With Himeko’s dorm room destroyed, Chikane decides to try cohabiting. The head maid, who loves Chikane, realizes what her mistress is up to though. Himeko suffers bullying in school due to jealousy but both her male and female suitors come to her aid - the latter without her knowledge though. During their miko cosplay, Chikane takes a hit while shielding Himeko. They have a romantic little chat at the beach with Himeko’s shell pendant becoming a Plot Device. The catgirl Orochi minion shows up. Chikane is unable to protect Himeko and Souma saves the day again.
The staff of Chikane’s all female household just reminds me of Hanukyou Mai Tai and the head maid just reminds of Talia Gladys for some weird reason.
By now I’m already plenty irritated by Himeko’s whiny little voice, Souma’s machoism and Chikane’s inability to just go for it and sweep Himeko off her feet. Also the inevitable Basis of Attraction question - What the hell do Souma and Chikane see in Himeko?
So, I don’t know if you picked up on this or not, but when the episode aired back in Oct. of 2004, someone on the Yuri ML pointed out that “kaiawase” is slang for tribadism. Also, shiitake mushrooms, and mushrooms in general, are phallic symbols.
So if you had a dirty mind you could read Himeko’s aversion to shiitake and enthusiasm for kaiawase as pretty clear indicators to which way Himeko will bat. ;)
Perhaps not so much a dirty mind as yuri googles on symbolism mode. LOL. Thanks for pointing them out, Chalcahuite!