There’s something hilarious about Kasumi obtaining a valuable guitar for an incredibly low price, only to then have it confiscated by the student council shortly afterwards. Good job there, Kasumi. Fortunately, the student council president later gives it back to her at the end of the day, on the stipulation that she carries it in a case going forward. Honestly, it’s kind of dumb that Kasumi neglects to get one. I can understand if she’s a bit traumatized by the previous case breaking on her but she’d be more prone to getting her precious guitar damaged again without one.
As the Random Star gets confiscated, Kasumi learns from Rimi about her decision to not join the band. Kasumi spends the next couple of days asking Rimi what’s wrong but she stops when her nosiness makes Rimi more anxious. I like how these scenes kind of put Kasumi’s boundless glee on its head. Like, it’s that quality that got her to become Arisa’s friend but when it doesn’t have the same exact effect on Rimi, she wonders if it’s actually a bad thing. Even though Kasumi doesn’t necessarily have to apologize for her behavior, certainly to the extent that she does in this episode, it is nice to see her become a little more aware and more sensitive about her demeanor affects Rimi.
Eventually, Kasumi and Rimi is able to have a proper talk. Rimi explains that while she appreciates the invitation, she feels she’s too anxious to perform on stage and that’ll inevitably make her a burden to the band. I half-expected Kasumi to do the typical thing of encouraging the shy character that they can overcome anything and pursue their dreams so I really like that she instead accepts Rimi’s reasoning. Doing the former would admittedly make Kasumi pushy again so it’s actually more fitting that she doesn’t go that route. After reconciling with Rimi, Kasumi decides to make do with just her and Arisa in the band, which is funny since Arisa technically hasn’t agreed to anything and Kasumi is simply deciding for a friend once again. Look, it’s baby steps. She’s trying her best.
The next day, Kasumi and Arisa attend another live show at Space. The two of them soon realize that Glitter Green is absent and they learn from Rimi and Space’s staff that the band is running late due to travel complications during their field trip. The remaining bands extend their performances to keep the audience occupied but even then, they aren’t able to buy enough time for Glitter Green. Not wanting the show to end on a sad note, Kasumi decides to take matters into her own hands and she waltzes on to the stage, stalling the audience even further by performing what I can only assume is her favorite song of all time, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. Arisa gets roped into accompanying her with a castanet and Rimi musters the courage to join them with her bass.
I’ll be frank: even on a rewatch, this scene is kind of painful to watch. I just get secondhand embarrassment watching these characters perform a stinking nursery rhyme, on repeat no less. It really only becomes tolerable when Rimi joins, more so when Glitter Green finally arrives. And with Bandori already taking its sweet time getting the band assembled, let alone have them play their actual music, it’s a bit agonizing to settle with this. That all said, I still recognize that this scene has its purpose in getting Rimi to begin overcoming her anxiety. Kasumi is willing to make an absolute fool of herself in front of an audience and that in turn makes Rimi subconsciously realize that she shouldn’t fret over what’ll happen if she steps onstage. She just needs to try her best.
As Glitter Green finishes up their concert, Rimi tells Kasumi that she’ll join the band after all. Funnily enough, Arisa is still at odds at the idea but I think that’s just the tsundere in her talking and it’s not like Kasumi is going to give her much of a choice anyway. The episode curiously ends with a shot of Tae, setting her up as the next character for the show to focus on. I remember liking Tae a bunch so I’m looking forward to the show reminding me why.
Xenodude Scribbles 