Hyouka episode 22

Hello there my lovely readers! As you can see…not much blogging happened today. I tell you folks I do have grand plans of getting tons of stuff done on all my days off but then…the internets take over and grocery trips take longer than planned and new reality shows come on. :( At least I will be caught up by next week because…all my shows are ending except one. GO ME!

That is Houtarou's hat being curious.

So here is my one sad little post of the day. Woe is me. The end of Hyouka is upon us! Spoilers for episode 22? Houtarou being curious MOG!

Other side of town, completely different world.

Episode Summary: Houtarou is busy spending another vacation sleeping and being a cute little crab. Cue Eru calling Houtarou asking for a favor in an obscure way. Carry an umbrella she says. He finally drags it out of her a temple near her house is having a Doll Festival and she is the Empress Doll and she needs an umbrella holder person. Houtarou agrees to this and makes the long trek to the temple. On the way he passes a bridge that is minutes from being under construction but they let Houtarou pass. Houtarou makes his way to the temple and is greeted by unfriendly old people and one younger looking individual. He sits in the corner of the room warming up while the men talk and fret about things. After a while they talk about the bridge and how they are happy they put off the construction for their parade of dolls. Houtarou is like…um they are doing the construction now. Chaos takes place and someone drives out to confirm that is what is going on. The old men are upset and are scrambling how to make the path relatively the same length without missing any important parts of town. The younger man in the room suggests crossing at a nearby bridge that is just slightly longer. Everyone gets quiet and Houtarou is like why so serious?

Holding an umbrella is serious business.

A female temple worker appears and says that Eru is summoning him. Everyone is like X__X but he goes. Eru is getting changed behind a curtain but talks to Houtarou is such a serious manner. He explains the situation and how everyone freaked out about the second bridge option. Eru says that she will talk to so and so on behalf of her family and not to worry. Houtarou returns to the room and repeats what Eru says. Everyone looks calmer…but then it is crunch time. Houtarou is dressed by the younger man (who is still older than Houtarou but not 23928 years old). He talks about how he couldn’t be in the parade but that is okay because he gets to watch something special. The parade starts and Houtarou starts to get fuzzy vision. He sees Irisu dressed at the Emperor and the other dolls…and then he sorta sees Eru all dolled up. He walks behind her as the fan holder and starts thinking about his energy conservation theory going out the door and how he is curious about what Eru looks like. They walk along the longer path and they pass some sakura trees. Eru looks so sparkly and Houtarou almost loses his mind…when Satoshi and Mayaka cheer Houtarou on. After the parade they tell Houtarou that he looked terrible in his outfit and he ruined the parade. Satoshi runs off to get more snacks and Mayaka thanks Houtarou for his part in Valentine’s Day. She doesn’t state how things went but implies things are okay.

Aw we belong together. XD

Houtarou runs into Irisu later who mumbles something about how she was only the Emperor for the day. Houtarou waits outside and Eru finds him. She talks about how hard it was today as she was curious about the bridge. She wants to know who called and said construction could start. Houtarou and Eru both state they think it was the younger man in the room. They explain their reasons and it is clear that the man wanted to take pictures of the dolls passing the out of season sakura blossoms. Eru and Houtarou walk to the bridge Houtarou has to use to get home. Eru explains why asking to use this bridge was a big deal but the versions of the video I found didn’t sub this part. I assume that one side of town doesn’t get along with the other and Eru’s family is the gap that bonds them. Eru gets a little sad. Saying that even if she leaves town to go to college she will have to come back for family obligations. That this town isn’t much but it is her home and she has grown up with that idea in her head. Houtarou imagines telling Eru that he will help Eru run her father’s business. He gets nervous though and just blushes instead. He thinks about how Satoshi had a hard time with Mayaka and wonders what he should do. Houtarou mumbles something about it being cold but Eru says it is spring. Anime magic occurs and the sakura blossoms start to fall around Eru all beautiful like. Houtarou gets all blushy and the two stand there taking in the beauty. THE END!

Lets end the show on sparkles!

And NOW the show is over. For some reason I thought there were 21 episodes. I knew it was an odd little number but 22 is a weird one too right? But yes. Hyouka is now over. Woe is us.

Like the other tiny mysteries of this series? XD

As this series has progressed I realize that most of the mysteries are much adu about nothing. Knowing that makes the show much enjoyable to watch. So when things like OH NO missing chocolate or oh snap bridge closure happen it makes sense. Almost like your real life. Surely you do not have something interesting happen to you all the time. And some of the things that do happen to you that you find are a big deal are really small and no one else cares but you. That is what Hyouka is all about. XD And as long as you realize that well it is more enjoyable. Most of the time. And then you can go around making mysteries in your own life.

Maybe you should stop answering the phone...

Houtarou can’t catch a break can he? Every time a vacation rolls around Eru blows up his phone asking for favors. Such a one sided relationship. Let the man sleep or be his little crab person. He needs a break. He has been using a lot of his energy lately so he needs time to recharge his batteries.

Oh that Eru.....

Eru is 239823 kinds of special too. She can never come out and say what her favors entail. Instead it is a game of lets confuse everyone. HOLD MY UMBRELLA! Clearly that means Houtarou is going to dress up and be a part of the parade holding the umbrella over the dressed up Eru. DUH FOLKS! What is so hard about that? It was clear as mud.

MOG! End of the world time!

As I am a seasoned Hyouka watcher now I realized that the bridge Houtarou was on was going to be serious business. He had to travel such a distance to get to this temple didn’t he? Eru lives so far away from school. X__X But anyway yes the bridge. Houtarou just barely crossed this bridge? A parade is going to happen later in the day NEAR this bridge. Time to hand over that detective badge.

Um....I am here to help you?

Houtarou did not get a warm welcome at the temple did he? They were like WHAT?! Grumpy old men indeed. Why wasn’t Houtarou with the other people in the parade? Surely there were more men in the parade than were in the room. That and it is hard to run a parade if you are in directly in it. It was just….special as Houtarou was in with all the action yet everyone was treating him as an outsider. All so he could hear the drama.

How could this happen to our doll parade?!?!?!

The mystery of the week is the temple called and asked the construction workers to hold off working on the bridge for their parade. Someone called the morning of said parade and said HAHA never mind you can start work…right now! Because that is what construction workers do, come out the second some says to. So what reason would someone have to make the bridge go under construction during what is the most important event ever in this tiny little town?

Most important line of the episode!!!

Once again this mystery required some extra information not given to the viewers at the time. How were we the viewers supposed to know the sakura blossoms were up early down the road and that they usually don’t happen this time of year? How we were supposed to know that younger dude was in college and wanted to be a photographer? It is all these tiny little details that creep up that make it almost impossible to solve the mystery. Unless you are characters in the show itself.

Clearly this was the real mystery, finding out how Eru found out so fast about the drama.

I really thought that Houtarou was going to be the one to solve the mystery. But I guess he did. He just didn’t come up with a solution to the parade route. Also how did Eru know to summon Houtarou to ask about the drama? Did someone rush in when she was getting dressed and was like DRAMA WITH THE MENZ?! Maybe she just heard the crazy voices in the hallway but I thought that was all a little magic. Also the way the men were freaking out was sorta humorous to me.

Houtarou can't fully comprehend all the sparkles.

The version of the episode I watched sorta cut in and out when the scenes got a bit fuzzy. But it cooperated enough for me to see the acid trip Houtarou was on. I really thought he was going to ruin the parade with his passing out. But he got a little overwhelmed about how magical and beautiful Eru looked. Houtarou is a boy after all. The parade was quite pretty and I can see how he got caught up in the moment.

Clearly Mayaka just said something super important.

After Mayaka and Satoshi were rude about the whole thing Mayaka and Houtarou talked for a minute. Clearly she hasn’t had time to talk to Houtarou alone in the past 45 days to talk about Valentine’s Day. So today is the day folks. She didn’t really give much information to Houtarou but I think he picked up on the fact that they might be a couple. The hint being Satoshi telling Mayaka that Houtarou yelled at him. Why would he be yelling? So Satoshi told Mayaka the whole story and they are now a couple.

WTF are you talking about?!

It was a bit sad that Houtarou didn’t get to see Eru in her full garb but he did get to see Irisu and her weird self. What was she talking about, Emperor for the day? Did she imply that Houtarou should be Eru’s Emperor for life? That would imply that Houtarou was jealous of Irisu? I don’t know that whole thing was weird. Eru being curious about the bridge was cute. She had to be good ALL DAY folks. XD It was just cute of her to talk to Houtarou like that and to write their guesses on their hands. Just the two of them sharing one last mystery together.

Yes, the long walk home we know.

The walk home from the parade was kinda sad. Even though I didn’t understand all the dialogue it was easy to understand that Eru’s family is what keeps things together in town and that west side/east side would be lost without them. Gangs would break out and drive by shootings would happen nightly. Sad indeed.

Well I would be sad if I was Eru.

Just kidding. Eru was talking about her family responsibilities and despite saying she was okay with it…she sounded a bit sad. Like this town isn’t that pretty, it is small, and basically I am their Queen. Who would want to stay here? Basically it was her way of saying that Houtarou should run away fast from her because she was stuck here but was okay with that.

Seems like a place where Houtarou could be low energy!

Only Houtarou and his inner self is completely okay staying in town. In fact his energy conserving self is ready to run the family business! X__X Surprising yes? But Houtarou and his blushing self couldn’t actually say those words out loud. No no folks he will just think this in his head and look at how pretty Eru looks in the sakura blossoms. I am sure Eru wanted more of an answer but she knows Houtarou. She was being forward enough explaining what her future was going to entail and that she might want Houtarou to join her in that future…but only if he understood what it was going to be about.

And now they are a couple yes?

So that is what Hyouka was all about. The mystery on how two people come together as a couple when they start the year off basically as strangers. Love is a mysterious thing. Yes there were some special moments with this show and nothing was set in stone with either couple. But watching Houtarou and Eru change…well mainly just Houtarou..over the course of the show, watching him become more opened with people and regain something he was missing in his life…it was fun to watch. This episode really did end the series well. Houtarou being the curious one, curious on what would happen if he let someone in his heart and stopped living life conserving energy. Maybe they didn’t need to say any words, Eru and Houtarou just know this town will be their home in the future and they will be together. Everyone say AWWWWW!

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Hyouka episode 20

MOG folks! I watched this episode like 8 days ago. I am the worst slacker on the face of the planet. Woe is me. XD I bet half of the shows I was watching have already ended. Lets us hope the weather doesn't knock out my power like it is currently threatening to do.

So where is Houtarou's chocolates?

Okay. So Hyouka episode 20. Many days ago. Can I even remember what happened with this episode? Spoilers for chocolate abuse!

Wait? Me like someone? Crazy talk!

Episode Summary: A year ago on Valentine’s Day Satoshi rejected Mayka’s chocolates on the ground she reheated the chocolate instead of making it from scratch. This causes Mayaka to turn into a demon and she vows that next year he WILL accept them or else. Houtarou watches this exchange out of fear/mild interest. Now that is it Valentine’s Day again Mayaka explains her plight to Eru and begs her for help. They talk about Satoshi for a bit and Houtarou wonders if they even see him in the room. Obviously they do as Mayaka threatens Houtarou if he spills the beans. Eru and Mayaka set off after school to find amazing ingredients. Mayaka gets frustrated but asks if Eru likes anyone. Eru gets all blushy face like she has kept it a secret or something. On his way home Houtarou runs into Satoshi who was hanging around in a game center. They both decide to play a game for old times sake. Houtarou notices that Satoshi’s strategy has changed and the boy doesn’t throw a fit over losing. Houtarou muses that Satoshi has changed since entering high school. The next day is Valentine’s Day and Houtarou’s sister gives him a sad little chocolate bar. He walks to school and runs into Eru. She talks excitedly about Mayaka’s chocolates and how she is leaving them in the club room since she has to go to the manga society. Eru then gets all blushy and says in her family they never exchange presents. Houtarou gets embarrassed sensing that meant that Eru wanted to give him chocolates. The day goes on and it starts to snow. Satoshi and Houtarou run into each other after school. Satoshi is going to pick up the chocolates while Houtarou waits out the random snow in the library. Eru shows up asking where Satoshi is. Houtarou is like he should have already been to the club room? Eru leaves to find out what is going on.

Call the police!!!

A while later Satoshi and Eru run up, saying that the chocolates were stolen. Eru left the room unlocked when she went to find Houtarou and she blames herself. They make their way to the club room, passing some random dude hanging a poster in the hallway. They get to the club room but find no clues. Satoshi tries to get Houtarou to go home by using the maybe snow as an excuse but Eru begs Houtarou to help. They go back and question the poster hanging dude but he has only seen them walk by. They think of the other clubs on that floor and one is still in session. They make their way to the Astronomy Club where Eru questions people like a crazy person. Houtarou manages to get the conversation back on track and the club leader (the girl from the mystery movie incident) gets a bit pissed her people are questioned and says that it is not there. They make their way back to the club room and Houtarou sends Eru on a wild goose chase to check the girl’s bathroom. Houtarou tells Satoshi he has figured out what happened to the chocolates and thinks in his chair. Eru makes it back to the room and soon after Mayaka arrives, asking Satoshi how he liked the chocolates. Houtarou goes to lie but Eru tells the truth, that she left the room and they got stolen. Mayaka gets upset but pretends to smile and leaves. Houtarou tells Eru that he knows who stole the chocolates and to just go home. Eru starts to get upset, thinking that Houtarou isn’t taking this seriously. Houtarou explains that the other girl in the astronomy club stole the chocolates and all will be well. Eru goes home and Satoshi and Houtarou sit there in silence.

How dare you accuse us of taking your chocolates!

Once it gets dark Houtarou suggest they go home. Houtarou asks Satoshi to give him his bag. Satoshi does and Houtarou hands it back, saying that he has given Satoshi the chocolates. Houtarou explains Satoshi did go to the club room before Eru got there but wanted to hide the fact he took the chocolates. With no other option Satoshi smashed the chocolates and stuffed it in his bag. Satoshi confirms this is what happened and Houtarou threatens to his Satoshi if he doesn’t give him a good reason for doing so. Satoshi explains that before high school he had a personality that was obsessed with winning. It didn’t matter what it was in but he had to do so. He became obsessed with trying to find ways to win and he realized that it made him unhappy. So now he lives life a little…happier. Carefree even. But he worries if he returns Mayaka’s love he will become obsessed with her and ruin his happiness. He does tell Houtarou he will give Mayaka a proper answer soon. Houtarou is a bit confused with all of this but lets it slide. Eru runs into Mayaka on the way home. Mayaka confesses she knows that Satoshi took the chocolates. Mayaka becomes upset at the fact that she loves Satoshi and decides she and Eru will eat cake instead. Eru calls Houtarou later. He lies about the chocolates and Eru smiles, knowing Houtarou is trying to protect their friends. Satoshi is also seen making a phone call to Mayaka but the outcome is unknown. THE END!

Not the chocolate!

MOG! I am so bad at writing summaries. I mean..what is the point of me commenting on the episode when I wrote every single second of the show? Oh you mean to add in my own opinions? Well I guess that makes sense. But still I need to reign these summaries in don’t I?

That will show Satoshi!

Mayaka in junior high was scary. I liked her. I wish to be friends with her. The last time I saw a food product eaten with such craziness it involved potato chips and a mini TV. She was like eff you and your opinions. Maybe she was pretending that the chocolate was Satoshi’s head. That is what I would have done.

He doesn't deserve any chocolates but yes to cramming them in his face.

While it is unclear if Satoshi had his revelations about changing his obsessive personality last year or just was being a mean boy probably doesn’t matter. The point is…you accept a gift and smile. Or you say no I don’t return your feelings. You do not make fun of the gift in front of the giver. That is for later, with your friends! And really MAKING chocolates? Please. Please. If I was a Japanese girl who took part in this tradition I would buy some made chocolates and rewrap them. That sounds WAY too hard, making them from scratch. How about I love you enough that I thought enough to get you something? Or in my case I love you enough that I won’t attempt to poison you with my cooking.

Oh so I'm here? Could have fooled me.

But this year things would be different. This year Mayaka had a plan. And a secret weapon. Eru the amazing cook. Surely she can help make this possible. I do like that the girls were having this conversation in front of Houtarou. Like hello people I am here listening to your silly plans?! Wait you are only going to acknowledge me threaten me? I see.

All the way last year!!!!

Satoshi and Houtarou were in junior high last year. So what the heck are they talking about reliving the past, like the good old days? That is like my co-workers talking about their high school days..and they graduated in June! Way to make ME feel old. X___X But yes the good olde days. But I guess it was important to show that Satoshi has changed…from last year. Might have been stronger had Houtarou been noticing this change over time and not like OH right before it matters in the episode but I believes it. I believes that sometimes when something happens in your life you change right away. Like once you enter high school you might start dressing totally different even though you liked your other style of clothes just because you think that change will be more accepted.

We only give presents to people we barely know duh. XD

Can I talk about how I don’t want to be a part of Eru’s family? They don’t do gifts? What the heck does that mean? Nothing for birthdays or anything? What the hell?! I mean…it doesn’t have to be anything big but gifts are important to me. Giving and receiving. Is Eru not allowed to give chocolates to protect the family name, that she might be a chocolate slut? I have no idea. The entire thing broke my mind putting aside the fact that Houtarou was so embarrassed. Like hi I am going to tell you about the chocolates I wanted to give you so you can know I wanted to give them with special feelings. Like he got all the embarrassment but nothing to show for it.

So hand him the masterpiece!!!

The way Mayaka wanted to give Satoshi the chocolates was a bit over dramatic for me. Like just hand them to him on break. But maybe she feared rejection again. And the rest of the episode wouldn’t have happened. Still this is important chocolate and thus it must be given in person!

I am not suspicious at all!

Satoshi and Houtarou were acting uncomfortable the entire mystery so I guessed early on that Satoshi had thrown them away or something. Of course I thought it involved the other stair case and that it was because the chocolates tasted like crap and Satoshi was just trying to protect Mayaka. Still Eru should have caught on a lot faster with all the weird looks the boys were giving each other.

Evil people! Those three people....oh wait us?

Eru was very passionate with the stolen chocolate issue. I felt bad that she felt so guilty about leaving the door unlocked. This is Japan, home of saving your spot at a restaurant with your purse! How was she to know that this was going to happen?! But as guilty as she felt she was just as concerned with Mayaka’s delicate feelings. The love was stolen and must be returned. Thus the rudeness and over the top behavior.

OH SNAP! Houtarou is onto you now!

So clues to this mystery? Well it was the careful wording of Satoshi talking to the poster hanging boy. I didn’t pick up on it at the time he said it but recognize it was a big clue. As big as a clue can get in Hyouka. Actually the poster boy was pretty much the only clue as Houtarou didn’t even think that the other stair case was a possibility. Poster boy confirmed no one has gone by on the stairs but those three. Add in the other club weren’t acting crazy or suspicious and it pointed to Satoshi being embarrassed about the chocolates.

:( Mayaka is having the worst year ever.

I am not sure who was more upset about the missing chocolates. Mayaka was better at hiding it though but Eru didn’t have as much to lose as Mayaka did. Of course all of this could have been avoided had Mayaka just handed Satoshi the silly chocolates but can’t blame Mayaka if something got “stolen” right? Poor Mayaka. She is not having a good life is she? Just…if I spent all that time and energy on something plus my feelings weren’t getting returned…not fun times.

More dramatic moments!

So Satoshi and Houtarou walking home. A very awkward moment yes? Both boys knew what was going on and yet they said nothing. When Houtarou did start talking though I thought there was going to be more yelling. But he did threaten to hit Satoshi so that counts for something right? The actual reveal wasn’t that interesting or complicated given it HAD to be Satoshi.

.....So you don't want to be in love and find out?

Satoshi opening his mouth was a bit scary though. I thought it was going to be as simple as him saying he didn’t return her feelings but didn’t want to hurt her. Nope folks. Apparently Satoshi is still crazy. Earlier I questioned when this magical changed happened but now I am questioning that. Because during the school festival Satoshi was doing his best to solve that mystery and beat Houtarou. Of course Satoshi has said all along that he is just a database and had no ability to solve anything. I don’t know….being obsessive with things isn’t positive. And maybe he was protecting Mayaka because his feelings might suffocate her. But this seems like a whole lotta crazy to me.

What did you guys talk about?!

Houtarou realizes that Satoshi is complicated without realizing he is complicated himself. Eru learns the truth from Mayaka (who wasn’t as pissed off as I was expecting) yet Houtarou keeps lying to her. Of course Houtarou doesn’t know Eru or Mayaka knows but the fact that he is going that far to protect people without understanding it himself is touching. And to sum up the craziness of this group Satoshi does end up calling Mayaka but things are left slightly up in the air.

In conclusion boys are dumb!!!

I have typed many words but I feel as if I barely touched on why Satoshi did this all. Breaking the chocolate was horrifying in itself but the reason behind it was complicated and possibly unnecessary. Maybe I will see it as Satoshi was trying to take time to find himself before getting involved in a relationship. I don’t know. I wonder if the next episode will connect to this one. You know, with Satoshi and Mayaka giving us an “answer” on what the phone call was about.

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Hyouka episode 20

Hello there my lovely readers! It is I the semi productive one. Of course next week if all goes well I will be not productive but having fun at Disney. Cross yo fingers that it happens. XD As it stands I have watched every anime episode that is possible at this point. So hopefully I can stay up to date and not fall behind by taking two days away from technology. I shall stay current!!! That is my plan!

Same thing he does everyday.....nothing?

So....more anime now! Hyouka episode 20 time. X___X How is this series almost over? I feel as if summer flew on on by. But anyway yes. Spoilers for freezing for no reason!

Starting off the New Year dead is bad luck.

Episode Summary: Eru and Houtarou are freezing somewhere and Houtarou wonders if this means he will have bad luck for the rest of the year. He talks about a saying but Eru is like that is nice but how do we get out of this problem today and we will worry about the rest of the year tomorrow. Rewind to the beginning of the episode then! Houtarou was spending the day doing nothing at his house when Eru calls. She says since it is New Years Eve they should go visit a temple. Mayaka is working at the nearby one and Satoshi is going to stop on by too. Houtarou looks like he might say no but when Eru mentions showing off her new kimono onward he goes. It is freezing outside but Houtarou endures as he sees Eru and her fancy self exit a car. She looks very pretty and she happily shows off her new threads. Eru suggests praying first as she has to make the rounds on behalf of her family. They pray and battle the crowd to the main office. They are greeted and seated in the waiting area with other people. They talk about what they have done today it being a holiday and all. Eru was busy with relatives and Houtarou was busy…doing nothing. A shrine maiden appears and Eru goes through the rituals of presenting the present and the maiden pretending it is too great to accept. Houtarou messes up and the girls laugh. Turns out it is Kaho…looking a little different. Not that Houtarou would remember anyway since he remembers nothing.

Mayaka has a very important job of.....wearing fake hair?

After some more formalities they are taken to see Mayaka who is also wearing different hair and running part of the shrine store. She is in charge of helping kids and lost and found too. Mayaka thinks Eru looks gorgeous and Eru and Houtarou get fortunes. Eru gets a positive one and Houtarou gets the worst one ever. Kaho walks on by nervous and it turns out a lot of food was accidentally ruined. Eru wants to help so Kaho sends them to the storage unit to get more ingredients. Houtarou leads them to the place where he thought it would be but Eru is like um this is a shed. Before they can leave someone comes by and locks the door from the outside. Freezing Houtarou and Eru think about what to do. Houtarou decides the simplest thing would be to scream for help. Eru says no, she is representing her father today and if caught in this position with him surely people will get the wrong idea. They could call for help on cellphones…but neither brought theirs outside. Houtarou suggests destroying the building but Eru insists it is part of the temple. Silly rules!

Oh snap naked Eru time?!?

Houtarou remembers that Mayaka is running the lost and found and if they throw some of their items outside Mayaka will end up getting them eventually and maybe come to help them. They start with Eru’s handkerchief which Mayaka eventually receives. Satoshi, who was at home watching the same drama that Houtarou was watching earlier in the day, arrives in time for the next time Houtarou’s empty wallet to arrive at lost and found. Mayaka starts to worry as the items start adding up but Satoshi isn’t too…worried I guess. Things start getting really cold in the shed and Eru starts thinking that they should scream for help. Houtarou realizes that Satoshi is there and if he had string he could rescue them. There was talk of using Eru’s obi string but Houtarou almost has a nose bleed and dies at that thought. He breaks more of the building to steal a sign string and puts Eru’s purse outside. When Mayaka ends up with the purse Satoshi panics and runs to the rescue. A nearly frozen Houtarou explains that in the drama that they watched earlier that day a purse or bag being tied at both ends means a rat is trapped. Factor in all the items were found near the shed and Satoshi arrives, hero to all. Satoshi teases Houtarou a bit and all is fun. THE END!

Happy New Year to all!

X____X HAPPY NEW YEAR! It is almost….err…Halloween? XD I am trying to think of a holiday to make fun of the timeframe of the episode and my first thought was AWA. Because anime conventions are holidays. But since animes don’t have the luxury of airing when each holiday comes around they must pack them all in. After all what is a slice of life anime without the basic holidays? Christmas Eve, Summer festivals, Valentine’s Day, and of course New Year’s Eve! So let it begin!

What do you mean we're stupid?!

This episode was dumb. A lot to do about nothing. Freezing for no reason. Happy New Year indeed. THE END!

Well that would be a rather short post right? XD While I do understand Eru and her concerns it was a lot of effort at something that could have been solved quickly. I am very anti cold so I would have been um no time to scream and get rescued.

Houtarou is a very cute lazy person though yes?

Starting at the beginning of the episode…I think my husband likes Houtarou’s thinking. It was a day off why should I make elaborate plans to do anything? I would have been like MOG a day off together we need to do this this and this. But my husband is like vacations can be planned or…days of doing nothing. So Houtarou the lazy crab or turtle….my husband understands you. Also it was cold outside so I understand you too.

You are pretty cute though Eru.

Eru surprised me a bit. She doesn’t seem to be the kind of person to want to be the center of attention. Like oh I am from a good family but pay no attention to me. But for her to want to go out and show off her kimono? And to state that is what she wanted to do? It sounded weird coming from her. X__X Unless it was a calculated move to make Houtarou do what she wants him to do. If that is the case…well that is smart. But I doubt that is what happened. Eru is human after all and girls do dress up to be noticed so more power to her for being honest. And she was very pretty.

Happy New Year, now where is my present?

We got to see behind the scene shrine stuff in this episode. We usually see the food stalls and the fireworks and what not. Briefly Houtarou and Eru prayed but then it was inside the main building where Eru must perform her duties as a person from an important family. A little bit of eyerolling here but it was weird to Houtarou as well so it must not be a common Japanese thing. Or maybe it is and there are things here in the United States that are dramatic too. XD Accept my wine Kaho and allow us to tease Houtarou all year together.

Eru LIES!

I didn’t recognize Kaho but the hair piece looked good on her. Or maybe I haven’t seen Kaho enough to care. Mayaka on the other hand…girl that hair did not look good. Eru lied to you. Do you have to have long hair to be a shrine maiden? I guess thinking back they do have a uniformed braid most of the time. But I thought that was just because they had naturally long hair. It looked…special to say the least.

Houtarou is using way too much energy. X___X

Since Eru is a helpful she had to spring to action when food was involved. Time to take a walk to the shed/storage area/whatever. I am not sure I would have volunteered to go outside in the cold in a building that might not be that clean in my kimono. I might have braved putting on an apron or something. Or maybe serving and greeting guests while Kaho is busy. XD Just don’t go outside.

People will talk! Lets just freeze in here instead!

But they had to go to the shed so they could get locked in and have a romantic not encounter. Eru got a little dramatic at this point. What would people THINK?! Well…it is freezing so if people are off having sex in sheds I am going to question their sanity and not their purity! Most people don’t look well put together after sexy times so if Houtarou and Eru called for help a bit sooner maybe no one would have assumed things. Just…Houtarou realized that things could have been solved a lot sooner had they just screamed he also realizes that Eru comes from a super rich family and he can’t begin to understand everything. So entire the drama!

Err...that all sounds bad.

Houtarou had some pretty crappy ideas to save the day. Bust down the building? Wouldn’t that cause more attention their way? Oh look that building is being torn down we see NOTHING?! XD What a crazy idea. Maybe the cold was getting to Houtarou’s brain because that was a series of super bad ideas. And what kind of teenager leaves a room without their cellphone? FAILURE?!??

Good job Mayaka....

Eventually Houtarou came up with a complicated plan to get them rescued. Throw items outside the wall I sorta broke and hope for the best. Mayaka…poor Mayaka. They were expecting a lot from her weren’t they? But really if you find three items of your friends outside a shed and you can’t find said friends wouldn’t you at least GO TO THE SHED to see if you can find some clues or something? Poor Mayaka.

Satoshi is finally able to solve a mystery weeee!

But Houtarou was determined! Determined…and relied on the fact that he and Satoshi were lazy turtle crabs earlier in the day. See how important it is that he and Satoshi were relaxing at not working? Satoshi would remember the bag tying event from the movie and since he is junior detective he would be more on alert than Mayaka. Sorry Mayaka…you just don’t think like a crazy person and consider all angles. Be thankful you are normal?

Houtarou gets picked on a lot. It is amusing.

In the end Eru got to show off her kimono, Mayaka got stuck working/not being involved, and Satoshi saved the day! Let’s celebrate! Bring on the chocolates! Until next week. XD

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