Pheasant's Short-Lived Glory
Summary
Duel of the fates-err, I mean, arm-wrestlers...
When his beloved wife Miho gets awarded for her excellent beautician work, Tsuyoshi refuses to attend the celebratory dinner, claiming to be busy with work. In actuality, he was worried Miho would be ashamed to be seen with a husband as meek as him. As he longs to be worthy enough for Miho, Kaito tells him of the Points he earns as a Donbrother, and how he can spend them on wishes to become more manly. With this newfound hope and confidence, Tsuyoshi starts spending Points to improve his life, and makes a bold attempt to recruit Taro into his company...Tropes
- Acquired Situational Narcissism: Tsuyoshi has a temporary power trip after getting a confidence and skills boost from the Points he used, acting quite smug towards others. He reverts back to his awkward self by the end.
- Duel to the Death: In a last-ditch attempt to prove himself, Tsuyoshi decides to ask Taro to duel him. It doesn't end up happening due to Tsuyoshi realizing that no matter how hard he tries, Taro will somehow utterly crush him with sheer power.
- Foreshadowing:
- Jin claims that Taro doesn't know any answers about their situation because he is the "key" to it, but refuses to elaborate any further on that.
- Sonoi mentions he had consulted a "council" over the issue of the Donbrothers, suggesting there may be others in the Nōto with an even higher rank than him.
- Freeze-Frame Bonus: Miho is put under care at the Honno Kakusei Hospital.
- Imagine Spot: Tsuyoshi undergoes this when he goes through all the possible outcomes of him dueling Taro, quickly coming to the conclusion that he'll just end up utterly defeated no matter how hard he tries.
- Internal Reveal: Tsuyoshi finds out that Taro is Don Momotaro after seeing him transform.
- I Want to Be a Real Man: Tsuyoshi's issues in this episode stems from the fact that he doesn't think of himself worthy enough for Miho and wishes to become so. Kaito helps him through using some Kibi-Points to grant his wish.
- Mirror Character: When Taro asks what will be the challenge for their duel, Tsuyoshi says anything will do, as being a Master of None meant he doesn't specialize in anything. Taro then says that likewise, him being a Master of All meant that he doesn't specialize in anything either.Taro: We're similar, you and I.
- Mr. Exposition: Jin acts as this to Shinichi and Haruka after they unsuccessfully ask Taro for some answers, explaining who the Noto are and why they are on Earth. Along with that, he introduces the Kibi-Points to the duo.
- Out of Focus: Tsubasa only appears transformed this episode.
- Power at a Price: Through exchanging their Kibi-Points with the help of an admin, a Donbrother is able to make any wish come true. However, Jin tells Shinichi and Haruka that carelessly using their Kibi-Points could potentially lead to misfortune. Unfortunately, Tsuyoshi wasn't informed of this, and Kaito granting his wish through spending his Points resulted in him almost losing Miho.
- Two Lines, No Waiting: The A Plot focuses on Tsuyoshi's interaction with Taro during the former's Acquired Situational Narcissism, the B Plot focuses on Shinichi and Haruka gaining exposition regarding their situation and wondering who the mysterious "admin" governing their Points is, while the C Plot has the Nōto discussing how to deal with the Donbrothers while realizing the various aspects of humanity they have grown an interest in.
- Wham Shot: Kaito is seen looking at his computer at the end of the episode, tracking the Kibi-Points the Donbrothers (sans Taro) have acquired, which leads to...
- Worth It: ...him thinking Kiji Brother's Kibi-Points are well spent on this Confidence Building Scheme, even if it placed him at Last Place for his total Points racked up.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Taro silently admits that he lost his "duel" to Tsuyoshi this round, due to the latter being able to make a woman smile out of bliss, a talent that he admittedly lacks.
