Asatte no Houkou ep.07

November 17, 2006 | 10 Comments

This is another pleasant episode for the series. As usual, however, I can't exactly pinpoint what is it about the series that I like. Maybe it's because the laidback setting reminds me of the town where I used to live for 3 months while I was in Japan. Or maybe it's just the general simplicity of the series and the nice background music that comes with it. Judging from the way the story unfolds, however, it seems this may change very soon. The ending of this episode suggests that the writers are planning to progress the plot now that the series is halfway to its completion. I'm looking forward to what they have in mind and can't wait to see the background drawings that the animators will come up with for the new setting. It'll also be interesting to see the characters dealing with new environments. Hopefully it'll be as good as it is now.

A flashback to the time when Shouko and Hiro were in the US shows Shouko sitting on the floor of her apartment looking upset while smoking cancer stick like there's no tomorrow. When Hiro came back, she quickly extinguished her cigarrete and greeted the guy, remindig him that that day was his Birthday!! She then took Hiro out to look for something to eat. In the present time, Karada is urging Hiro to hurry up and go to his office or else he'll be late. After seeing Karada smiling all the way through, Shouko decides to ask the girl what is it that she's planning. Karada explains that today is Hiro's birthday but up till now Hiro always forgets his own birthday. While thinking about the kind of gift that they can give to him, Karada suggests that they make birthday cake for him. She also asks Shouko if she can use her room (apartment) to make the cake. Shouko suddenly realise that this place only has a stove and a sink and agrees immediately.

They first go to the library to pick up a book on how to make a cake for the first time before heading towards supermarket to buy egg, strawberries, and fresh cream. While the two are shopping, Shouko wonders if they can make cake using her Microwave Oven. After shopping, the two return to Shouko's air-conditioned room. This reminds Shouko that maybe it'll be better if the three of them move to this place. Karada refuses because this is Shouko's room. Shouko then changes the conversation to the fact that she hasn't had the time to tidy up her apartment ever since she moved her. Karada feels guilty again upon hearing this and apologises for using the wish stone. In order to cheer Karada up, Shouko gives the girl a new dress, earring, hat, and parasol. Shouko then goes through her books so she can get something to read. Karada is impressed to know that Shouko can read English book so Shouko points out that she did study overseas.

Upon hearing this, Karada asks Shouko to tell her more about the city where she used to live back in the US since Hiro never mentioned it to her. Because of this, tells Karada that the city where she lived was an old city. In that city, there are lots of antique goods, a large river, and a university. Karada thinks that Shouko must studied a lot at that university. Shouko tells her that while it's true, that's not the only thing. She also made a lot of friend and...many other things. Karada realises that Shouko was going to talk about someone that she liked but hesitated so she decides to ask her instead. She points out that Shouko has a lot of beautiful clothes and accessories so she thinks Shouko probably had someone that she liked. Shouko eventually admits that she did have a boyfriend. When Karada asks her what kind of boyfriend he was, Shouko claims that he was a useless, good-for-nothing bum. Karada thinks he doesn't sound like a good person. XD

While Karada is doing preparation to make the cake, Shouko stares at the view from the balcony, remembering what happened during Hiro's birthday a few years ago. Appparently back then she went out of her way to shop and buy a turkey so she could make a roast turkey for Hiro. Although she followed everything to the recipe's specification, when the time came to pull the turkey out of the oven, she found out that it was burnt down. As a result, she had no choice but to throw the turkey to the bin. This was the reason why she looked depressed. In the present time, Karada is in the middle of reading the recipe when Shouko asks the girl if she can help making the cake. Inside Touko's cafe, Hiro gets a special spaghetti dish with egg on top to celebrate his birthday. She also tells him that she's heard from Tetsu about the girl who's staying with him. Hiro claims that it's an 'exchange homestay' where Karada swaps place with her relative.

When Touko starts asking about Shouko, however, Hiro starts choking on his meal. After calming down, Hiro claims that he hasn't had much contact with Shouko ever since that day when they went to the beach. Meanwhile, Karada and Shouko are starting to make their cake. Karada asks Shouko to melt the butter but Shouko ends up dumping the water in the hot water instead of placing the cup containing the butter in it. Since Shouko can't do this, Karada asks her to shift the flour instead. However, Shouko also botched this and ends up spilling half of the flour onto the kitchen table. Thankfully there are still half of the flour left in the bag so they're going to be okay. While Karada whisks the ingredients, she asks Shouko to cut the Strawberries. She, however, is shocked when she sees that Shouko has cut it horizontally instead of vertically. Because of this, Karada decides to ask Shouko to help her doing little things like pouring the butter.

Later on Shouko ends up sleeping on the floor due to exhaustion so Karada puts a blanket on top of her. While sleeping, Shouko dreams about the time when she and Hiro went to a restaurant together to celebrate his birthday. Back then Hiro was surprised that Shouko took him to an expensive restaurant since all that he was hoping for was just her hand-made cooking. Shouko who is reminded of her failed cooking effort decided to change the topic and asked Hiro what kind of present he'd like. Shouko's dream, however, comes to an end when she hears Karada calling her. It turns out she has finished the cake and all they have to do is to use chocolate icing to write Hiro's age on it. When Shouko wonders if the cake taste any good, Karada produces a small cake log that she made from the leftover ingredients. Karada and Shouko then heads back to Hiro's apartment by riding bike. On their way, however, they see people crowding the small shrine.

When Shouko sees Kotomi, she asks the girl what happened but Kotomi dismisses it as a prank. She tells them that the townfolks are angry because someone has swap the wishing stone with charcoal. Karada suddenly looks guilty after hearing this so Shouko decides to take her home. When Kotomi asks Shouko if she has made any friend, Shouko becomes embarassed and points at Karada. The two then ride the bike all the way to Hiro's apartment and that night they have birthday party for him. After the party, Hiro goes out to buy cigarrete and Shouko decides to come with him. Along the way she tells him that she helped Karada made the cake and thinks that Karada is a good girl. Meanwhile, Karada is tidying up the room when she notices a photograph sticking out of Shouko's books. The next day, Hiro wakes up and realises that Karada is not around. She is now at a train station, waiting for a train that will take her out of Kanouchou.

Impression:

I'm glad to see Shouko becoming happier the more time she spent in her child form. Although she still has traces of resentment towards Hiro, she's generally kind towards Karada. It was amusing watching her trying to help Karada making the cake and mess up almost everything. The best part was when she melted the butter by dumping it into the hot water. That is kind of strange too since Shouko has a Microwave Oven and Karada could have used that instead of boiling hot water and placed a cup containing butter in it. Anyway, that's enough cooking tip for one day but I have to say that it must be nice having a sister who can cook like Karada. I think this is why Shouko sometimes envy the girl because Hiro seems to be the kind of guy who prefers home-made dishes to eating out at a restaurant. Unfortunately Shouko is not a good cook judging from this episode alone. As a result, she had no choice but to take Hiro to an expensive restaurant instead.

The ending was a bit surprising and sudden but I think it's necessary in order to move the plot. So far the show has had that 'slice-of-life' feel to it and I'm quite content with it. However, if the series has to end soon, then the writers have no choice but to find a way to wrap the story up. Karada's journey into another city may be the catalyst that is required for this. Although I personally think it's foolish for anyone to go somewhere without planning in advanced. I wonder how Karada will be able to cope with it since technically, a 10 year old usually don't even know what a rent money actually means. So I wonder how she'll be able to stay in another city when she barely has the means to support herself. But then again, she can cook very well so she might be able to get a job as a chef or a waitress. A bigger problem will be how to avoid the sleazebag type who'll indoubtedly will try to prey on her if she's not careful.

Preview

On next week's episode: Karada's big adventure in another city.

© memento 2003