Nanasaki Ai: Story Arc

Episode 5: Nanasaki Ai – Part 1: Bold Front

Bromance

Junichi and Ai are on the beach, Junichi is complaining it is cold. It is a ruse so that he can hug Ai. It has been a year for them being together. They both are looking forward to their next date on Christmas Eve, as they haven’t had time to see each other due to other commitments. Ai turns to Junichi to talk about where they would go on their date, but Junichi has fallen asleep. The next day, Ai goes to his house and is greeted by Miya. She explains that Junichi is still in bed due to a late night of studying. Ai goes in to wake him up. After several attempts to get him up, Junichi ends up grabbing Ai and dragging her into bed with him. Later in school, Masayoshi begs Junichi help him get a girlfriend, by using his connections through his sister or girlfriend. Masayoshi begs him so much that they end up on the floor just as Kaoru walks in and is puzzled by them both hugging on the floor. After school, Junichi is studying in the library since his cram school is cancelled; he decides to go home, but then changes his mind. He goes to the swimming pool, to see Ai training the other girls in the swimming club. He waves to her, but she gives him a stern look and the next thing he is being scolded by her.

Guess who

Again Ai tells Junichi off for entering the swimming pool area when there are club activities on. Junichi apologises, Ai lets him off due to the other girls adding that Ai looks towards the entrance anyway. However, Junichi can be let off, Miya tells Ai not to let him off. Junichi is surprised that Miya is in the swimming club; she kept it secret from him, with Ai keeping her promise not to tell him as well. Miya looks at Junichi, telling them that he has a perverted face on. This changes the mood of the girls and Junichi is punished. After, Ai and Junichi leave school together. As punishment for peeking, Ai tells him to come with her grocery shopping, due to discounts per person. The next day, Junichi is in the infirmary asleep, when Ai walks in. She fixes Junichi’s bed sheets which wakes him up. Juichi reminisces about Miya on how she sleeps when she was younger. Ai tells Junichi that her brother can only go to sleep if sung a lullaby. Junichi then asks her to sing the lullaby to him. Embarrassed at first, but agrees. She sings the lullaby as Junichi lies in her lap. Soon after, Junichi is asleep.

Heaven or Hell?

At home, Ai is talking to her brother Ikuo, but he is asleep in the Kotatsu. She wakes him up and he goes to bed. Ai looks at the calendar and remembers that she has to decide on where she will go with Junichi on their date on Christmas Eve. The next day, Junichi apologises to Ai. He explains that he got a bad result in his mock exams for cram school. For this failure he has to attend a training camp that starts the day before Christmas Eve. In addition, they have a strict regime and teacher. Ai is ok, as she tells him that she has club commitments during the founder’s festival and was worried that it would cut into their date. Ai wishes Juichi luck in his training camp. Back at school, Sae is trying to recruit her class in helping out in the stage performance. Ai thinks about what she said to Junichi and is concerned that with their both of their commitments, they would see less of each other. Thinking about all this, she fails to notice Miya talking to her. Ai and Junichi continue with their other activities; seeing less of each other. Ai becomes depressed and miserable. One evening, Juichi passes a shop and sees a nice ladies coat in the window which makes him smile.

Kidnapped at his age

The school continues the preparations for the Founders’ festival. Ai plans to give Junichi his Christmas present; a lap blanket early to show that she is rooting for him when he goes to the training camp. Later, Ai is depressed again. Ai is told from Miya that Junichi was taken from home and sent to the Cram school training camp. Miya adds that the students with bad grades have to start earlier meaning that he has to do it for longer. With this news, Ai is shocked and lost for words. Ai walks through town sad and upset. She tells herself that she must endure this time as Junichi is working hard. She continues walking, whilst stopping herself from crying.

I suppose this story arc is ok, I guess. Junichi’s focus is obviously elsewhere otherwise he wouldn’t have failed the cram school mocks. This is what happens when you screw up, you have work hard next time and it has an effect on other things. Not much else to say about this one, maybe someone can add comment on a few things. Possibly that Miya’s sniggering is starting to be a little annoying.