Well this date went just about as well as I was hoping for. Which is to say, I had extremely low hopes about it ending well.

|Episode Five|

Following the previous episode, we see Takao take Saeki out on a Sunday afternoon to show her his favorite bookstore and perhaps walk around. In other words, a date. And boy was it an awkward one. Keep in mind that it wasn’t until the previous episode that the two actually spoke to one another. Takao has spent most of the time quietly observing her from afar, yet somehow manages to ask her out on a date during his first time speaking to her. I don’t know whether that’s dumb luck or if she’s too nice to turn him down.

That makes the atmosphere pretty uncomfortable for all parties, the viewer included. Imagine being asked out on a date by someone in your class who you know of, but have never personally spoken to. You, being the gentle and kind-hearted soul that you are, can’t refuse and agree anyway. After all, he seems normal enough, and doesn’t seem like the type to be a stalker. Then you get to the date and you realize “I have no idea what type of conversation to have this person”, and proceed to make small talk about meaningless things. You feel awkward, the other person feels awkward trying to keep the conversation going, and the viewers feel awkward for having to witness such a travesty of human interaction.

Now picture being in Takao’s shoes. Your one and only muse has agreed to go on a date with you. You couldn’t be happier and your spirit is flying up to Cloud 9.

Then you rub your chest and remember that Nakamura forced you to wear Saeki’s gym clothes underneath your normal clothes for the entire date, and suddenly your spirit falls back into hell. You WANT to be happy that Saeki has taken an interest in you, but you feel like the scum of the earth and pray that she doesn’t look down your shirt. It’s only a miracle that she doesn’t notice you sweating bullets.

Finally, picture yourself as Nakamura. You’re probably thinking “Hehe, that sick little deviant is actually going on a date while wearing her clothes underneath!” You sneak around the city, following the awkward couple while going “Sasasasasa~”. The joy of seeing Takao suffer from immense psychological torture is an absolute joy to see. But then you witness him ask Saeki to be his girlfriend, and to your utter surprise she accepts. In your rage you dump a bucket of water over him to try and expose her gym clothes underneath his now transparent shirt. Not a bad way to end your day.

Okay, enough roleplaying. The buildup of tension was done really well. You know right from the moment that he’s forced to wear her gym clothes that this date will not go as planned for him. But with Saeki agreeing to be his girlfriend, how will this affect his “contract” with Nakamura? And what could she possibly have in store for them?

“I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines.” RED FLAG.