the beautiful world: Hourou Musuko- 5. Long, long shadow

End of summer and they are gathered to finish the play script. Momo here is yelling at Saori.

Episode 5 revolves around the preparations of the upcoming festival and the interactions between the cast. Saori is sour as always, trying to cause troubles at first, then accepting the situation. Fumiya is introduced, Saori's friend, that causes quite a fuss by being reckless and indiscrete, and Chi is way too curious and nosy without understanding that she makes people uncomfortable. Maho can be cute and rude. And Anna has looks but... I wouldn't say she's the epitome of a good-hearted person... As for Nitorin and Takatsuki they go on being good friends and protecting each other. The same goes for Nitorin and Makoto.

I feel like not much have happened. Perhaps because the focus seems to be on the dialogues and the characters. It's a slice-of-life series, after all. In a nutshell what we have is: The team works together except for Saori, who wasn't satisfied with all those people barging in and runing her moments with Nitorin alone. In one of the meetings, Fumiya appears and the no-brainer just spills his thoughts aloud about who Nitorin is; a crossdresser. And in front of everyone. Chi starts asking more with enthusiasm and naivity only to be stopped by an angry Takatsuki. Chi apologises, but nothing disastrous happens. Then the script is finished and Chi has brought fireworks to celebrate. It's also the end of summer. At school the role are given by a lottery system and the Saori ends up being Romeo and Makoto ends up being Juliet. Saori is all talk, sulking and making scenes, but in the end accepts the situation and tries her best.

Their meeting at Saori's house and the celebration:

Saori's mom seems such a kind person. They still haven't given us a solid reason why Saori has a tough life...

Wishful dreams... Saori denies it, of course. I wonder what does he see in her...

Her expression shows how dense she thinks he is.

How polite! Jeez...haven't you learnt to express yourself carefully? You are at junior high, but not a baby...

Everyone freezes. Quite convenient that Saori's mom isn't in the scene.

Her expression speaks for anticipation and a yes answer.

But she really doesn't understand how serious and sensitive topic this is.

Takatsuki intervenes.

Sarahina's way of acting is really something. To me it appears a bit excessive, yet not hypocritical. I still felt the urge to laugh at her.

She apologises, yet if you think what she has done to Takatsuki in the beginning, you assume, she hasn't learnt a thing.

Jealous Fumiya. Tries to imitate the 'gross' crossdressing of his rival to win Saori's heart. Young boys are stupid boys...

The celebration and a realisation from Nitorin. I'm not sure from what he could finally move on. Maybe he is referring to his relationship with the others and himself.

Saori is really lonely. I pity her a bit. although I shouldn't. I think that's what she wants. Girl, suit yourself.

Nice scene :) They make a cute couple.

The events at school- mostly Chiba being b*tchy:

That said after the I-hate-spineless-people talk...

How convenient! Dis Makoto say he was feeling guilty and I don't remember? Nuh, he frowns, so I'm right.

The wise man spoke. Yet the 'you' part was left out when Saori spoke back.

That sounded a bit... revolutionary (Utena haunts me). And crazy, too. This girl has some serious problems.

The nose up... such an arrogant person.

The next moment is angry again. This hate is towards herself first, though she doesn't want to admit it. The reason why is unfurtunately obsure.

Attention-whore! You WANT to be depressing, don't you?

She thinks or better wants so badly to control her life and others. Saori, world doesn't work this way, darling.

They didn't ruin the script rather than your dreams of approaching Nitorin more.

She tries very hard. Very destructive person. Someone should just stop her.

And being the moody person she is, she relaxed after awhile.

She understands she can't keep being destructive because that affects more herself. A miracle?

Nitorin-Takatsuki- Ariga (Makoto) and their friendship:

I don't agree...that's so weak. You'll have to tough up.

He wants to figure out his feelings more? The important thing here is that he is honest as Nitorin is to him.

That doesn't mean that evrything is sugar-coated. People still feel alone sometimes, even with good friends.

It's only natural that each of us is different and is scared of being laughed at. Nitorin promices he'll try his best to understand him - he was laughed at in grade school(above)- and he will defend him.

Anna makes a short appearance, posing as a model. She meets Takatsuki and in a weird and impolite way observes her looks and asks her questions. The other two interesting points of her appearance have to do with the purple monster cell-strap that is hanged on her mobile as well and Nitorin's thoughts for her.

different from when she hangs around his sister - she smiles more and is cuter; but of course that's what a model does... On the other hand I don't think she changes. She looks like a very tight person, that wears masks all the time.

Her body language is quite aggressive. Her torso moves forward like intruding Takatsuki's space. Anna examines her like a chicken... jeez...

Great conclusion, pretty. Are you trying to insult Takatsuki? Not all girls should look like you, you know.

So the strap didn't have a mockering intention. It was an item they had in common, like a connection. Anna sure is interested in Nitorin. But in what way? And why is she taking their picture? Are they freaks? They aren't your friends to take their picture casually...

And for the last part of the post we present you Maho's many faces: