Hourou Musuko- 7. Rosy cheeks~ Growing pains

Growing pains refer of course to both Nitorin's acne problems but mostly to the troubles a love relationship can bring to the people involved and their friends.

Puberty comes with bodily changes and these changes aren't always welcome.

Nitorin resembles the book's protagonist, about whom he is reading about, in an eerie and hilarious way

In the face of disaster, whose name is ugly pimples, Nitorin seeks help from magazines and then Anna. She's a model after all and she has 'very beautiful skin' as Nitorin notices.

Anna shows compassion to teased Nitorin. And somehow this starts to work towards other directions as we will see below.

Nitorin follows the magazine's advice about early sleep for good-looking skin. Most people comment badly on his overreactions, but who in his age didn't panic about the shameful pimples? They totally destroy ones image.

Unfortunately these demons don't go away easily, Nitorin. Now one more sprout near his mouth.

Maho is such a meanie! She knows how much he appreciates that cute face of his that looks like a girl's and that's what makes her tease him relentlessly.

My, my an embarassed and cute Anna! Maho implied she is interested in Nitorin

I think Maho kinda pushes Nitorin in a 'normal' direction.

And it ended up somehow like this. Her expression here is more teasing than complaining.

Makoto just heard about ShuxAnna. No matter how you see it those two aren't a good match. No one expected this coming.

That's how things got heated up. First it was advice for acne, then going out shopping for peeling cremes and now a caraoke date.

He confessed, got a 'so?' reaction and still went on to ask her out. Thumbs up, boy. On the other hand Anna is surprised, but she just goes along.

Nitorin has made a progress :D

Anna has a strange perception of cute. She really likes weird things. I get a hunch that's why she accepted Nitorin as a boyfriend.

Nitorin appears to have similar criteria. He acted on a simple crush. Children at this age choose friends on the base of similarity and to be more accurate on their belief that the chosen person is similar to them.

A love relationship doesn't affect only the individuals in the relationship, but also their friendship with others. Takatsuki that denies embarassed that Nitorin and she are in a love relationship (like Nitorin wasn't good enough or a pest) reacts surprised and a bit annoyed, when she learns about Nitorin's relatinoship with Anna. In the extent that she tells Chiba. She got pissed and wanted to piss someone else to feel releaved. Her relationship with Chiba wasn't good already and you would think it would definately go worse. In the end, somehow the end up getting along well again. Of course, their situation is more complex due to the love polygon.

And you call yourself a friend, Takatsuki... such an -almost angry- expression shows how inconsiderate you can be.

a petrified, stiff Takatsuki and their surprised adult friends- isn't it interesting how those four mirror each other?

a tinge of sadness, maybe?

sadness and akwardness becoming more evident

One thing I love in the series is the extend that body and facial language is used.

I can't understand, if Takatsuki is really being honest. For once Chiba is way more honest to herself and others.

"I can't do this. Though I hate to admit it." She knows her limits and that's why she is bitter. She can't alter her bad feelings.

It's really a love-hate relatinoship. I mean, why would shameless Chiba blush otherwise?

Angry Takatsuki. I think she is confused about Chiba's reactions and at the same time feels helpless as what else she could try to change Chiba's attitude.

Takatsuki wanted to catch Chiba's attention and what better way?

I guess hanging around b***es, you start b***ing, too.

that's a strange answer... most of the times, you are.

this screenshot, this line will stay in history- and what a pose! she will become a very talented actress, if she decides for it

High ideals that you want to stick with?

her self-awareness is admirable

She's surprised that Takatsuki really wants to reconnect with her- her answer? "Your tea will get cold". That's the way Chiba is. Aside from Chiba's now even Takatsuki's behaviour is a mystery...

More of a screenshot post, but I can't analyse further.