what a way to start off the episode. It sure hits very hard to home.

“Is there any meaning to a failed love” ~Takemoto

(summary will be short this time, more of my own thoughts)

After the starting credits, the episode starts off with Shuuji explaining to a totally confused yamada regarding him saying he likes Hagu. They are later joined by mayama, and in the end, Shuuji assures them that he’ll survive just fine financially.

Later when alone, Yamada asks Mayama if she did the right thing for telling Morita, for she thought Hagu loved morita, yet things turned out this way.

Yeah. Love is the reason for some, but not for the other. ~mayama

I never really understoon that statement when I was younger. People around me were just having BGR problems one after another, and it seemed pretty much the focus of everyone. Until i met a girl, who thought otherwise, pretty much putting God as her focal point. Of course, (un)fortunately for me, i ended up liking her. Though unlike hagu, she never did like me back though. haha. That’s another story though

Later, Riku is seen in Shuuji’s office, and they embrace together. Shuuji reflects on having told Tange Sensei earlier about leaving, and Tange sensei had commented about how Shuuji seemed to have 1/2 died and left together with harada. But when Hagu came, he was slowly regaining back his full self.

Riku also commented that she had wanted to come earlier. But mayama had stopped her. Riku had complained that Mayama does not know shuuji, but Mayama rebutted that having known Shuuji for 6 yrs, he knows him as a honorable man, and that they shouldn’t rush back.

One thing I felt in season 2 was… the series couldn’t cope with the stories of everybody. The series was about leaving, but once people like mayama and riku were in spain, it was tough maintaining a good focus. I almost forgot about Riku already. But hey, i think her appearance was very well timed.

How do you express the feeling…. that everyone’s leaving…. yet from all that they do, you can see how much they know and still care for one another. Damn mayama.

Kaoru is seen using a map to search for their old house, all the while remembering the words that the Floyd Electric president had said when Kaoru took over the company. Reaching there, he realises that the President’s family is staying there now. Those the president is seen apologising to his family about all that happen, his son says that it’s alright, for now they get to be together, with the wife adding that she likes the lifestyle now. Kaoru realises that it’s probably the doing of Morita and Shiroyama.

Haha. And the President’s (what’s his name) family was a symbol of how everyone got back together. How ironical.

Kaoru gives Shiroyama a call, but does not say anything. But Shiroyama easily guesses who it is, and tells him that everybody misses him.

Back in the office, Morita returns to see Kaoru eating curry, who simply greets him with a “yo”. A touched Shiroyama can’t help but cry.

Darn. I cried the most at Kaoru’s scene. No matter how screwed up you think you did. There’s always somebody waiting for you. Cried again when shiroyama cried in the second scene too.

In the park, hagu talks about doing clay as rehabilation, and making pigeons for yamada, as well as for her new mom and the new baby. Shuuji assures her that she’ll be able to do it before the baby is born, (the baby is due in spring)

As expected, Hagu has a new mom. What’s surprising is the love Hagu has for her. Haiz. So big hearted.

Back in the office, at night, Morita reveals that he would like to go and work for Peter Lucas. The work environment there is fun, suits him, and reminds him of the way Dad worked. He also reflects that Hagu is strong, having recognised that Morita was about to run away from everything. As hagu says she’ll be watching over him, Morita wants to create something and stand before her again. Both brothers reflect that they finally understand a little by what Dad meant by the light.

Ha. What a parody of George Lucas. It does suddenly seem like both brothers suddenly grew up.

Next day, everybody but morita have gathered for a nabe party as a farewell for Takemoto. Morita looks all different and serious, but a moment later, his antics made everyone realise he’s still the same. Hagu looks on longingly at Morita.
A mention of how it’s Takemoto’s last night caused a sudden sombre mood, which shuuji resolved by asking Takemoto and Hagu to go get icecream.

On the trip, hagu comments that the temple that takemoto repairs will be very nice. Because Takemoto is never shoddy and is always whole hearted. Hagu also talks about how she cannot give shuuji back anything, but Takemoto assures her that Shuuji is the kind of person who must find what he is looking for himself, and that he can defintely do it.

Finally leaving the next day, Takemoto finds the bullet train absolutely empty, but finds Hagu searching for him outside. Hagu hands him a present, which Takemoto opens while inside the train. He finds a stack of sandwiches, each with a layer of honey and a clover. Takemoto believes that there’s a meaning to a failed love, and reflects that’s he is happy to have fallen in love with Hagu.

I don’t know if I agree with Takemoto, about there being meaning behind a failed love. Although I guess I do have the same sentiments. I don’t regret, and I want to keep watching her. The many clovers really represented Hagu’s love for takemoto, just that it’s not one of romance kind. (it’s close to impossible searching for one clover, let alone so many)

I’m kinda disappointed that the yamada ending wasn’t shown, since er. surprisingly, i connect most with Yamada. But well.. it’s alright. The ending was still done very beautifully.

I wished the series would have gone on and on though. It felt as though I could catch a glimpse of how my life would be, from what happens in the anime. That’s how much I connected with the series.

I think in addition to all things, I got a reminder that Love ain’t just about the romance kind. I should keep that in mind.

Must. Get. DVD.