Last Friends ep.05

May 10, 2008 | 20 Comments

I just found out from the official website that there's some kind of cell-phone based, short drama spin-off series called "Eri, My Love". The series will be distributed every week and the story will show Eri's private life, which is not shown much in Last Friends. That sounds interesting and a good thing for Mizukawa Asami since her character hasn't exactly been getting much of a focus here. But I feel like I'm missing out on the story even though the website claims otherwise. I hope we'll get to see it as well someday. On a happier note, DramaWiki points out that this episode actually got a 19.9 rating, a 4.0 jump from its usual 15.9 rating. This puts it on the same level as a normal Nodame Cantabile episode. I hope that this increase is not just a one-off incident though atlhough I admit that I didn't expect this drama to end up being this popular even though it features at least 3 principal casts from Nodame Cantabile. But the writing has been quite good and the characters' motivation are easy to understand/sympathize even if you can't put yourself in their position.

Episode 5

Continuing from the previous episode, despite being upset at Michiru/Sousuke's reunion, Ruka decides to quietly go back to the shared house. Later on when Takeru asks her about Michiru, Ruka gets a phone call from the girl, informing her that she'd be going to her workplace (beauty parlor) because she feels indebted to the owner, so she thinks it's not a good idea letting things unfinished like this. She assures Ruka that she'll come back soon so she asks Ruka not to worry about her. Ruka, however, knows that Michiru lies but she decides not to say anything about this to the other flatmates. Meanwhile, Michiru is back at Sousuke's home taking care of his fever and is about to make him a Nabe. Before she can leave, however, Sousuke stops her, asking her not to leave. Michiru, however, tells him that she can no longer lives with him again because the same thing will happen all over again. Sousuke promises her that he won't do it again but Michiru is not buying this. She tells him that if he can be a patient person, one who doesn't wait for her in front of her workplace or in front of her friend's house, if he becomes that kind of person, maybe one day she returns to him.

Afterwards, Michiru returns to her workplace and asks her employer to employ her again, promising that she won't create any problem anymore. At the motorcross, Ruka's mind seems to be distracted that she ends up falling off her motorbike. She continues to be worried all the way home, causing the others to be concerned as well. Much to their relief, however, Michiru comes home not long after this. She tells the others that she intends on going back to her workplace and when the others are worried about Sousuke, she assures them that as long as she can keep herself level-headed, she's going to be okay. She will no longer do whatever Sousuke tells her to. Ruka and Eri are not sure about this but Takeru tells the others that if Michiru believes this to be the case, it should be okay. Eri then gives Michiru another key to the share house, telling her that from now on, she's welcome here. The next day at work, Michiru is surprised when she doesn't see Sousuke watching over her. When she exits her workplace, she's surprised to know that Takeru has arrived to pick her up. It turns out Ruka had asked them to come to her parents house for a party.

When they get in, Ruka's mother immediately assumes that Takeru is Michiru's boyfriend so an embarrassed Takeru tells her that's not the case. Ruka explains that she invited Eri and Ogurin as well but it looks like they are having a 'movie date'. The truth is, Eri is accompanying Ogurin delivering a divorce notice to his wife's house. Back at Ruka's house, Ruka's little brother asks Takeru if he's Ruka's boyfriend since this is the first time Ruka brings a man to their house. Later on, Ruka offers Michiru and Takeru to stay at her house since it's already late. While Michiru accepts, an embarrassed Takeru tells Ruka that he'd go home. At the same time, Eri gets a phone call from Ogurin telling her that it looks like it'll be a while before he can end his conversation with his wife so he tells a disappointed Eri that she should go home. That night when Takeru goes home, she finds a drunk Eri asking him if he thinks she's a good woman. When Takeru tells her that she's kind person, Eri puts her arms around Takeru and kisses the guy. She then tries to unbutton his shirt but Takeru pushes her away before running to the bathroom to wash his mouth.

Later on, Takeru returns to the living room to apologize to Eri. Eri feels the same way because although she's suspected it (that he's possibly gay), she didn't think it's true. Even though Takeru knows that it's not true, he simply nods along with what Eri said, suggesting to her that he is gay. Eri then tries to diffuse the uncomfortable situation by telling Takeru that they should be friends and invite him to drink with her. Meanwhile, Michiru is bunkered down in Ruka's room and tells her friend that this brings back memory. She feels that the room and Ruka's parents have not changed. She thinks Ruka has a good family and she wishes that one day she can have a family like this as well. Ruka then tells Michiru straight up that a guy like Sousuke can't possibly make Michiru happy. She suggests that Michiru finds someone like Takeru because a guy like Takeru can make a person happy. Ruka feels she'd be happy if Michiru can find someone like Takeru. This causes Michiru to wonder about Ruka, if she has someone that she likes. Ruka admits that she has someone that she likes from a long time ago. However, that person doesn't know about her feelings.

Michiru wonders if Ruka ever tells the person but Ruka tells her even if she does, it won't help her. She claims that she just wants Michiru to be healthy again and to be the way she used to be. This is why she brought Michiru here because she was worried about her. Cut to Takeru telling himself that people live their life hiding small secret in their hearts and carrying their problems. This makes him wonder if one day they'll ever be happy? Ruka continues Takeru's narration by telling a non-existent Michiru there's nothing else that she can do. All she can do is waiting for Michiru to save herself. Meanwhile, Michiru is in the middle of her lunch when she suddenly gets that itch to check if she gets any message from Sousuke. Much to her surprise, Sousuke hasn't sent her any message. Because she's worried about him, she makes a phone call to his workplace only to find out that he's been on a sick leave for one week. When she comes to his house, she finds out that he's still in her bed and hasn't been eating properly. He claims that ever since she left, he has no desire to eat. If it means that Michiru would be around, then he wishes that he's always sick.

Sousuke then asks her not to go back (to the shared house) and proceeds to give her a tight hug, refusing to let go. Michiru eventually manages to let herself free but Sousuke wonders why she has changed like this and accuses Ruka as being the cause for it. Michiru becomes angry and tells Sousuke that she told him not to say such things. When Michiru reminds him that he promised not to do this, Sousuke barks at her, saying that should be his sentence since she's the one who didn't keep her promise. He then throws the food that Michiru made into a wall before forcing Michiru down into the bed, presumably raping her. Back at the shared house, Takeru has just finished cooking seafood Paella for the girls when Michiru comes home. Although Michiru claims that she's just finished work, Takeru can see a scar in her arm. Michiru, however, decides to divert conversation by asking about Ogurin. Their dinner is then interrupted when Michiru's cellphone rings. Michiru tries to disguise the conversation as if it comes from her workplace but Ruka suggests that she throws away that particular mobile phone because it makes her attached to Sousuke.

After a rather tense situation, Michiru agrees and tries to throw away the phone but Ruka then stops her and tells her that she doesn't have to throw it away. Ruka realizes that what she just did is similar to what Michiru's boyfriend does and doesn't change things for Michiru. After Ruka goes out to cool herself down, Michiru tells Takeru that by now he probably understands why she lied to Ruka. Having said that, she now slowly begins to understand what Ruka meant when she said that Sousuke is not a person who can make her happy even if they are together. She can't help herself from being drawn to Sousuke even though she tries not to like him. Takeru tells Michiru that he understands that Michiru probably wonders if she should wait until her boyfriend change. The only person who can decide this is no one but Michiru herself. Upon hearing this, Michiru realizes that what Ruka said about Takeru being a nice guy is true. Takeru is surprised to hear this so Michiru tells him that Ruka has someone that she likes but even after many years, she never tells the person her feelings. She now realizes that life is not easy. Even if one rush in to obtain happiness, it won't work.

A few days later, Ruka is seen seeing a doctor, who asks her if she's been getting counseling regarding sexual identity disorder. Through a question and answer session, Ruka admits that she doesn't like her own body. Ever since she was a kid, she doesn't like wearing a girl's dress and the feeling continues to this day. When she looks at her breast in shower room, she doesn't like it. As for men, she considers them her friends but she has no romantic feelings toward them. When being asked what's the hardest about this, Ruka tells the doctor that it's the fact that she can't show her true self to people who are close to her. She finds it difficult that she has to tell lies to the person that she likes and her family. A few hours later, Ruka meets up with Takeru who wonders why she wants to meet him. She claims it's nothing in particular, she just wants to see his face. She just feels relieved when she's alone with Takeru. Takeru uses the opportunity to tell Ruka that he knows she has someone that she likes. Ruka, however, tells him that it's one-sided feeling and besides, she wants to focus on her race. She want to be the best in her field bar none.

In his narration, Takeru tells himself that she likes Ruka's smile and he's fine with her liking someone else. He will still support her and her smile. Fast forward to the racing day, Michiru gets a phone call from Sousuke again. Despite her attempt to ignore the phone, in the end she decides to pick it up. When Sousuke finds out that she's in the motorcross track, he tells her that he wants to see her now, claiming that his condition is bad. Michiru tells the jerk that she can't come because today is Ruka's big day. Moreover, she refuses to be abused by Sousuke's selfishness. Sousuke promises to repent and asks Michiru to come but she tells him she'd come later. She then hangs up on him and returns to the race in time to see Ruka winning it. That night during Ruka celebration, Sousuke calls Michiru telling her that he's about to kill himself. Boohoo. Michiru tries to go to his place but is stopped by Ruka who asks her to not be deceived by him and to be stronger. Michiru, however, tells Ruka that unlike Ruka, she's weak. However, she also knows Sousuke's weaknesses and right now, she needs to be by his side. Cut to a shot of Sousuke's cooling his emo slit wrist under tap water.

Impression

I don't know where to start so I'll just start with Ruka. After all the theories, it looks like it's true: Ruka wants to go ahead with the sex operation. This is why she has been receiving counselling from the doctor because the doctor needs to make sure that Ruka is really set in her intention and not going to change her mind later on. I can't help but wonder, however, if her desire to change her gender is partly because of society's inability to accept same sex relationship. If Ruka knows that she can love a woman and not be judged by those around her, would she still go ahead with the sex change? Of course, it's likely that she really feels that she's a man trapped inside a woman's body. After all, she did say that she's been uncomfortable with the body that she was born with since she was a kid. In that case, regardless of her feeling for the opposite (or same sex), she'd probably feel more at ease if she goes through with the operation. At any rate, despite not being attracted to a man, Ruka feels most calm when she's together with Takeru. It shows that sometimes the person you're most comfortable with is not necessarily the one that you have romantic feelings for.

Speaking of Takeru, he turns out to be a very kind person that it feels unreal sometimes. Not only he's quite happy to just see Ruka smiling, he actually can understand Michiru better than Ruka. I think this is because Ruka is set in believing that Sousuke is not good for Michiru, as in she sees the situation from a 3rd person POV like us, where it's obvious that Sousuke is nothing more than a rapist douchebag. Takeru, on the other hand, tries to look at the situation from Michiru's POV, the victim. He knows that it'd take time for Michiru to figure out that she doesn't need Sousuke but the only person who can decide this is Michiru herself. It's very nice of him to provide an outlet for Michiru to tell her problem because Ruka clearly can't handle Michiru talking about Sousuke in any kind of form. Anyway, I still want to know why Takeru has intimacy problem with women who are too forward. Most men would be glad to be in his position. This suggests that he was traumatized by someone when he was a kid that what should have been a turn on for him, feels more like a harassment.

I think I'm more and more convinced that Eri is one of those people who are actually lonely on the inside but is pretty good at hiding it from everyone else by being positive, kind, and cheerful on the outside. Therefore, I feel even more sorry to see her looking upset after Ogurin ditch her and Takeru rejected her outright. She probably wonder why she hasn't had any luck in love even though she hasn't actually done anything wrong. She is also a proof that although it may not look like it on the outside, everyone do have their own problems. Just because Ruka or Michiru are more expressive about their problems, it doesn't mean that their problem is any more difficult than Eri's or Takeru's. Sometimes those who suffer in silence actually deserve more attention since they're unlikely to bring up their problem to anyone else. In a way, she's also a character that represents those who pretend to be happy to cover up their real feelings. Eri seems particularly good at this even after being rejected by Takeru, she manages to somehow bounce back from the potentially uncomfortable situation between them. I do hope that by the end of the series, we'll find out what actually disturbs her.

Last but not least, Michiru and Sousuke. I think this relationship is over and done. When these two are together, neither of them become a better, happier person, which an ideal one should strives for in a relationship. Instead, they turn into their worst. Sousuke is now a rapist and a wrist-slitting maniac. Michiru, on the other hand, regressed to being a weak person who can't defend herself and somehow manages to tolerate Sousuke's abuse after abuse. This episode tries to show that Sousuke's problem is actually deeper than his tendency to dish out DV. Unfortunately, it's overshadowed by his most heinous act to date: rape. At any rate, he also comes across as someone who can't handle loneliness. Instead of putting on a happy mask like Eri, however, he becomes possessive towards his companion. As for Michiru, it's hard to believe that she can still tolerate Sousuke after he forced himself on her. I'd have thought that would have sent a final warning but I guess not and I can understand why. Because Michiru doesn't love herself, she doesn't understand that she needs to protect her own well-being. I think the only way she can snap out of this relationship is when Sousuke starts hurting other people that she loves. Unfortunately this means one of the people who live in the shared house.

Preview

On next week's episode: Sousuke says Michiru is his. Watch out, he has knives and he's not afraid to cut himself.

© memento 2003