Score: A-

Every episode is leaving me excited to talk about this show. Even an episode like this that focused heavily on exploring the past between Alya and Kuze did so much with the time it had. It wasn’t just about how she started to fall for him (despite her protests), but it gave us quite a few outright answers and some strongly hinted ones. I’ve got a much better grasp on what’s going on with a few of the characters and I’m quite excited to see how this all plays out!

Can’t take her lightly!

Another episode where a sister brings a solid twist into the equation. The sister that Alya needs to worry the most regarding Kuze…is her own! This pretty well confirms that Masha is the girl Kuze was close to as a child. And I’d say she knows it too! Well, if he manages to trick her into thinking he doesn’t know any Russian too then she might start to doubt it. But having the same first name should have her plenty confident about the odds there. At least she was certain enough to test him with a bit of Russian. But he likely won’t admit that to her either since she is Alya’s sister. Letting Masha know he speaks Russian would be like letting Alya herself know. And there’s no way he can do that after all the time they’ve spent together! Her head would explode from embarrassment!

The real question I have now is…where does that go!? I’d say there was plenty of attachment on both sides when they were kids. There was so much attachment that Masha still carries a locket with likely a picture of “Sa-kun” in it. If she realizes it what will Masha do? There are the feelings she clearly has hung onto for all this time. There’s no doubt she still likes Kuze as much as she ever did. But now she’s gotten a nice backstory from Alya that pretty much tells the tale of her falling for him! Is she going to go after Kuze when her sister clearly has feelings for him? Will she step aside even though she hasn’t let go of her past attachment? I suppose this all relies on the assumption that she is the girl from Kuze’s past but…that seems pretty likely here.

Things improved for Alya

I also really loved the flashback that told Alya’s story. It works so well while not diminishing her character. It’d be easy to have Alya straight up be called out as wrong or maybe have Kuze help out her solo mission. But the story finds a way to make this all feel satisfying. Kuze does say she’s wrong, but only in the way she’s applying her effort. Her desire to win and make something worthwhile isn’t bad. A drive to excel is a strength for her to have. But even if she works herself to the bone that’s not enough. She can’t put on a class event by herself. And no matter how exceptional Alya is she can’t do more than a motivated class of dozens of people. Quantity has a power all of its own and that’s all the truer when there’s motivation.

Kuze didn’t just tell Alya this, he proved it through action. Even before he talked to her, he already made some moves. That let her go home at least and get some rest. After that things really did come together and Alya got the satisfaction of working with a motivated group. With her childhood it was sadly what you’d expect. There are people that you can’t convince to put in the effort. But people respond better to skillful maneuvering than they do being called out. Confrontation is more likely to lead to people digging in their heels. It’s unfortunate that those motivated do need to get crafty, but that’s just how people can be.

I won’t argue with his logic

Alya is a responsible girl. I like that she couldn’t simply take her good fortune and let that be that. Even if she can’t easily change and start motivating people like a pro. This was still a good lesson for her on what can be accomplished with the right approach. And I want to give Kuze credit for taking an interesting reward. Alya doesn’t like the nicknames that are floating out there. But Kuze gets to call her something unique and he’s clearly never let go of that advantage! Even in the present day he’s still happy to call her Alya at every opportunity.

It is true that they have built up a legitimate friendship over time. That’s not something that Alya or Kuze himself would deny. But I’m 100% with Masha here that it’s hardly just friendship. Who is Alya trying to kid here? I’m sure she was just so overjoyed at her “friend” calling her cute that she was literally pounding the floor while in that changing room!

They’ve been through some things

It wasn’t all about happy times though. I like that this episode even gave us some confirmation about what happened with Kuze and Yuki. A divorce did seem plausible and sadly that was the case. Interesting that it appears the mother of the family ended up keeping the house. I’m not totally shocked that the siblings were split up between the parents and divided by father/song and mother/daughter. Seems like Yuki had some health problems in the past? I suppose it wouldn’t be shocking to have a character overcome a childhood illness and become quite the energetic imp in the present! I’m going to guess that Kuze probably could have stayed with their mother but felt sorry for his dad. I’m curious about their mother since we didn’t see her in this flashback. There’s undoubtedly more to reveal about that divorce and how it affected the kids.

Another cute ED

We really are going to get a new ED every week! I’m not going to complain in the slightest! This was a very cute ED focused visually on Alya and Masha. They are cute pair that’s for sure. No surprise that the song is well sung. This is going to be one show where I simply cannot skip the ED. Each week is going to be its own special experience and I appreciate that. It’s understandable for most shows to keep things restricted to a single OP/ED, but a treat like this is always appreciated.

Alya may have a different rival than she expected!

All of this is building off the previous episode where Kuze and Yuki’s relationship was very misunderstood by Alya. We didn’t really see them interact this week in the present. It was all about the past. I approve though in explaining why Alya fell for Kuze. Good enough reasons for her to become interested in him and to let things build up over time. Now I’m just curious what the next episode will bring. I don’t think there’s any clear direction for the next episode to go. But I am curious how things are going to play out between Alya and Kuze over time.