This episode is an adaptation from Chapter 5 to Chapter 6 of Volume 9 in the Light Novel series.
Synopsis[]
Shizuka spots Hachiman about to return home from his chance encounter with Yukino and he outlines the desperate state of recent events. Shizuka gets right to his root emotional problem by explaining that his attempts to protect Yukino and Yui had in fact been the very cause of the rift within the Service Club. She then suggests that he contemplate his feelings until he figures out exactly what he had been trying to achieve. The following day, Hachiman takes Shizuka's advice and asks for Yui and Yukino's assistance after admitting the mess his plans had created. Yukino declines per her usual defensive trait and Yui tearfully highlights her unfairness to open up, but Yukino retorts by chastising Yui for hiding her true feelings as well. Hachiman then comes to the realization about what Shizuka had meant by not simply voicing one's feelings and fights back tears when he reveals that he truly wishes to understand the feelings of those around him. Hachiman's unfamiliar presentation then causes a conflict with Yukino's inability to discern a person's true emotional state which literally scares her off to the roof. Hachiman and Yui go after her and Yui's mutual sentiment for them to be more open with each other resonates with Yukino so much that she decides to help Hachiman.
Plot[]
The episode begins off from where it left off, Hachiman sitting on the bench recalling Yukino's word of not forcing himself to the club. At that moment Shizuka horns and offers him a ride to his house. On the away Hachiman notices the car and question Shizuka if it was hers since it is completely different from the last car she drove them with. Shizuka answers that it was a rented car and this one is her 'baby', and then asks if Hachiman is okay with taking a detour. Hachiman almost fell asleep while Shizuka drives humming and reaches a bridge over a river where there are lovers graffiti. Hachiman peeks at the view of the hand grill of the bridge. Shizuka throws a can to Hachiman and questions him about the situation to which Hachiman explains it as bad and then explains about the planing committee's lack of action that a time shortage is becoming an issue, plus the presidents' scared of causing any problems, so they are trying to incorporate everyone's ideas, leaving no one to take the lead or responsibility.
Shizuka seems to be impressed by Hachiman's observation and understanding of the situation but blames that he cannot understand the feelings of others and explains that thinking and feelings are completely different; she adds that is also the same for Yukino and Yui. Hachiman asks if those two are relevant to the subject to which Shizuka answers that she was inquiring about them and not the planning committee in the first place.
Shizuka then advises Hachiman to think more, calculate the way through and eliminate solution one by one which will lead to the answer he searches for. Hachiman answers that it may not help him to understand. Shizuka states that it might be because he miscalculated or overlooked something. Shizuka also adds that she has. miscalculated in her life leading to her current single status. Surprisingly, Hachiman states that no one has good taste in woman causing Shizuka to blush. Hachiman thinks to himself if he was born ten years earlier and met her he would have fell head over heals for her and regrets it not being so.
As a thanks Shizuka offered him a hint to solve the problem. Shizuka questions why Hachiman took Iroha's request personally? Was it because of the club or because for Yukinoshita? Shizuka explains why people avoid hurting those around themselves pushing them away and adds further that the reason for not hurting someone was because has come to care about them. She further adds that it is impossible to not hurt others, people hurt others just by existing, when they are alive, and long after their death whether they are involved and also when they are not involved. We won't notice someone getting hurt if we don't care about them.
Shizuka says that it doesn't have to be Hachiman, someday Yukino may change herself or meet someone who will understand her who can break through her shell and this also goes for Yui as well but Shizuka wishes that person to be Hachiman. She finishes her lecture with the words "Now or never" and this is genuine because it makes them struggle. Hachiman retaliates that something that makes them struggle is not genuine.
Hachiman stays up all night following Shizuka's advice in calculating the answer. He lists the problems such as the situation of Rumi, Iroha, Christmas event, etc. Hachiman realizes that he may need help. He also wonders if he was mistaken at the time of the election whether he did it for Komachi and realizes that he needed an reason and used Komachi's request as an excuse. He finally realized that answer by the morning.
Hachiman knocks at the service club door and enters surprising both Yui and Yukino since it was unusual for him to knock. When Yukino repeats her word of not forcing himself to come to club, he answers that he has some business. Yui asks him sit down and Hachiman does so in the seat opposite to the two unusually not in his own seat and explains that he came for a request. Hachiman explains about the Christmas event and it's progressed to the brink of disaster and requests their help. He also adds that he was responsible for Iroha's condition and that Rumi's current status hasn't changed much. Hachiman says that his doings are the root cause and wanted,no needs their help.
Yukino questions Hachiman if he feels responsible, when Hachiman agrees she tells him to mend his own mistakes shocking both Yui and Hachiman. Hachiman agrees, but Yui doesn't. Yui states that Hachiman is not completely responsible and that they left it all in his hands and feels the blame lies in all of them including Yukino and says that she is being unfair. Yukino says that Yui is playing dirty. Yui says that Yukino never said anything, and that they cannot understand unless they speak up. Yukino retaliates that Yui never said anything either and acted normal. Hachiman interrupts by saying their words and says that he won't take anything said at face value and tries to read what's behind the words. Hachiman explains that it is a delusion to understand others just by talking alone. In the heat of the moment both Yukino and Yui are shell shocked to see Hachiman in verge of tears struggling to bring out the right words. Hachiman goes through an emotional flash back of what he wants and what he doesn't. Hachiman says that "He wants something Genuine."
Yukino apologizes for not being able to understand and runs away from the club slamming the door. Yui asks Hachiman to follow Yukino with her since she never saw Yukino like that and they can't let things stay like that and takes his hand. Hachiman slides his hand out from hers and agrees to follow but that he can walk on his own. When they open the door they see Iroha standing in front of the room. She explains to Hachiman that the planing committee has taken a day off and came to inform them. But Hachiman brushes it off and continues walking but Iroha grabs on to his blazer to inform him that Yukino is upstairs.
The club members rush up the stairs and finds Yukino. Yukino repeats herself of not understanding and questions Hachiman of what he means by genuine. Yui comforts Yukino by saying that she didn't understand it as well and that they should spend time figuring that aspect out. Yui finally sheds her tears saying that she hates how things are now causing Yukino to say kindly that Yui is a coward. They both hug each other while crying.The episode ends with Yukino accepting Hachiman's request and Yui promises to help as well.
Major events[]
- Shizuka gives Hachiman a major advice on solving the problem.
- Hachiman makes a request to the Service Club for the first time.
- Hachiman desires something genuine to Yukino and Yui.
- Yukino went mental breakdown and doesn't understand what exactly he meant by "genuine".
- Yukino accepted Hachiman's Request.
- Yukino is hinted to have feelings for Hachiman.
Character Appearances[]
Flashback appearance[]
- Tamanawa (flashback)
- Iroha Isshiki (flashback)
- Kaori Orimoto (flashback)
- Rumi Tsurumi (flashback)
- Hina Ebina (flashback)
- Yumiko Miura (flashback)
- Hayato Hayama (flashback)
- Kakeru Tobe (flashback)
- Ooka (flashback)
- Yamato (flashback)
- Saki Kawasaki (flashback)
- Haruno Yukinoshita (flashback)
- Meguri Shiromeguri (flashback)
- Minami Sagami (flashback)
- Saika Totsuka (flashback)
- Chika Nakamachi (flashback)
Location[]
- Chiba
- Hikigaya House
- Sobu High School
- Service Club
- Roof top
Trivia[]
- The Opening theme has changed with Iroha Isshiki added in the Service Club.
- Shizuka is shown to owns a Red 2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.
- The license plate is 89-457
- The eye catcher at the end shows Hayama holding a bottle and Iroha holding a canned drink while looking disappointed.
Gallery[]
