Loosely built on the premise of 'cake making', we are led to the introduction our new Gama Hime (frog princess), the gakuen's numba 1 'bishounen' whom our clueness Takumi still believes to be a guy after seeing her in fish-net stockings. (I also strongly suspect Akira to be from Konoha since she uses derivatives of Shikamaru's kagamane no jutsu and Naruto's rasengan). While Akira is no Ayane/Kasumi (DOA) or Yatsuha (Samurai Champloo ep 15), any kunoichi just ups the series charm.

In the other theatre of cake-baking, we have the make-up culinary exam, hosted by Stripey's numba 1 Hime, Midori chan. I particularly thought the Natsuki/Nao/Mikoto group to be terribly ironical since each have fought the other 2 on at least one occasion and are not exactly the best of baking buddies. I had half expected them to be whipping out their Elements rather than eggs. Since the groups were formed intentionally to describe some form of relational dynamics, (for example Mai with Shiho, Shizuru with Haruka), I wonder what kind of story connection would Mai have with Miyu. Vengence for Akane? Kagutsuchi's next on Miyu's dinner platter? Ah well, I might be reading too much. Anyhowz, the re-exam led to our 3 Himes blowing their covers, as Miyu's faction discovers their 'valkyrie'(?) identity.

Watching Mai/Mikoto/Natsuki in action, brings back the question of Mikoto's Hime-hood. There's no doubt Mikoto bears the HiME mark, but while ALL other Himes summon their elements/Child for combat, Mikoto has the hassle of lugging Miruko around and no Child to call to her aid. (Of course if I had a kick-ass sword like Miruko, I probaby would want to carry it around and impress other girl raccons too). Well, since the Child is linked to 'the most precious person' clause, the issue of our Child-less Mikoto may somehow be tied to her quest for the lost brother.

Ok, enough groundless speculation. Now onto Ep 11...