(I have just recently started watching this anime and I am depressed that it only has 12 episodes. I am hoping for a second season while waiting for the manga’s next chapter.)
Sakura Chiyo finds the box of chocolates that she was supposed to give Nozaki last Valentine’s Day. However, since she couldn’t get a hold of him that day, she failed to give it to him and it has been stuck in her fridge since then.
She offers it to her friends but they encourage her to just give it to Nozaki though it might be late already. (FYI, Nozaki also didn’t get any chocolate on Valentine’s Day.) In the end, she makes up her mind to try giving it to him again but as she walks in the hallway, someone bumps her and the chocolates roll out of the box down to the floor. It turns out that the guy who bumped her is none other than Nozaki who apologizes to her incessantly. Sakura assures him that it is just fine although she had hoped for him to eat them. Nozaki misunderstands her and thinks that Sakura is extremely mad at him. He picks up one of the chocolates on the floor and eats it in the hopes of abating her anger. Sakura is surprised but she eventually gets happy for what Nozaki did. (And again, he misinterprets her LOL.) He asks her once again if there is something he could do to make up for her and so Sakura requests a candy (as a White Day present).
After school, Sakura sees Seo and they decide to meet Kashima and Mikoto at the festival. Little do they know that the others are also there. Nozaki and Wakamatsu are strolling around so Nozaki can use some references for his next scenarios. While they are eating yakisoba, Seo finds them and immediately comes running toward them. Wakamatsu sees Kashima with her and thinks that she is her senpai’s boyfriend. Seo tugs him by the tie and invites him to scoop some goldfish. He thinks that she is doing it to make her “boyfriend” jealous but to his surprise, Kashima just coolly waves at them.
On the other hand, Hori and his friend are also seen wandering around the festival. Hori states that it is a good idea that they did not invite Kashima with them since it would only cause them trouble. He also uses that oppprtunity to take pictures of the places that can be used as backgrounds for the manga. And while he is lying flat on his stomach taking photos, Kashima spots him and asks him what he is doing.
Meanwhile, Sakura is left alone and as she searches for her friends, she bumps into someone which, again, turns out to be Nozaki. However, he doesn’t seem to recognize her since she is wearing a yukata. He stares at her intently but she feels nervous about the situation so she tries to get rid of the awkward atmosphere. She feels like she has already learned how to read Nozaki’s thoughts but she immediately shakes off the idea when Nozaki unexpectedly takes a bite of the apple candy she offered him. Nozaki invites her to go to a higher location so he can take photos of the people in the festival. However, since Sakura cannot climb because of her yukata, Nozaki helps her and lifts her up. That instance, Sakura recalls the first time he met Nozaki and the reason why she fell in love with him.
It was during their first day of school. Sakura was running late for the entrance ceremony and there, she saw Nozaki who fell asleep while trying to climb the school gate. He woke up and when he realized that she was also late, he lifted her up and helped her get on the other side of the gate. Nozaki told her that he wasn’t actually planning on attending the ceremony, but since he wanted to get the flower for his (manga) reference, he decided to go. At first, Sakura thought he was scary, but eventually, she laughed and realized that he was actually cute. She was thankful for his help and for saving her when she was panicky and about to cry.
Back at the festival, the fireworks display has already begun and the two of them are sitting side by side. Sakura stares at Nozaki beside her as she reminisces their first meeting and their memories together and absentmindedly mutters the words “LOVE YOU“. She suddenly realizes what she said and gets nervous. Nozaki looks at her and murmurs something as her eyes grow wide.
As the sky is lit with fireworks, all the characters are shown together with their partners. Hori, for example, is with Kashima. Due to his short height, he has a hard time looking at the fireworks display so Kashima, being the considerate kouhai she is, offers to lift him up so he can have a better view. Wakamatsu, on the other hand, is having a miserable time with Seo as he chases after her energetic senpai. Mikorin is seen enjoying the festival alone. Miyako is watching the event from her apartment while Maeno greets Miyamae (who, on the other hand, is frustrated again with Nozaki’s storyboard LOL.)
The scene switches back to Sakura and Nozaki. Flustered, she asks him one more time about what he said a while ago. The fireworks are so loud that she cannot hear him well so Nozaki leans closer to Sakura and whispers the words…
But then…
I was fooled there for a second when I thought that he would already confess to her!
Seems like Sakura’s hopes are once again crushed by a clueless Nozaki. However, she accepts it positively and feels contented to remain as a friend to Nozaki for the time being.
=====================================================
ARRGH! I thought I was going to have a heart attack! Nozaki, you troll! I am definitely hoping for a second season, especially when Nozaki’s brother had a cameo in this episode. Mayu was only briefly shown but I fangirled a lot when I caught a glimpse of him. Well for now, I guess I have to stick with the manga for the meantime while waiting for the next season (hopefully!).
