(I'm... not looking forward to this episode. It's not that it's bad, per se, it's just that if somebody wanted to make accusations, this episode could easily be Exhibit A. And all I can do is say that 1) I got it at Barnes & Noble, so if they want to get me on possession, then they have to get them on distribution, and 2) try to tell them that that's not the appeal for me (the appeal for me being that the series is cute and funny), and hope that's good enough.)
A hand turns on the hot side of the tub. Water comes out of the showerhead. It's Nobue, who has a really cute face here as she notes that it's freezing. She takes off her outerwear (though we just see her remove her outer top), then she starts removing her bra. Then we see something on the floor holding her clothes. Then we see her legs walking, then her head, with everything at underarm level or higher visible, under the shower. Then an exterior shot as she screams. She glares at the water, which as the text box informs us, is ice cold. She tries making sure the cold side is all the way off, then tests the hot side. She looks at some kind of electronic control panel. ...I can't read it. There's one light on, and for all I know, it might be indicating anything from the fact that it's on to the possibility that it's broken. Anyway, she glares at the water, the top half of her Anime Anatomy (the type with neither) on display. She sticks her finger into the water. Exterior shot. "NOOO!!!"
In Chika's room, Miu's sitting on a chair, her feet on Chika's bed. Chika is sitting on the bed, manga in hand. Both are looking at the door, in the direction of a "BATAN" they heard. Nobue, dressed again, bursts through the door sobbing. She dives under the kotatsu.
episode 17: Into Hot Water
(The episode picture is of the five girls, with no indication of what they're going to be doing. Chika and Matsuri on the right, Nobue in the middle, and Miu and Ana on the left.)
Chika asks her what the matter is. The bath, as alluded to, is broken, she says. The water isn't getting heated. Chika figures that they'll have to skip it for today, but Nobue needs one today, pretty much because she had her heart set on one. Chika doesn't get her longer explanation. Miu invites her to go to her house for one, but she declines because... it's too far away...? A few meters out their window and in hers, and not really all that far should they decide to break with tradition and use their front doors? But anyway, Nobue gets the idea to go to a spa. Chika seems unsure.
Ana's never been, and is excited. Nobue says they're one of the premiere aspects of the culture... not that she knows what she's talking about. (Hey, she says so; who am I to argue about what she knows about her knowledge?) Miu hasn't been in a while. Chika remarks that Nobue's scarf is ridiculously long, but Nobue says it's pretty popular. Miu calls her trendy, and Nobue doesn't know if that's a compliment. Matsuri has already had a bath, but Nobue says that two is twice as nice, and that you can even take three or four.
(Just a note here for those who don't know — and I was one of them until I looked up Etiquette in Japan
— the actual washing is to be done outside the tub, which is used for relaxation.)
So they're at the spa. Half-turned away, Matsuri pulls up her shirt... then pulls it back down. Nobue, who's already got her shirt off, wonders what's up. She asks that Nobue turn around, which Nobue agrees to. Matsuri also tells her not to look until she says so. I guess... she doesn't want Nobue to see her transition from clothed to naked...? I mean... Nobue has seen her naked before...
Speaking of naked, Miu is. The bottom of the panel stops it before we get really too low. For some reason, there's underwear on her head. (Maybe she's Boxerman's niece, Pantygirl!) She strikes a pose and laughs, freaking Matsuri out. Nobue's remark that Miu could use some shame is what blocks her lower parts now. Nobue snaps her bra on Miu. This proves to be a mistake, as now it gives the illusion that Miu isn't flat as a pancake. She strikes another pose and laughs again. In the next panel, the bra is back off, and Miu is suddenly covering her chest, asking how Nobue could rip her top off, and who will marry her now. Nobue advises her to either complain to the naked women in the next room, or put her shirt on. Miu calls herself a tainted bride.
In the room with the tub, Miu wants to play "Marco Polo" or something, but Chika and Ana are pretending not to know her.
Nobue wants Matsuri to hurry up. She gets her outer shirt off, and puts it in a basket. She stands on one foot to try to take off a sock... and falls over. Nobue advises her to sit down to take off her socks. She sets her glasses down.
Now in their towels, Matsuri and Nobue head for the tub room. Nobue cautions Matsuri about the glass door. Matsuri runs into it anyway.
Miu notices how good the water feels. She tries to get Chika and Coppola to affirm this, but they're ignoring her. She tries the "crazy economy" question.
Nobue asks if Matsuri will be okay without her glasses. Matsuri thinks she will be, as she doesn't wear them during baths at home. She tries to find the shampoo. Nobue provides it. (It's Emeren brand, but I don't know if that exists in Real Life or not.) Matsuri lathers up her hair, then tries to find the shower nozzle. The lather starts getting into her eyes before she can take it from Nobue. Nobue decides to takes a more hands-on approach to helping her. Matsuri apologizes for making it necessary, but Nobue doesn't mind; it's faster (so they can get to the relaxation part sooner). She remarks that the layout of things is probably different at Matsuri's house. Miu slides behind them on her face. Nobue asks Matsuri if she saw something pass by, which is sort of a silly question.
Ana and Chika still aren't paying attention to Miu.
Nobue rinses Matsuri off with a splash. She pats her on the back and tells her she's done. Matsuri thanks her. Miu yells at Nobue to stop playing with Matsuri and play with her. Nobue says that her eyesight quality means she needs help. Miu is bored, but Nobue reminds her that they're there to relax; it's not Chuck E. Cheese.
There's a foot about to step on soap. (Not sap, as I initially typed. That would be a very different experience. Also note the toenails. This is odd, as Barasui doesn't bother with fingernails. Oh well.) It's Matsuri, and she slips. Nobue leaps into action, catching her but banging her own head on a stool (the FURNITURE, thank you very much) in the process. She takes a few seconds to recover, while Matsuri expresses her concern. Nobue will live, but asks her to be more careful.
Miu decides to try getting attention by intentionally slipping on the soap... but it doesn't work.
So now they're all in the tub: Matsuri, Nobue, Miu, Chika, and Ana. Miu has a cloth on her head. Nobue remarks that it really hits the spot once in a while. Some bubbles surface near Miu, prompting Ana and Chika to go to the side of the tub. Nobue tells her to exhale real good. She does so.
Outside, it's freezing, as Chika says. Nobue notes its tendency to do so. Miu calls them wimps, and says it's better than Siberia. Nobue says Miu must be tough as a brick... a mentally defective one. Miu clarifies that she's not denying it's cold. Nobue finds that the others are feeling the cold, as well, and looks back at her scarf. She decides to wrap it around everybody's neck... except Miu's. They all remark how warm it is. (In part because it's been preheated by Nobue.) Miu asks what about her. Nobue says it's not long enough to accommodate her, as well, and reminds her that it's beach weather compared to Siberia. Chika says they should go everywhere like this. They start off, but Matsuri trips on a rock, and everybody goes down flat... except Miu, who wasn't wrapped in the scarf.
HALLO WORK
Nobue as a police officer. She points a gun and tells someone they can't park there.
Chika as a baker. A believable line of work for her. (Hey, a Super Furry Animals... apron?) She's decorating a cake, and tasting some.
Next time: Episode 18!
