White Album 2

I think Touma sees him romantically — as I recall, back in the episode where they were trying to recruit Touma, there was a moment where Ogiso said something like, "after all, you—" and then we didn't hear the rest. She looked annoyed but didn't argue, and I think that was probably something along the lines of, "You like him, don't you?" Especially with the "she doesn't care about anything / that's a lie" moment around the same time and the "she'll be my best friend or worst enemy" at the end.

Plus you've got things like her sleeping in the classroom while he's off doing work stuff, back before he knew who the "elite student" was (likely waiting until he goes to the music room so she could play with him), reading his crumpled up schedule note, the fact she invited him to stay over for a week and worked with him ten hours a day (even if it was an impulse decision to start with)... And "best friend or worst enemy" sounds like a declaration that they're rivals.

I think it's pretty safe to say she's past platonic at this point. He's also had more than his fair share of fond looks towards her in the last episode.

she'll have to do something other than play with his hair

Yeah, I see that. I meant more of as in, like finally taking it really really seriously.

I did naht.

Like be all touchy-feely or something?

I'm reading this because it's interesting. I think. Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot, over.

I would totally love it if Touma won. She's certainly winning right now.

Pleasantly surprised by this show so far. The lead's not your typical bland protag, the girls, while somewhat generic, have this down-to-earth feel to them and the execution in general is a cut above the usual. I'm wary of the impending drama, but it's a very slight concern. I'm sure I'm going to enjoy Ogiso's drama next episode!

I also like how the lead's best friend knows what's going on. Better than the usual idiot or pervert-type.

edited 31st Oct '13 7:06:17 AM by fillerdude

You know it!

I did naht.

Double post. orz

So episode 5 was pretty much Setsuna-centered, but Kazusa is still leading by far. The post credit-scene seems to imply that Kazusa has some sort of illness which she hasn't been telling anyone about. Probably why she spends most of her schooldays snoozing come to think about it. or...has the Japanese cold struck again!?!?

Either that, or she's merely exhausted, but that one line she says seems to point to the former rather than the latter.

I'm enjoying Setsuna's character. She's confident in her feelings and isn't a blushing/stuttering idiot about her affection and interactions with him.

edited 3rd Nov '13 4:53:01 AM by Jigaboo

I did naht.

My guess is it's later, I mean she said one need at least 8 hours of practice per day to not get rusty and she trained Haruki and was composing on top of that.

This episode is apparently the first glimpse we have of just how manipulative Setsuna is, and should serve as a litmus test for whether or not you'll like her character.

Yeah, I'm having a hard time deciding just how aware of her actions she is. She seemed sincere when talking about her fears of being alone and/or abandoned to Haruki, but the way things played out, especially that scene at school where she made him say her name, seemed pretty manipulative. I guess I'm just wary of people who play the sympathy card so openly.

And oh man, Haruki's 'I will never leave you' line is so going to bite him in the ass later. I almost face-palmed at how blatantly foreboding it was.

Yes, and we all know its all fair until someone gets run over by a car and is comatose for several years... Wait, wrong show.

Setsuna is much more interesting as a manipulative person, especially if they manage to keep her likeable while they do it. I'm all for people who are proactive about getting what they want so long as they don't push into hurting other people for that, and social maneuvering is fair game. The "say it louder" part had me laughing really hard.

I like that Haruki elaborated on the "I'll never leave you" and modified it to "I won't leave you until you leave me." Either that's a sign of very well-handled abandonment issues (doesn't seem likely; he didn't react enough) or he's being careful to write out an obvious problem.

I liked the scene with Touma at the end. "Hey, stop that, I don't have time to be sick" is totally the kind of thing you think when feverish and/or intensely sleep-deprived.

Part of anybody's opinions on Setsuna at this point depend on what she's looking for: Acting the way she did because she didn't want to be the third wheel is one thing, acting the way she did because she's trying to claim Haruki for herself is something else. I'm guessing that this becomes an increasingly important distinction to make as the series progresses.

Edit to add: The dynamics within the trio are interesting. Haruki yields to Kazusa, Kazusa is easily manipulated by Setsuna, Setsuna is dependent upon Haruki.

edited 3rd Nov '13 8:23:25 PM by HighVelocityPointyThings

I keep thinking they're going a bit slow and won't have time to do anything interesting this cour, but maybe they'll surprise me.

"No, the Singularity will not happen. Computation is hard." -Happy Ent

My apologies if I seem stupid for this, but I honestly don't get what you mean. Aren't the two the same thing?

"If music be the food of love, PLAY ON" - William Shakespeare

Couldn't have said it better myself. Though, they all all do have a certain sway over each other to a certain extent I'd like to think.

I did naht.

I've just heard Sound of Destiny — now I understand why Touma broke down in laughter^note  So did I!...

Keep Rolling On

The difference is that in the first case she's making sure she's not forgotten, which is something any healthy, well-adjusted person would do. In the second case she's trying to interfere with a (potential) romantic relationship, which paints her in a considerably less attractive light.

"Healthy" person doesn't have need such confirmation, In Setsuna case it only shows her self-deprecation instead. But yes, that interference isn't that atractive either.

edited 6th Nov '13 1:22:57 AM by Tenzen12

I was using 'Healthy' in the context of making sure that she's not simply an unwelcome tag-along, but I think you got my point.

Do I?

...I guess I do. still can't say I agree as my previous statement can be still applied here.

I was really amused when Haruki crossed out Ogiso and wrote Setsuna instead.

I still can't get over the guitar/schlick scene. I mean, just, damn, O_O

I did naht.

Wow, I wonder how much more can Setsuna get third wheeled

But seriously, she is ticking time bomb and I don't wanna know how far will Haruki have to go to defuse her or what will be needed to be sacrifice.

In case it wasn't obvious, the song they wrote at the end happens to be the show's OP. The lyrics are a big part of the reason why Setsuna got upset; as for all intents and purposes it's a love song from Haruki to Kazusa.

Also, we get a chance to see how Kazusa deals with abandonment, and maybe a tiny preview of her backstory.