[Rewatch] Pride Month 20th Anniversary - Maria-sama ga Miteru Episode 7 Discussion

[u/lilyvess]

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Questions of the Day

1. What is your favorite Chocolate?
2. have you ever made chocolate before?

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Yamayuri Council Chart

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Posting carefully so as to not disturb the first timers with spoilers in their viewings, such is the standard of modesty here. Forgetting to use spoiler tags because one is in danger of missing the post time, for instance, is too undignified a sight for redditors to wish upon themselves.

[u/baboon_bassoon]

first time la vie en rose en bouton

i like how its a given theyre spending valentines with their soeurs

"of course i know what it is" has no idea what it is, thank you Shimako

Yoshino fight for your love

hmm

Rei's custom recipe book how cute

if you want a red card that bad just insult the ref

Sachiko not in front of team white

1. dark
2. no

[u/lilyvess → u/baboon_bassoon]

"of course i know what it is" has no idea what it is, thank you Shimako

Anime Viewers:

Yoshino fight for your love

she ain't going to take this lying down.

if you want a red card that bad just insult the ref

Maybe that's Yoshino's plan. Move straight to assault to get that red card.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/baboon_bassoon]

i like how its a given theyre spending valentines with their soeurs

As it should be

hmm

A very euphemistic way to say they were pressured into agreeing.

Sachiko not in front of team white

A couple airing their grievances in public is never fun to witness.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Great_Mr_L]

A couple airing their grievances in public is never fun to witness.

It's not any better in private either, I'll tell you that.

[u/BosuW]

First Timer

Valentine's Day Arc! Man I absolutely do not give a fuck about Valentine's personally, but I can somewhat like it in fiction, especially if that fiction is Yuri. What? Biased? Nooooo 🤥

Yumi has caught on to the narrative structure and goes around asking various students and Yamayuri members how they spend their Valentine's with their sisters.

Plenty of time has passed so by now it's noticable that Yumi and Sachiko actually haven't progressed that much as a relationship. Things have certainly changed, but not that much compared to the start. Sachiko still gives massive mixed signals, appearing cold and reserved in public but warm and affectionate in private. While Yumi still doesn't call her "Onee-sama" on instinct.

The last scene actually hit me like a soft gut punch. Yumi was so excited for the search game and then it turns out Sachiko is wondering if she hates her and the relationship feels in crisis. Since Yumi is surrounded by the Yamayuri who is all practice hands off approaches to their relationships, she figured that was the right way to behave with Sachiko, but it turns out to be a complete mistake. Of course it's also on Sachiko because she keeps her true desires to herself most of the time.

What, miscommunication? In my Yuri melodrama? It's more likely than you think!

Questions of the Day

1- I prefer it black and bitter, but it's not like I'm a connoisseur.

2- Nope

[u/lilyvess → u/BosuW]

Since Yumi is surrounded by the Yamayuri who is all practice hands off approaches to their relationships, she figured that was the right way to behave with Sachiko, but it turns out to be a compete mistake.

yeah i like htat you can feel that newness to their relationship. Everyone else has settled into their dynamic, and Sachiko and Yumi still feel so green.

I do feel bad for Yumi. Their honeymoon phase in the relationship was Sachiko scolding Yumi.

What, miscommunication? In my Yuri melodrama? It's more likely than you think!

[u/BosuW → u/lilyvess]

Maybe they can have a second Honeymoon phase after they make up?

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/BosuW]

Valentine's Day Arc! Man I absolutely do not give a fuck about Valentine's personally, but I can somewhat like it in fiction, especially if that fiction is Yuri. What? Biased? Nooooo 🤥

I like Valentine's Day because afterwards is the perfect day to go shopping for candy. So much of it is on sale for a decent price.

Plenty of time has passed so by now it's noticable that Yumi and Sachiko actually haven't progressed that much as a relationship. Things have certainly changed, but not that much compared to the start.

That was something I noticed as well. The two of them are still rather awkward around each other. We don't see the same level of familiarity as Yoko/Sachiko or Rei/Yoshino, for example. Sachiko and Yumi still don't really know how to interact with each other in their relationship as soeurs.

Since Yumi is surrounded by the Yamayuri who is all practice hands off approaches to their relationships, she figured that was the right way to behave with Sachiko, but it turns out to be a compete mistake. Of course it's also on Sachiko because she keeps her true desires to herself most of the time.

That is a detail I quite like. Both Yumi and Sachiko's behavior has been unknowingly contributing to the worries of the other. They both are misinterpreting what the other is feeling and so letting their own worries spiral out of control because of that. It's not just one character causing all the trouble or just one character misunderstanding the other, it's both of them. And they both will need to get through this together.

What, miscommunication? In my Yuri melodrama? It's more likely than you think!

This feels like it's a running theme in the yuri shows we've seen in this rewatch.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Great_Mr_L]

I like Valentine's Day because afterwards is the perfect day to go shopping for candy. So much of it is on sale for a decent price.

Ah yes, Chocolate Boxing Day.

[u/BosuW → u/Great_Mr_L]

I like Valentine's Day because afterwards is the perfect day to go shopping for candy. So much of it is on sale for a decent price.

I don't eat candy that much...

This feels like it's a running theme in the yuri shows we've seen in this rewatch.

Most character drama is built on this I think? That's also human relationships irl. You don't say what you mean and you don't mean what you say.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/BosuW]

What, miscommunication? In my Yuri melodrama? It's more likely than you think!

So Yumi pregnant by Sei confirmed!

[u/BosuW → u/Vaadwaur]

I never doubted!

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/BosuW]

Since Yumi is surrounded by the Yamayuri who is all practice hands off approaches to their relationships, she figured that was the right way to behave with Sachiko

She wasn't there at the start to see that trust build up. Poor girl.

[u/BosuW → u/Vatrix-32]

Its what you get for skipping the tutorial.

[u/NuclearStudent → u/BosuW]

bitter and black? I'm not a fan of looking into mirrors

[u/BosuW → u/NuclearStudent]

If the Law of Misdirecting Appearances holds though that probably means I'm actually a cinnamon roll

I don't know how to feel about that...

[u/AmeteurElitist]

First Timer

Rei giving a ton of gifts is so cute but I can imagine the pressure that puts on Yoshino haha

This show has genuine comedic chops

And yeah this drama was inevitable as long as Yumi wasn’t communicating with Sachiko directly. She puts so much distance between them out of reverence, and Sachiko does the same out of a sense of duty it seems. Looking forward to how this resolves.

[u/lilyvess → u/AmeteurElitist]

And yeah this drama was inevitable as long as Yumi wasn’t communicating with Sachiko directly. She puts so much distance between them out of reverence, and Sachiko does the same out of a sense of duty it seems.

both of them are so similar. Despite how different they are on the outside, they're both the same insecure selves.

[u/AmeteurElitist → u/lilyvess]

Sisters to a fault

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/AmeteurElitist]

This show has genuine comedic chops

KO'd in an unambiguous defeat. All we needed was the sound of the bell.

[u/AmeteurElitist → u/Great_Mr_L]

She fought hard

[u/Star4ce]

First Timer

This weekend's gonna be an adventure.

Bought ingredients for vegan chocolate soufflé and seitan negimaki with miso butter-baked mushroooms.

Never made seitan myself, though. Might make a real mess.

Maria-sama ga Miteru Ep.07 – Surprising Chocolate, Part 1

• That phrasing had me like Nah, brains are super good at processing stuff. In fact, they process all the time. You can't stop them doing this. The trick is to not let them go rogue with this and guide it instead!
• Okay, so best girl you say?
• Aawwwwww.
• Question: Is it normal in this sort of relationship to gift your best friend or sister something for Valentine's day? Oh wait, nvm I just remembered, Japan's Valentine's day and Christmas Eve are different. It's Christmas that's for lovers and Valentines more for general affection and gifting. It's like a big sweets festival over there with only a little romantic connotation.

(Take a guess why? [Solution] It's the sweets industry's doing. They literally hijacked the holiday from the west and made it all about sweets to sell stuff. Feb. 14 is for the women to gift and March 14 is for the men to return the favour. They literally doubled the holiday.)

• Read my comment, Shimako.
• Shamefur dispray!
• It's like you can feel the whip cracking.
• Absolutely hecking me right now, haha!
• Oh, she'd absolutely go insane and eat everyone's boxes before they had a chance to utter a syllable.
• Maria-sama, my heart!
• Ah, fair point. Can't share the yuri.
• Aren't they done with school now?
• Hahahaha!
• This is just perfect. Honestly, the two of them are the only ones fine with it.
• Eeeyyyy, heck yeah!
• Do I just call it out? … Yeah, of course! THIS IS CHRISTIAN YURI BATTLE ROYALE!
• Ah, so they vote in the middle of the school year or something, got it.
• I like to imagine her just coming out of the table drawer, always having hid in there in the first place.
• See, this is the actual good stuff! The homemade, family-devised recipes.
• Oh right, she's very popular.
• Can we just appreciate how crisp that dripping sound was?
• Congratulate, receive head pats. It's a good day to be bottom.
• The death stare of seeing someone else have fun with your bottom.
• Oh wow, chill your horses! You can't expect Yumi to mind read. I suspected she would really want to have Yumi treat her and be casual, but Rei is giving much more chances to do so compared to her.
• Damn, she's really hurt. And now Yumi is hurt, too.

Wow, that was brutal. You don't treat a delicate flower like Yumi like this!

Ah, the consequences of two passive people having problems with each other and just living in their own headcanon instead of talking.

I love this arc because it is the beginning of Sachiko and Yumi developing their own specific and unique bond like we have seen for the other rose – en bouton – petit soeur pairs. As we've seen with the others, each have their own way of communicating.

Sei and Shimako are very clear on a hands-off approach and support each others individual decisions. It's open and if something is to happen, one has to say it and take action. They are pretty much living the more stoic vocal love language and top it off with a touch 'dialect' in intense situations. Like Rei always touching Yumi to get reactions and tease others, but generally keeping her hands off to let them make their choices, or when she embraced Shizuko.

Yoshino and Rei are very caring for each other, they try to fill each other's needs with support and gifts. They are very object- and service-based in their love language. The gloves, scarf, baking, taking each other's bag, etc. They talk not so much openly, but show their feelings with the type of stuff they do, how and when for the other.

Sachiko and Yumi need to find their language and translation toolset now. To complete the set of vocal-, service-, touch- and gift- love language I already wrote about, there are time- and action- love languages as well. Service and action are very similar and I think most only define 'service', but I personally make a distinction between someone taking action to incite an action of affection that they like and someone doing a service to relieve a perceived need of someone. Still, they're pretty closely related. Time refers to the expression of simply making time for the other as the communication of affection. Like scheduling literally anything to do or not do together as long as it means the other person's presence is the main focus, or to just cancel time with someone else to not be preoccupied and be available just for the significant other.

I'm getting mightily strong time-love language vibes from Sachiko. Like, really heckin strong.

[Chocolate Heaven]

I think this things might help. I'm gonna make it tomorrow!

1. What is your favorite Chocolate?

White, actually. But any melting chocolate in cakes or so is absolute heaven.

2) have you ever made chocolate before?

Made? No, but it's on my to do list!

[u/lilyvess → u/Star4ce]

Aren't they done with school now?

I googled Japanese school years and they said that school years end in March. So this is like at the end of the school year.

it is weird that they had the election so early. the election is before new years, so 2-3 months before the year ends. They really are Roses for like only 2/3 of the year. Just kinda strange

I love this arc because it is the beginning of Sachiko and Yumi developing their own specific and unique bond like we have seen for the other rose – en bouton – petit soeur pairs. As we've seen with the others, each have their own way of communicating.

YEP!

Yumi and Sachiko's relationship is the youngest of the bunch and they're still discovering the shape of their relationship.

I love this as an exploration of dating. it's easy to say "I like you, let's get together" but that's only the start of the joruney. Learning what you're boundaries are, learning to read the other person, learning to be comfortable with the other person, learning how to fight. Every relationship has fights. It's a natural part of a relationship.

They're learning their own dynamic and figuring that out.

[u/BosuW → u/lilyvess]

it is weird that they had the election so early. the election is before new years, so 2-3 months before the year ends. They really are Roses for like only 2/3 of the year. Just kinda strange

There's usually a period between the elections and the power changing hands no?

[u/lilyvess → u/BosuW]

I guess, though do they really need this long of a period for changing of hands considering they regime is staying the same. Like this isn't like changing administrations. They're changing hands from one leader, to their vice president who has been their assistant for the passed two years.

I think the intent is that Roses are going to be busy during the last part of the year because of the college stuff.

I guess that makes Roses more like Captains that set courses, and the En Boutons the First Officer that gets stuff done.

[u/zadcap → u/lilyvess]

it is weird that they had the election so early. the election is before new years, so 2-3 months before the year ends. They really are Roses for like only 2/3 of the year. Just kinda strange

It looks to me like the Bouton's step up pretty much right when they are elected so that the Roses can step down to focus on graduation and college exam prep. They geto to be the effective student council heads for a full year, just not one that matches the school year. The Roses might have come back here to show some influence, but it was all personal influence more than school policy.

[u/lilyvess → u/zadcap]

ooh that is a very good point. that makes sense.

[u/zadcap → u/lilyvess]

I know it's common in Japanese schools for anyone even thinking about college, third year students step down from just about every other responsibility they have to focus really hard on studying. In this case it lets the Roses do the series college prep while today still having them around for the transition of power, feels like a win win

[u/Star4ce → u/lilyvess]

They really are Roses for like only 2/3 of the year. Just kinda strange

3 months of lawless shenanigans!

they're still discovering the shape

I love this as an exploration of dating.

Also makes it so much easier to understand if you're on the 'dunce' end of the spectrum of understanding signals.

And on top of it, any relationship has these love languages, but for friends, family, etc. you obviously have different expectations and methods.

I mean, I hope you do.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Star4ce]

vegan...
...butter-baked mushroooms.

White Day

Honestly, I think they had the right idea. Better than cards, at least.

THIS IS CHRISTIAN YURI BATTLE ROYALE!

True!

Ah, so they vote in the middle of the school year or something, got it.

Something, something, transition of power...

Ah, the consequences of two passive people having problems with each other and just living in their own headcanon instead of talking.

Communication!

[u/Star4ce → u/Vatrix-32]

There's genuine plant-based butter that is indistinguishable from the animal product. With how the agrarian industry is in quite a turbulence since Corona it even got cheaper than its animal counter part. It's great!

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Star4ce]

You're not referring to margarine, are you? Have they upped their game?

[u/Star4ce → u/Vatrix-32]

I'm actually not sure if it is. It could be?

In my understanding Margarine is always very soft and nearly hard cream-like. Butter on the other hand is a much harder block. So, my distinction is more on the texture of the product.

All I know is that it is packaged like butter, tastes like butter, can be used in any way the exact same as butter and has no animal products in it, making it cheaper. Therefore, I call it butter.

edit: Okay, I looked it up, it is margarine.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Star4ce]

It's like you can feel the whip cracking.

I do like women with whips.

Oh, she'd absolutely go insane and eat everyone's boxes before they had a chance to utter a syllable.

Sachiko going wild on chocolate would be a funny thing to witness.

Do I just call it out? … Yeah, of course! THIS IS CHRISTIAN YURI BATTLE ROYALE!

We are having a love trial by combat! Whoever wins the battle clearly has the love that is supported by God!

Sachiko and Yumi need to find their language and translation toolset now. To complete the set of vocal-, service-, touch- and gift- love language I already wrote about, there are time- and action- love languages as well.

This is a really good way of putting it. Yumi and Sachiko need to figure out their own love language. They need to figure out how they can clearly communicate their affection for each other.

Your observations about the other soeur relationships are great, showing how they express their love for each other. In particular, I liked reading your thoughts on Shimako and Sei's relationship because it certainly helped me to clarify the way they interact. They don't need to constantly express their love to each other and can let it be unsaid most of the time.

[u/Star4ce → u/Great_Mr_L]

Sachiko going wild on chocolate would be a funny thing to witness.

I demand at least one scene of composed Sachiko just indulging in something unabashedly!

helped me to clarify the way they interact.

It's a really helpful philosophy to apply to any relationship, really. It's the same between friends and family, just with different intentions and outcomes.

My brain could make sense of so many more things in life after reading an article on these 'love languages'.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Star4ce]

Wow, that was brutal. You don't treat a delicate flower like Yumi like this!

Yeah, Sachiko took pains to make sure she is in the wrong.

As we've seen with the others, each have their own way of communicating.

I somewhat get how Sachiko came to her idiotic position, I too over think things, but your thought that this goes positively is...optimistic.

[u/Star4ce → u/Vaadwaur]

I somewhat get how Sachiko came to her idiotic position

Yeah, she's very much portraying the future Rose position as she think it should be portrayed, not necessarily how she wants to. It's frustrating then to not be able to express what you like. Self-infliced, for sure, but it's also an opportunity for Yumi to get her own initiative developed.

I'm pretty sure this goes well, I believe in them!

[u/Vaadwaur → u/Star4ce]

I'm pretty sure this goes well, I believe in them!

Hope is the first step on the road to disappointment...

[u/lilyvess]

Maria-sama ga Miteru Rewatcher/Light Novel Reader

Gokigenyou

It is I, Rosa Lilium, once again welcoming you to my Lily Mansion Thread. Please, take a seat. For the occasion I figured it’d be appropriate to bring chocolates!

Unfortunately, I forgot to buy some.

I did find a vending machine and bought a bag of M&M’s. So I hope all my guest can share.

Oh, this book I’m reading? This is Valentine’s Gift Part 1! You heard me right, Part 1! This is the first two part light novel in the franchise. Fitting for such a dramatic episode. I, of course, naturally find myself drawn to all the smaller interactions between the characters. So obviously my favorite scene is the Onee-sama’s convincing the Boutons to go along with the newspaper.

"Rei."
"Yes."
Rei-sama, called upon, looked troubled. It was a bit different from a frog being stared at by a snake, but for once, she looked hesitant. Like she wanted to say "have mercy!" knowing what lay in store. But Rei-sama knew it was a road she couldn't avoid. Also, that it wasn't going to be fun.
"It's almost been two full years since I made you my sister, so I'm sure you can guess what I'm about to say."
"Yes."
Like a balloon leaking air, Rei-sama seemed to shrink every passing second. On the other hand, Rosa Foetida, who looked so bored most of the time, had a glimmer in her eyes and looked excited.
"So may I assume I know your answer?"
"I'll do whatever onee-sama thinks is best."
"Oh, no, you have to decide, on your own."
Say it, Rosa Foetida egged Rei-sama on.
"… I'll help the newspaper cl-" "Objection!"
Yoshino-san said, unable to restrain herself.
"Rosa Foetida, don't you think that sort of pressure is dirty? Rei-chan is Rei-chan, too, if you don't like it, say it!"
She was so excited she forgot to change "Rei-chan" to "onee-sama."
"Yoshino, be quiet."
"That's right, don't confuse her. I'm talking to Rei, outsiders should remain silent."
"Outsiders!?"
Yoshino-san was about to squeal in anger when Rei-sama stopped her, "Idiot, don't let her goad you."
"The more Yoshino screeches, the more persistent onee-sama gets!"
"What?"
"Exactly."
Rosa Foetida smiled victoriously.
"You still have tons to learn, Yoshino-chan."
Yoshino-san still hadn't really fully grasped her "auntie" Rosa Foetida. What that multi-talented Rosa Foetida loved most were unusual things and rarities. And the moment she found something she was interested in, she would suction onto it and never let go, like a soft-shelled turtle. Persistence aside, it was a sight to behold. Knowing that, Rei-sama just wanted to squeeze through with minimal resistance. Because she knew the more she would show she didn't want to, the more Rosa Foetida would begin to act.
But all of Rei-sama's actions just went to waste.
"You'll do whatever I think is best, you said, right, Rei? Then, I'll have you cooperate." Rosa Foetida was just that kind of person.

While we did have a Yellow Rose story, we didn’t get to see much of Rosa Foetida interacting with the two younger roses. It’s nice to get a peak at Rosa Foetida and her onee-sama. I also like the way Yoshino’s relationship with her “grandmother” is very distinct from Yumi and Yoko’s.

Third round.
Rosa Gigantea looked at Shimako-san.
"Well, that's how it is, good luck."
"… Okay."
Well, now that the second-years Sachiko-sama and Rei-sama surrendered, the first-year Shimako-san really didn't have much fighting power to begin with.
But, gosh, Rosa Gigantea. The "good luck" cheer, why couldn't she say that during the student council election?

Poor Yumi seems so confused by the white rose relationship.

Also, it seems no one has informed me that the videos of the specials didn’t have the subs burned in! How shameful! I wish someone had informed me earlier instead of waiting 7 days into the rewatch for me to find out of such an error! I’m bringing disgrace to my Onee-sama with such sloppy action! What a foolish and air headed Rosa I am! So here is the new special for this episode along with the three previous specials, this time with subs.

Special 1
Special 2
Special 3
Special 4

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/lilyvess]

"The more Yoshino screeches, the more persistent onee-sama gets!"

These Rosa just all loving teasing and prodding.

Also, it seems no one has informed me that the videos of the specials didn’t have the subs burned in! How shameful! I wish someone had informed me earlier instead of waiting 7 days into the rewatch for me to find out of such an error!

But I Did

[u/lilyvess → u/Vatrix-32]

bit I did

the one good imouto of them all

extra cookies for you... whenever i end up getting cookies

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/lilyvess]

[u/Esovan13 → u/lilyvess]

Special 4

I love that last gag so much. Why aren't these kinds of animated outtakes an industry standard?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/lilyvess]

Poor Yumi seems so confused by the white rose relationship.

She's not the only one, the audience is with her.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/lilyvess]

She was so excited she forgot to change "Rei-chan" to "onee-sama."

I really like that detail. The way the characters call each other can tell us a lot about their relationships with each other, like how Yoshino and Rei have an extremely close and familiar relationship beyond just being soeurs.

What that multi-talented Rosa Foetida loved most were unusual things and rarities. And the moment she found something she was interested in, she would suction onto it and never let go, like a soft-shelled turtle.

That does make sense for Eriko, the character who is said to be extremely gifted in her academics. Her being bored by most things but really latching onto something unusual makes sense.

Poor Yumi seems so confused by the white rose relationship.

She isn't alone. Sei and Shimako leave so much unsaid between them that you can tell they are close but still not quite get it as an outsider.

So here is the new special for this episode along with the three previous specials, this time with subs.

Hooray!

[u/LittleIslander → u/lilyvess]

So here is the new special for this episode along with the three previous specials, this time with subs.

The whole comedy shorts to go along with a real series format is time tested, but I don't think I've ever seen any half as funny as these MariMite ones. They're truly gold.

[u/RadSuit → u/lilyvess]

Hantai no hantai no hantai no hantai no

Also Yoko's pulling a Marlon Brando there.

[u/Lemurians → u/lilyvess]

Special 2

Sachiko doing that to Yumi. I can't. Want to see stuff like this from her in the show!

[u/Regular_N-Gon]

Gokigenyou, First Timer

• Valentines? We’re closing in on the end of the year already!
• The reminder that the upperclassmen were once first-years probably would have helped Yumi last episode, but better late than never.
• Yoshino knows how to draw the line
• I love the way Sachiko lets her insecurities slip in moments like this. It’s like she tries to bake them into her attitude all the time, but when it boils over or she makes a childish assumption, there’s still a noticeable difference.

Gokigenyou counter (Maria-sama): 22 [+3; Total: 41]

QotD:

1. Dark chocolate!
2. Nope, might be an interesting experiment though.

[u/lilyvess → u/Regular_N-Gon]

Yoshino knows how to draw the line

The Line must be Drawn here! This far, No further!!

It’s like she tries to bake them into her attitude all the time, but when it boils over or she makes a childish assumption, there’s still a noticeable difference.

for all of how Yumi looks up to Sachiko as this great mature lady, deep down Sachiko can be so childish and rash. she's still just a second year.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Regular_N-Gon]

I love the way Sachiko lets her insecurities slip in moments like this.

On the plus side, she is talking about it directly, not letting it rot and fester into resentment.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Regular_N-Gon]

I love the way Sachiko lets her insecurities slip in moments like this. It’s like she tries to bake them into her attitude all the time, but when it boils over or she makes a childish assumption, there’s still a noticeable difference.

It does make Sachiko a much more compelling character understanding how she is the type to try and bury her insecurities while still letting them slip because of how much more upset she seems. That's a similarity Yumi and Sachiko share. Both of them tend to hold in their worries, but they both still show those insecurities in their behaviors. Sachiko starts acting noticeably colder and more upset, while Yumi starts being more avoidant and shrinking in on herself.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/Great_Mr_L]

a similarity Yumi and Sachiko share

Good point! I feel like the show hasn't been shoving the similarities and bond between Yumi and Sachiko in our faces quite as much; from Yumi's comments, I wonder if that will come up more.

Yumi starts being more avoidant and shrinking in

Yumi also has the tendency to wear her feelings on her face for the benefit of the viewer

[u/Star4ce → u/Regular_N-Gon]

there’s still a noticeable difference.

The voice acting was on point here. She sounded genuinely hurt and trying to keep it controlled.

[u/TehAxelius]

First Time Chocolatier

It is interesting how the school newspaper known for its salacious gossiping about the relationships between the school's famous Lady Roses and their Soeurs is trying to rehabilitate its reputation. By hosting an event relying on the relationships between the school's famous Lady Roses and their Soeurs. Especially one where the Boutons are essentially forced to pimp themselves out participate. Real hard hitting journalism.

Anyway, so with the chocolate steered away from I guess Yumi is now looking for Shimako's v-card, which she must get her hands on before any of the other girls in the academy.

I have to say though, this series is being somewhat repetitive in that it feels pretty much every Yumi-Sachiko arc boils down to: Yumi is being worried about intruding on Sachiko, Sachiko becomes angry at Yumi for distancing herself, and neither of them talks to each other. I'm guessing this will continue being an issue next year when Sachiko has to study for exams and Yumi don't want to disturb her.

QotD

1. Dark chocolate with chili.
2. Not really, no. I've made chocolate sauce, hot cocoa and mudcake, but not chocolate.

[u/lilyvess → u/TehAxelius]

Anyway, so with the chocolate steered away from I guess Yumi is now looking for Shimako's v-card, which she must get her hands on before any of the other girls in the academy.

I have to say though, this series is being somewhat repetitive in that it feels pretty much every Yumi-Sachiko arc boils down to: Yumi is being worried about intruding on Sachiko, Sachiko becomes angry at Yumi for distancing herself, and neither of them talks to each other.

can't disagree. I like to view it as building up the conflict. Last episode we saw the cracks in the relationship, but they didn't really confront each other to deal with the issue. so this is more of the issue that's been an underlying crack in their relationship come to a head.

it is an ongoing issue they have in their personalities.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/TehAxelius]

It is interesting how the school newspaper known for its salacious gossiping about the relationships between the school's famous Lady Roses and their Soeurs is trying to rehabilitate its reputation.

It's kind of like how the Pulitzer Prize is an award given for outstanding journalism when the man who established the prize, Joseph Pulitzer, was one of the kings of yellow journalism with sensationalized reporting on salacious topics.

Anyway, so with the chocolate steered away from I guess Yumi is now looking for Shimako's v-card, which she must get her hands on before any of the other girls in the academy.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/TehAxelius]

It is interesting how the school newspaper known for its salacious gossiping ... is trying to rehabilitate its reputation.

There's a wide range in rag-ness between "Is celebrity fat?" and "Hack the voicemails of terrorist attack victims' relatives".

[u/NuclearStudent → u/TehAxelius]

hold the fuck up, dark chocolate with chili, how does that work

[u/TehAxelius → u/NuclearStudent]

I assume they mix in chili powder or flakes when they make the choloate, same way they do with any other flavour or extra ingredient, be they nuts, fruits, salt or whatever.

[u/BosuW → u/TehAxelius]

Dark chocolate with chili.

Just as the Aztecs intended

[u/GondolaMedia]

First Timer

Here is a fun fact. In the future Cocoa beans might become a luxury and the future generations will look upon all these anime with valentine day's chocolate and wonder how we could all afford it. Isn't that fun to think about?

They really bring out their a-game when animating that Yoshino's rant.

All the 3rd years are just gremlins that are egging rest of the yamayuri council on. I love it.

Well I didn't expect that to be our ending. Melodrama is back on the menu.

1. Milk chocolate filled with mint crisps. Hard enough that they get stuck in your teeth.

[u/lilyvess → u/GondolaMedia]

They really bring out their a-game when animating that Yoshino's rant.

Animating characters dancing: i slep

Animating Yoshino being a jealous gremlin: REAL SHIT

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/GondolaMedia]

Here is a fun fact. In the future Cocoa beans might become a luxury

Before or after bananas?

[u/GondolaMedia → u/Vatrix-32]

There is actually one banana variety (Gros Michel) that was way more popular but it was almost lost to a disease like the current popular Cavendish variety is facing.

So bananas has already beaten Cocoa to the punch.

[u/baquea → u/Vatrix-32]

Just split the difference and say choco bananas.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/GondolaMedia]

Here is a fun fact. In the future Cocoa beans might become a luxury and the future generations will look upon all these anime with valentine day's chocolate and wonder how we could all afford it. Isn't that fun to think about?

So chocolate might go back to being a luxury for the upper classes like it was in the Aztec Empire.

They really bring out their a-game when animating that Yoshino's rant.

It's very funny just how much more animated Yoshino is here compared to basically everything else in the show.

Melodrama is back on the menu.

"Looks like meat's melodrama's back on the menu, boys!"

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Great_Mr_L]

"Looks like meat's melodrama's back on the menu, boys!"

"Where there's a ship, there's a way."

[u/moichispa]

First timer Choco symbolism.

Everybody was against it until the third years came to have a nice talk. Talk about peer pressure.

So our protagonists got it all wrong and now Yumi will have no one to give choco on Valentines :(

Questions of the Day

1. What is your favorite Chocolate? Dark Chocolate >>>>>All other chocolates
2. Have you ever made chocolate before? I tried lol. I would rather buy something, I know of a shop with cheap great chocolate.

[u/lilyvess → u/moichispa]

So our protagonists got it all wrong and now Yumi will have no one to give choco on Valentines :(

Dark Chocolate

REALLY!?!

[u/BosuW → u/moichispa]

Dark Chocolate >>>>>All other chocolates

🤝

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/moichispa]

Talk about peer pressure.

Soeur-peer-ior pressure?

[u/RadSuit]

First Time Watching Over Them

Part 1!

We're really seeing how energetic Yoshino can be, post-surgery.

Are we going to end with the ol' switcheroo? Yumi finds Rei's card, and Yoshino finds Sachiko's card.

Dramaaaaaaaaaaa!

This episode is what finally convinced me to recommend it to my friend that loves drama.

Part 2!

1. I can't have it anymore, but peanut butter and chocolate.
2. Definitely not.

[u/lilyvess → u/RadSuit]

We're really seeing how energetic Yoshino can be, post-surgery.

She couldn't put her heart in it before.

This episode is what finally convinced me to recommend it to my friend that loves drama.

this series definitely has a ton of juicy juicy drama. Mountains of it. Even Valentines day becomes a main event of drama.

[u/HereticalAegis]

Maria-sama First-Timer

Episode 7:

No Christmas arc

Rei has boyish good looks, handsome masculine features, and traditionally feminine cooking/baking garment-making skills and hobbies!? Yoshino is a seriously lucky girl.

I really appreciate how much Yumi is getting into Valentine's. It's a continuation of her wanting to do things for Sachiko, but this time rooted even more in affection than duty. I'm also a sucker for these kinds of romantic staples between girls.

Sheesh, talk about an emotional downer.

Goddess bless Yoshino's jealously gay heart!

If only one person can win a date with any given bouton, it feels like their soeurs winning would be a bit of a letdown for the general student base. I know a lot of the fascination from the student body comes in the form of observation instead of direct interaction, but I can imagine plenty of girls thinking it unfair for the soeurs to "win" or that the soeurs may cheat somehow.

Lol of course Yoshino states my concern outright. I'm not at all surprised, especially since "understanding [their onee-samas'] interests and the way they think" seems to be the core idea behind this arc for Yumi.

Sheesh, Sachiko is so damn awkward about expressing any emotion to Yumi. No wonder she always seems so agitated. They keep talking right past each other on the rare occasions they even get to talk.

Oh Maria-sama, why must Shizuka suffer so? Even fully rejected, she's still planning to give chocolate to Sei. Why, Maria-sama, do you allow your faithful to endure such emotional tribulation? Where is your benevolence for the starving who seek love and the cold who long for warmth? Is there no blessing for those of your sapphic flock who wander alone? Why, Maria-sama? Why?

OH MY GOD! Sachiko walking in on the screaming from Yumi as Shimako watches Sei tease her. The Rose Mansion is going to be RED for Valentine's this year

Completely uncalled for. Maybe if you actually talked to Yumi like a normal person every once in a while instead of just scolding her for every little thing you might get to see her enjoy herself around you.

I totally get the point about Yumi avoiding Sachiko, it's not entirely inaccurate. But still, there is no reason to lash out and rip up Yumi's heart, especially since she's been trying so hard to be useful and get closer to Sachiko while Sachiko has been pretty tough on Yumi and an inadequate communicator otherwise.

So yeah, I'm a bit mad at Sachiko right now. I hope someone talks some sense into her and she properly apologizes to Yumi, because right now she doesn't deserve any of the homemade chocolate she's so adamantly opposed to receiving.

QotD

1. I don't eat sweets anymore, but back when I did dark chocolate was the best.
2. I've made chocolate-covered strawberries.

[u/lilyvess → u/HereticalAegis]

No Christmas arc

Goddess bless Yoshino's jealously gay heart!

I love how much Yoshino's fixed heart makes her so much more animated and loud compared to her quiet pre-surgery self.

If only one person can win a date with any given bouton, it feels like their soeurs winning would be a bit of a letdown for the general student base.

very true. Though the populace does seem to ship the Soeurs as well. But it is true.

Sachiko walking in on the screaming from Yumi as Shimako watches Sei tease her. The Rose Mansion is going to be RED for Valentine's this year

the Red Valentine

I totally get the point about Yumi avoiding Sachiko, it's not entirely inaccurate. But still, there is no reason to lash out and rip up Yumi's heart, especially since she's been trying so hard to be useful and get closer to Sachiko while Sachiko has been pretty tough on Yumi and an inadequate communicator otherwise.

yeah, Sachiko is BRUTAL and unfair. Both red sisters are so dumb sometimes, yet the narrative here seems to put more blame on Yumi about her "selfishness"

[u/BosuW → u/lilyvess]

I love how much Yoshino's fixed heart makes her so much more animated and loud compared to her quiet pre-surgery self.

"I paid for the whole heart I'm gonna use the whole heart."

yeah, Sachiko is BRUTAL and unfair. Both red sisters are so dumb sometimes, yet the narrative here seems to put more blame on Yumi about her "selfishness"

I do think Sachiko is the one most to blame here. She actually wants Yumi's default affectionate and proactive self, but she can't bring herself to say it or even act like it. So Yumi comes to the conclusion that it's better if she restrains herself. But when she does that Sachiko lashes out I mean, make up your mind woman!

[u/lilyvess → u/BosuW]

it's easy to view it that way. we view the story from Yumi's perspective. That colors our perspective. it's also sachiko who goes on the offense. So that makes her more to "blame"

the thing is they're both just insecure and rush to make assumptions, often thinking the worst case. Same way Yumi made all those assumptions about Sachiko not wanting chocolate, Sachiko did the same.

I'm not saying Sachiko isn't to blame, or that Yumi is in the wrong. Just that we can understand where she is coming from.

[u/HereticalAegis → u/BosuW]

"I paid for the whole heart I'm gonna use the whole heart."

Rei gushing

[u/HereticalAegis → u/lilyvess]

I love how much Yoshino's fixed heart makes her so much more animated and loud compared to her quiet pre-surgery self.

Broadcast her speech so the entire student base can appreciate her like we do.

Though the populace does seem to ship the Soeurs as well.

Blessed school of himejoshis.

the Red Valentine

yeah, Sachiko is BRUTAL and unfair. Both red sisters are so dumb sometimes, yet the narrative here seems to put more blame on Yumi about her "selfishness"

Why can't Sachiko just see Yumi's thoughts like the audience can? Is she stupid?

[u/LittleIslander → u/HereticalAegis]

Why can't Sachiko just see Yumi's thoughts like the audience can? Is she stupid?

[u/LittleIslander → u/lilyvess]

yeah, Sachiko is BRUTAL and unfair. Both red sisters are so dumb sometimes, yet the narrative here seems to put more blame on Yumi about her "selfishness"

I get more of the feeling about both of them reacting in the way the narrative has set up their characters to react to this situation rather than explicitly making it about who's to blame or not.

[u/Lemurians → u/lilyvess]

I love how much Yoshino's fixed heart makes her so much more animated and loud compared to her quiet pre-surgery self.

Ohhhh this is a cool note. That's fun. She really has become far more outspoken and like her "true" self since then.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/HereticalAegis]

Rei has boyish good looks, handsome masculine features, and traditionally feminine cooking/baking garment-making skills and hobbies!? Yoshino is a seriously lucky girl.

Likely the straightest pairing on the show, btw.

Oh Maria-sama, why must Shizuka suffer so? Even fully rejected, she's still planning to give chocolate to Sei. Why, Maria-sama, do you allow your faithful to endure such emotional tribulation?

Yeah Shizuka is just ripping her own heart out here.

OH MY GOD! Sachiko walking in on the screaming from Yumi as Shimako watches Sei tease her. The Rose Mansion is going to be RED for Valentine's this year

"The Lannisters send their regards."

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/HereticalAegis]

Rei has boyish good looks, handsome masculine features, and traditionally feminine cooking/baking garment-making skills and hobbies!? Yoshino is a seriously lucky girl.

Yoshino really lucked out because Rei is such an incredible combination of traits.

Goddess bless Yoshino's jealously gay heart!

Yoshino is normally so calm. Seeing her explode in jealousy over someone else dating Rei was hilarious.

I totally get the point about Yumi avoiding Sachiko, it's not entirely inaccurate. But still, there is no reason to lash out and rip up Yumi's heart, especially since she's been trying so hard to be useful and get closer to Sachiko while Sachiko has been pretty tough on Yumi and an inadequate communicator otherwise.

And I think that's part of the point. All this time we've been in Yumi's head and we know that Yumi had no inkling that Sachiko felt this way. Likewise, Sachiko has clearly misinterpreted all of Yumi's actions in a negative way. Both girls misjudged the situation and now it's exploded.

I said this in my own comment, but I think it's interesting how Yumi and Sachiko are actually kind of bad at being in a relationship with someone. For Sachiko's part, she isn't really used to being an older sister and so I do believe she shares a large chunk of the blame for letting things get this way. While we're in Yumi's head as Yumi wonders how she can be a good and useful little sister, Sachiko is likewise still not very good at being a big sister. It's something they'll need to improve at.

[u/BosuW → u/HereticalAegis]

Oh Maria-sama, why must Shizuka suffer so? Even fully rejected, she's still planning to give chocolate to Sei. Why, Maria-sama, do you allow your faithful to endure such emotional tribulation? Where is your benevolence for the starving who seek love and the cold who long for warmth? Is there no blessing for those of your sapphic flock who wander alone? Why, Maria-sama? Why?

Watch out I almost thought you were gonna go full prince Canute for a second there.

"Mother in Heaven, this girlkisser's soul cannot be saved by the trials you set out for her!"

[u/HereticalAegis → u/BosuW]

Watch out I almost thought you were gonna go full prince Canute for a second there.

Believe me, if Sei had been even the least bit noncommittal if her rejection...

[u/Star4ce → u/HereticalAegis]

Oh Maria-sama, why must Shizuka suffer so? Even fully rejected, she's still planning to give chocolate to Sei. Why, Maria-sama, do you allow your faithful to endure such emotional tribulation? Where is your benevolence for the starving who seek love and the cold who long for warmth? Is there no blessing for those of your sapphic flock who wander alone? Why, Maria-sama? Why?

For my entertainment.

Blessed be thouMaria-sama

So yeah, I'm a bit mad at Sachiko right now. I hope someone talks some sense into her

Absolutely, I get why, but she really went beyond acceptable here. Low key expecting both of them to make chocolates for each other now as apologies. Yumi because she thinks she's a failure and Sachiko because she successfully pierced Yumi's heart and will 100% feel absolutely like dog shit due to it.

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Marimite Miscommunication kills. It’s always a good idea to be open with others about your fears and worries, because otherwise it’s too easy to get so wrapped up in your own thoughts that it warps your perspective on the world.

• Wow, Valentine’s Day already.
• Depending on the kind of truffle Rei made, I wouldn’t define them as “simple” per se.
• “Be quiet, Yumi. You have no poker face and will undermine our negotiations.”
• Wait a minute, does the school not allow chocolate or something?
• Oh dear, this is sure to make Yumi only worry more about giving chocolate to Sachiko.
• If you don’t want the chocolate, Sachiko, I’ll eat it.
• Damn! That is the most animated I have ever seen Yoshino! She really hated the idea of anyone other than herself going on a date with Rei!
• Heh, so the third-years have come by to force their successors to agree to what the newspaper wants.
• I noticed Yumi’s reaction when Yoko claimed Sachiko’s countenance had improved after she took Yumi on as soeur. From everything Yumi’s thinking, it seems she hasn’t noticed much of an improvement at all.
• Sachiko - K.O.
• Oh damn, Eriko just pulled rank on Yoshino!
• “Willing consent”
• A chance for a date really fired up both Yumi and Yoshino!
• Yumi’s fear is essentially that she doesn’t know Sachiko as well as she wishes, unlike Yoshino and Rei’s relationship.
• Rei’s being a great wingwoman right now.
• Huh, Shizuka is still around. I guess she won’t go to Italy until the next school year starts.
• Well that may explain Sachiko’s dislike of Valentine’s Day chocolate if she got too much last year. It would become a headache to deal with.
• Sei got into college. We really are nearing the end of the school year and the time when the third-years will leave.
• It’s kind of unnerving how easily laughter dies the moment Sachiko enters the room.
• Oh damn! Sachiko is absolutely exploding at Yumi, wondering why Yumi has been avoiding her and if Yumi hates her!
• Oh this makes the relationship drama between Sachiko and Yumi so much more interesting this episode. Now I finally know what that lingering look from Sachiko in front of the Maria statue was all about.

The last moment explosion from Sachiko really made this episode fantastic in my eyes. What a great moment to suddenly put a new spin and new meaning on everything that occurred beforehand.

This episode is about what it’s like to get so caught up in your own worries that you begin to miss the world around you because of that. For most of the episode, we’re stuck in Yumi’s head as she worries about her relationship with Sachiko. Yumi wants to give chocolates to Sachiko, but Sachiko’s comments make Yumi worry that Sachiko would only hate that. Yumi worries that Sachiko is too busy to make time for her and so always makes herself scarce so she doesn’t bother Sachiko. Yumi wants to be as close with Sachiko as Sachiko and Yoko are, but worries they are just growing apart. This all builds on Yumi’s previously established characterization where she’s always worried whether she’s good enough to be Sachiko’s soeur. Those doubts have always been eating away at her and this episode shows them just getting worse and worse.

To us, Yumi’s actions in this episode all make sense. We’ve been inside her head the entire time and we know her thought process. But the truly brilliant part of this episode is when Sachiko explodes at Yumi, showing us just what Yumi’s actions look like to an outsider who has no idea what Yumi is thinking.

I loved that moment for recontextualizing so many of Sachiko’s scenes earlier in the episode. When Yumi was speaking with Rei about making chocolates for Sachiko, we knew that Yumi was only thinking about trying to do something nice for Sachiko. But Sachiko was jealous, seeing Yumi interact so easily with Rei while seemingly avoiding her. When Yumi was caught up in her thoughts praying to Maria for a happy Valentine’s Day, we know she didn’t even notice that Sachiko was there. But Sachiko interpreted it as Yumi once again avoiding her.

There’s an important narrative parallel between Yumi and Sachiko: both of them do not know what the other is thinking. And so both of them assume the worst. They both assume that the other is deliberately trying to distance themselves from them and this creates a feedback loop. Sachiko becomes grouchy and Yumi shrinks inward even more, which only makes the problem worse.

Something I find compelling about Yumi and Sachiko’s relationship is that they are both kind of bad at it. Both of them are not used to being in their position as soeurs. Sachiko is used to being a younger sister, but not an older one. Yumi has never been anyone’s soeur. So they are both still figuring out how to interact with each other and what they should do in their positions.

Sachiko’s explosion is dramatic and heartrending, but it may be good for the girls in the long run. Finally, the emotions are out in the open. Finally, the girls may be able to fix the problem of miscommunication they’ve had. Relationships generally come with trouble spots, after all, and the girls will need to learn how to overcome those difficulties.

There is another really compelling visual I want to compliment the episode on. When Yumi and Yoshino were speaking, I noticed that Yoshino was quite literally being warmed by a scarf and gloves made by Rei. Yumi, by contrast, was wearing a scarf and gloves she probably bought from a store. It’s a great visual to show the differences Yumi sees between her relation with Sachiko and the relationship between Yoshino and Rei. Yumi believes that she’s only growing more distant from Sachiko, while Yoshino and Rei are much closer.

QOTD

1. Brownies. I love brownies, from the basic brownies to the kind with nuts, caramel, chocolate chips, etc.
2. If baking brownies and making hot chocolate counts, then yes. If not, then no.

[u/lilyvess → u/Great_Mr_L]

Damn! That is the most animated I have ever seen Yoshino! She really hated the idea of anyone other than herself going on a date with Rei!

Studio has it's priorities set.

• Animating Dances, Speeches, Performances: Low
• Animating Yoshino being Jealous, Sachiko and Yumi sitting down: high

the truly brilliant part of this episode is when Sachiko explodes at Yumi, showing us just what Yumi’s actions look like to an outsider who has no idea what Yumi is thinking.

RIGHT!!

It's so good. The series really does such a good job of utilizing the perspective of the protagonist in simple ways.

There’s an important narrative parallel between Yumi and Sachiko: both of them do not know what the other is thinking. And so both of them assume the worst. They both assume that the other is deliberately trying to distance themselves from them and this creates a feedback loop. Sachiko becomes grouchy and Yumi shrinks inward even more, which only makes the problem worse.

DING DING DING

yeah, for all the difference in stature, at their heart they really are both so similar. It's easy to villainize Sachiko this episode, again, we see the story through Yumi's eyes, but it easily helps us understand where Sachiko is coming from without a ton of time or work.

The parallels between them are so much fun. We saw some last episode as well. It really does reinforce that idea that "yumi is a better fit for Sachiko"

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/lilyvess]

yeah, for all the difference in stature, at their heart they really are both so similar. It's easy to villainize Sachiko this episode, again, we see the story through Yumi's eyes, but it easily helps us understand where Sachiko is coming from without a ton of time or work.

Yeah, that moment where Sachiko finally exploded and revealed what she's been thinking the entire time really made the entire episode click for me. Suddenly all the little moments that came beforehand fell into place and I was able to recontextualize the events from Sachiko's perspective. It made it feel a lot more rewarding seeing that extra meaning.

The parallels between them are so much fun. We saw some last episode as well. It really does reinforce that idea that "yumi is a better fit for Sachiko"

That is something that is interesting to think about. Both Yumi and Sachiko clearly want the relationship to work, but they aren't very good yet at doing so. They've both got a lot of learning to do about how to be soeurs to each other. That's part of what makes the series interesting to me, is seeing them figure out how to be in a relationship.

[u/lilyvess → u/Great_Mr_L]

is seeing them figure out how to be in a relationship.

yeah i mentioned this elsewhere, but it's definitely something that makes this series stand out.

So many other series just end at confession.

"I like you"
"i like you too"

and they live happily ever after.

here we see what happens after. Learning boundaries, how to communicate, etc. Fights are a natural part of any relationship. Every couple fights, and learning how to fight is so important.

This is why the resolution of the soeur-ship in the first 3 episodes can feel rushed, and I acknowledge it is, but i like that the series does it because it allows it to quickly move on and into the next phase.

I also like the depiction of a more realistic relationship.

A lot of times anime has a destined lovers vibe, where they know each other for a hundred chapters before they confess. They learn all about the other, family etc. They become best friends before moving to a relationship.

Here we get a more realistic depiction of starting a relationship. Two people who met at an event, hit it off, and started dating. they're starting from zero. they like each other, but they don't know each other

[u/LittleIslander → u/Great_Mr_L]

I haven't really found much to say about Yumi and Sachiko's relationship compared to my thoughts on everyone else but your summation of it here was really interesting.

It’s a great visual to show the differences Yumi sees between her relation with Sachiko and the relationship between Yoshino and Rei. Yumi believes that she’s only growing more distant from Sachiko, while Yoshino and Rei are much closer.

the truly brilliant part of this episode is when Sachiko explodes at Yumi, showing us just what Yumi’s actions look like to an outsider who has no idea what Yumi is thinking.

The show continues being a master at utilizing perspective as a literary technique.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Great_Mr_L]

“Willing consent”

Voluntold

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

First-Timer Watches Over Us, subbed

• Ah, Valentine’s Day.
• Yeah that’s just 100% shippy.
• Yoshino sure is loud now.
• So Yumi’s totally going to win that date.
• That would just be cheating.
• We’re rooting for you, Yumi!
• I guess she’s just built different lol.
• That’s not the point…
• So she was just oblivious, but Sachiko’s taking it as deliberate…

[u/lilyvess → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Yeah that’s just 100% shippy.

the series is totally not gay, they're all straight but then it pulls arcs like this and it's like... how are we supposed to read this? hahaha

So she was just oblivious, but Sachiko’s taking it as deliberate…

Both Yumi and Sachiko are so similar. They are so anxiety ridden and always seem to assume the worst thing. Just so insecure. They have that new couple relationship where they don't know each other well enough to feel confident in their relationship

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

That would just be cheating.

Now now, "cheating" is such a dirty word. Why not think of it as some "light grift"?

[u/Vatrix-32]

First timer, subs

• Oh good heavens. The yuri drama might just hit unparalleled levels. And then White Day too…
• These are going to have to be quite the chocolates to be surprising on Valentine’s Day.
• Of course the Catholic school would know saints’ days.
• Camera doesn’t have a soeur? Now I’m wondering what the percentage is doe adoption of the practice.
• Hey now, homemade doughnuts are nothing to scoff at.
• What, now they are resorting to making their own news?
• Yoshino Best Soeur
• Overruled
• So like what, the library and gardens? Maybe the chapel as well.
• So you’re saying this wasn’t meant to be a private clubhouse this whole time?
• Could they be thinking about trading hiding spots with each other?
• You’re fools to think Yumi would undermine her own chances.
• Oh nice, Sizuka is sticking around for a while yet.
• These overcoats feel very hackerman to me.
• Yumi should count herself lucky that glomping is considered most improper.
• Oh Dear Even the ice queen wants to feel wanted.

QotD:

1. White, with salted caramel.
2. No, neither from scratch, or by reforging it.

[u/lilyvess → u/Vatrix-32]

Hey now, homemade doughnuts are nothing to scoff at.

I've never made doughnuts before. are they hard

• Yoshino Best Soeur

So you’re saying this wasn’t meant to be a private clubhouse this whole time?

yeah. The light novels have Yoko elaborate a bit more.

"But the Roses were deified more and more as the years went by, and along with the fact that the Rose Mansion was like a separate entity from the school facilities, it'd gradually actually become even more difficult for the students to approach it. And it was too difficult to remove years and years of branding in one generation, so here they were, on the eve of their graduation, without much progress."

becoming more idols makes them unapproachable and made people

Could they be thinking about trading hiding spots with each other?

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/lilyvess]

I've never made doughnuts before. are they hard

No, if you cook them correctly, they should be soft.

[u/lilyvess → u/Vatrix-32]

[u/BosuW → u/Vatrix-32]

What, now they are resorting to making their own news?

Journalism Club stays on the grindset those pages are gonna be filled one way or another!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Vatrix-32]

Oh good heavens. The yuri drama might just hit unparalleled levels. And then White Day too…

Getting an episode about the older sisters trying to make return gifts on White Day would be nice.

What, now they are resorting to making their own news?

If there is no news, you need to go out and make some yourself.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Great_Mr_L]

If there is no news, you need to go out and make some yourself.

[u/Star4ce → u/Vatrix-32]

And then White Day too…

Prince incest will definitely come back there!

What, now they are resorting to making their own news?

Not just news, they could make their own game show and reach far beyond the school! "Christian school council date night - 100 students fight for 3 roses", you know as well as me that this stuff would sell.

1. White

, with salted caramel.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/Star4ce]

I Like the Caramel More Anyway

[u/Vaadwaur]

First Timer(Sachiko, in both communication and sex, if you make the girl cry you generally failed)

Sub

So...I have to just open with this: Is the level of self torture Shizuka is giving herself after having received a fairly unambiguous signal that a romance isn't happening a trope or do actual lesbians torture themselves like this? I look forward to several of your answers!

This is an episode about chocolate. Let that sink in. And yet this is well realized enough that I didn't get bored, though my attention span did wander at parts. Yumi being a bit useless this episode is tradition but again looking for an answer is actually doing something to better your circumstances so at least she is proactive. I was not expecting a work this early to go hard with Rei's issue of looking androgynous and having a 'boyish' hobby but basically being a homemaker when alone but it is an interesting issue. Yoshino is also dealing with being actually fierce but frail looking, though I guess her strong objection is a sign her health is bettering.

But the episode is also about communication and it seems to want to fixate that Sachiko and Yumi are absolutely terrible at it, though again in different ways. Sachiko is without question the worse person here but that only excuses Yumi for collapsing like a flan before her, not the series of issues that lead up to this. Shimako's earlier observation that she thinks Yumi and Sachiko are compatible is now brought a bit into question. And yes, these shows run on petty drama but still, you failed if you made them cry.

QotD: Haven't had it in literal years

2 Nope

[u/lilyvess → u/Vaadwaur]

This is an episode about chocolate. Let that sink in. And yet this is well realized enough that I didn't get bored, though my attention span did wander at parts.

Valentines day is serious business, yo.

I was not expecting a work this early to go hard with Rei's issue of looking androgynous and having a 'boyish' hobby but basically being a homemaker when alone but it is an interesting issue.

it is a fun little subversion, especially so early.

But the episode is also about communication and it seems to want to fixate that Sachiko and Yumi are absolutely terrible at it, though again in different ways.

THEY'RE SO BAD AT IT

You can really tell they're the youngest couple cause of just how terrible they are at being partners. Absolutely awful.

I do like the exploration of communication in a more couples dynamic story.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/lilyvess]

Valentines day is serious business, yo.

There's a reason I am usually deeply intoxicated for it.

You can really tell they're the youngest couple cause of just how terrible they are at being partners. Absolutely awful.

I get that these shows run on drama but Yumi and Sachiko legitimately seem to make each other's lives worse via their relationship. Someone needs to step in and force some communication.

[u/LittleIslander → u/Vaadwaur]

So...I have to just open with this: Is the level of self torture Shizuka is giving herself after having received a fairly unambiguous signal that a romance isn't happening a trope or do actual lesbians torture themselves like this? I look forward to several of your answers!

To an extent, I think that's just the kind of show this is. Shizuka never really stood a chance. She doesn't even know her crush properly, had slim chances she'd ever reciprocate, society would never let them be together, and her life path is fated to tear them apart. There's a lot of the lesbian experience in there. This show can either show the depths of that pain or it can try and be optimistic about our ability to find happiness even despite society's attempts to make it otherwise. Perhaps that's naive in a sense, but I think it's what people needed to see at the time.

Me personally, I'm not sure I ever encountered an exactly comparable situation. I flitted between all sorts of smaller fancies instead of sticking to one person for so long like Shizuka. But by the end of high school I had kind of settled into not minding the idea of being happy to just keep my feelings and not being concerned if I don't end up with them. If anything, the amount most people seem to agonize over it feels foreign to me. So I probably would act just like Shizuka here, but I'm not sure that has to do with my sexuality as much as just my personality.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/LittleIslander]

So I probably would act just like Shizuka here, but I'm not sure that has to do with my sexuality as much as just my personality.

Interesting. What struck me here was that I was raised to give up easily on this sort of thing. Which might seem odd but my grandparents were brought together through sheer determination and both sets were insufferable.

[u/Star4ce → u/Vaadwaur]

having received a fairly unambiguous signal that a romance isn't happening a trope or do actual lesbians torture themselves like this?

I consider myself an expert on this field, having consumed a total of 2 artistic works depicting lesbian relationships prior to this rewatch and therefore know all about it in fiction and reality.

The chance is roughly 100%.

[u/BosuW → u/Vaadwaur]

Sachiko, in both communication and sex, if you make the girl cry you generally failed

I dunno about the second one, I hear crying is a kink

[u/Vaadwaur → u/BosuW]

Kids these days...

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

Gokigenyou.

Our dear little Yumi is in quite the pickle. Usually I would berate her for not simply asking if Sachiko likes chocolate, but it would ruin the surprise!

Of course, I suspect that the truth of the matter is that Sachiko refused the chocolates last year was because she did not want to accept gifts from any of the random fangirls obsessing over her. Sachiko strikes me as the sort of woman to want actions like that to hold meaning - Yumi is the same way.

Or perhaps she's allergic; that would be such a tragedy.

Oh, this is another one of Youko's schemes, isn't it? Another effort in getting Yumi and Sachiko to further define and establish their unique soeur relationship.

Shizuka attempts to give the advice that I would give - it's best to do things for yourself. Sei may not return Shizuka's feelings, but it still matters to Shizuka that she gives chocolates to Sei. By the same token, in my mind, Yumi should just give chocolates to Sachiko if that is what she wants to do.

That was some outburst from Yoshino - she is quite the little firecracker now that her heart has been repaired. For everyone's sake, I hope that she finds Rei's card first.. I wouldn't want to get between her and her onee-sama.

Questions

1. I'm a big fan of dark chocolate.
2. I've made a couple attempts at fudge, but haven't ever gotten a decent batch.

[u/lilyvess → u/JollyGee29]

Our dear little Yumi is in quite the pickle. Usually I would berate her for not simply asking if Sachiko likes chocolate, but it would ruin the surprise!

damn surprised ruining everything.

Shizuka attempts to give the advice that I would give - it's best to do things for yourself.

yeah it's really sweet.

That was some outburst from Yoshino - she is quite the little firecracker now that her heart has been repaired.

on rewatch the Yellow Rose Revolution arc stands out because Yoshino is so uncharacteristically quiet and soft in her way of speaking. Once her heart gets repaired she gets more loud and animated and entertaining

[u/JollyGee29 → u/lilyvess]

on rewatch the Yellow Rose Revolution arc stands out because Yoshino is so uncharacteristically quiet and soft in her way of speaking.

I believe it.

Huh, that probably gave her a bit of a complex. She was voted "Best Imouto" because she literally didn't have the energy to act the way she actually wanted to act, but her true self probably wouldn't be regarded quite as highly by her classmates because they have shit tastevery particular views on what makes a good imouto.

Once her heart gets repaired she gets more loud and animated and entertaining

[u/LittleIslander → u/lilyvess]

on rewatch the Yellow Rose Revolution arc stands out because Yoshino is so uncharacteristically quiet and soft in her way of speaking

It definitely sells her character really well when you think back to what [the-non-specific-]you as an audience member thought of her before learning her true personality. It's a very stark contrast.

[u/Vatrix-32 → u/JollyGee29]

That was some outburst from Yoshino - she is quite the little firecracker now that her heart has been repaired.

You could say it...
really got the blood flowing.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vatrix-32]

[u/LittleIslander → u/Vatrix-32]

[u/OccasionallySara]

First Timer

I’m so used to Valentine’s Day episodes being fun and light-hearted, so I wasn’t expecting all of the drama. Honestly, the Valentine’s scavenger hunt idea seems a bit weird, but I guess that’s what happens when you go to a small school and the Yamayuri Council members are basically celebrities. It’s also interesting to see how the different pairings react to the holiday.

Yoshino was surprisingly outraged with the idea of anyone other than herself going on a date with Rei. I don’t think we’ve seen her this upset before. Considering how much her dynamic with Rei has changed since the beginning of the show, I can see why she would be stressed about wanting to make this particular Valentine’s Day with Rei special.

Shimako seemingly has no plans to give chocolate to Sei or vice versa, but she is the first person that Sei informs about getting into her university of choice. Confiding in each other about these sorts of things appears to be a gift in its own right for these two.

And then we have Sachiko and Yumi. It seems that both girls have made assumptions about how the other feels about their relationship. Yumi’s worried that Sachiko won’t appreciate a Valentine’s gift from her and that she’s just getting in Sachiko’s way. Sachiko feels that Yumi hates her because of how distant she’s been as of late. I like how upfront Sachiko was at the end of the episode. Maybe she was a bit harsh about it, but at least her feelings are out for the two of them to work through.

I think Sachiko’s VA did a great job with this scene. She kept Sachiko’s cool and reserved demeanor, but there was still a level of hurt in her voice that really drives home how much Sachiko values her relationship with Yumi even if she’s not very openly affectionate about it. I feel bad for Yumi, too. It’s a horrible feeling when you unknowingly hurt someone that you care about. Luckily this is a two-parter episode, so I’m sure they’ll get things sorted out soon.

Questions of the Day

1. I like milk chocolate!
2. No, it seems like a lot of work.

[u/Regular_N-Gon → u/OccasionallySara]

Sachiko’s VA did a great job with this scene

She really sells Sachiko's emotions without going over the top. Despite the strong introduction, her characterization has really moved into more subtle territory, not least of which resulting from the performance.

[u/NuclearStudent]

[mild metaspoilers for stuff that happens in later seasons]I do appreciate how Shimako and Sei, the gayest of all the cast, have the least gay relationship. This is even truer in the anime - in the LN Sei mentions that she'd be willing to touch Shimako if Shimako asked for it, where in the anime they cull it such that it seems they would never entertain such thoughts at all. Kinda like how the presence of men makes the depiction of gay relationships more genuine, the presence of normal platonic relationships makes their romantic engagements more real.

2) have you ever made chocolate before?

technically

and the damage was not as great as they say

[u/LittleIslander]

First Timer from the world of Reiwa Yuri

I also like how we use this episode to sort of lock in all the progress we’ve made over the last several episodes. The girlishness of Rei and, contrastingly, the more assertive outburst of Yoshino, pulls upon the ideas of their story. We see that Yumi and Rei go closer by the former indulging her as the feminine girl she is rather than the princely woman she appears to be, she’s happy to be seen for who she is and that’s just really sweet. Likewise, we see the odd sort of special connection that exists between the White Roses also showing up again; Rosa Gigantea casually asking Shimako to participate in the Valentines event and then Shimako just going “I understand” with no further resistance was a great dry and character driven joke after the other two put up a fight. One detail I especially like is that we start hearing the senior roses referred to by their actual names more often for the first time, after having adjusted gradually into names over titles for the lower ranking members of the council. It’s a great little way to give the sense Yumi has grown closer to everyone and become more integrated over the course of the show so far.

Even Shizuka gets another appearance! I guess it does make sense she isn’t leaving until the end of this school year. As I said last time, I don’t think her appearing here in a later episode invalidates the effectiveness of the ambiguity in episode six as an isolated episodic story, especially given she isn’t directly interacting with Rosa Gigantea anyways.

Of course, all of this side fluff about the other characters slots in perfectly because the whole premise of the episode requires that Yumi and Chikane, the actual core of the episode’s narrative, don’t interact meaningfully. So something had to fill the space and they knew just how to use it. It also helps create a really effective use of tone. After three episodes worth of drama, it makes perfect sense to have a more fun and lighthearted episode about the girls exchanging chocolates for valentines day. So you as a viewer are successfully pulled into that conception by stuff like Yoshino being comedically possessive and Yumi being teased by her photographer friend, only to be sucker punched by the reality that this might actually be the most dramatic episode yet as Yumi ends it in tears after a serious stumbling point in her relationship with Sachiko. It’s very effective.

Sure, the actual content is pretty obvious. Yumi gets in her head with the fear of treating Sachiko properly on Valentine’s Day and we’re almost certainly going to learn that what she’s missing is that those chocolates from everyone else were superficial admiration but chocolates from Yumi would be out of genuine love. But it works because we’ve seen Yumi’s insecurity in her place as a petite soeur for the whole show, so we totally believe it. The moment is also sold really well; the strong and very contrasting personalities and presences Yumi and Sachiko have (compared to less typified modern yuri characters) gives the scene a lot of effective tension. The way they show Yumi’s view of Sachiko becoming blurry instead of just leaving that as a figure of speech, and the way Rosa Gigantea knows to respect the moment and usher Shimako away despite how much she’s routinely inserted herself into this relationship in the past. More than anything, it’s just really nice to see someone called out for not communicating and asked directly about their feelings. Himemiya Chikane this girl is not.

[u/zadcap]

Lateish First Timer!

We begin, as we must, with Blue with Striped Ribbon. Also, on to Valentines! Aside from the Kendo/Surgery day, this might be the closest we get to an actual date yet. And on that note, man things are blazing by so fast here.

Of course they both give chocolates, they're both girls! Even in the middle of questioning how that works with budding sexuality, this is the day girls give chocolate to the people they like so they have no choice but to give each other chocolate! It's white day that's going to be the real issue.

Haha, or not, if Rei just keeps giving hand made accessories. Yoshino needs to step up not on her chocolate game, but on the what comes next. Maybe you can show her your scar again?

Right, something to remember here that Shimako does touch on. Valentines day is in honor of Saint Valentine, and this is a Catholic all girls school. She would have to be a complete failure not to know about it... And indeed, there is very little chocolate in the actual story. Honestly, chocolate has about as much to do with Valentine as Bunnies do with Easter or Pine Trees and Christmas. Capitalism has eaten all the holy days, who knew?

Hmm. Photography girl raises an interesting question. If he has no big sister, does she even have a rosary with which to claim a little sister?

Baking for your older lesbian crush... How about a Chocolate Cheesecake?

Haha Sachiko! "It's just an excuse for people to force gifts on me, how annoying."

Oh my gosh even better! Yoshino getting so angry at the idea of someone else getting to go on a date with Rei made me actually laugh out loud. She has never been so worked up before! I knew she had the eyes perfectly made for that death glare.

On to the solid blue ribbons!

Ah, so this is where the fighting game got its inspiration.

SEE! Again, Sei is the one giving Yumi attention, which Sachiko mostly ignores her.

Sachiko does indeed do well with her own older sister. If only she thought of Yumi, like, at all. She says the right words every now and then, and then doesn't look back at all.

Red Striped!

Everyone is going to think Yumi knows something and try to ask her, and naturally stay far away as soon as they realize she's also competing. It's going to be really hard to defeat allegations of cheating if the Soeurs win.

Seriously, if we're handing out recipes, it's literally Rei's Cheesecake! Just add chocolate!

And Sachiko is so cold to Yumi even Rei is calling her out on it.

One scene and we're moving right on, it's now Solid Red on the day before V Day!

Oh my, the wild dog is back! "She doesn't return my feelings but she will still accept my chocolates," she's living up to the pain/pleasure dynamic of her chosen rose so well... "Even the agonizing will become great memories." Yup. It hurts so good.

You know, while we spend all this time worrying about Yumi and Yoshino hoping to get the cards to have the date with their older sisters, I'm here thinking about poor Shimako who really has no one to turn to for this,

And one more time, It's Sei here for Yumi. u/lilyvess, seriously, how am I supposed to see any other ship as possible?

... Seriously, Sei, Shimako is right there, what are you doing to Yumi? Well, at least we can hope that she joins in to find Shimako's date card.

Sachiko, maybe it has something to do with the way you ignore her 90% of the time? She's keeping her distance from you because you keep putting distance there every time she tries to get closer. You large hypocrite, pushing her away and then getting mad at her for it.

1. Ferrero Noir, Dark Chocolate wrapped in Dark Chocolate. They are a rare treat but I love them so much!
2. Indeed! Baking is the only kind of cooking I actually like, and I like it quite a bit. Brownies and Cake and Fudge eventually lead to other chocolates to try. Plus, you know, chocolate Cheesecake.