From last time, it seems that everyone collapsed except Jun after eating something. Also, we see the origins of Akane along with the big preparation for the 1-year anniversary live performance.
At the end of the 6th episode, it appeared that everyone collapsed except for Jun. Believe it or not, everyone at the jelly except for Jun since she hates bitter things. Still, I find it funny how the wall might have set up this unfortunate event. Thankfully, the girls will recover quickly since the sickness is not serious. This of course leaves everyone in the bind.
Still, since Jun knew that she is the only one standing, she disguises herself as a rich celebrity. It’s obvious that she is trying to escape the onslaught of having to do all those events all by herself. Of course, Goda saw through her disguise and not letting her escape.
Despite working non-stop, I find it amazing how she pulled through without having the time eat lunch. Still, it’s quite amazing how she manages to pull through until the very end. Also, I have to admit that her imitations of each girl in the group during a live event was hilarious.
Of course, Jun wasn’t this energetic. Believe it or not, she had really bad respiratory issues that causes her to cough violently out of nowhere. I kind of felt bad for Jun since she has to go to the hospital frequently, she didn’t have any friends. This is not too surprising since she is absent from school, a lot.
While in the hospital, she befriends a cheerful girl named Yuu. While we don’t know what illness she has, she believes the hospital is an amusement park of some sort. She asks if she wants Jun to play with her. Eventually, they sneaked out to sing karaoke and do various activities. You know, a date of some sort. Either way, they become more than just friends.
Thanks to Yuu, the doctors noticed that Jun has become more cheerful. While Yuu moved to a private room, Jun didn’t know the harsh reality of what she is going through. Jun decides to visit Yuu and she finds out the harsh reality. She witnesses a weeping mother. The harsh reality settles in that her best friend, Yuu has passed away. She ran to the roof and started to cry. Jun believed that she should have been the one that died instead of Yuu since she has been so negative.
Yes, I have to admit that this is the most heartbreaking moment in recent times. Yes, this moment pulled the heart strings just like that moment in Clannad After Story. I kind of wished that Yuu would survive since it would be nice to see them together after they recovered. I guess that after seeing Sakura’s grandmother pass away in the fourth episode, I expected that this would happen. Even so, I think for the fact that Yuu didn’t reveal that she didn’t have much time to live and she wants to stay positive to the very end has ultimately caused this strong feeling of bereavement for Jun when she found out.
In the end, it’s good that Jun stayed strong and not giving up. I guess that if Jun gave up, Yuu would become very disappointed in her. Thankfully, Jun healed from her respiratory issues and she is able to live a normal life along with making friends. From there, she received that letter and the rest is history. But still, it’s nice to see Jun reunited with everyone else. Of course, the girls thank her for covering for them. Either way, she is happy where she is now.
With that, this leaves the seventh episode, which focuses on Akane. Akane is a mysterious lady. While she is smart, diligent and always on time, she is not always this way. Akane used to be a free-spirited and cheerful child that causes trouble. Besides spending time in her father’s workshop painting stuff and having fun, she also dreamed of becoming an idol. Of course, her mother, probably one of those strict parents. I understand that parents want their child to grow up to become successful. Being too strict causes the child to become rebellious and cause trouble.
When her parents went to the cabin, Akane’s mother told her to stay inside. Of course, Akane didn’t listen and wondered around. She tripped on the bridge, which sends her plunging into the forest and become lost. Akane’s parents and a search party looked for her for three days. Her mother eventually found Akane in an abandoned cabin. The news made a big deal of it and created rumors, which causes their parents to fight even more. This lead them off the ledge of Akane’s mother filing a divorce and taking her daughter with her.
I have to admit that phase “it didn’t have to be this way” applies here too. Perhaps if Akane’s mother wasn’t so strict, and her father not being too lax, maybe Akane wouldn’t become a big troublemaker. This is something that Akane has to grow out of, providing that there is good parenting.
Either way, thankfully Akane realized her mistakes and gone to the other extreme. Surprising her free-spirited side of her to more of becoming more of a stoic model student that we know and love. Of course, she finally unleashes that side of her that she contained for many years after she saw the crowd, especially cheering for an encore. She finally realizes that her long forgotten dream of becoming an idol has finally come true. As they say, she can finally be herself, at least within reason.
Of course, Miu finally moves out of her parent’s apartment. Sure, her mother has mixed feelings, but at least she gets to live life in the outside world and on her own too.
With that, this leaves the 9th episode. I liked how Ayaka and Miu were wearing masks to prevent others from noticing them. Without them knowing that 2 years and a few months later, everyone will wear them to fight the spread of Covid19.
Of course, Ayaka’s older sister, Ayane visits Ayaka for some advice. It appears that they get along. However, things weren’t that way. Well, since Ayane and Ayaka knows that Ayaka is somewhat a crybaby, they use that opportunity to bully her so that she can cry.
While I am not the youngest child in the family and I get along with my little sister, sibling rivalry is a real thing. While their mother sings her a song to calm her down, Ayaka still believes that her sisters bully her because they hate her. However, it’s not necessarily the case when Ayaka sees a bunch of boys fighting with Ayane. She eventually stood up for her when the boys teased Ayaka thinking a weak girl like her can protect Ayane.
Thankfully, Ayana came to stop them. When Ayane revealed that she is standing up for Ayaka when the boys mocked her little sister, but it’s good that they made up and seem to care about each other even if they didn’t get along initially.
In the end, Ayaka pretty much spent her middle school years as a loner. Eventually, she moved out and spent her time creating her own manga, until she received that letter. But you are wondering what this flashback has to do with this episode. Well, the girls went to a hot spring’s hotel. The girls ate sashimi, bathe in a hot spring and play card games. Eventually, Miyako lost in a card game against Akane and they got into a confrontation, until Ayaka started singing. In the end, they stopped fighting.
With that, breaktime is over as the girls await their next order. Apparently, the wall gave a really strange one that causes the girls to become shocked. I won’t spoil it.
What that, this leaves us with the final review that is coming after I watch the final three episodes. I wonder what will happen after the anniversary concert and the mysterious behind the wall.
I told you the kiddy gloves would come off after Reika’s episode. Not saying the previous ladies’ stories were not as emotionally impactful (Sakura’s hit me especially hard after all), just gave you a heads up is all.
Jun’s remains one of the most painful. Losing your first love before the romance had a chance to fully flourish. Dem feels yo.
Best girl Akane learned the bitter truth about CNN that day.
Yep, wasn’t kidding at all as the 7th episode really pulled the heart strings. It’s too bad that Jun’s first love didn’t have a chance to develop.
Nah, it’s just some news media likes to sensationalize things, it does not mean all news is bad. But of course, poor parenting is a factor too. This does put in question if tiger parenting is all that effective.