So the big warning from the last episode was just a small incident. Nonetheless, it gave Haruka her first opportunity to destroy a drop. Iori comes across as the tsundere character, and I guess she’s going to be good friends with Haruka from here on.

The warning happened because Iori in Nebula failed to destroy the drop, and ended up splitting in two. It’s impossible for Iori to destroy the two drops now, so Haruka is asked to do it. Though Iori asks her to get out of the way, control tells her Iori will not get to the second one in time, and Haruka destroys it swiftly.

Yukiho congrats Haruka, but Haruka gives all credit back to Imber. Iori comes along and blames Haruka for intruding on her mission. In the end, Azusa calls them up to the command room. Iori is put back on standby and replaced by Makoto, while Haruka and Yukiho will go back to their studies. Outside, Makoto puts the blame on Iori for thinking useless things

Ritsuko suggests that they go back to the dorm and make dinner in celebration, and also allows Yayoi to be invited, who turns up in a chicken suit. It ends up being a dumpling party, but Iori refused to attend, until being blackmailed by Ritsuko.

Things don’t go well obviously, and a quarrel soon starts. Yayoi jumps to Haruka’s defence, calling Iori sunshine forehead, when Iori started calling Haruka ribbon. Add in some chicken pecking and you have a full fight. It finally ends with Iori knocking Yayoi out, and Ritsuko spilling dumpling filling over Haruka

Haruka ends up quarreling with Iori in the bathroom, and everything carries over to the next day. Haruka arrives at the base the next day only to see a very mangled Nebula. The actual reason was that Makoto did a mission earlier involving two drops. Ignoring that backup was arriving, she executed an impossible move, succeeding in destroying both drops, but severely damaging Nebula.

Iori ends up confronting Makoto for treating Nebula so badly. But Makoto’s stand is that Nebula is just a machine, even though Iori feels that it’s different because it has a heart. Outside, Haruka questions Makoto as well, saying that she feels the same way as Iori.

Later, Haruka is puzzled after pondering over data from Iori’s mission. Ritsuko explains to her that Iori had made the mistake after moving aside to prevent Nebula from being hurt by debris.  Haruka later sees Iori cleaning Nebula. Iori says that what happened really is her mistake, since Idol exists to protect people from drops. What she needs to do is to get stronger, to accomplish that and to protect Nebula. Haruka is impressed and volunteers to help, but Iori points out that haruka should be taking care of Imber instead.

Later, Yukiho suddenly informs Haruka that Iori had challenged Makoto to a duel in the simulators. Iori had lost by the time Haruka arrived though. But Haruka suddenly says that she would like to challenge Makoto as well. Haruka ends up losing obviously, but manages to survive for a length of time that’s impressive for a beginner.

At the school rooftop, Haruka tries to apologies for losing, but Iori says it’s okay, since Makoto has been training since she was born. Iori tries to act pissed that Haruka shouldn’t have challenged since she would lose, but accidentally reveals the gift she had brought. Iori can’t help but laugh at the face Haruka makes while eating, while Haruka gets all exciting seeing Iori smile.

 Seiyuu Highlight

Iori Minase, obviously a tsundere type character, with a shiny forehead. Voice by Yukari Tamura who previously voiced Nanoha, as well as Midori from My-Otome and Michiru from Air.

Thoughts

  Haha… Too bad the penguin suit didn’t appear, but seeing Yayoi in a rooster one was just as funny, especially after she started pecking at Iori.

I wonder if action scenes are going to be a big part in the show, especially since they skipped most of it in this episode.  I guess one more episode for all the idols to gel before the enemy appears?