Kimi ga Nozomu Eien ~Next Season~ – 01

Home-made pie? Mhmm…

After three years of being hospitalized, Haruka is finally able to leave. Her father, along with Takayuki and Shinji, wait outside and pick her up. While the car is driving out, Haruka senses someone standing on the rooftop and is certain that that person is her dear friend, Mistuki. Haruka reminds them that Mitsuki will be leaving town soon. Later Takayuki gets a message on his phone from Mitsuki. She tells him that she will keep her promise and asks if she can hold onto the ring a little longer.

Haruka wakes up with a start one morning after having a nightmare about the car accident she experienced long ago. She rushes downstairs to meet Takayuki, who is waiting at the entrance to take her on a date. The pair watch as Akane leaves for swimming club, and Haruka sadly admits that because Akane devotes so much time in helping Haruka study, Akane cannot practice swimming properly. Takayuki denies this and tells Haruka to just believe in her little sister.

Takayuki and Haruka decide to go shopping. Haruka easily gets frightened when she hears the sounds of cars passing by, so Takayuki helps her cross the road. They pass a store where Takayuki has his eyes set on a microwave, but when Haruka questions him about this, he brushes it off and tells them to continue walking. Then the pair visit an aquarium. Instantly, Takayuki remembers the time he and Mitsuki came here, and he grabs Haruka into an embrace. It is now that he tells Haruka how Mitsuki had brought him back to life when he thought life was pointless after losing Haruka.

Next Takayuki takes Haruka back to his apartment. Haruka asks if he likes Mitsuki and he says yes. Haruka agrees that she likes Mitsuki too. Before Takayuki and Haruka can get into an intimate moment, Takayuki’s phone rings. It is his boss asking him to come to work early, so he does so. Haruka is saddened by this because Takayuki had to be with her all day, and now he has to go to work. Takayuki says that he’s doing this for her and that she shouldn’t worry.

Several days go by and the couple go on several dates, one including the amusement park. Takayuki tells Haruka that he has brought tickets for them to take a specific train, so then the two go on the train and stop at the place where they had their very first date. Then he takes out a meat pie he had cooked especially for her, and Haruka realises that that was why he kept looking at the microwave in the store. Haruka tastes the pie and compliments it by saying it is very delicious. Takayuki is very happy because he had difficulties cooking it.

Takayuki and Haruka hold hands before getting on the train, but as Takayuki steps in through the doors Haruka lets go. She suggests that it is time they say good-bye and before Takayuki even gets the chance to answer, the train drives off.

Thoughts: This episode was very decent, but I expected more drama. I also wanted to know what happened between Takayuki and Mitsuki, although that might have to wait for the next episode, which will be airing in February. This episode ran smoothly, and I think the pictures may be different from season 1. Takayuki is basically suffocating Haruka by devoting himself too much into spending time with her, and I think she knows this too, and is probably why she dumped him. I mean, I think he’s doing all of this out of guilt.