Last episode, I didn’t know what to make of Takeda, a new character who appears for one scene. Thankfully, this episode expands on his role. Apparently, Takeda has a one-sided rivalry with Futaro as the guy kept beating him for the #1 spot in the class rankings up until last year’s final exams. Takeda also reveals that Maruo has been in talks with his father, the school’s chairman, to have him replace Futaro as the quints’ tutor. I’m not sure how this plan could work since Futaro is no longer on Maruo’s payroll but I do find it funny that the man is still begrudged to have Futaro as his daughters’ tutor. Takeda does raise a good point in that Futaro has been so busy with teaching the girls that he barely has time to study for himself. It certainly shows since Futaro lost the #1 spot after the final exam. Futaro meanwhile makes a great retort that even if Takeda is right, the girls still changed him as a person so he’d like to continue tutoring them.
To prove that the girls aren’t holding him back, Futaro declares that he’ll get all five of them to pass and that he himself will make it to the Top 10 in the national mock exams. This proves easier said than done as Futaro looks very sleep-deprived in the next couple of scenes. Parallel to this, the girls contemplate over getting Futaro a present for his upcoming birthday, fearing that it might get in the way of his studies. Ichika messages her sisters that they shouldn’t though this is soon revealed to be ruse so that she can be the only one to give a present. Between this and a later scene (as well as the ending of the last episode), I must admit that my support for Ichika is waning. This girl keeps playing dirty and it doesn’t sit well with me. Hell, I think I’m rooting for Nino more than her. Let that sink in. To be fair, this is kind of an amazing development. For such a long time, I honestly thought Ichika had a shot at winning the race and already in a fraction of that time, she’s making a pretty compelling argument that she should lose.
Hilariously, Nino is thinking along the same lines as she’s gotten Futaro a present. She also figures out Ichika’s plan, forcing the latter to openly admit her feelings towards Futaro and declare “war”. I figured an open rivalry would first begin with Nino and Miku though given recent events, Ichika does feel more suitable than Miku. Ichika is willing to play dirty and that’s in direct contrast to the upfront approach Nino is opting for. Surprisingly, it’s Yotsuba who derails Nino’s and Ichika’s agenda as she innocently(?) crafts paper cranes to wish Futaro some good luck, thus preparing a gift unintentionally. Realizing that everyone wants to get Futaro something, the girls settle on leaving paper cranes for Futaro on his birthday (made out of their practice tests, which is a nice touch). They’ll instead give their presents after the exams are over.
Right before the exams and on Futaro’s birthday, Itsuki tells Futaro that she’s started interning at a cram school under Shimoda. That way, she can have her foot in the door for a career in education. Itsuki feels so divorced from the romantic discourse that’s going on. She’s just off doing her own thing, kind of like how Futaro was when the series started. That’s perfectly fine in a vacuum but in the grand scheme of things, I do wonder when Itsuki will fall in love with Futaro and throw her hat in the ring.
In the end, Futaro is true to his word. Not only do all five quints pass and improve their scores, Futaro manages to land in 3rd place in the national rankings, surpassing Takeda by five. It looks like Maruo is going to have to put up with Futaro some more. Props to Takeda for bowing out of Maruo’s plan and admitting defeat. I didn’t know what to make of this guy after his introductory scene last episode but in the few scenes he has here, he proves to be a pretty interesting and likable guy.
After the girls give Futaro their presents, Miku tells Yotsuba that she wants to make lunch for Futaro during an upcoming school trip. Yotsuba decides to set her up in the same group as Futaro but Ichika interferes before she can ask Futaro (goddamn it, Ichika). Groups can have up to five people so technically, Ichika and Miku can both be in the same group. However, Futaro can’t be in the same group with all five quintuplets and you just know that the others want to be in the group, especially Nino.
Later, Raiha tells Futaro to get Yotsuba a thank you present for helping him during the school camp. That was almost an entire season ago and a couple months in universe. Even Yotsuba wasn’t expecting anything in return. But whatever, Futaro asks Yotsuba upfront if she wants anything in particular and the two head over to the mall to find something. Yotsuba notes that this is essentially a date though that causes her to feel guilty since some of her sisters would kill to be in her shoes. That said, Yotsuba continues on with the date so maybe a part of her still wants to go through it. As the date progresses, Futaro notices that every idea Yostuba comes up with relates to one of her sisters. First, she wants to go to Itsuki’s favorite restaurant. Later, she wants to show Futaro the movie Ichika’s in. I’m really glad that Futaro eventually asks Yotsuba if there’s something she herself wants. It’s his gift to her so Yotsuba should feel free to think more selfishly.
Ultimately, Yotsuba takes Futaro to a playground she frequents. All she really wants from Futaro is to have fun with him. Yotsuba has already had some great scenes this season and this scene is yet another runner-up for her best one. Futaro indulges in Yotsuba’s request, playing on the swings alongside her. As the two swing higher, Futaro gets to see Yotsuba’s favorite nighttime view. Futaro tries to jump off his swing further than Yotsuba and fails but rather than get upset or embarrassed, he instead has a good laugh about it. It’s all very wholesome and I love it. There’s an irony to this scene as we currently have three girls trying to earn Futaro’s heart and yet his most enjoyable “date” so far might be this one with Yotsuba. The girl isn’t even trying to be romantic here…I think.
While Yotsuba is away, the rest of the sisters are cleaning up their apartment. As Itsuki closes up a box containing Rena’s disguise, Ichika comes across Futaro’s old picture with him and Rena. Does this scene confirm Rena is Itsuki? I mean she says the box belongs to her so I might as well take that as confirmation. It’s certainly a possibility as Itsuki being so divorced from the race does line up with Rena telling Futaro to move on. As for Ichika, I’m leaning towards this scene being the first time she has seen the photo so she’s probably not Rena’s true identity. If she is Rena, she would’ve recognized the photo from the get go and recall that she took it from Futaro. Regardless, this photo gives Ichika some dangerous potential if she figures out that boy is Futaro. I’m worried she’ll find and use the disguise for herself or claim to Futaro that she’s the girl he met all those years ago. The fact that Rena’s items are in the apartment surprises me. Rena showed up before the Nakano sisters moved so you’d think she would’ve hid her disguise and the photo in the old apartment. Maybe she used it recently? Either that or it’s just a dumb decision she made. To be fair, it wouldn’t be the first time any of the girls have done that.
The next day, the gang finally addresses the school trip. To appease everyone, Yotsuba offers to remove herself from the question and let the other four quints form a group with Futaro. While I get that Yotsuba wants to keep things fair, it sucks that she feels the need to throw herself under the bus. It especially hurts when Futaro objects and Yotsuba simply responds with a smile, as if the date they just had didn’t happen and she doesn’t enjoy his company. You just know that Yotsuba is forcing herself to be okay with her decision. Nino then responds by declaring that she and Futaro will form a group of two, thereby kicking everyone out. I have to hand it to Nino. She’s not afraid to speak out and that’s a level of confidence her competition lacks. I don’t feel that bad for Ichika given her recent actions though I do feel bad for Miku. Poor girl can’t muster the courage to object.
Ultimately, this whole argument is rendered moot as Futaro reveals that he’s already formed a group with Takeda and Maeda (Hayato Ito). Off topic but it’s nice seeing Maeda again. The dude hasn’t appeared since the end of Season 1. I’m curious how things are going between him and that girl he danced with during the school camp though I suppose we already know the end result. Rather than try to take one of the two remaining slots, the girls resign to forming their own group of five. I’m doubtful this conflict is over however. I get the feeling one of these girls is still going to try and get some alone time with Futaro during the actual trip.
Watch The Quintessential Quintuplets 2 on Apple TV and Crunchyroll
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