What happens after you get turned down? Pain.. and a focus elsewhere.

Video Review

What Stands Out About This Episode?

An End of Hina’s Arc Leads to Ayame’s..

After Hina gets the rejection of a lifetime from Taiki, the coping process to get over him begins… Where there was a slice of hope, optimism, and tingly feelings of wholesomeness? It’s now depression. The episode opened up perfectly, picking up where it left off—Hina bawling her eyes out, with Ayame trying to provide moral support.

It is in this very scene that we find out way more about Ayame than we do about Hina. Hina spent the first 25 episodes building a fandom, giving fans insight into why they cheer for her—where there are no right or wrong answers, just AN ANSWER. And that answer is: find your next character arc.

This paves the way for Ayame and the four-eyed Taiki bestie, Kyo, to start making more and more of an impact. Whether it’s romantic or something else, it’s an interesting transition that moves away from one of the most crucial plots in Blue Box. But let’s be real here… Even if you didn’t read the manga, there’s a building relationship between Kyo and Ayame. Two characters who are blunt, in-your-face, and clash in ways that make Ayame feel something she’s never felt before. It’s not necessarily romantic, but it’s a dynamic that makes her respect Kyo and see him differently than any other guy she’s talked to.

With the opening scene of Hina trying to exorcise the love demon in her heart, Ayame starts to self-reflect about her own romantic needs. She was already reevaluating her feelings and actions when she was playing matchmaker, thanks to Kyo’s cutting words. Now, she wants to love as hard as Hina loved Taiki. That sets up a secondary plot for Ayame. Mix that with her growing admiration for Kyo, and it naturally serves as a replacement for what Hina provided to the story.

This episode delivered the cruel reality of trying to move on from rejection. There is no easy path, but that’s where characters like Ayame start winning fans over. She steps up, helping Hina simply by being a good friend. How do you create fans? Help a popular heroine during her lowest moment, take her out on a girl date, and have a moment of clarity about why people dislike your character. Then, give them a BIG FAT FINGER!

Jokes aside, Ayame revealed a side of her personality that many viewers haven’t seen before. Like in the previous episode, she actually takes what Kyo said to heart about “never being in a long-term relationship.” For someone who specializes in a lot of dating, she has a surprising ability to be empathetic and self-aware. That’s why giving Kyo the finger meant THAT MUCH MORE! And it’s also why it’s even funnier that Kyo tells her it’s okay to be someone who gives people the finger.

For 25 episodes, I can see why this was chosen as the finale. There were a few slight omissions that could’ve set up Taiki’s next arc—like more moments with Matsuoka or even introducing Yumeka, which might have ended the season on an entirely different note. Instead, it left us with a sense of a promising future. The Taiki x Chinatsu ship is a predictable one, but it still offers a satisfying payoff. With Hina’s exit from the “love triangle” plot, new challengers approach—and Ayame and Kyo’s dynamic is just as fascinating to follow.

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