“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.

]]> http://anime.tedfox.com/2006/honey-and-clover/honey-and-clover-ii-ep-12/feed/ 5 http://anime.tedfox.com/2006/honey-and-clover/honey-and-clover-ii-ep-11/ http://anime.tedfox.com/2006/honey-and-clover/honey-and-clover-ii-ep-11/#comments Sun, 17 Sep 2006 12:59:07 +0000 tedfox http://anime.tedfox.com/2006/honey-and-clover/honey-and-clover-ii-ep-11/ Damn. This episode was SO GOOD. I wouldn’t have had any grduges even if it ended right here. How many of us cheered Shuuji on when Hagu chose him? I know I did. In a way, it felt weird. Yet it seemed like a very happy thing as well. And Hagu chose him, without know that Shuuji gave his all.

Hagu is dreaming about how one’s lifetime is too short to open up all the boxes that one wants to.

Waking up, Hagu is suddenly horrified to find her hand swollen and unable to move. Crying out to Morita, she wants to go back to the hospital. She cries that if she can’t move her hand, she won’t be able to draw, then she won’t be able to live anymore. More significantly, she cries out for Shuuji. Morita agrees to bring her back to the hospital, where they see Shuuji waiting at the lobby.

Shuuji takes Hagu back to her room, while Morita waits in the corridoors for news. When Shuuji comes out of the room, Morita approaches him. But instead, Shuuji delivers a push/punch to Morita.

Later, Morita climbes into Hagu’s room through the window. Hagu apologises for the scare she gave Morita when they were at Morita’s hideout. Noticing the mark on Morita’s face, hagu enquires about what happened. Morita explains that Shuuji had punched him. But it’s okie, cause he delievered it back three fold. And it’s alright, since luckily for them all, they were already in a hospital.

Morita understands that Hagu has already chosen Shuuji. Hagu asks Morita to wait, and to continue looking at her, for she will get well. Hagu explains that she knows that it’s not a matter of leaving a mark behind. But she really wants to draw, for that’s what her life is about. But she remembers the kind words Morita said the night before, and thanks him for it. In fact, hagu tells him that he should say the same words to his brother when morita finds him.

Ouside, takemoto has arrived, and on seeing Morita, tells him that if Shuuji sees him, he’ll kill Morita. But Morita explains that it’s alright, Shuuji had already hit him. But that’s alright too, since he returned in four folds. But actually on reflection, Morita should have hit Shuuji even more.

Hearing this, Takemoto asks morita to get on his bicycle. takemoto then brings him to Shuuji’s empty office. Morita realises that shuuji has finally chosen to give his everything, while Takemoto explains that shuuji wanted Hagu to make a decision without knowing about him. Morita finally realises that he cannot compete with a guy who is willing to sacrifice everything.

However, the empty office reminds Takemoto of the time they had all spent together, and how it basically is all coming to an end.

Back at the hospital at night, Hagu asks Shuuji if he could hold on to her hand, and that she had a request for him. She wants to know if He would give her life for him. Hagu apologises because she can offer him nothing. However, she really wants to draw, and thus hopes that he’ll remain beside her. It is all too overwhelming for Shuuji, who places his head onto the bed. Hagu apologises and asks if she’s asking for too much. But Shuuji replies that it’s all ok.

A flash back to when Hagu was much younger. Hagu always loved the rain. And when visiting Shuuji’s house one day, his parents tell her that he has returned from Tokyo, and is sleeping. Hagu rushes to his room, and pulls a blanket to cover shuuji with. First watching and reflecting on how much she loved shuuji’s room, and finally lying sleeping beside him. To her, Shuuji was her rain. Like the rain, she felt relief just looking at Shuuji. In fact, shuuji would always look for her whenever she went missing. Shuuji will always be there for her, and like the rain, she can breath in deeply whenever Shuuji’s around.

Next day in the office, Morita and takemoto wake up complaining about the cold and the pain, and totally unsure whether it was dusk or dawn, even though the clock states that it’s 5. Hunger results in the need to get food, and they conclude that it’s morning, since only the convenience shop is open, and the river is sparkling.

Just then, Takemoto sneezes at Morita, to Morita’s horror. Takemoto apologises, but he did sleep without a futon, so having a cold is to be expected. In fact, takemoto feels that Morita should be more concerned, but Morita is only worried about the pepper garlic sausage that Takemoto stole from him.

Takemoto then complains that he is glad that Hagu didn’t choose Morita. When morita asks him to repeat, Takemoto says that in fact, he is glad Hagu chose Shuuji. Takemoto adds that out of the 3 of them, only Shuuji can provide Hagu with happiness. Pissed at the remarks, Morita steals and chomp on Takemoto’s Onigiri.

Grabbing each other’s collar, Morita starts launching a series of kicks at Takemoto. Takemoto is the last person Morita wanted to hear those words from, since she rejected him long ago. Takemoto is happy Morita got rejected too, since he didn’t want Morita taking hagu from her. Morita acuses him of being an unskilled amateur and a pauper. Takemoto admits that’s true, and is glad that Shuuji won. Takemoto would rather lose to someone with compassion and honour rather than someone with talent and money.

Morita is stunned by the mention of the term “talent”, and lets Takemoto land a punch on him, surprising takemoto as well. Morita wonders what’s there to talent. In fact, it can only end up causing hate and vengefulness between people. It felt sad, and Morita simply wanted everything to end. That’s why he wanted to drag Hagu down with him. He had looked to Hagu as an escape, even as she was so damaged herself.

Morita gets up, telling Takemoto that he understands too that Shuuji can provide the most happiness. Just as he is about to punch Takemoto, and say more, they are both bitten by dogs. In fact, they find themselves in the midst of old men gathering with their pets. The old men give them the thumbs up, celebrating the energy of “youth”. Embarassed, the two of them simply pretend they were in a sparing match. They walk away with arms locked together, but still kicking one another secretly.

Back in the uni, Shuuji hears a thump outside his office door. He finds a box full of money, with a note asking to make sure Hagu gets well. Shuji knows immediately that it’s Morita. He calls out of the window to Morita who is walking away, and throws the box back at him. Morita is surprised, and explains that the money is for Hagu. But waving only a couple of wads of money, Shuuji claims that that’s all he needs. In fact, Shuuji will return the money to him. But. He’ll never return Hagu.

Morita tells Shuuji not to think this is the end. Shuuji says he knows, and that he’ll definitely take good care of Hagu. Morita shouts to ask if Shuuji really loves Hagu. Shuuji loudy shouts back yes, he really loves Hagu. Yamada over hears him, immediately blushing, and so do many students and teachers of the university.

Morita walks away, smiling to himself for making Shuuji admit to the whole world. With the words of hagu remaining in his ears, that she’ll be watching him forever, and ever.

Thoughts
I wonder if I totally misread Morita. I always thought of him as the one with oodles of talent, and able to see and achieve things us mortals can’t. But seeing him with kaoru and Hagu… maybe…. he is one who cannot understand why people strive so hard for the things they do. (me neither). In hagu’s case, it’s drawing. Okay. maybe it’s not a case where he doesn’t understand, but it does cause a gap. I typed all that before finishing with the episode. I was all wrong again. I guess people are just too complex to describe with just words. How real.

I don’t think it’s right to just go “ah! Shuuji and HAgu can’t have romantic love”. I think it’s very obvious that Shuuji loves Hagu. But I’m sure Shuuji understand that it’s also different, and with limitations, that he’s content with just taking care of Hagu.

Differences between Morita and Takemoto flared up in this episode, but I think at the end of the day, everybody is still friends. even friends argue right?

Paths of friends are drifing apart. Sigh.

Yamada is talking to Satsuki-sensei (doctor), since she couldn’t find Hagu. Satsuki explains that hagu just finished her rehab, and was last seen going for a bath with her father (shuuji). Yamada asks about Hagu’s condition, but a boy is heard screaming just as Satsuki-sensei is about to answer. Satsuki-sensei explains that the boy was involved in an accident last month. Rehab is tough, because one must constantly battle with the pain, and is just as hard for adults, as some people will simply give up. In hagu’s case, not only must she regain some normal movement, she has to go further than that to go back to drawing. But Satsuki-sensei believes that Hagu is strong. Or to be more accurate, Hagu is more afraid of not being able to draw than the pain.

Just then, Hagu and Shuuji appear. Shuuji asks if yamada is taking good care of herself, to which yamada replies in the affirmative in the more energetic way. Taking out food that she has brought, it’s Beef stewed in Kumquat. Containing Collagen + Vitamin C from the Kumquat, it’s good for Hagu, and would help prevent cold. Of course, the mixture is totally delicious to Hagu.

Satsuki-sensei decides to take a bite, and promtly comes down with food poisoning. Offering her views from a medical perspective, she tells Yamada that she does not have to mix every nutrition into one single dish. The comotion attracts the attention of the boy undergoing rehab, and his mom, who tries the dish too, promtly fainting as well. Shuuji is left to cry for an ambulance, belately realising that he’s in a hospital.

That night, Yamada is closing her family’s sake store, feeling real pleased that her entire dish was eaten. Just then, she notices to word Morita on one of the Sake bottles. Remembering that Morita once said that when he goes away again, he’ll leave behind a video phone, but he didn’t, thus Yamada calls him a liar. She then decides to send a message on her laptop.

Back in spain, mayama has just fought off Carlos Mac again. Just then, he recieves a notification that he has mail. He’s surprised that it’s from yamada, and even more surprised when he reads the mail.

Back in tokyo, yamada is giving takemoto pieces of broken pottery for him to use on his tower. Suddenly, Morita appears, asking for the whereabouts of Hagu. He then proceeds to jump out of the window when told that hagu is in hospital.

Takemoto is very surprised that Morita has appeared, especially since nobody has managed to find him all these while. Yamada revealed that she had asked Mayama to try contacting Morita through email. Yamada starts to apologise, but Takemoto tells her not to. Worried about what Morita will do, Takemoto proceeds to jump out of the window after Morita, only to hit his shin on the window, falling into a pile of junk. Picking himself up immediately however, he asks if he can borrow Yamada’s bike.

Starting to pedal faster, Takemoto tries to ignore the pain in his shin, telling himself that Hagu is in more pain. At the same time, Morita is seen travelling to the hospital in a cab.

Hagu is in the middle of rehab, and shuuji is telling her not to push herself too hard. Just then, the boy from yesterday starts crying out again, about the lack of progress and that he’ll never ever get better. In that case, he might as well not be in pain as well, and stop the rehab. All this obviously upsets Hagu, and shuuji brings her out to calm her down.

Settling down on a bench outside, Shuuji tells Hagu that she can cry and let go if she wants to. Hagu refuses, believing that if she starts, she wouldn’t be able to stop. She feels that she’ll become a burden, and is worried that Shuuji will hate her. But shuuji recounts the different times in the past when Hagu had caused trouble for him, and says that he never changed, and will not. This starts the tears flowing, and Hagu cries that she’s afraid that she won’t get well again, and will not be able to draw anymore. What’s the meaning of life, other than eating and breathing?

Hagu remembers how back as a kid, she met “God” once. Back then, she had no purpose. She only had pencil and paper. But she was always lonely and people avoided her. Yet Hagu realises that she’ll always have her pencil and paper, and she can always take comfort in drawing. Thus when she can’t draw anymore, Hagu will give her life back to God.

Finally, Morita arrives, but seeing Shuji and Hagu together, he does not approaches. But as Hagu still does not want to return to her room, Shuuji goes off to get some hot drinks, and Hagu starts to think about her promise when suddenly she realises that Morita is standing in front of her. When Shuuji returns, Hagu has gone missing already. Just then, Takemoto finally appears, explaining that morita is back. Shuuji is slightly miffed.

Meanwhile, Morita has brought Hagu to the hiding place where he and his brother spent their time. Hagu thinks that Morita is thinner, Morita thinks Hagu is thinner too… And Hagu is just basically so excited that she rants on and on. She tells Morita to wait for her hand to heal, then she’ll be able to draw again. Then they’ll be able to show their own creations to each other.

But suddenly, Morita tells Hagu, “You don’t have to draw anymore”. Morita scolds Hagu to not say that there’s no reason to continue living anymore. Just living is fine, as long as they are together, whether she can draw or not is not important. Morita is perfectly fine with how things are, and envelopes Hagu in a hug. To Hagu, Morita sounds totally different, something must have happened. Morita does not answer when hagu asks about it though, almostt breaking out into tears. Hagu can only hug him back.

Meanwhile, Takemoto and Shuuji have been searching for Hagu, and they finally go to Hamabi University to look for her. Entering Shuuji’s office, Takemoto is surprised to see the office packed and empty. Shuuji asks Takemoto not to tell Hagu, and reveals that he’s taking a long break from teaching. He feels that he’s not being fair to the university and will only cause problems to it, thus taking a 3 year break to take care of Hagu.

But he never expected Hagu’s prince to come back. Takemoto asks what he’ll do if Hagu chooses Morita. Shuuji responds that he’ll probably go travelling or something. Takemoto is frustrated why shuuji won’t tell Hagu, since he himself threw away everything by confessing to Hagu even though he had no hope. Shuuji says that he cannot possibly just ask Hagu to choose him instead. Instead, Shuuji asks Takemoto to go back to the hospital to wait, since morita and Hagu might return there.

Ending scene of Morita and Hagu sleeping together in Morita’s hideout.

Thoughts

Oh man…. Shuuji is the epitome of what Love is. Can I ever be like that for anyone. It makes me wonder how he sees his relationship with Hagu. He might never change, but Hagu will… and it seems like he really never will change, his love for Hagu

Million dollar question. So should Takemoto have confessed? haha.

Takemoto’s rant about confessing without hope touched a little close to home though. But I’ve never felt that it’s the best thing to do. I guess i think a little more like Shuuji. What’s the point of confessing really..

I do support Morita and Hagu being together. They think alike, and Morita will be able to support her. And obviously the friends around recognises that, with Yamada calling Morita back

Even though i know the ending, I think Hagu will choose Shuuji because she herself feels indebted to to Shuuji. We’ll see how the ending is presented.

On the first day that snow fell, Kaoru disappeared. Morita laments for not realising something was wrong, and that he couldn’t do anything to change things. Earlier, Morita had asked Kaoru if he wanted to go to a warmer place, to enjoy good food and the ocean. Kaoru declined, but mentions that he understand how Morita feels. Morita feels relieved, that everything is over. Kaoru understood that morita tagged along even though he didn’t want to. Even though he was disobeying what Dad said. Kaoru added that no matter what, he just couldn’t see the light that he was supposed to go towards. It doesn’t help to be told what to do by those “who haves”, and wonders what it would have been like if he was capable like Morita.

Morita goes to Shiroyama for advice. But Shiroyama simply tells him that revenge isn’t suitable for someone with the power of imagination. Shiroyama adds that Kaoru is too kind, such that he recieves back the same damage that he deals out. But Shiroyama tells Morita not to worry. Besides a very good imagination, Kaoru has a very good memory too. And the memory of Matsuda-san, the rest of the employees, but most importantly, Morita, would prevent Kaoru from harming himself.

Back at the hospital, Shuuji apologises to Takemoto and Yamada that they have to leave. Shuuji explains about Hagu’s condition, that she has refused to take any painkillers. This is because if Hagu’s nerve connections do not heal, the doctor has to operate immediately, and Hagu wants to know as soon as possible, whether she can feel pain in her hands. Just then, Hagu calls out to Shuuji, crying that she’s finally able to feel pain in her hand, but passes out almost immediately. Shuuji explains to Takemoto and Yamada that Hagu hasn’t been sleeping all these while because of the pain as well.

Takemoto and Yamada walks home in silence, with Takemoto reflecting that they were feeling pretty much overwhelmed. He remembers shuuji mentioning that next up would be rehabilation. While there is a chance for recovery, it might not heal either. “Her efforts alone might not be enough, but if she doesn’t try, she’ll lose it all for sure.”

Yamada is hopping for a cell phone the next day, when Nomiya spots her. Yamada explains about what happened to Hagu, and she hopes that getting a cell phone will help in taking care of her. Over drinks, Yamada reveals that she finally realises that she and hagu belong to totally different worlds, and she doesn’t know what she can do to help.

Nomiya admits that what yamada says is true, that they are truely in different worlds. But he thinks everybody probably thinks this way too. And Hagu’s upcoming rehabilitation will hurt the most. As such, as her friend, Yamada should stay.

Unfortunately for Nomiya, he realises that Miwako and Yamazaki have been listening to what he says. Nomiya is horrified that they heard him say such sweet and goosebump-raising things, even though he’s over 30. But actually, both of them approves of what Nomiya says. Miwako adds that even as they get older, friends get more and more estranged from one another. Miwako assures Yamazaki that such a thing won’t happen to them and that she’ll be here for them. Just as Yamazaki gets overjoyed and blushes, Miwako dashes his hope by stating that they’ll be “friends forever”. Miwako dances to the theme of friendship, while Yamazaki lies at one side, fainted.

That night, Yamada is sewing a cape for Hagu. She understands that though Hagu is here now, she’ll be gone one day. Yamada brings the cape for Hagu the next day, hoping that it’ll keep her stiff shoulders warm. Hagu points out that they are feathers over Yamada. Yamada explains that she actually made the cape using her father’s old jacket, and feathers had burst all over when she cut them open. But to Hagu’s mind, the feathers make Yamada look like an angel. Thanking Yamada, Hagu can’t help but cry.

The Doctor is talkign to Shuuji, stating that Hagu might be in too much of a shock. Shuuji reflects about how hagu was unable to have any feelings during a texture test previously.

Takemoto is browsing for flowers, but is frightened by the high cost. Yamada appears besides him, and brings him to a field filled with flowers. Yamada explains that Hagu will probably be happier with flowers that they picked themselves.

But even as they bring a bouquet to hagu, Hagu starts crying the moment she starts feeling the flowers. Outside on the roof, Shuuji explains that Hagu is unable to feel anything in her finger tips at all. But Shuuji consoles them that recovery is still possible, and asks them to cheer up, because if they waver, Hagu won’t be able to hold on to any of them. Having said that, Shuuji scolds them and asks them not to neglect their own personal lives.

Later, Takemoto asks if the guy who visisted the night before was Hagu’s father. From Shuuji’s smile, Takemoto reflects that the place Hagu was supposed to be able to return to (home) isn’t the same anymore. Takemoto understands that things isn’t the fault of anybody, that everyone is just trying their best. But why must everything just happen to Hagu all at one go. Takemoto doubts that Hagu is able to handle all these at one go.

Red bruises have been appearing on Hagu’s hands. It seems that out of stress, Hagu has been biting her own hand. One day, the spots on Hagu’s hands stops increasing, but bruises starts to appear on Shuuji’s hands as well. All these while, Shuuji has never wavered, remaining strong for Hagu.

Takemoto recieves a fax from Shin-san, about a project they are starting in Morioka, and asking that Takemoto join them in mid April.

This makes Takemoto realise that the day of seperation is getting nearer. Is it alright to leave Hagu while she’s in such a condition? But if Takemoto stays, he wouldn’t know what to do with regards to employment, yet he would be able to stay to take care of Hagu. At the moment, he’s suriving on part time jobs and money from his mother. But after graduation, it’s only fair that he earns all his money by himself. He believes that he can survive in Tokyo by working many many part time jobs, but he realises then he wouldn’t have the time to take care of Hagu.

But if Takemoto stays, what will he do after Hagu gets well. What will he be like, if he’s jobless when he’s 30, especially after spending so much money on his education. Besides, he’ll probably only be a burden to Hagu. Only now, does Takemoto understand what Mayama was talking about when he talked about having enough money for the woman he loves. Takemoto can’t even afford to buy flowers for Hagu. Takemoto realises that while he might be saying that he wants to take care of Hagu, actually he just doesn’t want to be seperated from her.

Takemoto lies on his room floor thinking… Shuuji tries to comfort Hagu with her biting his hand again… Morita sits alone in his apartment… Kaoru walks alone in the snow.

Thoughts

Hmm… about Hagu’s home. I’m guessing that the dad remarried or something, cause he brought a woman along, but nothing was mentioned about her. But hey, it’s just conjecture. Besides, it isn’t really that crucial to the story, but it’s good to know.

We’re shown that Kaoru ain’t as useless as he makes himself to be, especially as seen by others. But I guess in the end, it’s the self worth that’s count. I do hope nothing happens to him.

This whole episode touches strongly on the theme of seperation, and the scene involving Yamazaki and Miwako was kinda ironical to me. I just hate it when some girl i like tells me “friends forever”. haha. But on the other hand, I wonder when I’m past 30, who are really the friends I’ll be hanging out with. Things look bleak at the moment.

And Adulthood. We dwell deep into Takemoto’s thought process, and I’m sure it parallels that of most of us. Me? My immediate job future is secured. Even if I wanted to change it, I couldn’t. Yet I can’t get the fear out of me that once I start working, there’s no way I can keep in touch with my current friends. My future working place won’t have internet. I’ll be working from 7am – 11 pm. Bleak I tell you.

Seperation huh.

Shuu knew that the hamabi festivals would last another 3 days, so he must have been referring to something else. Or more accurately, to the good times they all had together.

The episode started off with Hagu reflected that she had apparently saw God once as a kid. Then, she realised why she was meant to draw, and she prays that if she ever stops drawing, she’ll give her life back to God.

Later, Hagu is admiring Takemoto’s tower. Takemoto returns, commenting that he had just finished working on it. Hagu praises the work, for looking so simple from afar, yet when up close, you can really tell how intricate the work is. Takemoto becomes bashful, for he is rarely praised. He proceeds to inform Hagu that he intends to to work as a temple restorer, for he really likes the procees needed to restore the buildings, with no blueprints to follow.

Hagu comments that soon the Hamabi festival will be over, and graduation will draw upon them quickly. Takemoto will be somewhere in Japan, Yamada will be in Tokyo, Hagu will be in Nagano. Soon it’ll be hard for them to contact one another, and talk about things that they used to, like where to go for lunch. Takemoto asks if Hagu is fine with going back to Nagano, and why she wouldn’t tell Shuuji about her true feelings. Hagu explains that she’s afraid, especially so because she knows that Shuuji will sacrifice everything for her.

Back at Shuuji’s office, Yamada is surprised that he’s in the office early, but he explains that he woke up early and had nothing to do. Meanwhile, a storm is starting to brew outside. At the same time, Hagu is reflecting on whether going to Nagano will be the right choice, when a work of art is blown against the wall, throwing glass shards all over Hagu.

In Spain, Mayama and Mac Carlos are insulting one another in their own languages. A friend Ema comments to Rika that she looks a lot better these days, and that it must be due to the friend from japan. Rika admits that it’s true, especially since they party drinking everynight, leaving her to a peaceful sleep each night.

That night, mayama walks back after a session of drinking again, to find Rika’s door locked. He feels cheated, having thought it was a “two-bed room”, only to find that it was “two bedrooms”. Not to mention, the rooms had locks to their door too. Mayama contemplates breaking the lock, but decides if he does that, the door to Rika’s heart will be closed. Mayama then sits outside laughing like a devil, giving Rika nightmares inside. Back in Japan, Mayama’s cactus falls over, causing Yamada to wonder if Mayama is alright. But Shuuji thinks that most probably it’s just recieving impure thoughts from Mayama, and worries for Rika.

miwako wasn’t wrong when she feared for rika’s safety with mayama going over.

Meanwhile, Yamada hears the students outside talking about an accideny, when Shuuji recieves a call, saying Hagu was injured. Takemoto also overhears about a oil painting senior who was injured, and rushes to the scene of accident. There, he hear’s people mention about Shuuji’s cousin, but still doubts that it was hagu. But his fears were confirmed when yamada came to tell him about what happened. To Takemoto, this is what reality is after all.

“this is reality”

At Floyd Electric, Matsuda is reporting to the president that growth are all 12-15% at all sectors, except for a single factory. The president decides that they should reduce the number of workers, and increase working hours, until cost performance is met. Suddenly, Kaoru arrives and tells him that only stupid people who retrench experienced workers.

Startled, the preseident asks him who he was, to which Kaoru replied that they were here to deliver a birthday present. THe president is confused, as his birthday is still far away, and opens the package to find a coverall inside. Kaoru comments that this is the day where he will start over from where he first began. In fact, Kaoru has been researching the president’s family background, that both he and his father were technicians. But he has since forgotten the joy of creating things. Anyway, Kaoru announces that they are now the new board of directors.

Matsuda is very glad, for he has waited a long time for his day, fearing that he would have retired first. The president says that it’s impossible for Kaoru to have taken over the company, espeically since Digital Lucas Arts still owns 35% of the shares. But Shinobu replies by taking out a shirt with Peter Lucas’ face, saying it’s a gift, and that the president can wear it since he is going bankrupt.

The president starts to get worried, and starts to beg saying what will happen to his family. But Matsuda takes out a photo of Morita Technical Research Institute employees, saying that they too were one family previously. The president points out that happened long ago, but Kaoru doesn’t care. Kaoru wants the president to move out of his house by today, since it is owned by the company, and to prepare lots of money, since he is going to sue the President plenty. kaoru swears to be prepared to fight, when the president’s children and grandchildren come back to fight.

But as the president is defeated, Morita remembers his father and the kabu-tan robot, which moves straight on towards the light. In a park later, Kaoru seems very satisfied, and laughs hysterically. “you’ll get what you deserve” But he realises that he has not kept his promise to his father to walk towards the light and not hold grudges, breaking down in tears.

In the hospital, it is revealed that Hagu’s hand was cut, so were the tendons and nerves, and it would take 2 months of rehabilation to prevent the nerves from fusing while healing. Hagu comments about how she wished her hand hurt from pain. She probably wanted to ask about the chances of healing, but just couldn’t bring the words out, with Takemoto and Yamada listening from behind the curtain.

Thoughts

As a university student taking a 4 year course when most of my friends are taking a 3 year course, I felt plenty when Hagu was reflecting that everybody would be gone. Most of my friends graduated last year. I seemingly don’t get to talk to them anymore. I miss them still, and sometimes when I walk to certain places in the university, I still think it might be possible to see them. Then I remember again that they have graduated. Just 5 months ago, I was feeling the same way Hagu was feeling. Fearful that I would totally lose touch with the friends who are graduating, and in some ways, I guess it happened.

The good point about Honey n Clover is how real it is. I often have a phrase to my friends regarding anime. “It’s just anime… fake one. don’t think too much.” Yet Honey n Clover is as real as it gets. We’re reminded that the president’s children will be affected. It’s not just a simple victory for kaoru. We’re reminded by Takemoto about reality.
Anyway, we’re all preparing for everybody to seperate already. I wonder if Hagu can draw again, and if she can’t…. what then…

Kaoru is typing in his office, when he talks about a scene that he’ll never forget. A scene involving a model aircraft.

We’re introduced to the genius that Morita is. Working in his office, a business partner Tatsuo calls his attention to the interview candidates waiting outside. Morita mentions that he just wants somebody who can make good curry. Tatsuo rebukes him asking him to be serious, but Morita simply talks about how he invented a remote control walker. Basically, attach it to your remotes, call for it, and it’ll bring your remote to you. Personally.. i think it’s a brilliant idea…. why hasn’t anybody marketed one.

Tatsuo reminds him that the walker is not needed if you keep your room neat and clean. Morita mentions how Tatsuo always points out things he should/shouldn’t do, absolutely boring. But Tatsuo comments that these are just basic rules for living. In fact, morita shouldn’t be doing thigns like just eating the top of cut watermelons.

Meanwhile, the interview candidates are outside listening to every sentence of the argument, all the while being worried. But the rest of the employees think it’s better for them to find out what kind of person Morita really is.

Morita and Tatsuo finally appear, but with bandages. Just as Tatsuo wants to start the interview proper, morita mentions he wants to give them a test to see their talent. And proceed to ask them to make a model aircraft, to see whose will fly the furthest. Current employees are to compete too. Shinobu arrives at this moment asking to compete as well.

Thus you have poignant scene one. The one burnt into kaoru’s memory. A memory of shinobu’s aircraft flying real well, while his couldn’t really fly at all. And the proud look that morita gave shinobu. And standing next to kaoru, was tatsuo. A man whose plane could not fly as well.

A second incident was when Shinobu went missing. Kaoru finds him and leads Morita to him. Kaoru urges his dad to bring shinobu to a doctor. Morita then tells kaoru to go back to the company to inform that Shinobu was found. When they left, kaoru finally realises that he too was injured, and no one really noticed as well. Feeling alone, he starts crying, but discovers Tatsuo tapping him on the shoulder. Tatsuo, who was Morita’s school mate and best friend.

Carrying Kaoru home, Tatsuo laughs hearing what happened. He thinks that shinobu is very much like morita, and recounts all the silly acts morita did as a kid. And there was also how Morita never seemed to have any fear. Even when he was the final batter of a baseball team that has scored zero. *scene of Morita scoring a giant homerun*

Poignant scene 2 We see Tatsuo stopping infront of a stop sign on the road. Tatsuo feels that Morita has done plenty that he could never do. Yet he wanted to believe that there was something that only he himself can achieve.

Kaoru didn’t know back then Tatsuo was suffering from a terminal disease. Flashback of Tatsuo trying to feed his ill Mom, who mistakes him for his father. After Tatsuo corrects her, she wonders aloud whether Ricchan, the girl Tatsuo likes, will marry him. But actually Ricchan is now morita’s wife. (i think. either that, or it reminded Tatsuo of Morita who is happy married, it did look like morita’s wife though)

A doctor has been asking Tatsuo to admit to hospital, but he knows that once he does so, he’s not coming back out. And he wants to keep working to the very end. Besides, who would take care of his mom. He’s left questioning God about the purpose of his life. And whether there really is a divide between the Haves and the Have-nots. Those that are loved, and those that arn’t. Why is there this divide… and who made it so.

One night, Tatsuo tells Morita that he’ll be putting the patent for the motor morita designed under the company’s name instead. at the same time, the company will issue more shares. Morita leaves everything to Tatsuo, for he knows best.

But in another scene, we’re shown what’s really happening. For Tatsuo is really collaborating with Floyd Electric to allow Floyd Electric to take over the company. So one day, the president appears at the Factory, where he announces that the company is now under Floyd Electric, though they can work as they were, just with more funds.

But morita counters that while he likes money, he hates working for other people, and that he’ll quit. Tatsuo asks him to think it over, as the pay will be very good, but Morita cuts him off. Morita tells Tatsuo to take good care of his employees, otherwise Morita to kill him. But Tatsuo can only remember the scene of the baseball game, where everyone was cheering Morita on. Finally Tatsuo can sleep, for some reason, he hasn’t been able to sleep lately. Tatsuo then suddenly collapses on the floor.

Poignant scene 3. In the hospital, Tatsuo admits that he is dying. To add to the problem, Morita tells him that when Tatsuo dies, all his assets will go to Floyd Ectrics. Morita says that he’ll never ever forgive him. Tatsuo accepts that. But morita tells his 2 sons not to hold a grudge. Morita agrees immediately, but kaoru cannot accept it, and questions why Tatsuo did such a thing. In the end, the whole family moves out of their house. (unknown reason) In the city, Shinobu and Kaoru find a walkman powered by the motor that Morita invented, but with a floyd electrics sticker.

Poignant scene 4. Kaoru tries to destroy the walkman in frustation, but soon the store salesmen are after them, and they start running. But kaoru isn’t able to run as fast as shinobu. Just as in many other things, Kaoru cannot match up to shinobu, even as he remembers his father telling him to always run towards the light. It was then, he understood how Tatsuo felt. And actually, Kaoru is very envious of both his brother and his father. But Kaoru wants to believe that there’s something he can do, yet the darkness threatens to envelope him. But Shinobu turns back to cover and protect his brother.

Final Scene. Shinobu wakes up from his sleep, on a sofa next to Kaoru. Kaoru tells him that he can actually leave, for his tasks is complete. But Shinobu insists on staying. Soon, all preparations are done, and Kaoru tells Shinobu that they are ready to give those people hell.

Back in school, there is a strong wind blowing. Takemoto, Mayama, Yamada and shuuji deliever a continuous monologue talking about how it is impossible to have prediected the things to come in the next few days. Ending with a shot of Hagu lying next to some shards of broken glass.

Thoughts

All the while, I was fearful that Kaoru would be a second Tatsuo. But that’s not to be… I guess it’s thanks to shinobu’s love for the brother too. I think each of the poignant moments were presented really well. You know tatsuo deserves to die… yet how can you hate him for his betrayal. His actions might have seen foolish. He might have decided to test Morita in a silly way. But still.

I thought it was cute how shinobu always had a silly face, as compared to kaoru. Was kaoru the matured one?
Then ending was just so dark. It seemd like everyone was just moving apart. And… what happened to hagu!

p.s. Takemoto’s seiyuu Kamiya Hiroshi met with a car accident 9 days ago. He’s conscious now, so that’s good news. Hopping that he gets a speedy recovery. (i’m sure everyone would agree that worries about who will voice takemoto etc are just secondary.

Lying in a grassfield, we get a Shinobu flashback. Shinobu’s father is president of a company called Morita’s Synthesis Technology Research Centre. A worker is looking for him, but can’t find him. He can’t understand why Morita is missing, since morita insisted that he finish a job by 8, or face horrible punishment. Another worker proclaims that morita has gone home. The worker then ask what will happen to the company presentation set for the next morning. Yet another worker says he overheard morita going home saying they’re eating curry tonight.

Back at Morita’s house, Morita the father is showing shinobu and kaoru a cute little robot his company designed, which shinobu proceeds to proclaim as lame. But shinobu agrees with his father that the robot is cute, and together, they enjoy a lovely dinner of curry, with little shinobu acting like he always has.

Meanwhile, Takemoto is back at his gigantic sculpture project. This time round, he understands that a large sculture requires an even larger scaffolding. Everyone seems amazed at Takemoto’s bicycle trip, but to Takemoto, it was simply an endless exercise of peddaling. Left. Right. Left. Right.

Hagu is in the library looking at a book of a marble sculpture. She admires it’s smoothness, and also wonders about the marble required to make the sculpture. We then get a peep into Hagu’s mind. Inside Hagu’s mind, are many boxes of ideas. When she opens one, she has to chase down what’s inside, and struggle with it. She wants to open every single box, but that would take too much time. However… if there was someone she could work together with…

Shuuji comes to Hagu’s side, and points out that the sculpture is Rodin’s Gates of Hell, which is based on Dante’s work, Inferno, where people abandon their hopes beforee entering Hell. Similarly, Hagu’s favorite artist Gustave Dore also did a piece based on the same work. To Shuuji, something must have been troubling these artists.

Hagu wanted to ask shuuji something, but decides against it. Later in private, Hagu reflects that she has not right to take away Shuuji’s life.

At Fujiwara design, mayama is here to visit, bearing a letter. Everyone is surprised that in the magazine is a photo of Rika bear-hugged by Mac Carlos (a spanish architec) And rika didn’t look very well. Apparently Mac Carlos is stalking Rika, hence a SOS msg to Mayama. To Miwako though, she doesn’t know if Mac Carlos would be more dangerous, or Mayama himself.

Thus everybody is worried about what will happen to Rika, and miwako points out that Rika looks horribly thinner. But mayama says he is well prepared, and brings out a rice cooker… and many other ingridients. When mayama mentions that he is bringing soumen, the rest mentions the lack of spices. Miwako even suggests adding Mint Leaf or Lemon Balm.

This causes mayama to mention that those things sound like they are from Yamada’s special menu, and would NEVER feed Rika those things. All this while everybody is trying to warn mayama that Yamada is just behind him. Yamada proceeds to hammer him with a gigantic bento. But she ends up offering the advice of bringing radish as a spice.

yamada leaves, but once again, nomiya follows, with the excuse of bringing leader on a walk. Nomiya asks Yamada to admit that she actually wanted him to chase after her. Yamada denies, and asks Nomiya to stop looking at her like that. But Nomiya understands what Yamada is thinking, and tells her that she did well while at fujiwara design, remaining calm.

Meanwhile, Morita watches Hagu work, but leaves without saying anything. Shuuji arrives and asks him to talk to her. And if they don’t talk now, their paths will simply seperate. Morita replies that he can’t help it. In fact, they were never close to start with. This totally puzzles shuuji, and he wonders what morita is thinking.

*insert song* + reflection of all the characters

At the end of the episode, the normal group is together again, minus Mayama and Morita. Yamada suggests a trip to the beach, and paints a glorious picture of what it would be like. But through Takemoto, we learn that they never did go to the beach, nor was there any photos. But that very imagination of being at the beach together, remains with everyone of them.

Thoughts

Ha! What irony. I was just reflecting of how as I grow older, so many of my friends seem to be drifint away, and I seem so helpless to stop it. And here comes takemoto, talking about how it seems to be the end of the group. I REALLY DON’T WANT THE END TO COME!

I’m most comfortable with the stories revolving around Yamada, because I don’t really understand what Takemoto, Morita and Hagu are thinking.

I was quite surprised that Hagu’s first thought was Shuuji, and not one of the other two guys. But her priority of the art works, does shine through.

We also get more explaination of what Morita is doing. Quite unfortunate. And Takemoto is getting stronger too, able to stand on his own. maybe because I’m a sucker for love stories, I find it quite painful that Hagu, Takemoto and Morita will possibly end up apart, because of persuing the things that are more important to them.

Very bittersweet.