hontou ni Stripey Insists Sisters Cry Oniichan Now

Sasameki Koto 05

Summary:

Tomoe and Miyako invite themselves to Sumika's room to plot the club's registration and are introduced to ara-ara delusional (complete with fabricated evidence) Japanese style maid Hayasumi Noe. The next "study session" is held at Ushio's which is filled with books, mostly belonging to her brother for his work. When Tomoe tells Miyako off for the callous way she demanded to know why Ushio doesn't have parents, Sumika thinks the former is not just an idiot. Our heroine is also gratified to see that Ushio has the same school entrance photo on her desk.

With her brother's imminent return, Ushio's dinner preparations turns into a meido cosplay fest and cooking showdown between Sumika and Miyako. The resulting explosion creates a real mess and Sumika tries to run away but is pot intercepted by a surprisingly demonic Ushio. But with Tomoe's advice, Ushio gets Sumika back to the kitchen by requesting to taste her cooking. Which results in another disaster. Ushio's brother returns, after encountering Scandalized Spectacles Girl in the bookshop buying one of his works, with takoyaki and they are joined by Kiyori. Tomoe thanks Sumika for a day of fun and friendship and Sumika asks Noe to teach her how to cook.

Reaction:

When I posted about the previous episode, I wondered how the story was going to save Ushio as a sympathetic chara and it kicked into higher gear right in this ep. We now know that Ushio and her elder brother don't live with their parents (whether they are dead or have pulled an Ayasaki remains to be seen) and it seems the latter finances the household. Except for a hilarous Akemi-chan WHERE!!? outburst, this is the most composed I've seen Ushio so far particularly the way she carries on so stoicheerfully in the face of having her house and brother's precious books messed up.

I also spoke too soon about hashihime's assessment re: Chiwa Saitou - she's marvelous in this episode, particularly as a foil against Sumika when she and Tomoe repeatedly read her fantasies. Which also shows Sumika in her dere dere Ushio-maniax mode. The assessment, as they are heading for the train station, that Sumika and Miyako are really getting along really hit the spot.

What Others Are Saying:

• divine is also thrilled with Miyako: "It really helped showcase what a character like Miyako brings to the story (i.e. as Sumika’s 'limit' breaker)." He also notes that this series is not watched by that many. Judging from the blog stats for my entries on this series, they're not much read either but it's nice to see him, Shinmaru as well as the Yuri Brigade continuing to blog this series consistently.
• Besides the comedic angle, I agree with Shinmaru how Tomoe x Miyako serve as role models of sorts for Sumika - even if she doesn't quite realize it yet. And even if he calls Sumika "Fumi" LOL

Related posts:

1. Sasameki Koto 11
2. Sasameki Koto 10
3. Sasameki Koto 06