This episode focuses mainly on Kuu, rather than the intrigues between everybody else. Kuu basically epitomises the randomness of the series. I could never understand why she chooses the actions that she does.

It’s more shopping again, this time with only Kuu and Setsuna. It’s near the festival again (what! it’s been a year??). After seeing a bunch fo students crowd around the letter stationary, Kuu remembers about sending a letter invitation to that special guy. Passing her stuff to Setsuna, she goes off to buy one for Kyoshiro as well.

Kyoshiro ain’t doing so well though. Meeting up with one of his student council members, he is advised about how the best way to use Kuu. A guy with two swords! Amazing! Though Kuu can’t fight, she’ll still be useful if merged with Setsuna, and would fulfill Kyoshiro’s dreams. All that remains is whether Kyoshiro wants to do it or not.

Back home, Kuu starts writing the letter. But the words don’t come out right. She decides to start designing the card instead, but a flashback of the dream of Kyoshiro stabbing her interrupts her thoughts, causing grief.

Perfect moment for Setsuna to make an entrance, and give Kuu a hug. Although that’s only on Kyoshiro’s orders. Kuu ends up landing on the bed together with Setsuna, wailing about why she’s an absolute angel. From Setsuna’s eyes, it’s obvious she shares the same feelings.

This leads to…. bath scene!

Kuu insists on bathing on her own this time, and continues to rant about being an empty shell fulfilling no purpose. Meanwhile, Setsuna sees Kuu’s letter outside, and on it is written Kuu x Kyoshiro. Setsuna materialises her mecha arm and nearly destroys the letter, but ends up closing it instead.

A tortured Kyoshiro meanwhile escapes to play the violin, trying to fix his resolve to kill all Absolute Angels. Instead, it breaks, and so does a violin string, when Kuu’s image pops into his mind.

 Meanwhile, Taturotte is fishing, while her minder contemplates the scenarior of how the balance of power is disrupted with the emergence of a new Absolute Angel.

Elsewhere, Kaon continues to be tortured by Mika. We see flashes of the past, where Kaon was once a nurse to Mika.

 At night, while the school festivals go on. Kuu is trying to activate her mecha. Setsuna told her in the afternoon that activation method is different for everybody. For setsuna, it is done through her determination, which she focuses using the the bells she wear. Kaon does it using earings, while Taturotte does it through her feet.

 Aimless swings by Kuu do not work. So she ends up focusing on her love for Kyoshiro. Which… does not work either.

 Kyoshiro returns to his room at night, telling Setsuna he wants to be alone. He looks utterly exhausted. Must be the violin playing.

But to his surprise, Kuu enters his room and starts stripping and offering herself to him. The episode ends with Kyoshiro calling her an idiot, but not quite showing what Kyoshiro did.

Setsuna is seen on the roof in mecha form

Thoughts

Kuu’s action surprised me. I can never understand why any girl would do such a thing. Which was why I never understood Kaede in Shuffle, (and kinda hated it)

Suddenly massive growth in development between Kyoshiro and Kuu. It should make for an interesting play in terms of plot when everyone else is considered. What would Kyoshiro do to Kuu. THat’s the most important part. Will kuu’s power really upset the balance of power.

 Once again…. poor Setsuna. Many shots of her looking lonely just makes it worse.