@khronus: Quite some character analysis you’ve got there. Another possible justification for Touya’s lack of know-how in relationships is that he didn’t seem to be the one who made the “first move” in the relationship. I doubt they would’ve gotten this far if not for Yuki (judging from episode 4). He still has a lot to learn, and I believe he’s going to learn it the hard and painful way.

Yuki is, as you said, still pretty naive about relationships too. That just makes her more prone to getting fooled into believing suggestions regarding relationships from other people… I’m thinking what’s *about to happen* in episode 5 might have something to do with that.

And if Yuki really is like a younger version of herself then Yuki’s boyfriend is quite likely to be someone she’d like as well.

Never thought about this angle, but highly plausible. That could fill in quite a lot of the missing ‘details’ in the anime too, Rina’s “closeness” to Yuki, why she feels the NEED to do all these favors for her, meddle in her affairs and all.

@Mentar: I’m not sure if I can agree regarding Yuki’s selfish motive. Perhaps, there is that sense of selfishness, but her faulty decisions seem to stem from her confusion in this relationship, more than anything else. She might have thought that making love is the “best” way to get into a deeper relationship with her boyfriend, to “make memories”, hence her decision to let Touya spend the night with her.

Anyways, the lack of *real* communication between these two just ticks me off. I mean, they haven’t even talked, the way “couples who have spent yearsss together” are supposed to, and yet they’re gonna do this -___-; They’re not really “connecting”, both in the present and in the past.

Rina’s line in episode 4 just got me more intrigued. It might be indeed as you say, no romantic intentions for now. But the possibility of it happening is just right there, a time bomb waiting for some countdown to blow up or what. She’s meddling a little too much in the Yuki-Touya relationship, and if this goes on, she’ll be in for the time of her life. Her “application” as Touya’s goddess seem to be ongoing as well.

The anime should delve into Haruka’s past, or else–! Episode 1 intrigued me, but they have to follow up that “teasing”.

“Her Aesop fable reference was a scary thing. Read up on it… the gist of the story should be pretty unsettling for Touya. And it’s oh so fitting…”

talk about ignoring important details in the episode! I didn’t pay attention to that particular remark from Mana, but boy is she perceptive. She knows well that Touya is a totally lost soul right now, and she might just be the catalyst to his change. Gah, I hate how Touya always *needs* someone to help him, in order to get over whatever mess he’s in.

also, wow. longass comments FTW! LOL

@Ryan: Well I did feel a certain intimacy in the scene where Yuki confided about fulfilling her dream, and I also felt that Touya was genuinely happy for him, but not much of a chemistry other than that =/ It’s definitely weak, especially when both parties are not even discussing things they should be talking about!

@soyahoney: That’s the main problem with Yuki and Touya, they hardly even talk, goodness. Now they finally meet in episode 4, and instead of making up for whatever lies they’ve been telling each other (Yuki’s lie is a ‘white lie’, but still a lie) they resort to love-making. wtf.

“One last thing, if you run around in circles to be with the one you (maybe?) love, is it worth it?”

it’s worth it if you think it is. the moment you start wavering about its worth, well, that just means something else is occupying your mind, and it’s slowly but surely, a sign of an impending doom.

@Crusader:

Moreover, despite ample opportunity to capitalize on the absent Yuki, Rina has done nothing but bring them together.

Noticed this too, but her remark about her “continuing applying as a goddess” is, for me, a sign that there is that ‘other motive’ in whatever good she’s been doing to both Yuki and Touya’s relationship. Perhaps we can’t blame Rina for Touya’s disillusionment, but how sure are we that Rina does not like how she is occupying Touya’s thoughts, even more than Yuki?

Moreover, despite ample opportunity to capitalize on the absent Yuki, Rina has done nothing but bring them together. Touya thinks that Rina likes him, but we should not make the mistake of blaming Rina for seducing him. Instead we must target the one true enemy of women, his name is Touya and he knows nothing of loyalty and fidelity.

Yuki is bold and now knows what she wants.Show ▼

Touya is still Touya. Rina still “helps”,but Show ▼

Is it me or does Touya not want to get hot and heavy? That last shot of him makes me think he’s a waverer especially since a certain someone debuted.Show ▼

One last thing, if you run around in circles to be with the one you (maybe?) love, is it worth it?

First, that foreshadowing dream? (I know it was from the TV) in episode 1 about the sudden interruption during the audience’s applauses already showcased that their relationship will have more obstacles.

Second, when the two met at the university, they both made excuses, saying they came for one thing, but they really wanted to meet each other.

Third, the dude didn’t mention about the cheesecake when he talked to Misaki on the phone. He gave it to Yuki, saying it’s for her. Basically, he’s a liar.

Now, you have him lying to Yuki that the person who held up the phone wasn’t Rina, but some guy trying to sell him something. There are more related instances, but those are the most obvious.

The most crucial point is when they both talked about the first time they met. Yuki remembered a scene in some forest/woods/park, but Touya recalled it was somewhere at school. How can their relationship work if they don’t speak honestly?

Rina so far is hard to understand, but her actions leave quite an impression. That last scene with the closet and her brother, Eiji, made me second guess everything I had thought and written.

Seeing that PVC, Tomatsu Haruka, as the voice actor and possibly a sickly imouto might become true. Considering her name is close to Mizuki Nana’s, you could think there is a connection. Now, if there is a connection, Touya might become sympathetic and support Rina. Although, I’m trying to keep my expectations low in case the ending becomes unrealistic or anti-climatic.

I have some more notions. Perhaps, there could be a new relationship forming between Eiji and Yuki? It could happen if she wants to make it to the top. This in return will make her character more appealing even if it jeopardizes former relationships whether with Rina or Touya.

Lastly, perhaps Rina is a “man-stealer”, but and I mean BUT, what if she did all those things for Yuki and Touya just so the two would not have regrets? She allowed the two to resolve some issues, see the light that the two will not work out, and then, Rina grabs the chance to be with Touya? Wouldn’t that make her a somewhat good person?

Btw, that CM, is pretty funny, but it really relates about the “lost of communication” and maybe “trust”. I don’t care about Yuki’s timidness anymore. I just want Touya to stop being a NEET and do something more worthwhile. He could dust off those old records at ECHOES because Touya is a “broken record”.

I’m hoping any sort of turmoil stimulates this relationship to a more assertive level, otherwise it’s probably just going to be a big falling out, which imo, is pointless because the relationship was weak to begin with.

It’s engrossing and angering at the same time… Touya is awful.

KimiNozo – we’ll have to see. So far, WA goes much softer on the drama so far. But just as you mentioned, we know it’s coming. Which is a good thing
usagijen: Nice summary. To kick off some extra discussion, I’ll copy/paste a little brain dump of mine concerning the characters, but they’re based on episode 4 (so don’t click on it unless you WANT to be spoiled):

Show ▼

Touya: The guy (could be a girl but usually a guy) who doesn’t know what he wants his future to be and has put his life into a holding pattern while he attempts to figure it out. Not very admirable, but altogether understandable for a certain segment of people. He has no real experience with relationships as he’s still dating his first love. This leads to making mistakes (like dishonesty about things he should just be open about).

Yuki: The naive girl with a desire for stardom. She’s young, optomistic, energetic, and determined. She also lacks for experience and has yet to learn that most people come with ulterior motives. Like Touya, she lacks experience in relationships and makes mistakes because of it. In her case it’s assuming that two sentences of communication here and there are enough to maintain a relationship with a boyfriend she loves but rarely sees.

Rina: The veteran star; experienced, wise, but also a bit lonely after having grown to understand what prices she paid for her career and what the environment of a star can’t give to her. Fond of a young newcomer who reminds her of herself when she was younger. She’s more aware of the hazards of the world and relationships, but still blind to the risks in some of her own actions. Trying to help Yuki and Touya requires getting close to them. Getting close to them starts to fill in some of the things that are missing creating affection. And if Yuki really is like a younger version of herself then Yuki’s boyfriend is quite likely to be someone she’d like as well.

The stage is set and littered with traps. Let the folly of human life begin.