While on their daily lunch date, Aoki reveals to Ida that if he doesn’t want to fail, he’s going to need a tutor. Luckily Mr. Taniguchi has got the perfect Tudor in mind. Which is great, because Ida would miss him if he switched to a different class. Ida’s confession, makes him want to study harder, which he will do with the assistance of Mr. Okano (Jin Shirasu), who has joined the class as a student teacher.
During their after-school sessions, the two get to know one another. While Aoki finds his new sempai to be confident and cool, Mr. Okano finds Aoki to be very innocent and naive – especially when it comes to romance. He’s shocked to lo learn that the young couple have only had lunch together and have never even held hands. He then advises Aoki, that perhaps his partner is waiting for him to make the first move.
The next day, while eating lunch on the stairs, because the roof was occupied by other classmates. Remembering Mr. Okano’s advice, Aoki decides to make the first move and reaches out for Ida’s hand. His reaction is one of utter shock and surprise. Aoki plays it off as him just reaching for something, and Ida’s big hand was in the way.
Entering study mode, Aoki puts all his focus into his work with Mr. Okano. Later in the week, Ida finds Aoki on an overpass, looking over one of the practice tests Mr. Okano helped him with (he got a 91). He’s very proud, and Ida is very proud of him. Aoki confesses that he knows Ida was disgusted by him trying to hold his hand, and promises never to do it again. To which, Ida tells him to give him his hand.
The only reason Ida acted surprised was because of how cold Aoki’s hands were. Aoki jumped to the wrong conclusion (again). So, in preparation, he bought a heating back, which the two can use. Ida assures him that there is no way he could be disgusted by Aoki. As the two hold hands and talk about what couples usually do on dates, Mr. Okano, who is walking below, sees them. He is shocked. He had no idea.
The next day, Mr. Okano is lost in his head, his mind spinning about what he’d seen. Aoki, who surprised him with a perfect score on the quiz he was given reminds his sempai that he promised to take him to ramen. However, Okano takes back that promise, because he didn’t know Aoki was “That way.” Because of this, he must break his promise. Aoki smiles, saying that he understands, then he apologizes for not telling him sooner.
While Ida, Hashimoto, and Akkun help Aoki with his class duties, Ida confronts him directly about something being wrong. Aoki tries to play it off, but Ida reminds him that they made a promise to one another to be there and help. Aoki, shrugging it off like it is no big deal, tells them about what happened with Mr. Okano. To which Ida responded, “That is a big deal.”
Hashimoto is furious and wants to lodge a complaint against him. While she and Akkun argue, Ida takes Aoki to the teacher’s office to give them the finished paperwork they were working on. While he’s there he stares down Mr. Okano, who is clearly intimidated. He wants to talk to him and give him a piece of his mind, but Aoki talks him out of it. Instead, he wants to focus only on the people who care about him. Then he asks Ida out for ramen after volleyball practice.
After realizing Ida has plans with Aoki after practice, Shun takes over Ida’s team duties so he doesn’t keep Aoki waiting.
Aoki is topped by an elderly man trying to find his way to a hotel, which is on the way to the restaurant he will be sitting Aoki at. To thank him, the man offers Aoki money, which he declines. Mr. Okano stumbles upon them, and getting the very wrong idea, pulls Aoki away advising him that he should have way more respect for his body.
Finally having enough of his bullshit Aoki stands up for himself, putting Mr. Okano in his place about being prejudiced. Aoki tells him how happy he was that they worked together. When he turns around, Ida is walking up to the restaurant. He approaches, Mr. Okano. But, instead of fighting him, he invites the teacher to Ramen. Okano not only agrees but offers to pay.
When Ida goes to wash his hands, Aoki and his sempai have a conversation. Aoki tells him, that he wouldn’t be happy with just any guy. The one he likes is ida. As they eat, Mr. Okano realizes how happy the two are together. Then he drinks too much and Ida has to carry him on his back.
This episode really hit home for me. Hard. While I had some really great teachers in high school, after I’d come out, there were a few who were absolute A-Holes. While again both Shun and Hashimoto show themselves to be the absolute MVP of friends, Akkun does sympathize with Mr. Okano, only because he used to think like him – which Aoki (rightfully) states isn’t something to be proud of. But Akkun did make a good point: People can change. While it’s an episode about homophobia, it’s done so in a way that young people can understand it. It’s a testament to the writers just how many important issues they touch on, without being overly preachy, but also not dumbing it down.
10/10. No notes.
Now that they have gotten their real first date out of the way, what’s next for Ida and Aoki? Find out in episode 9!
More My Love Mix-Up soon, so…
Stay Tuned!
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