After Mami revealed that she is moving, we are in for a bittersweet moment. Of course, Manaka wants to give a proper sendoff that Mami deserves.
Mami broke the bad news that she was hiding for a while. Yes, it’s true, she is transferring schools after this semester ends. I guess this is the reason why she seems motivated to continue to play ice hockey. Manaka notices this after she brings Ayaka and Kaoruko to tell them the sad news. After all, they have been together since their childhood.
Of course, Manaka, Ayaka, and Kaoruko wants to give her a proper sendoff. Yes, a memory that she can never forget. Believe it or not, after remembering how enthusiastic Mami was to keep playing ice hockey and what Manaka’s and Ayaka’s grandmother said to her. She floated an idea of having a special ice hockey practice match before Mami left. Her friends agreed and eventually Mami accepted the idea.
Meanwhile, it’s nice how Riko and Nao have an ice cream date as promised. After all, it’s thanks to Nao sticking with ice hockey. It’s obvious that Riko wants to keep playing as along Nao tag along. After all, Nao ask why Riko quit ice hockey when she changed to figure skating. From this, it’s clear that Riko wants to play when Nao tags along or not at all. This obviously shows how close they are.
When Manaka shares the plans with Riko and Nao in doing a practice match, they are willing to do it. After the girls told them they are serious about having a practice match, I knew that Yoko is going to become happy. After all, her plans of having an ice hockey idol dream are slowly coming together. Of course, Yoko assigned the girls positions that work best with their strengths.
After nearly two months of training on weekends, the big day has come. Yoko found a team for them to face off in Yamanashi. Of course, they are going to be tough to beat since they played ice hockey since grade school.
The day before the match, the girls seem ready. Mami shows her friends what she was making. Yes, it’s supposed to be a tablecloth, but what she made is something to cheer on the team. It says “bond of our hearts” on it with the team logo and mascot. To me, it feels like a good luck charm of some sort.
As for the match itself, it’s obvious that Manaka’s team is at a disadvantage. This is besides seeing them forget what they are training for. It seems as if they were nervous. Thankfully, after some talk from Yoko before the remaining 10 minutes start, things start to turn around. Eventually, the girls got into the groove of things as Kaoruko managed to catch the puck. With some luck, Manaka and Mami managed to score a shot after connecting their feelings through that puck. While they lost, at least they score one point. That is what matters.
I must admit that seeing Ayaka, Kaoruko, Nao, and Riko along with Riko see Mami off was bittersweet. Manaka wasn’t there since she felt that her best friend is moving away. Of course, when Mami was about to tear, she sees Manaka riding a bike to give her last goodbye.
Is this really the last we will see of Mami? Will Manaka be all alone without Mami? I guess at some point she will come back. Still, I feel that the new long dark-haired girl who quit her old team last episode. I have a feeling that she might become a good pairing for Manaka. We’ll see soon enough.
Sad to see Mami go but glad everyone gave it their all to get that moral victory in a good first match. Even for peeps not looking stuff up Mami’s returning to the show later on is highly likely.
Intrigued to see what Yu will bring to the table on the episode after the next one because we know she’ll most likely give the gang, especially Manaka, a hard time.
Agreed, and it’s surprising to see her go since she was in that game shown in the first episode. I think she will show up sometime in the future. Still, Yu’s introduction should be interesting.