Hourou Musuko - 8. Spring ~ Brand new me

After episode 6, a new arc begins that puts in focus the relationship of Nitorin with Anna and the one of Chiba with Takatsuki. The storyline evolves really smoothly, adding details each episode that complement what we already know. In episode 8 things start to move faster: it's a new school year, the group is separated in different classes, they share typical discussions about which class they are in, with whom, how is their teacher. With the new school year start Takatsuki's feelings for crossdressing re-emerge. Nitorin is going out with Anna (though their relationship can't really be defined as romantic, at least from Anna's part) and he really enjoys shopping with her. His desire to wear pretty clothes again are barely held back only by the fact he's in relationship.

Nitorin and Takatsuki remain distant. On the contrary, Takatsuki and Chiba have become pretty close again, at the point that Takatsuki grows her hair back, influenced by Chiba's request. Those four meet by chance and get better acquainted. With Chiba-san with them an almost quarrel errupted. In the end, things went quite well. The only ominent event is the reappearance of a former classmate of Nitorin from primary school, Doi. Doi had bullied him and now sits in front of him in the class. Soon, he seeks to get involved with Nitorin once more, with the motive of getting to know Yuki, the 'hot chick' he saw with Nitorin one day.

Makoto has another crush. Yes, with his new teacher.

She's pretty :) Chiba compliments Takatsuki. Spring and a brand new Takatsuki shows up.

Chiba's suggestion was behind the change. I can't stop feeling shoujo-ai vibes. One would accustom their hair usually for their lover... and one person's opinion can't be called peer pressure, can it?

Takatsuki stares at the male uniform in her closet with longing. Her male identity remains hidden- closet is used symbolically here.

Sarashina does it for fun, but for Takatsuki the male uniform represents her ego.

Cool teacher! And we thought he'd scold her for wearing a tie instead of ribbon.

The tie becomes a symbol to Takatsuki that she cherishes and holds dearly. Even just a little she feels more near to herself.

Is that supposed to be a positive comment?

Does she think of him as her play thing to kill time?

Seems to me that she doesn't really see him as a boyfriend

I agree.

jealous? kinda freaked-up?

No kisses.

A worried Maho listens to her friend...

...and takes measures.

Problems in the horizon...

Oh, how honest!

I'm sorry but I can't help but chuckle at how Doi holds his hands... he leans in, Nitorin leans back tensed. I wonder, if he didn't understand his intentions...

Chiba, Takatsuki, Anna and Nitorin at the karaoke centre.Chiba being the spoiled brat she is.

She even mocked Takatsuki. She could make afine boy, since she's so indecisive.

She can be so stubborn! More stubborn than a donkey.

I'd like to see Chiba finding someone to straighten out this attitude problem. But, wow, Anna! She must be the first that confronted her.

oh right, poor Chiba...

Well, somehow they exchanged telephones. Both Chiba and Takatsuki recognized Anna as a nice person. Still, Takatsuki really wished things were like before...

Once upon a time, when everything was 'pure'- The past can't turn back.

And even if they went back to where they were, Takatsuki seems to forget that Nitorin had feelings for her and she rejected him.

That's Yuki's opinion. I'm very interested to discover, if those two end up together at the end of the manga.

Next episode is going to be the last I blog of this series until August arrives and the last 3 episodes arrive completed.