Episode 9 (Day 9)
Wow, so it's been a while since I've watched this anime, and it certainly decided to throw me back into the thick of it.
Well, it looks like one of our red strings of fate has completed itself - the one between Hirono and Miyako. While it did seem to come a little out of nowhere, I really loved how they did it, and the dialogue surrounding it, and just how it all worked. I loved Hirono's attempt at a "romantic" response, I love his ultimate response (to kiss her again), and I love where they ended up.
Meanwhile Renji's trying to come to terms with the full reality of Chihiro's memory loss, and is beginning to learn that just because her memory is extremely fragile, doesn't mean that she's a different person every time she sees him. She's still the same, and these little differences in memory won't change who she is. I'm glad that he's deciding to fight through it, and to try and understand her as best as he can, rather than deciding to run away. Those two started out as the cutest, easiest couple, but it turns out that they might be the ones who have the most to work through.
And lastly, with Kei running into Miyako and Hirono the next morning and then running away... well, it looks like the relationship between Kei and Kyosuke is finally growing, if only because Kyosuke is trying to support her in trying to find her "sparkle" again, and that she is finally accepting that support. Well, since things obviously aren't going to work about between her and Hirono, maybe Kyosuke will be her shoulder to cry on and, ultimately, be the one she falls in love with.
And, as a final note, while the art direction was beautiful (as always), I just loved the sound direction in this, too, especially in the special moments between Hirono and Miyako. That was really cool.
