PLEASE STAND UP AND GIVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO RINTARO’S CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT! LOOK AT HOW FAR OUR BOY HAS COME! He went from suppressing everything he feels to completely opening up, and finding the courage to actually follow up and confess his feelings to Kaoruko! ATTTA BOY! God I’m so proud of him!
I’m so relieved that this series stuck true of breaking the typical tropes that pointlessly drag things out, and embraced just being direct with communicating how one truly feelings. Rintaro knew better than to sweep his abrupt confession under the rug, but most of all he didn’t want to. So he mustered up his courage, took the initiative to call Kaoruko for the first time, and ask if they could set some time aside to follow up. And when he did, the boy couldn’t have been more direct with expressing his feelings, with a straight-forward ‘I love you’ after he shares how he fell for her, and how she had saved him.
But what surprised Rintaro the most, was that the first meeting to his memory was in fact not their first meeting, and it was him who had saved her. The truth is, the first time they’ve met was actually last winter, and it was during a time when Kaoruko was going through a real rough patch. She was not the girl with the light in her eyes that we know of her today. She was undoubtedly suffering, to the point that she even explained until she encountered his family’s shop, she hadn’t been able to enjoy cakes, something that she loves. But for whatever reason, that particular day, she was compelled to enter their shop. It was there she not only got to eat cakes that made her experience the warmth and taste again, (something his dad would be absolutely delighted to hear), and it affected her so much that it made her cry.
Though Rintaro doesn’t remember this, he had actually checked up on her to make sure she was okay– because we all know that’s who Rintaro is the kind who would not turn a blind eye to someone who’s clearly in pain. Whatever he had said to her in that moment was balm to her soul. It motivated her to take the time to make herself look cuter, from taking the time to put on makeup, curling her hair and wearing cute new clothes, all of this was thanks to him making her heart feel lighter. She wanted to look her best the next time they met, and hoped to talk to each other again. But unfortunately… even after persistently visiting the shop once or twice a month for a year, for her they kept missing each other. That was until one day, when she was having yet another what seemed to be a rough day, she didn’t care about how she looked for an exchange and decided to eat a ton of cakes in the shop. And that, was when Rintaro had thought they’ve met for the first time.
Needless to say, although Kaoruko puts on a bright face, it’s clear that something had been doing on at the time to make her look so dispirited and frankly depressed. A part of me wonders if it’s related to the hospital visit, whether it’s family related or perhaps something to do with herself (I hope not!). We won’t know the extent of whatever the cause is this season, that’ll be left to whether it gets another, otherwise we gotta dive into the manga to get the rest of it!
Either way, it goes to show that Kaoruko has her own set of problems, things she keeps to herself and it’s a part of her she’d rather not show others if she can help it. But today she shared that part of her with Rintaro, because she wanted him to know when she had fallen in love with him. It’s actually beautiful and utterly sweet how both of them wear their hearts on their sleeves, and it’s because they are so direct with each other that they didn’t need take a long detour like so many other couples when it comes to telling they love one another! It’s wholly refreshing and I always love this kind of sweet goodness! Can’t get enough of it!
Though I loved this episode to bits, I will confess I did find it just a tad anticlimatic. I suppose it’s because they were able to fit what I presume must’ve been most if not everything of the chapters considering this episode was wholly dedicated to just the two of them. None of the friends were present, just them, making it perfectly interruptions free. But maybe that’s why it felt a little bit underwhelming? Like they accepted each other’s feelings, and it’s not like I was expecting them to kiss, but we didn’t even get to see them hold hands, or even hug– which would’ve been absolutely precious! …Damn, now I need to read the manga to see if I’ll get any crumbs in that regard. Yeah… the more of think about it, I do think that’s what threw me off. That’s what was missing from it.
Anyways apart from that minor gripe of mine, I do think this show absolutely deserves a 10/10. They did a fantastic job of showing us how Rintaro withdrew himself from others and put up such a high wall around himself. They did a beautiful job with is character development of growing away from that, learning open up and trust his friends. The whole cast was fantastic in a way of having their own little quirks about them, some more flawed than others but owned up to their mistakes. All of the characters are simply fantastic and likeable, AND BONUS POINTS FOR HAVING PARENTS ACTUALLY BE HELPFUL FOR AN EXCHANGE! And of course, GORGEOUS animation and direction… Absolutely deserved!
Final Verdict: 10/10!
TIME TO READ THE MANGA!
To think that I almost missed this series! (luckily a fan of the manga told me to check it out…).
It is heartwarming to have a series whose characters have no ill intent, that are just doing their best to tackle the hardships they encounter or trying to move ahead despite things they are still lacking in.
I’ve enjoyed it a lot, not only for the story, also because the beautiful art.
OTOH, personally I wouldn’t need another season; I find they have managed a very satisfying end.
As always, thanks for your insightful posts of the chapters!
It really is! Everyone’s insecurity and intentions were handled so tactfully, it was so refreshing to see!
You made a good point, it really did end in such a comfortable spot that it felt conclusive enough without necessarily needing a second season to do that.
And thank you, that always makes me happy to hear! 🙂