(Where I Watch) Heartcatch Precure!

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Episode 11: Achoo! Power up with Kung-fu.

Hmm, could this episode have something to do with a kid who wants to practice Kung-fu but has debilitating allergies/asthma that makes it impossible?

The flowers that Dark Precure blasted into oblivion last time are now all grown back thanks to the efforts of Tsubomi and Erika. They've taken to calling Dark Precure an "Imposter Precure" and pledge to defeat her.


And here's our possible targets for the day. One of these boys, Masato, is called upon by the teacher for wearing his kung-fu shoes to class. Erika says that Masato is probably only mimics the movies. Tsubomi gets fired up for it, and goes to learn, alongside Masato's brother Yoshito.

You know, there's more to kung-fu than dressing up like Bruce Lee and swinging around nunchuks. Eventually, Erika gets caught spying and gets roped into learning as well.
I appreciate the desire to evolve. I also liked seeing it in Gokaiger when Ahim and Don got a kenpo crash course from Gekired. But I don't think these two are anything more than students themselves.

Tsubomi fails at Kungfu lessons and watches Masato get thrown down in Judo. His opponent calls him out for being nothing but a kung-fu otaku, and he stops teaching Tsubomi.

Kumojacky somehow managed to fit his whole coat under a Dan Hibiki outfit, and when Sabark calls on him to defeat the precures, he throws off the gi, and looks awesome.
It's not enough to beat him in gym, the judo goon taunts Masato in front of his brother. Yoshito runs off after having the illusion of his brother's awesomeness shattered and encounters Kumojacky. I'll let the screens speak for themselves:



Precure Open My Heart Count: Tsubomi 10, Erika 9
The fight doesn't go well, because a snackie grabs the orb containing Yoshito's body. That's intelligence on Kumojacky's part.

The cures get beat down and knocked over the treeline. But Masato is there to hear the ramblings of the Desertrian that possesses his soul. While Blossom and Marine jump back into the fight, Masato goes to layeth the smackdown on the Snacky. He recollects his brother's soul as Blossom remembers what Masato taught her about trusting her instincts. When she clears her mind, she's able to see the opening in the nunchuk spinning Desertrian and drives it to the ground with a Blossom Double Impact.
Kumojacky teleports off so he doesn't have to see his plan ruined.
Flashy Finishing move Count: 12

Pink Forte Wave and Kumojacky tells his snackies that he's redoubling their training, much to their dismay.

Floral Heraldry: Digitalis means "Burning Emotion."
The next episode is: Hearts a-flutter! The Great Proposal Plan!!

Thoughts on this episode:
I was part right. The Achoo bit is an attempt at a humorous mistranslation of Bruce Lee's yelling, I think. I'm not really sure.

I wish that the girls were serious about Kung-fu, and decided to learn from a real master. If they could master any kind of kenpo, it would make them much tougher opponents.

 

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Episode 12 Hearts A-Flutter! The Great Proposal Plan!!

And now, it's time for barbecue plans between the Kurumi and Hanasaki families to be interrupted by a pair of lovebird customers. The man, Yuuto, wants flowers that will bloom for eternity, and the woman, Lisa, wants an ensemble that will capture his heart forever. You know, I was dealing with the animation style up until here. That's just cheap comedy animation.

Mister Hanasaki's interested in making the preserved flowers and Mister Kurumi tells Lisa that there's more to gaining love than looking beautiful. They're both trying to get the other to love them, and Yuuto, wants to propose.

*lays aside Zeronos jokes*

I sense Hayley Mills' Parent Trap level of romantic comedy approaching. These two lovers, who sense a bit of distance forming in their relationship are separated by the alley between the two stores. They should just walk outside and meet each other. Erika and Tsubomi hit upon the idea at the same time. Just get them to come to the barbecue, completely unaware.

The wheel of villains comes up on Cobraja, who's complaining about the moisture of the human world ruining his body. Got news for you, dude. Desert sand is used for stripping paint, not bringing forth beauty. This scene has a moment of dark comedy as Cobraja's mirror breaks.

Tsubomi is flipflopping. Part of her wants to just let love take its course, but the other part wants to force the two together. And that's how we wind up on a suspension bridge, trying to confuse fear with love.

When the girls clear off the bridge, the wind picks up, and the bridge starts swaying...And then, Cobraja!

Cobraja steals Lisa's Heart Flower and the orb rolls to Yuuto's feet. "Today's Desertrian will have an aquatic theme."

Ok, here's the idea of an endless desert, and here's Cobraja on the other side of the field, looking in a mirror. He just missed the point so utterly, it'll have to circle the globe to
get back to him.


It does look decent though.
Precure Open My Heart Count: Tsubomi 11, Erika 10

Marine tries use the Marine Impact, and winds up drowning inside the...sigh...Water Desertrian. But here's Chypre and Coffret thinking on their feet. They drive a bamboo lance through the desertrian's body, giving Marine a snorkel.

Lisa's soul shouts her true feelings. She's in love, but too scared of her own feelings to tell. And this time, both the floral heraldry moment and somebody shooting down the Desert Apostles' hatred for lovely things comes from Yuuto.

"Her feelings aren't pointless!" He shows the preserved tulips. "These flowers represent eternal love, the kind of eternal love I have for you. Please Marry Me!"
Flashy Finishing Move Count: 13 Pink Forte Wave Away.

It's not being turned into a monster that has the cathartic effect. It's the finishing move, because even though she's technically underwater, Marine is wrapped in bliss as the Pink Forte Wave blasts her and the desertrian.

Yuuto tells Lisa that his words weren't a dream. They're gonna get married. And somewhere away from the Bridge, the barbecue is burning.

The next episode is: The Truth Is Revealed! Cure Moonlight's True Identity!

If I may... The episode dealing with the Precure's identities being revealed had none of that. The one with Tsubomi's father being scouted was shot down after the opening. This episode was, by the title alone, a romantic comedy caused by the cures, which didn't happen.

My question is: Did I order a shipment of red herrings, or were they free with the program?

Thoughts for this episode:
Water Desertrian. Loss of Fifteen Yards. Repeat First Down. That's some kind of epic botch on Cobraja's part.

 

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Episode 13 The Truth is Revealed! Cure Moonlight's True Identity!

Since we know that Yuri is Cure Moonlight, we get an opening of the episode that focuses on her family life.
her father left in search of the Great Heart Tree three years ago, but her mother still lays a table setting for him. Yuri struggles with her life, putting a brave face on everything, and just barely holding it together.

Dark Precure stares out over Halloweentown, remembering the look in Yuri's eyes. There's a flashback as half of Moonlight's Precure Seed fell to her feet in the aftermath of the fight at the Great Heart Tree. But in the greatest of dramatic traditions, there's nothing else there but a cloud of dust. No Body.

Back in Kibougahana, Erika, Momoka and Tsubomi are going shopping. Momoka got a day off from her schedule, so she took the girls shopping. She calls up Yuri, who unfortunately turns her down.
The shopping trio becomes a duo as Tsubomi gets word from her grandmother that the desert agave is blooming. She rushes off to the botanical garden, where Yuri meets with Grandma and Coupe.

She doesn't want to be the mentor to the rookies, because she hasn't recovered from the pain caused by her defeat. But she will stay behind to see the desert agave.


It's a beautiful flower. But Erika's calling up, to warn that Dark Precure is attacking the station. Tsubomi relays that information, and Yuri is off like a shot. Her mother works at the station!

Erika is on scene, and as she's about to get into actual combat, Yuri, in three inch heels and a schoolgirl skirt, leaps past her. Six feet up and ten across. Then she proceeds to open up a six-pack of whupass on the snackies, just to get her mother to safety. She's still got it!

Precure Open My Heart Count: Tsubomi 12, Erika 11
Dark Precure sends out an energy blast that drives the Cures to the ground, before going after Yuri, who casually blocks the attack.
"Why are you so interested in me?"
"Because you are me. You are Cure Moonlight. And there should be only one me." Dark Precure powers up for an attack, when U-Ryoutarou blows in on a storm of cherry blossoms. They use his distraction to escape, but Dark Precure tracks them by the half of the Precure Seed.

Blossom and Marine stand in the field to prevent Dark Precure from getting any closer. And the fight is on. Pretty damn onesided fight.
Flashy Finishing move Count: 14
Floral Power Fortissimo versus Dark Power Fortissimo. And once again, Dark Precure opens her eye to overpower the cures. Dark Precure is about to destroy them when Sabark recalls her. "I told you not to concern yourself with Cure Moonlight. Return at once."

"Luck favors you today." Dark Precure vanishes.

Yuri walks through the sunset, and meets back up with her mother.

Next episode is: Mother's Day in Tears! Protect the Family's Smiles!!

Thoughts for this episode:
I admit, the bumper from the last episode was the red herring. There was no doubt that Yuri's identity would be revealed.
Anybody notice you never see Coupe and U-Ryoutarou together?(he asked sarcastically)

 

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Episode 14 Mother's day in Tears! Protect the Family's Smiles!!

Nanami Shiku is a girl in class who lost her mother, and she serves as the mother for her little sister. This is one of the things I love about shows like this, when they add some extra dimensions to the characters.

Nanami doesn't have time to participate in clubs, because she's too busy with her sister. Nanami and her sister Rumi are out shopping, and Rumi is taken by the carnations the other kids are giving to their mothers. And where do you go to get a Carnation in Kibougahana? Hanasaki's Flower Shop.

Once there, while Rumi picks out her carnation. the girls talk about how their gifts for mother's day are getting predictable, so Nanami suggests they swtich presents. Let Erika buy the present for Tsubomi's mother and vice versa. Nanami's just so happy, and manages to haggle Tsubomi into giving them a discount on the carnation.

Nanami takes Rumi home, and Rumi breaks downs. She wants to give her mother the carnation for real, and the sadness overwhelms her. When their father comes home, he tries to cheer up Rumi, but that goes nowhere.

Back in the Dark Territory, Cobraja and Sasorina meet in the hall, neither one giving way to the other until Cobraja presents a big bouquet of flowers. When Sasorina tries to grab them, Cobraja pulls them away. "Who said these were for you? I just wanted to show you how much they suited."

So the cold-blooded one is a cold-hearted bastard. Good to know. Sasorina Smash! She's going to vent her rage on the Precures, probably because she'd utterly wreck Cobraja in a fight.

Rumi runs away from home, and when the much faster Nanami catches up with her, Rumi slaps her.

Nanami tries to put on the brave face, trying not to cry. She has to smile to hold on to what passes for normalcy. And that's when she meets Sasorina.



Wow. That's new. Sasorina breaks the lock on the heart flower and takes Nanami into this desertrian.


Precure Open My Heart Count: Tsubomi 13, Erika 12


"I'VE GOT TO KEEP SMILING! I'M NOT AS TOUGH AS I LOOK! THERE ARE TIMES I WANT TO CRY TOO! I'M LONELY WITHOUT MOM AS WELL! I'M ONLY IN JUNIOR HIGH! WHY DID I HAVE TO BECOME A MOTHER SO YOUNG?" And Rumi, holding onto the body orb, hears every word.

The garbage desertrian has a few clever tricks, including a boomerang lid and what has to be my favorite use of Snackies thus far: Behold The Minion Cannon!


When the Desertrian smacks down Blossom with its giant broom, she lifts it over her head slowly. "I won't forgive you for screwing with her smile!" Sasorina calls in the Snackies to attack, and they get pummeled across the battlefield by Marine Impact. Blossom Impact to throw the broom away,

Flashy Finishing Move Count: 15

Pink Forte Wave!

Nanami is restored, and she has her own memory of her mother. how the thing that made her mother happiest was the smiles of her whole family. That's why she had to keep smiling.

For the first time, both Shiku girls are able to cry freely. But they aren't going to cry forever. They'll get through the crying times together.

Foral Heraldry: Carnation means "Love for one's mother."

Nanami comes around after Mother's Day and asks to join the fashion club. And Rumi gives her the carnation.

"Just Smile!"

Next episode: What The? The Student Council President Wears Some Cute Clothes.

Thoughts for this episode:

This is a masterful story. The feelings that Nanami and her sister go through are human, believable and worth watching. It doesn't beat you over the head with symbolism, except for the caged flower which I thought was a clever touch.

 

[Wraithstrike]

Episode 15: What the? The Student Council President Wears Some Cute Clothes!!

Itsuki's walking down the boulevard, when she sees a soft yellow dress in the window at Fairy Drop. She lets her guard down for a bit for a girly reaction, and that's when Tsubomi and Erika show up, to ask if she's considered their offer to join the fashion club.
Itsuki tries to deflect it, but the girls just ask her to design something for her. With almost no experience in that area. she does try to come up with her own ideas, before being called to training.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this:
1)Itsuki's grandfather founded the school, and the martial arts dojo that bears the family name.
2)Itsuki's elder brother has a terminal illness, and therefore can't carry on the family name.
3) ??????
4) Itsuki has to dress as a boy in public, hiding all traces of femininity.
It's step three I'm missing. What situation forced Itsuki to hide who she is? Why, even though everyone at school and at home knows who she is, why does she have to to hide?

Itsuki struggles to knock on the door to the fashion club. All she wants to do is drop off her design and leave, but the girls in the club fall in love with the design, and beg her to join them in creating it. This leads to a shopping trip to get the materials, and she almost loses herself every time something cute crosses her path. But since Erika is out, the faeries have conscripted themselves into creating the jewelry at Fariy Drop.


Itsuki and the girls work on cutting out the patterns, when Itsuki's grandfather shows up.


Oh my god! Her grandfather is Heihachi! Just look at those eyebrows! He's trying to push her into the training, but Itsuki's mother intervenes on her behalf.

Obviously Itsuki picked up her focused stare from her grandfather. She sends the girls away, and now we get backstory from Itsuki's mother.
The Myoudouin school passes from father to son, and the grandfather wanted to pass it on to Itsuki's brother. Nobody put Itsuki up to taking his place, she just went Full Mulan, throwing herself into the training.

HELL YEAH! KUMOJACKY! A Big bang special you say? Please go see Hyuuga Saki about that.

The next day, Itsuki turns the girls away, saying she's not suited for making fashionable clothes. But Erika has a plan! She couches the terms of fashion in the terms of martial arts. By showing that it requires the same level of focus, they manage to make the outfit. And here's Itsuki wearing it.


So somehow, Erika figured out Itsuki's sizes without trying. They all seem to appreciate it, as does her brother. "So that's what the real Itsuki looks like."
There's a commotion out front, and Itsuki's pledged to defend the Myoudouin name. Here's the source of the trouble, Hiroto.


Hiroto's a young man, who in the words of Elder Myoudouin: "Was so concerned with victory as to abandon all decency to obtain it." Hiroti has come for the school's nameplate, which means he's a dojo buster.

Itsuki takes the place to defend the school's name and she throws Hiroto down. But when he clutches his shoulder, she goes to check on him, and he whips her in the face with his ponytail.

It's declared a loss for Itsuki, and Hiroto claims the nameplate. It doesn't make him happy. He wanted his old master to fight him, to tell him why he failed. And that's when Kumojacky steps in:



Itsuki's grandfather tells her to focus more on figuring out who she is, as he thinks her martials arts skill has hit a plateau. She's going through an existential crisis. Without martial arts, who is she? Who can she become?

The girls give her the obvious answer, and she considers it. But that's when the nameplate desertrian stomps through the city.
"ALL I WANTED WAS TO RETURN TO THE DOJO! I REALLY DO LOVE THE MYOUDOUIN SCHOOL!" Itsuki hears this, and makes the immediate connection. She knows it's Hiroto.

Precure Open My Heart Count: Tsubomi 14, Erika 13

Kumojacky is there to mock the kid, and the girls step it right up.

Floral Power Fortissimo...Interrupted! The Kumojacky Big Bang Special is a Megaton punch that splits the earth, sending the cures into a chasm. Itsuki headbutts Kumojacky out of the way, and the Desertrian attacks the Cures.

Itsuki dodges a kick from Kumojacky, and throws him down into a hammerlock. He's vaguely impressed, but brings up his legs to kick her. Blossom intercepts, while Marine holds back the eight arms of the Desertrian.

"Just leave the rest to us."

Flashy Finishing move Count: 16

Hiroto is restored, and he returns the nameplate. He apologizes to Myoudouin Sensei. he was banished because he sold out his martial artist's heart. He needs to be honest with himself and Sensei will let him back into the dojo.

Floral Heraldy: A violet means humility.

The worries that plagued Itsuki have passed. She loves both the martial arts and cute clothes.

Next Episode is: Erika is her Rival! A Challenge From The Theatre Club!!

Thoughts on this episode:
I'm glad they answered the questions I had about Itsuki. She wasn't forced to hide herself, she did it of her own free will. But her heart can't remain hidden forever. Even her grandfather saw that.

 

[Wraithstrike]

Now for the next episode, which I watched before the power kicked out from Irene.

Episode 16: Erika is her Rival! A Challenge from the Theater Club.

Tsubomi and the faeries are playing pretend with Rumi, when this girl comes in, to show Tsubomi how to convey those emotions.


Azusa and Erika get into a little spat about fashion and costume design. And it winds up with a challenge. The Fashion Club has to design the outfits for the Theater club.

Azusa is a strict boss in the the theater club, and while the fashion club works the designs, the theater club starts to fall apart. Because it's nothing but following Azusa's vision for the competition, the other members of the club start walking out, because the club is no longer fun.

The Fashion Club gets into full swing as Azusa breaks down on the roof and Erika and Tsubomi discover that Azusa is basically the only member left in the theater club.
The outfit, seen below is almost complete, and the fashion club celebrates, as Azusa weeps outside.


Heart Flower:


Kobraja calls forth Azusa's heat flower and merges it with a stage light.


Precure Open My Heart Count: Tsubomi 15, Erika 14

I like the fact that the Cures don't even need to see the desertrian. They know it by the voice by now.

"I GAVE MY ALL! I JUST WANTED THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE JOY OF LOSING YOURSELF IN ACTING! WHY DID YOU ABANDON ME?" The theater club is there to watch the fight. When the Desertrian used a laser attack to drill the Precures, Blossom grabs a full-length mirror...

I defer to the Anomalocaris Dopant on this one:

Yeah, the light blast curves off the straight mirror, headed for Cobraja. He reflects it with his own mirror, and it knocks the Desertrian off its feet.

Flashy Finishing Move Count: 17

BLUE FORTE WAVE!

Azusa is restored, and she wakes up in the nurses' office. Erika convinces her to tell the others how she feels. They already know that. They were there at the fight! The theater club is reunited.

Floral Heraldry: Bougainvillea means Passion.

The fashion club sits in on the Theater Club's performance, and everyone's spirits are refreshed.

The Next Episode is "Please Recognize Our Precure Spirits!"

Thoughts on this episode:
Let's talk about the guy who I think is Don. I'm not sure if he's in that much of an enviable position, being one boy among four girls. He has to keep up with them, and serve the part of the romantic interests for all of them on stage. Because he serves as a foil to the others, he's most often going to be on the outs with whoever's directing.

The Stagelight desertrian just worked where so many other Desertrians have failed. Cobraja almost made up for the Water Desertrian.

 

[KingRanger]

Are you using T-N subs for this?

 

[Wraithstrike]

yup. T-N makes it easy to follow, and the little blurbs on the eyecatch are funny.

 

[Wraithstrike]

Episode 17: Please Recognize our Precure Spirits

At the Botanical Gardens, a maiden's lily is about to bloom, which is a good excuse to bring together the former Cure Moonlight and the new generation of Precures. This leads into them going to the store together. The girls want advice, and Yuri tells them that if they're asking her for advice, it means that they don't have a future.

"Fighting the Desert Apostles will just get harder. I fought alone to protect this world. Do you have the determination to do that? I don't think so. Cure Blossom, Cure Marine, I don't acknowledge you."

Skipping over Tsubomi love of tea cakes here. We meet Chizuko, the shop owner. There's a fight going on in the kitchen about the difference in flavor between generations... Ok, who thought it would be a good idea to bring out the symbolism hammer?

Chizuo's brother, seen here, is trying to learn the art from past generations and according to Grandma Hanasaki, his food tastes good, but it has a way to go.

What a total setup. This is the kind of thing only a grandmother could make happen. Fortunately, the girls get the message. Erika's idea is to defeat a desert apostle in front of Yuri. "Bring it on, Desert Apostles."

And in typical comedic fashion, all three Apostles sneeze. Why are they just lounging about? Sasorina chooses to go out while Kumojacky and Cobraja stare daggers at each other.

Once again, Tsubomi dreams of Cure Moonlight's defeat and goes to grandma for advice. "Back when I was Cure Flower, the Desert Apostles didn't have a powerful ally like Dark Precure. She was made by Sabark to defeat Precures."

"Yuri told us she doesn't acknowledge us as Precures. If we become stronger, will she accept us?"

"Maybe. But is becoming stronger as a Precure really what's important? You need to find that out for yourself."

Because Masahiro can't seem to make the cakes right, he runs out before Tsubomi and Erika can find him. He heads to...that hillside looks so familiar. I know I've seen the real version of it in Kamen Rider.
Sasorina is there:

Yuri watches from a distance.

Precure Open My Heart Count: Tsubomi 16, Erika 15

BOWLING FOR SNACKIES!

The Cures get caught in a storm of of beans as the Desertrian moans about not being acknowledged.

HEY! STOP IT WITH THE SYMBOLISM HAMMER! I've already got a headache!

Using high winds, the Desertrian pushes Blossom and Marine against the bridge. But Blossom finally gets it. "Being acknowledged is not what matters. Isn't the most important part of being a confectioner cooking delicious snacks and making everyone happy?" They push free and their words reach to Masahiro's soul

"Our Hard Work isn't in vain. Our fiery hearts will be the source of unlimited power! We will protect everyone's heart flowers!"

When the Desertrian moves in to blast them, Yuri steps in to create a shield that knocks back the Desertrian and Sasorina, then orders the Cures to finish it.
Flashy Finishing Move Count: 18

Yuri walks off and they restore Masahiro's heart. He learned his lesson.

Floral Heraldy: Tsutsuji means Passion.

Next Episode Is: The Ultimate Legend! Banchou Appears! Check It Out!

Thoughts on this episode:
*takes away the symbolism hammer* You'll get it back at the end of the semester. This whole thing was a total setup on Grandma Hanasaki's part. Of all the episodes I've seen thus far, this is actually the weakest. Yup, even weaker than the science project episode of Futari Wa.

I saw the moral in this episode coming from a mile off. Sometimes in this show, they get a bit heavy-handed *rubs the back of his head* and that's actually to the detriment of the show. But every show is allowed to have a few clunker episodes. Getting one bad episode after 16 good ones is a good ratio to have.

 

[Wraithstrike]

Episode 18:The ultimate Legend! Banchou Appears! Check It Out!

As school lets out, a rather tall student crashes his forehead against the lowhanging door. He gives the rest of the class The Look and everyone but Tsubomi is affected. And Tsubomi volunteers herself and Erika to deliver something to this guy, Ban's house.

Apparently Ban is seen as a Banchou which is a Greaser, one who chased out the other greasers just by giving them the look. When they go to his house, they find his mother is at least trying to put on airs. They see Ban in the bushes, and there's a chase afoot, leading to the long stairs. Erika whips around to confront Ban, and accidentally lets go of Tsubomi.

Ban grabs Tsubomi before she can fall down the stairs and they find his bag at the bottom. And the truth comes out. Ban's been drawing Precure Manga. Ban wants to be a mangaka, but his mother had a strict upbringing where manga wasn't allowed.

He then explains that his legendary glare came from the combined bad moods of writer's block and a general distaste for the greasers.

"Am I really that scary?"

"Anyone who loves flowers can't be a bad person."

Ban gives them a narration of his manga, where Cure Blossom and Cure Marine are in love with the same guy. Eh, what are you going to do? The girls get into the action, helping him with inks and screen tones, and even coming up with the ending. I love how the style switches to manga art for this scene.

Meanwhile, Kumojacky has a desire to fight this legendary Banchou.

Ban's mother comes by to visit and everything goes wrong. Ban has to admit that he was drawing manga instead of studying. And he bolts right towards Kumojacky.
Heart Flower:

Ink Bottle Desertrian:

Precure Open My Heart Count: Tsubomi 17, Erika 16
The Desertrian is using Kumojacky as the ink brush. When Kumojacky tries to fight with his Big Bang Special, the cures counter with Blossom Shower and Marine Shoot. Ban's mother is heading towards the fight.

Flashy Finishing move Count: 19
Ban wakes up in his mother's lap and she wants to hear his dream. She wants to be there to support him, no matter what.

Floral Heralrdy: Hanamizuki=Accepting one's Feelings.
Next Episode is Tearful Wedding! A Memorial Photo For Father's Day!

Thoughts For This Episode: None Really. I like it, but it doesn't really stand out.