English Dub Review: Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian “A Kiss of the Indirect Variety”

Overview

Yuki uses a student council task as an excuse to get Alya alone and discuss how they truly feel about Kuze. When Kuze uses time alone together to be all work and no play, Alya decides to force a romantic moment.


Our Take

This time around, Yuki continues to stir the pot, as she hilariously tries to push Alya and Kuze’s relationship forward with her mischievous tactics. Meanwhile, Kuze’s integration into the student council and Yuki’s rivalry with Alya for the school presidency introduces a fresh dynamic, highlighting Alya’s realizations towards Kuze.

Later on, as the two are sort of on a date, Kuze tries to understand Alya’s reactions to Yuki’s provocations amidst the election preparations. Alya’s attempt to force an indirect kiss by feeding Kuze provides a humorous moment, as Kuze remains focused on helping Alya succeed. The recurring gag of Alya’s aversion to spicy food adds a light-hearted touch, showcasing the growing closeness between the two leads despite their subtle rivalry. However, I had to turn on the subtitles this time due to the Russian scenes not being properly translated into English which you shouldn’t have to do in an English Dub. 

Overall, this episode while wacky in places, manages to move the plot forward with its new developments, particularly with the introduction of Sayaka Tanigawa and Ayano Kirishima. These characters are said to have an antagonistic role in bringing additional challenges for Kuze and Alya, intensifying the drama as the student council elections approach. Let’s hope things continue with this compelling momentum.