I really admire how the last episode ended on a cliffhanger when really, that cliff was as tall as a rug. Given the premise and title of this show, you already know what’s going to happen next for Chika. But just because something is predictable, it doesn’t mean it can’t still engage you. And to Makeine‘s credit, it’s three for three if getting you to care when these heroines lose.
So after Chika’s confession, Shintarō asks for some time to think of a response, causing Chika to run off in embarrassment. Koto gets upset with Shintarō for not outright declining Chika and she considers leaving the training camp altogether. Shintarō reveals to Kazuhiko that he confessed to Koto before and he thought she turned him down. Given Koto’s recent frustration however, Shintarō realizes that she may actually reciprocate his feelings. Per Kauzhiko’s suggestion, Shintarō talks it out with Koto and the two realize they’ve had a complete misunderstanding with one another. I question why Koto didn’t confess herself instead of waiting for one for months and why Shintarō couldn’t word his confession better. It makes me feel bad for Chika. Poor girl had her hopes up, only for it to revealed that she had no chance the entire time.
After clearing things up with Koto, Shintarō properly declines Chika’s confession. I’m very impressed with Chika here. She’s sad to be put in the friendzone but the following morning, we see her asking Shintarō for some writing advice and telling Koto that she doesn’t have to leave the club for her sake. Given her timidness, I was afraid that Chika might handled her loss worse than Anna and Lemon. But as we see here, she’s arguably handled things the best out of the three.
The drama between Chika, Koto, and Shintarō only encompasses the first half of the episode. While I really like how quickly it’s wrapped up, I had to wonder what the rest of the episode entail. As it turns out, the show gives the spotlight back to Anna. Honestly, because it’s about Anna, I enjoy the second half of the episode more than the first. I admit that I am biased towards this character but evidently, the show seems to be just as guilty. It keeps giving her some of its best material.
Back at school, Kazuhiko learns that people are spreading rumors about him and Anna dating. Afraid that he’ll ruin Anna’s reputation, Kazuhiko begins to act distant towards her, even going as far as end their little lunch agreement prematurely (R.I.P. to Anna owing him money, that joke was great). Immediately however, neither Anna nor Kazuhiko are happy with being strangers to each other again.
Eventually, Sōsuke asks Kazuhiko to talk to him in private. Funny how Kazuhiko immediately assumes Sōsuke wants money from him, like he’s a cliche bully. As it turns out, Sōsuke just wants to say that he supports Kazuhiko as a potential boyfriend for Anna and that may actually be worse than if he asked for money. On one hand, he just wants to make sure Anna is happy. On the other, he is the one who rejected Anna so it’s rude of him to try and encourage Kazuhiko. I suppose you could just have Kazuhiko speak up for Anna, and you do get that in the scene, but I’m really glad then that Anna comes over and gives Sōsuke a piece of her mind. She should get over him but that’s not something that’ll happen overnight and so long as she isn’t being unreasonable or delusional, she should be allowed to sort it out on her own.
I’m of two minds with the ending. To be honest, I kind of do want Kazuhiko and Anna to be a couple. Their chemistry has so far been great and I think it’d be a natural conclusion to their weird little story. That said, I am glad that these two decide to keep things platonic. For Anna to tell Sōsuke that she still likes him and then immediately hook up with Kazuhiko, it’d just feel premature. And barring some teases, it barely feels like either of these two have fallen in love with each other. If they do end up as a couple, it’ll be much later. And if that ultimately doesn’t happen, then I just hope to see more of their friendship because it is definitely one of the show’s biggest strengths.
Watch Makeine: Too Many Losing Heroines! on Crunchyroll
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