I had figured that the big plot thread surrounding Uika would get resolved this episode and it turns out, I was correct in that prediction. I admit though that while watching this episode, I still thought to myself, “Huh, that wrapped up faster than I expected”. Like, this is smooth sailing compared to everything involving Mutsumi/Mortis, which took up a large chunk of the season. Maybe this show conditioned me to not expect happy stuff to happen so when it does happen, I’m a massive skeptic. Given that this arc ended up being two episodes long, I can see someone feeling it’s rushed. Then again, you’d hope by now that the main characters have grown enough to sort through their baggage.
Episode 12 begins with Sakiko at the airport, en route to Switzerland. As she walks to her plane, she wonders if her fate is to follow a path someone made for her, rather than her own. When the weather distracts her attendants, Sakiko impulsively runs off and instead travel to Shōdoshima. At the island, Sakiko meets a cab driver who offers to take her to the Togawa family’s villa. It turns out Uika is working there as its caretaker. I’m surprised Sadaharu is willing to keep her employed but I suppose it’s an easy way to keep an eye on her and make sure she’s not causing any trouble for him. If you’re wondering what happened to the rest of the Misumi family, the cab driver mentions that Uika’s mother and half-sister moved to mainland Japan. I kind of would like to know what Uika’s family thinks of her now but that admittedly isn’t important to the plot.
Sakiko meets up with Uika, who proceeds to explain everything and apologize for lying to her this whole time. Uika assumes this meeting to the last time she sees Sakiko but to her surprise, Sakiko still accepts her as her friend. Sakiko’s decision ties quite nicely with her character development. For much of MyGO!!!!! and Ave Mujica, Sakiko tried to forget her past and run away from her problems. She therefore understands why Uika lied about herself. It’s also why Sakiko tells Uika the same lesson she came to learn over the course of this series: one can’t exactly act like nothing happened but the past shouldn’t tie down them either. I also really like that Sakiko brings up the one time she and Uika actually hung out when they were little. Most of Sakiko’s memories of Uika involve the real one but the fact remains that she does share a memory with the Uika she knows. And if not there, there’s still the memories they’ve made as members of Ave Mujica. Sakiko’s friendship with Uika may have been built on a lie but that doesn’t mean that Uika isn’t her friend. My only concern with Sakiko continuing to accept Uika is how it might affect Uika in the long run. Sakiko’s affirmation is what Uika needs right now but let’s not forget how unhealthy Uika’s attachment to Sakiko can get. I just worry that Sathat Uika will eventually get into that headspace again. I suppose I’ll have to worry about that later.
After boarding the ferry back to the mainland, Sakiko and Uika visit the Togawa manor to grab whatever they can. Not going to lie, the notebook containing all of Tomori’s notes being the first thing Sakiko grabs is really heartwarming. Sadaharu confronts the girls, demanding that Uika cut ties with Sakiko and the Togawa family. For a second, the show has me fooled that Uika might oblige so it’s all the more satisfying that Uika finally speaks up for herself and enable Sakiko to do the same. While Sadaharu has a point that there will be ramifications once the public find out about Uika’s heritage, I agree more with Sakiko that this issue says more about Sadaharu than either of the girls. The old man is really more afraid of his downfall rather than his granddaughter’s. Perhaps Uika will cause trouble for Sakiko but Sakiko has weathered through enough storms at this point so unlike her grandfather, she’s willing to deal with what’ll come her way.
The next day, Sakiko leaves a letter for Tomori, thanking her friend for all the help she’s provided recently. I love how Ave Mujica brings Sakiko and Tomori’s relationship to full circle. It’s more or less because of Sakiko that Tomori became so determined to keep her band together and now, it’s thanks to her that Sakiko finds the resolve to do the same for hers. I would definitely like to see these two team up for a project again but it’s uplifting to now know that even as they got their separate ways, they’re still friends. Along with Sakiko narrating the letter, you also get a montage showing how most of the characters doing. Probably the most interesting update is seeing Kiyotsugu actually taking care of himself, rather than passing out drunk. I frankly have mixed feelings on that. I am a bit more sympathetic towards Kiyotsugu for trying to help Uika but I don’t know if that necessarily means he’s off the hook for how badly he’s treated Sakiko. That he seemingly decided to change his bad lifestyle offscreen is also lame.
After school, Sakiko announces to the rest of Ave Mujica that she plans on having them re-debut (I guess that last concert doesn’t count) and she’ll do whatever she can lead the band to success. We then see her visit the band’s agency for their support, even if it means ignoring whatever Sadaharu orders them to do. Not entirely sure how that’ll pan out unless Sakiko is either a really good lawyer or she hires one for the band but I guess we’ll see. Regardless, it appears that Sakiko has regained the same confidence she had when Ave Mujica started. I must admit that she’s maybe getting ahead of herself, what with her declaring herself as “God” to show how serious she is about taking care of the band, but it’s a better attitude that her giving up at least.
Watch Ave Mujica – The Die is Cast – on Crunchyroll
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