English Dub Review: The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity “Summer Storm”

Storm clouds gather

OVERVIEW (SPOILERS)

The friend group study and pass their exams, though the guys notice how Rintaro is looking at Kaoruko.

OUR TAKE

With only a third of the season left to go, we have pretty much reached the stage where the story is just focusing on getting Rintaro to figure out his feelings and ask Kaoruko out, which she would most definitely be open to if he did. Though it’s thankfully more than just reaching that end point, as this episode shows just how much Rintaro has grown, opening up to his friends, letting new friends like Kaoruko and Subaru in, and simply being more present with everyone around him. It goes to show just how Kaoruko has been such a great influence on him simply by being an open and encouraging person, which has then rubbed on off him with his behavior changing around his friends and even Subaru, who previously distrusted and disliked many people and even herself. Where as last episode showed how Rintaro’s childhood was rife with disappointment and rejection, he’s finding now that he can be around people who will accept him for who he is and lift him up to do better. The Rintaro of before would never be able to let himself like or even fall in love with someone because he would be so primed to face rejection that entertaining these feelings would feel like a waste of time (and boy have I related to those moments), but now that he feels these things for Kaoruko, his friends (who easily spot him looking at her differently) encourage him to try and pursue it.

And it seems Subaru is also on the wingman hype train as he drops the important detail to Rintaro that Kaoruko’s birthday is fast approaching, so he’ll be able to work to get her a gift that she’ll appreciate. Basically, everyone around them is seeing the writing on the wall for these two and is building up a scenario where they can finally just admit their feelings for each other. As mentioned, it will probably be a lot easier for Kaoruko to do it, so Rintaro is the only real hold out. Though with only three episodes remaining, I would honestly love to learn more about Kaoruko’s backstory, since it seems like a lot of this has been about Rintaro coming out of his shell while Kaoruko has been very easily able to do that. Though I suppose there’s a chance we will get to see that in the coming weeks as we race towards the climax of the season.