Well, the paper Yukiho found isn’t going to kick off a multi-episode arc like Kotori’s study abroad opportunity did but it does reveal that Honoka has apparently gained some weight. Frankly, it’s hard for us to tell because Honoka looks the same. The only time this comes across to us outside of dialogue is when Honoka tries her first school idol costume and discovers that she can’t fit into it anymore. Even then, this moment occurs offscreen. I don’t need the show to make her comically overweight to tell me that she’s getting fat but it is hard to believe that Honoka needs to hit the gym when the show does so little to convey that. It’s also pretty sneaky of the show to not specify how much Honoka weighs so that way no one could google BMI and see if Honoka is actually at risk or anything.
It would be bad for μ’s if their leader and center could no longer keep up with their dance routines or if her weight became a subject of gossip so Umi forces Honoka to go on a strict diet and exercise regimen. Fortunately for Honoka, the gang also notices that Hanayo is also gaining weight so the poor girl has to do the same program as well. No offense to Hanayo but the show has repeatedly shown her eating large portions of food so I completely buy the idea that she needs to lose some weight.
Normally, I enjoy watching Umi be the voice of reason for Honoka but frankly, her attitude for much of this episode really rubbed me the wrong way. Since Honoka’s weight isn’t that apparent, Umi’s constant nagging reminds me of those music producers who put unreasonable expectations on their talents’ physique so I start to find it uncomfortable. What really irks me is when Umi gets third party accounts on what Honoka has been eating. She’s not wrong for suspecting Honoka of sneaking some junk food but that’s a creepy way to hold her accountable. I was honestly hoping someone else in the club would tell Umi to chill but while everyone does think she’s being awfully harsh, they don’t really do anything here.
Oddly enough, the whole diet and exercise plot is actually a bit of a misdirect. The episode ultimately revolves around the second years’ student council duties. Kotori accidentally submits a budget request from the school’s Art Club to get approved before all the clubs meet with the student council to discuss budget. The trio tries to rescind this but this causes some tension between them and the Art Club. Eli and Nozomi offer to help but Honoka decides against it, arguing that this is a situation that she and her best friends have to resolve on their own.
Honestly, I enjoyed this episode a lot more when it shifted the focus over to the student council. I’ve joked that Otonokizaka will catch fire with Honoka as its student council president because I really do have a hard time picturing her in the job. The show itself doesn’t do her any favors as she’s often shown slacking off and leaving tasks over to Umi and Kotori. This episode is the first time where I understand why Eli chose Honoka as her successor. The decision to decline Eli and Nozomi’s help is a great judgment call and on top of that, it’s revealed that Honoka can do all the work that’s expected of her when she puts her mind into it. I doubt the show won’t stop joking about Honoka being the student council president but it’s nice to know that she is actually worthy of the job.
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