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「逆境は真実へと至る最初の道筋である。」 (Gyakkyou wa Shinjitsu e to Itaru Saisho no Michisuji de Aru.)
“Adversity Is the First Path to Truth”
While Youtjitsu may not be the most forgiving in terms of pacing or elaboration of late (intricacies of sports festival events are so last decade), it’s still a series which knows where it’s bread is buttered and wastes little time in getting to the details. Did promise Suzune and Kikyou would finally see eye to eye after all, even if the manner of the reveal was out of left field. Just slightly.
With how this arc was built up and played out, I don’t think many were taken too aback by the developments we received. Suzune for one wound up realizing and embracing her lesson on teamwork and appreciating the value of cooperation (plus some brotherly introspection to boot) all the while other characters like Kei increasingly slotted themselves in better with the other members of Class D. Taken all together just another step along the path to Class D cohesion. Oh and Kiyotaka finally outing some of his athletic prowess, cannot forget that little (yet intentional) slipup.
Outside of basic developments, however, obviously the big moves this time were with Kiyotaka and Kikyou because oh yes, you know damn well you were starting to miss that face. The big thing here too isn’t even that Kikyou was the leaker and betrayer (that much was given if you remember her anti-Suzune crusade), but rather that her and Suzune share a past and that she was fully willing to reveal herself at this time. Kikyou after all is driven entirely by revenge, but not only for the sake of revenge; she cares enough to actively want her target eliminated, but not enough to sacrifice everything for it. It’s why that alter ego is maintained and why both Kiyotaka and even Kakeru are runners up on the Kikyou hit list: the girl wants to keep her hidden side permanently hidden from everyone else for the sake of basking in victory, and that necessitates offing anyone who has seen it. Revealing it to Suzune now implies that Kikyou thought she had finally prevailed against Suzune, but as evidenced by one secretive benefactor that didn’t pan out as expected.
Pretty easy to guess why someone would provide such assistance, but who it is and their connection to Kiyotaka (because obviously) remain to be discovered. One way or another things are about to get quite spicy in Youjitsu, because if there’s one thing which can drastically harm a team it’s having a member actively working to undermine it from within.
Kiyotaka certainly has his upcoming work cut out for him.
Guess they cut the budget for most of the ep and invested it in the 3-sec Ayanokoji/SCP running animation =0v.
I didn’t see this “Kei slotting herself with other members of Class D” part you mentioned.
Horikita has been getting the “need to work as a team” idea from Ayanokoji since early s1. But its not til now that it finally took root; Sudo saw that and that’s why he was able to empathize with her this time.
There are a number of things in the background to take note of.
-First off, SCP was watching Horikita’s class. Maybe her words from last(or 2nd to last) episode actually hit home in some way. He COULD have been just been watching from the general perspective of it being Team RED, which he was in, but I don’t believe that to be totally the case. He might actually be a bit interested in his sister… or is it perhaps Ayanokoji whom he’s interested in.
-Ayanokoji intentionally provoking the SCP. What purpose does this have in the narrative? His initial intention was to let the class lose horribly, but I could see him wanting an upset at the end since Horikita brought back Sudo, and wanted to strengthen the class morale. Wouldn’t be surprised if Ayanokoji got that guy to give up his position as anchor for this purpose. But why put himself on the radar of SCP when he could have just raced normally? Wasn’t his intentions to not stand out?
-Kushida should know that Ayanokoji was involved in ruining her scheme, as he admitted to knowing that she leaked the class participation list. I don’t take Kushida as being too crafty like Ryuen or Sakayanagi person, but surely only Ayanokoji could be contributed to knowing about the leaked roster. I am curious what Kushida will do to or around Ayanokoji from hereforth?
-Ryuen subtly admits that he knows Horikita is being used, so he will probably figure out sooner or later that Ayanokoji is mainly involved; esp if he gets insight from Kushida. Fortunately for Ayanokoji, Ryuen will now be looking for who’s the traitor in class C instead. However it’ll be interesting to see what he does when he finds out about Ayanokoji.
Regarding Kei it’s more of him tempering his attitude and actually doing things like apologizing. Previously he never would’ve considered doing such things or making nice, but that’s changed of late. It’s one small part of Class D starting to fully come together.
Oh, you mean Ken. When you said Kei, I thought you meant Karuizawa, so i was a bit confused and thought I missed something. I see I see now =03.
Ah yes, we are now going into one of my favorite arcs! Can’t want to see THAT scene animated with Kiyotaka being at his most bada**.