English Dub Review: Tsukigakirei “Hold Back Nothing When Taking Love”

This is going to be almost as fun as the school trip episode: a big group of friends is going to the amusement park!

Chinatsu seems to still be determined to tell Kotaro how she feels. She tells Kotaro to ride Thunder Dolphin with her, which is not cool or respectful. Akane is her best friend and Kotaro clearly isn’t into this.

Kotaro and Akane don’t talk to each other much during the day because they’re a secret. I’m still unclear on the reasoning behind that, other than they’re both shy. But it just gives Chinatsu opportunity to try to force Kotaro into a relationship with her.

Roman (with the pink hair) ends up in First Aid from heatstroke and Kotaro goes to see him. Of course Roman knows that Kotaro and Akane are together because he’s a good friend (a better friend than Chinatsu, apparently). He suggests that the two “get lost” in the park to spend time alone. But he’s got a group text that says Akane’s already gotten lost with Hira.

While the whole group is rooting for Akane and Hira, Kotaro catches up with them. He confronts Hira and tells him to back off because she’s his girlfriend! Everyone stares at each other. Was this the right thing to do? I can’t tell because they’ve never discussed why they’ve been keeping it a secret.

Chinatsu sees them holding hands and starts to cry. What did you expect, Chinatsu? I’m not saying she can’t be upset, but she knew this was a long shot.

The group finds out about all the drama. Akane and Kotaro sit on a bench together and don’t talk. Kotaro finally apologizes but Akane isn’t mad. They spend the day together at the park and have a great time. So, story update: Kotaro and Akane want to be together, and they are still together.

But the BIG NEWS is that they (stare at each other for longer than necessary and then) KISS for a millisecond under the fireworks.

Chinatsu and Hira sadly stare at the fireworks together, and the night is over.

It’s hard to believe that this is a story about two people who like each other and continue to like each other without much incident, but that’s still the way the show’s going. I can’t complain, either. Watching this couple have a great time together is way more fun than watching them in agony apart.