hontou ni » Sasamekikoto

Sasameki Koto 13

Zyl — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:18:02 +0000

A satisfying conclusion to the cour. Pleasantly surprised that the main problem was solved by toning down Ushio's skirt-chasing antics and showing her doing her best wrt her difficult family circumstances.

Sumika is also doing her best - Erica opines that "Sumika's inability to say anything" has less to do with "her weakness in the face of her feelings" but more with Ushio's "you're so not my type" block, taking it at face value and attempting to respect that boundary.

I look forward, with great interest, to see how Ushio can become more honest about her own feelings.

Sasameki Koto 12

Zyl — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 02:38:29 +0000

The scent of a woman

Summary:

It's that day in the summer holidays when everyone heads back to school. Sumika is cheesed off when their teacher complains about the cold in the comfort of the air-conditioned staff room while it's blazing outside but finally starts to rain heavily, trapping most of the students in school. While on clean-up duty, Sumika asks Azusa about her next work and offers to help but the latter declines. The gang waits, in the library, for the rain to stop and Sumika makes a sour face seeing Ushio chat so happily with Library-senpai. After a Kiyori-distracted Ushio spills her books, Miyako finds a mysterious note on one of the pages which sends Tomoe into treasure hunt mode.

Kiyori's food-orientated thinking cracks the first clue and gets them the key to a locker in the boys' changing room. They try to find a guy to use and Sumika taps Masaki. Who ends up being buried under a pile of smelly clothes. Another clue, pointing to a German man, is recovered. While trying to unravel it, Azusa passes by and Tomoe asks to read her novel when the draft is done. Azusa realizes the next place is the music room and Miyako finds the next clue behind Bach's portrait. Remembering a Beethoven quote about Bach, the gang head to the school's water feature and search in the rain. Everyone ends up slipping and getting soaked. The rain finally stops and Sumika finds it. Miyako sees it as an elaborate prank but Tomoe says they all had fun and wonders where to hide it for the next searchers. At home, in the evening, Sumika calls Ushio.

Reaction:

There wasn't much character development after the milestone in the previous episode when we found out that Sumika does have a more than decent chance of fulfilling her love. Though I wouldn't call it a filler episode as it consolidated what we've learnt so far and showed how cohesive the girls' club members have become. Also LOL at how their antics caused other students, and even their marginally disgruntled teacher, to notice them (the funniest was still Library-senpai's repeated scenes) - not quite as spectacularly as Live Alive though.

I am guessing that Sumika was calling Ushio about the career and study track/stream form so this episode also planted the seed of another potential obstacle in Sumika x Ushio - will our heroines be separated by different aspirations in life and take the different formal routes towards them yet away from each other?

Sasameki Koto 11

Zyl — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:40:30 +0000

Doesn't it not matter if Tomoe is fine with the truth?

Summary: The gang enjoy a day out at the pool. Azusa achieves enlightenment.

Long winded version - The gang are out at a water amusement park and Tomoe notices the tension between Sumika and Ushio caused by Azusa clinging to the former. Eighteen hours before, Azusa's parents had sponsored the tickets. In order to maintain Ushio's brother's secret, Ushio will stay away from Azusa. But, by extension, that also means being apart from Sumika. Thankfully Kiyori charges in and splits the group into the Adult Team and Kids Team. Kiyori manages to keep Miyako and Azusa from escaping as she drags them from one place to another. Meanwhile Sumika chases off a trio of guys who tried to hit on Tomoe and Ushio. There's another spot of tension when Ushio blames herself for preventing Sumika from finding her own (boy) date.

After an impressive display by Tomoe at the diving board and an embarrassing one by Sumika, the two race each other in the various swimming styles to a complete victory by Tomoe. Exhaustion has its perks and Sumika finds the energy to teach Ushio how to swim as promised. It's very sparkly. Azusa sees and realizes the truth about Sumika x Ushio; shocked at first, she recovers her composure as the groups recombine for lunch, releasing Sumika from having to teach her how to swim and to teach Ushio instead. Heading back on the train, Tomoe discusses the couple with Azusa - the latter's assessment is that they are in love with each other but one does not realize her feelings for the other yet. At least Azusa's got an idea for a new novel out of it.

Reaction:

Quite a turn around for Azusa - I was worried that she would either freak out or have another crying fit when she saw Sumika x Ushio. But thankfully she sublimated it via her literary talents. Quite a turnaround for a character that, just a two or three episodes ago, I felt rather ehhhhh about.

It was also great how most of the cast came out of this episode looking good. We are shown how Sumika x Ushio would make a nice couple (contrast with the first episode when I was wondering how the hell they'd ever get together if ever). Kiyori provided a crucial intervention at the start of the day out. Tomoe shows her swimming skills and has a good conversation with Azusa.

Hopefully the next episode will be able to wrap up nicely.