Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu – Episodes 9 and 10

Continuing onto the first season, we finally arrive at the cultural festival… and they decide to do a Cosplay Cafe… how great… =p

Synopsis

Episode 9

The class took Nobunaga’s idea after voting on it. He decided to suggest it since his class vetoed on that idea and he want to do it in Yuuto’s class for revenge. Haruka wonders on how fun it would be because of the different clothes she could wear. Not knowing what a cosplay cafe wears, he doesn’t know what to do. Haruka was about to say something about it, Shiina came over to Yuuto, saying that there is a meeting and he leaves. After school, when they were entering the building, Haruka was walking with a bunch of girls which were asking if she was going to participate in the beauty contest. Haruka sees Yuuto and tries to run to him, but Shiina came over and seem like they were working and they soon ask whats wrong to Haruka and she said it’s nothing. After practicing the piano, at night, Mika, Nanami, Hazuki devise a plan to help Yuuto. Next day, after class, Haruka finds that Yuuto was missing, but he came in. Yuuto asks about shops that sell cosplay for references. Haruka hesitated on going out on Sunday to Akihabara, but she accepts it.
In a shop, Haruka browses the cosplay in the shop and finally sees the Clumsy Girl Aki-chan’s angel version. The owner asks her to try it on and she does,

After finally dressing, he sees Haruka and she asks how she looked and said that it suits her and looks perfect.

Soon, Yuuto heard Nobunaga and he went in and close the booth shades until he leaves.

Afterwards, they left and Yuuto said she was a big help and gives her a present which was a Clumsy Girl Aki-chan music box.

Soon, Yuuto receives a phone call from Mika saying that Haruka broke her promise with her father since Haruka was supposed to perform from someone and they should run, but it was too late and Gentou came out and was about to hit Yuuto with his wooden sword when Nanami and Hazuki blocks his attack with with their hammer and chainsaw. Then his wife came out and subdues him. She knows that Haruka was wrong, although Yuuto took the blame for not asking if she was available. She makes a exception for this time. Haruka then asks Yuuto for a folk dance after the festival ended embarrassingly, but he accepts.
Next day, the prepare for the festival and making the cosplay.

The day after, Nanami, Hazuki and Mika sees Haruka making cookies. After she was done, she went to the school and delivers them. When she got to the room, she sees Yuuto and Shiina in a wierd situation and she drops the basket. Yuuto noticing, Haruka ran away.

Episode 10

Yuuto and Shiina was making final preparations for the cafe. While Shiina thanked him and started to talk about things that made Yuuto embarrassed, the sign started to fell and Yuuto jumped on her so the sign won’t hit her, which caused them into a awkward position. Haruka came in and dropped the basket and started to cry. When Yuuto said it’s not what it supposed to be, she ran. Shiina tells him to go after her. Yuuto ran to her ad try to explain, but she knows it was an accident, but she started to tear and then saying it’s nothing. She ran away. Yuuto worried about her called her, but Hazuki answered the phone and said she was sleeping and was about to tell something, but didn’t tell.

Next day, it was the festival and she went to his classroom and sees Haruka cheerful and tries to cheer him up. Some girls came in and saying that her uniform looks cute… and congratulated her in making the contest again. Shiina reveals that she is also going to participate in the contest. Then she asks about Nogizaka, but he said she is cheerful this morning, although she doesn’t realize it.

During the cafe opening, Yuuto tried to talk to Haruka about yesterday, but said she was busy. During break, he tried to ask about something, but hesitant. Then, Nanami, Mika and Hazuki came over and Yuuto serves them. Mika asks about what happened yesterday and she was bringing treats, but Yuuto said nothing special happened which caused them to be surprised. Mika wanted to check other places out before the contest and Nanami came, but Hazuki didn’t want to come.

In the contest, it was revealed that Haruka was the winner again. Haruka looking at Yuuto caused her to take her eyes off of him.

Yuuto realizing that went back stage to talk about yesterday, but caused her to ran away. He searched everywhere, but can’t find her. Outside, Shiina asks to folk dance with him, but he was hesitant and couldn’t say an answer. Then Shiina changed her mind and said she is supposed to meet her friends. Then, Yuuto started to ran, which made Shiina notice. In the back of the building, Hazuki came and she knows what happened since she followed Haruka and knows where she is. Hazuki tells her story about Eric, someone who she loved and they were separated three years ago that caused painful memories.

Yuuto went to back of the Gym as Hazuki told him and he finds Haruka. Yuuto apologizes to her and it was something weird that happened . Haruka said it wasn’t his fault and tells him not to apologize and she doesn’t understanding. Her heart started to become hazy when she saw Yuuto with Shiina and when she came back to her senses, Haruka was already running and she forced herself to smile not to make Yuuto upset, although she still felt that he was going to leave Haruka. Then, Yuuto answered back that he won’t leave her until she comes to hate him.

After the festival ended and she calmed down, he uses the music box and does folk dance with Haruka. Nanami, Mika, and Hazuki seeing them, video taped them although Hazuki had to tell her sad past.. but she got Eric back in a auction and it was a teddy bear.

Thoughts

The two episodes are pretty sweet with the cosplay cafe and the end of Episode 10 when Yuuto and Haruka does folk dance…. Haruka definitely looks cute in that cosplay… Not too much fanservice, but we are given some drama at the end of 9 and some of 10 which is unusual in a Romantic Comedy genre, but it happens… End of Episode 10 reveals that Shiina can’t obviously be in a relationship with Yuuto since he seems to have a strong relationship with Haruka and loves her…

Again, Gentou being a hothead again is kinda funny… but again, he always jump to conclusions and act too rashly. Overall, these episodes were pretty enjoyable and not bad at all…

Next Episode: Beach Episode, Haruka’s Birthday and Shutto’s confrontation.

Verdict

Episode 9: 8.6/10
Episode 10: 8.9/10