's he's kidding and if that really is his mom.
Akira looks oh so amused as he tells them, "she's getting up there, but she's shameless." To which I say, huh? I'm guessing the 'she's getting up there' refers to her age, but she's shameless? Whatever. Anyway, seconds later, Akira's attacked by two little fuzzballs... Wait. Those are his SISTERS. TWIN sisters, I might add.
The sisters! Who are currently glaring at Makino and Yuki. (Okay, I tried SO hard to find a picture where ONE of the little girls does NOT have her hand in a potentially bad area... But that had does NOT MOVE. @.@ I was so horrified by it, but I just could NOT find a scene during the first few moments. And then got too lazy to go back and forth and whatnot.)
Anyway. One of the girls, the one to the right, asks who the girls are and Akira explains that they're his friends. The one on the left asks if they really are just friends and Akira ignores the question, explaining that the two girls are his younger sisters and that they're twins. (Not so hard to see that with our own two eyes, love.) Anyway, Makino calls them cute while Yuki asks them for their names. The girl on the right is Emi, and the girl on the left is Meimi. Heee! They're ADORABLE! Makino and Yuki bow, greeting them both with a good afternoon. Then Emi tells them to give up on Akira because she's going to marry Akira. Then Meimi argues that SHE'S going to marry Akira. I'm just glad they're like 7 when they're saying this because if they were older than 10, this would be creepy. (Watch them be 10.)
Akira tries to break up the little minature squabble and tells them to go find their mom. Both girls refuse and then the mom's voice filters in, calling to the two. The mom walks in with a cart as she tells them that there's cake over there, outside of the room judging by her gesture, and whether or not they want some. And OMG, as they get up, you realize that BOTH girls are wearing the SAME dress as their mom. (Well, almost, I think it's a slightly different color... Okay, ALMOST the same.) *blinks several times* Anyway, the twins rush for the cart, yelling "Cake!" The mom's about to put the foods and drinks onto the table, but Akira stops her, saying he'll do it. She lets him and tells the girls to enjoy, then takes the twins out of the room with her.
The mom and the twins.
Makino breathes out an "Amazing" and Akira tells them that they should understand why he's into older women. Well, if they don't, I sure as hell do. Makino says that she kind of does, she guesses. We hear the door opening in the background and we see Soujirou walk into the room. Yuki immediately lifts her head to see him, and Soujirou looks both surprised and mildly pissed to see her. Yuki greets him and he nods with a forced smile. (Did I MENTION just how hot Soujirou is looking? I think I'll have a screencap of that LATER when we see Soujirou and Yuki together.) As Akira reaches him, Soujirou asks in an angry whisper as to why they're there. Akira explains that he had sais that Soujirou was going to come today, so Yuki said she wanted to come too. Soujirou hisses in Akira's ear, "Blabbermouth!" which just causes me to giggle. Akira looks confused, saying "What?" as Soujirou smiles at the girls and does an IMMEDIATE 180 out the door. Quickly, Soujirou rushes out the door and Yuki yells at him to hold on, trying to get his attention. She follows after him and as Soujirou is passing on his way to the front door, we see Tsukasa walking in, asking if Soujirou is leaving. Soujirou just tells him later, and he leaves. Yuki is right behind him as she sees Tsukasa. She greets him then excuses himself, exiting soon after.
Then MAKINO rushes from behind her, calling out to Yuki, when she runs into Tsukasa at the entrance. Akira's right behind her and he sees Tsukasa and makino, slightly frozen in their spots. He tries to break the ice and tells them since they're all there, why don't they have some coffee? Makino and Tsukasa meet each other's eyes and then we have a time shift. We hear the front door open, once again, and we are watching Akira just sitting down by himself. We see Rui walking into the place. Akira sees Rui and Rui apologizes for being late. He asks where everyone is, looking around the place like he's expecting someone to just pop out from one of the walls... Which, would you REALLY be surprised if that happened in Akira's home? Anyway, Akira sounds dejected as he goes "this and that." Rui looks at him in confusion and Akira gestures towards a place in front of them. Rui looks to see Tsukasa and Makino sitting... nowhere near each other, but still in the same vicinity.
At first I could NOT tell where Makino was sitting, because her jacket kinda blends into the plantish thing behind her. But anyway, those two sure don't want to be near each other, do they?
Rui looks on in mild curiosity, but we're taken to the conversation between Tsukasa and Makino. Tsukasa brings up the topic of the missed date when Makino interjects, telling him that she saw THE kiss. Tsukasa tries to explain that, but once again, Makino interrupts him, extolling the virtues of Shigeru and Tsukasa does NOT interrupt her! Why, oh why are you letting her ramble on like this?! He does try to explain again, and she goes "Enough." This is NOT how their conversation should be going! XP She tells him that she doesn't want to hear it and that there's nothing to say between them. Tsukasa doesn't take the opportunity during the little pause she gives to shout at her that he loves HER, not SHIGERU. Makino talks about how they'd been separated and how, no matter what, she thought they'd still be together. And then how that wasn't real.
Tsukasa looking at Makino as she's talking about how their relationship is obviously ending.
Makino brings up that many couples can become friends after they break up and she tells him that she just can't do that. She tells him that they should just break up and never see each other again and that for someone like her, that's all she can do. God, this scene is just breaking my heart! Makino's trying to stay strong as she's talking and Tsukasa is letting her go on and on about BREAKING UP, when that's the last thing he wants to do! Gah!!!! He tries to say something by this point and even stands up to go closer to her, but it's too late. Makino gets up too and first apologizes for calling him out of the blue and how she'll never do it again, and then... She says "Bye bye" and leaves just as "Flavor of Life" kicks in.
Makino trying to stay strong as she ends the relationship.
Tsukasa watches as she leaves and we get a shot of Rui watching her leave through a window, looking all sorts of concerned.
Rui staring out the window.
Makino is trying hard to hold back her tears at first, and Tsukasa is just looking on as he's thinking about what just happened. Why do you keep THINKING?! Just act, dangit! We change scenes and Makino is striding down a pathway, presumably towards home, this time, not really holding back the tears anymore. We see Rui in the background, having run to catch up to her and then he sees her. He runs towards her, when he sees her stumbling as she's walking. Rui stops at one point and just watches her. He then turns around and walks away. GAH! Another stream of pictures because... it seems that I UTTERLY enjoy every scen that involves Rui and Makino in the same place... kinda.
This'll be a weird comment, but Rui is looking more like Oguri Shun than Rui at this moment... *coughs* It's all because his hair's all windswept from all the running, but seriously. Still, I love Oguri Shun. *sighs* (I really need to stop taking pictures of MOSTLY Oguri Shun and more of the REST of the cast.. Gah.)
We're still in musical montage mode and we see Tsukasa staring at the box Makino had given him OH so long ago. He opens the box and we see that the cookies been broken into pieces... Some parts seeming to be missing. He reaches out and kinda tries to piece it back together a little... as well as start petting it. We go to Shigeru who's just walking down a pathway, all in her thoughts. Then to Makino who's holding Tsukasa's present which is basically the cookie she gave before, only smaller and much more. She looks at it before covering the box again and stuffing it back into the gift bag and into the garbage.
She starts to study again when her dad knocks, opens the door, and asks her if she has a moment. She nods and we get a scene where the entire family is around the dinner table. The father says that he's going to announce something important, all serious and this just goes to show that NOTHING good is going to follow. Makino's mom asks whether the dad finally became management and he shoots that down when he tells them that the project he was working on FAILED. Susumu asks what happened and the dad goes on to explain that he thought that it can't end like this and thus, bet in the stock market. The mom asks how he even got the money for that, and he explains that he used company funds. Oh boy... Good move there, pops. At first the father and son are both like, that's cunning! But the mom's angry, saying that it doesn't matter if it was cunning. He goes on saying that he thought if they made money, their problems would be over. Yes, IF you made money. What are the chances? Makino asks if they made money and the dad doesn't answer and just says that this is the biggest crisis ever for their family and that they'll find a way through it. Then he collapses into a fit of tears and begs everyone for help.
Her dad collapsing on the table. XP
We hear Yuki talking to Makino and she asks her whether Makino'll find a new part time job. Makino tells her "Yep" and we see Makino is now at work, looking through a ... magazine thing that seems to have all the available jobs. Dude, I need something like that for HERE. I need a job. XP She finds one and Yuki says that it's a late night construction site, but Makino argues that it has the highest hourly wage so that's the one she wants. Yuki points out that since college exams are coming up, shouldn't she be studying harder? Makino says that this is perfect since she can concentrate on these things to which Yuki just tells her to take care of herself and not to stress herself out. Then, Makino asks Yuki whatever happened between her and Soujirou after she had chased him out of Akira's house.
Yuki explains that she had dragged him to a cafe afterwards and they have a small conversation about tea ceremonies and how Yuki's mom learned it before. At first the conversation is kinda good, until Yuki shows her ignorance to all that involves tea and its ceremonies. Soujirou sounds kinda disappointed when he says that she has no interest in tea ceremony.
Soujirou looking YUMMY! ^_^ (I have to fangirl about someone ELSE, otherwise it'd all be about Rui/Oguri Shun. And we all know, I do that ENTIRELY too much.)
Anyway, Yuki talks about how the whole thing became pretty awkward and that they didn't have much to say after it. Makino goes "I see..." and then Yuki tells her that she thought that she must try harder and thus signed up for a tea ceremony class, since she thought that if she doesn't understand it, she can't possibly understand Soujirou very well. To which I go, GO YUKI! I love this girl; she's as DETERMINED as Shigeru, but not as creepy. It WORKS. I think Shigeru could take some lessons from this girl. Anyway, she does end up going to the tea ceremony class and meets some girl who invites her into the class.
Mysterious girl who seems to be the teacher but doesn't introduce herself. Strange.
Yuki goes on to say that she thought that the people who'd want to learn about tea ceremony would be old woman, but discovers that there were many young people and many pretty girls. MG (mysterious girl, what I'll call her until we find a name) tells Yuki that if she doesn't understand anything, just ask her. Yuki tells Makino that she got the feeling that she had met MG somewhere before. (Or maybe seen a picture of her, perhaps? But that's a manga spoiler thingie... I digress.) Makino compliments Yuki, telling her that she's really great, a thought I agree with wholeheartedly, and Yuki asks her "Why?" Makino explains that Yuki's heading into an unknown world by herself and Yuki says "Really?" They smile at each other for a brief second before their boss comes in, talking about how when one falls in love, strength will keep "surging up." Heh. Yuki asks the boss whether she heard everything, to which the boss says neither a yes or no, instead "Go for it!" That probably equals a "Yes, I heard everything!" She tells the girl that only those with guts will open the door of fate. Yuki agrees while Makino leans against the wall, looking halfway between dejected and miserable.
We switch scenes and Tsukasa is talking to MFH, telling her that he has something to say, that still him and Makino... But then MFH stops him, telling him that he should realize the consequences of what he might say. We get flashes again of MATD (man about to die) ... Or should that be SMTTK (Suicidal man that Tsukasa knows). Let's go with MATD, because it's shorter... by a letter. We see MATD plunging off the ledge again and MFH talks about how if they break their alliance with Shigeru's family's company and tell them that he wants to be with a poor girl, that it'll affect the lives of the people that work for them. Tsukasa tries to understand what she's saying and asks if that happens, their company can't operate anymore? She tells him that it can't and that they've done all they can and there's no other way. Tsukasa stares at her in horror... kinda. Not really, I'm just TAKING it as horror. On a side note, I can't remember, but was there mention in the first season on Tsukasa's father? Because where is HE in all this?
Anyway, we switch scenes and Tsukasa is walking down the sidewalk, looking chilly in that seemingly thin, ugly, blue jacket that he decided to wear outside. He's remembering Makino's words about Shigeru and look, foreigners. Couldn't they have made these guys Japanese? I mean, REALLY NOW. We left New York already. WTH! Whatever, they start ragging on Tsukasa and how terrible he looks and how crappy he's dressed and how bad his curly hair is... Um, sure. At least there's a white guy in there. They're CRACKING up, like the silly people they are and Tsukasa is remembering Makino's "Bye bye" when he snaps, turns around and just punches one of the guys out of NOWHERE. *sigh* This is true to character... as when Tsukasa's all emotionally distraught, he can't help but release all that anger on "innocent" bystanders. He starts beating up on all of them.
We switch off to Makino who is trying to assure the boss that she can definitely keep up with this kind of work and we see her... doing something. Swinging a light around to tell them where to go? That's what I think she's doing anyway.
For the next minute or two, we just get scene after scene of Tsukasa beating up the guys, and Makino at her job. Both looking ragged from what they're doing.
Because LIVEJOURNAL tells me that my post is too long. Well, XP to you too!