After a twist in finding out how Chinatsu really feels for Taiki, this episode brings back in Karen to help Taiki sort his feelings before making his next big move.

Video Review

What Stands Out About This Episode?

Telling Us What the Author REALLY THINKS!

After an episode that essentially confirms Chinatsu has feelings for Taiki—despite the downer vibe of episode 10 suggesting otherwise—this episode gets the Taiki and Chinatsu romance back on track. Enter Karen and Haryu’s relationship. With nationals kicking off, and Haryu competing in badminton, Karen and Taiki get some quality one-on-one time, guiding our MC toward his ultimate goal: confessing to the girl who’s already living under the same roof.

This episode accomplishes two key things: it rekindles the potential Taiki-Chinatsu romance and uses Haryu and Karen’s relationship as a parallel. Their dynamic serves as a potential model of an “ideal relationship” for Taiki and Chinatsu, showing the struggles and triumphs that make a romantic bond worth striving for. Haryu and Karen’s journey mirrors themes of ambition, support, and mutual growth—qualities that the story suggests are essential for Taiki and Chinatsu’s success.

For the brief moment that Hina showed up in this episode, even she was super distracted by Nationals for her gymnastics competition. This showcases the episode’s theme further of balancing personal ambition, along with deep romantic intentions.

Although the romance with Chinatsu seems to be on the up and up, Taiki has some adversity ahead of him with the “happenings” at the festival that he has to address with Chinatsu. Also, there is the looming feelings of Hina for Taiki that is ready to respectfully pounce on Taiki’s shuttlecock at any moment.

Relationship Parallels between Haryu & Karen and Taiki & Chinatsu

One key theme explored is ambition. Both Haryu and Karen pursue their goals, initially seeing romance as a potential hindrance. Yet, they are able to find a balance and that is something that is always a work in progress. This is hinted in episode 10, where Chinatsu established boundaries with Taiki to the disappointment of his shuttlecock, hinting that romance could be getting in the way of her hoop dreams. Episodes 12 and 13 flipped the script, with Karen indirectly confirming Chinatsu’s feelings for Taiki, as she helps guide Taiki work through his own feelings—explaining her own personal experiences with Kengo.

Another one of those important themes that plays a role in a successful relationship is “uplifting each other to be better.” This meshes well the sports theme of the story, where competition breeds success and failure. Having a partner that pushes you on, builds tremendous character. A person that inspires you to be better is just an overall attractive trait to have in a successful relationship, as longevity stems beyond just beauty.

Taking a look at Kengo in this episode, he literally represents every goal Taiki is trying to achieve like making it nationals and having a beautiful girlfriend cheer you on, while you display your best foot forward with that hard working, uplifting mindset. Kengo is the “sempai” of sempais in this entire Blue Box story. He is the picture perfect path for Taiki to follow through and maybe even surpass with a healthy helpings of SMASH!

This wholesome episode deepens major side characters while rekindling hope for Taiki and Chinatsu’s romance. The show continues to strike a balance between heartfelt romance and compelling character development, keeping us rooting for their inevitable confession.