But no, everything has to be done the excruciatingly hard way.
Oh, and Yamada feels cheated.
He still feels like having any kind of hope is folly.
Hes flanked by another girl hes either dated, dating, or stringing along as proof of his virility.
Thankfully, Chihiro is right there as Yamadas Iron Defense.
But when the guy says Chihiro is welcome to join them as well, that Iron Defense suddenly crumbles.
This doesnt bode well for Ichikawa, but it distresses Yamada even more.
Yamada and Ichikawa realize the same thing: that dude is using Chihiro to get to her.
But Yamada would never say that; she insists shesnotgoing.
The girls think they know whats going on and leave.
Rather that separate herself from him, Yamada draws him even closer until theyre in position to kiss.
From the interlopers view, thats what they look like theyre doing, and they leave.
Later in class, Sekine breaks it to Chihiro that loverboy was just using her so Yamada would come.
Realizing this, she decides not to go after all, and after class tries to flag down Yamada.
The chase ends with Chihiro in Yamadas arms, and Ichikawa overhears as they make up.
What if, all this time, Yamada was just usinghimto shake off a guy she didnt like?
The next day, my nightmare scenario unfolds, as Yamada brightly greets him only to be stonewalled.
He completely ignores and avoids her, even avoiding the library.
Yamada stands at a distance like a stunned puppy.
When he starts heading home without a word to her, she follows him.
Out the door of the class room, down the hall, down the stairs.
He quickens the pace, but theres no way he can outrun those determined legs.
She asks him, with pain in her voice, if hes mad at her, and why.
But when he hears her begin to sob, the tune in his head thankfully changes.
He was just looking for anexcuseto hate her.
He clarifies that he just has some stuff to do during lunch break, and isnt mad.
A Yamada relieved beyond belief pulls him into a dramatic hug.
This scene made me cry tears of joy.
I legit needed a tissue!
Ichikawa lets her go on about natto, and she asks him what hes doing for Winter Break.
But Monday comes, and she forgot the volume.
She then asks him for his LINE ID.
Youmiya Hinas voice brooked no dissent, and Ichikawa wisely agrees.
From there, the floodgates open.
The two start messaging and dont stop until the morning.
Yamada proposes meeting up at 2PM tomorrow by Hachiko in Shibuya, and Ichikawa confirms, while noting itsalreadytomorrow.
What an emotional roller coaster this was.
Im exhausted in the best way.
When a show makes you feel so much in such a short time, you know its something special.
