Score: A-

This episode was another intense one. It started strong with Ayano and Masachika having a chat and ended even stronger with Taniyama showing up to pick a fight. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to inject a bit of hostility into this election. Yuki and Masachika don’t hate each other and I don’t think Yuki hates Alya at all either. With Taniyama thrown into the picture it adds a nice antagonist that will be satisfying to see destroyed!

Stay out of the way Mr. KFC!

Well, this certainly explains why Masachika and Yuki have kept their relationship a secret. Their scumbag Grandfather likely imposed that restriction on them. And while Yuki is a wild girl, I doubt she’d want to make her living arrangement even more hellish by going against her grandfather (and probably her mother as well). While telling Alya would clear a lot up, it’s understandable that neither has been willing to actually do that.

Also, good god this family sucks! What the actual heck is wrong with these people? Betraying and hurting Yuki? Can we dial back the terminology a bit here!? He’s running against Yuki in a school election. He’s not siding with an enemy nation and going to war! And yes, I know that’s an odd statement to make with Alya’s connection to Russia! Japanese student councils can be serious business sometimes, but holy smokes! I will guarantee to all parties involved that Yuki is not badly hurt here! She wasn’t thrilled since I’m sure she would have enjoyed winning the election with her brother by her side. But I don’t think she was crying herself to sleep over it either! I’m 100% with Masachika that if his grandfather has a problem then he can get out his expensive chair and talk to him in person!

Watch out for those snowstorms!

This episode had some cute moments as usual. A dicey situation though with that magazine since there wasn’t a clear Alya stand in that Masachika could pick. Instead ended up going with one that looked like her sister and that’s all kinds of trouble! But at least it was easy to get her in a good mood again with the talk about the type of girlfriend he’d want and Alya openly promoting herself! The reactions of those that know what she’s saying and those that don’t were just perfect! And then came the snowfall warning! Poor Alya getting buried under the symbolic snow!

Ayano has rock solid expressions

Holy crap, Ayano is something else! She keeps a very even appearance through everything, but her words go places! I do like that she idolizes Masachika and has for quite some time. It makes their relationship an interesting one for sure. Though still (depending on sub accuracy) but wow at the whole “his fantastic aggressiveness sent shockwaves through my womb.” That’s a loaded way to say things! Even Yuki can’t easily handle a line like that! Understandable that she’d check to see if Ayano is romantically interested in her brother after that! Good thing that she claims she isn’t since…the title kind of spells out where this is going! But I guess that’s partly how she sees herself as a tool and is very dedicated to that. That’s one intense maid! Truly a supreme sub!

Yuki is a passionate girl

The little drips of information are so nice to get out of this show. A full admission that not only is Masachika far more than he lets on…but he’s considered the absolute best talent his family has ever produced. In that sense I can only imagine how furious his grandfather was when Masachika chose to stay with his father. But I can also imagine that Masachika was sick of his whole family and just stopped trying. It really does say quite a bit about the impact Alya has had on him that he’s willing to step into the ring. And I appreciate that Yuki is enjoying this. Having him as a partner would make her unstoppable. But what’s more thrilling than taking on a true challenge and proving her ability?

This girl…

And then you’ve got Taniyama…Is there a way to sum up my thoughts about her without taking things too far? The answer is no. Taniyama is a total bitch! She should go back under her covers and cry over losing to Yuki in middle school and spend less time whining in the present day. I don’t care much about her motivations here. It’s probably on the level of wanting to face the Yuki and Masachika pair with the hilarious belief that she could beat them and avenge her past defeat. The only person that doesn’t belong in this election is her. She didn’t have the nerve to take part in the student council with Yuki on it and is just going around throwing insults at Masachika and Alya.

Still, I suppose this makes her a nice mid-boss. Alya needed a way to establish herself heading into the election. She can’t just run right into a fight with Yuki without the proper buildup. But a total whiner like Taniyama that is full of herself? Now that’s a nice target! Send her home crying and Alya’s campaign can get rolling in earnest. And it’ll do a nice job of mostly eliminating an opponent right away so the focus for the election can be Yuki vs Alya.

Good vibes between these two

This was certainly an intense episode at points. It had the goofy stuff, but it also had some truly infuriating characters like Masachika’s grandfather and Taniyama. At least they slipped in a nice conversation with Masachika and Masha. Two older siblings that have attempted at times to take a step back and not stand in their younger sibling’s way. Although since Masachika is doing so in the election I wonder if Masha will make an open move sooner or later? The one area she could “pick a fight” could be over Masachika.

I’m most interested in seeing how this election plays out. I’m sure an intense grouch like Taniyama will prove a difficult opponent for Alya to handle. But it’s a great chance for Alya to establish herself and I respect her standing up for herself. Taniyama doesn’t get to ignore her and pick a fight with her running mate. If she wants to do this then Alya will rise to the challenge!