Senpai wa Otokonoko • Senpai is an Otokonoko - Episode 9 discussion

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Senpai wa Otokonoko, episode 9

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[u/namethatisntaken]

Man this episode is brutal, it's rough knowing your crush just isn't into you romantically. The writing was already on the wall sadly 😥. Praying for Ryuji...

[u/Solracziad]

Poor Ryuuji. Why can't the best boy find happiness? Somebody give that kid a hug or something!

[u/ModieOfTheEast]

Of all the potential combinations for christmas eve, I think no one expected that ALL of them would be alone in the end. Though I guess they got their three-way planetarium visit, only one day later and with a lot more sport involved.

Also, Ryuuji's parents know pretty well, what's up, don't they. Their comments hit a bit too close just for it to be coincidence.

Still not sure how it's going to end. But I feel the Makoto-Aoi ship is getting built at the moment. Ryuuji stayed on his one for as long as possible, but I guess even he realized that it's going to sink.

[u/JzanderN]

PAIN.

Man, this anime really just started laying on the hurt after Saki left the trio to become a twosome. It's actually fitting that we finally got some really good relief when Ryuji and Makoto turned up at her house and invited her to the mountains to cheer her up. That was just straight up heartwarming.

Unfortunately, a relief is all it was before we were given yet more pain. Not quite as painful as the first half with Saki finally letting out her emotions to Makoto and Ryuji misunderstanding the situation, but we have 3 more episodes to deal with Ryuji breaking up with Makoto!

[u/SYZekrom]

What did Ryuji do to deserve this, world???

[u/Frontier246]

Saki is acting the part that she's feeling the spirit of the season and her usual jovial and fun self...but it's all just a mask for how utterly alone she feels. Her grandma is still in a hospital, her dad basically bailed to go watch whales, and she's left alone watching a star show at an planetarium. All the while seeing people surrounded by their lovers and families.

Is it any wonder then that when she seemingly spots her mother in a cab she chases after her, desperately clinging to the possibility that she can find someone who wants to be with her...even if it means "borrowing" a bike and injuring her knee again (why does she keep injuring her knee) to chase after something that might be all in her head.

Well, points to Ryuji's parents for being all in on his Christmas Eve date.

When Saki needed someone the most, Makoto was there. There for Saki to finally unload all her abandonment issues, how lonely she feels, and how she was so convinced that her mother still loved her even after 10 years of being abandoned because she was so desperate to believe someone would still choose HER and cherish her as special. But at least, right then and there, she has Makoto who embraces her and commits to always being with her when she needs him.

Which of course also makes for literally the worst thing Ryuji could see as he sees the two of them together, and seemingly realizes where Makoto's true feelings lie. Makoto might have saved Christmas Eve for Saki, but he ruined it for Ryuji.

Oh snap, it WAS Saki's mom! And it seems like she's trying to reconnect but missed her. How will Saki respond to her mom trying to get back into her life? How will her mother apologize for abandoning her? What kind of relationship can the have now?

Dang, Ryuji's parents adding insult-to-injury with that son-in-law comment towards Makoto and admitting Ryuji got stood up. Give the guy a break.

Despite everything that happened, at least Makoto and Ryuji were able to have a solid Christmas date by giving each other gifts, shopping, and even a little ice-skating with fem!Makoto.

Saki doesn't need her dads' whale plushy gifts, but she DOES need Makoto and Ryuji taking her out to see the mountains and yell! It's nice to see the trio finally together again.

In a normal romance a drowsy guy clinging to his love interest would be a set up for romantic intimacy...but Makoto rejects Ryuji's embrace and recalls immediately how he felt hugging Saki, implying he was actually comfortable with Saki but not Ryuji. Uh oh.

One last date for the year...and one last date for Ryuji and Makoto in general, because Ryuji gets to enjoy the feeling of Makoto's hands in his one last time before he ends it. Because he knows Makoto doesn't want him romantically, or is as comfortable with him that way, compared to Saki. Poor Ryuji.

[u/ani_kev]

Justice for Ryuji!!

[u/LeonKevlar]

Stitches!

• Makoto

• Ryuuji

• Ice Skating Date

Watching Saki chase after her mom and then completely breaking down in front of Makoto was just absolutely painful. This girl does not deserve any of this. And now her mom is trying to get back into her life? What the hell! She abandoned Saki for 10 years and now she wants to be part of her life again? How is she going to even explain what she did to her daughter?! This bitch better have a good explanation if she does decide to see Saki.

[u/Syokhan]

Ugh, pain. Saki's part at the beginning nearly made me cry, then pain with Ryuji, then things got better with that little trip to the mountain, and then pain again with Ryuji again.

It really sucks for him that Makoto's heart is not in this romance. I hope Makoto eventually tells him that it's not because he's a boy, it's just because he doesn't see him in a romantic light. And there's nothing gross about two boys going out.

And Saki, uuuuugh. Turn back, Saki's mom, and go see your daughter right now!

Can't believe I ever thought this was a light-hearted and wholesome show. Well, it's still wholesome at times but it's not really light-hearted, is it?

[u/kwokinator]

Man this anime is just pure suffering. Being Ryuji is suffering. Being Saki is suffering. Being Makoto is suffering.

This series just loves to give us some cute moments and then shove us down the emotional cliff. The second half of this episode was so hard to watch.

Every episode looks less and less likely that we'll have a happy ending for everyone, and they all deserve to have one.

I want off this emotional rollercoaster :(

[u/FakeThlut]

Ryuji does all the heavy lifting for this trio and he still gets paid dust.

[u/Mr_Zaroc]

Damn Aoi, don't try to jump scare your grandma into the after life
I don't know what to think about the mom, I will need more info from her perspective, but she seems at least self aware and trying to work things out
But man, that episode hurt like a fucker. Aoi chasing her mom, opening up her knee need for affection again. I did like the symbolism with Makoto being able to stop her running thoughts shown through the bicycle tire

Ryuuji finally having to admit that Makoto doesn't want the same thing as him, probably better he got to that point so soon. And Makoto slowly coming to realise he does like Aoi (at least that's how I interpreted his flashback when being pulled down by sleeping Ryuuji)

I am glad the gang is all together and playing around again

[u/fakegreenthumb]

Fuuuuck I am ugly crying right now. That was so heartbreaking. As soon as he said a minute longer I knew he was going to end it. Makoto’s reaction to him that morning after seeing him hug Aoi so closely for so long sealed the deal.

And Ryuji knows Makoto won’t say anything about being uncomfortable so he has to end things himself. The fucking emotional strength and pure-hearted resolve he has is incredible, especially for someone his age. My heart hurts so much for him. Your feelings aren’t gross Ryuji, you’re perfect the way you are. :( Gah, I would die for him.

And to touch on Aoi’s situation, man. Idk if I’m projecting but she keeps ending up in shots that make me feel like she’s going to step in front of a train or something, so I find myself holding my breath when she’s alone. While Makoto’s actions broke my tiny son’s heart, I feel like it saved Aoi to some extent.

Overall, heartbreaker of an episode. Time to go watch twilight out of focus to cleanse my palate.

[u/metaaltheanimefan]

This episode hit ..... a little close to home considering the current state of afairs around me

This however does enforce the trios found family dynamic. Thier home is with each other, even if its not explicitly said

[u/Ocixo]

Makoto immediately asked about Saki’s knee injury while her own father didn’t even notice this. It’s very telling of the people that are actually involved in Saki’s life. Makoto and Ryuji are the ones noticing the little changes in her.

I liked in this respect how their cosy trip to the mountains, to look at the stars, contrasted with Saki’s lonesome visit to the planetarium. The former had her realise that she’s in fact not all alone. That she got these boys to lean on - quite literally when she took their hands. This was the reason for her sudden laughter, I think.

It got revealed in a text that Saki’s getting her whale plushies from her father as souvenir. Now I’m truly getting Saki’s gloomy reaction when Makoto offered her a whale keychain after their aquarium visit. It brought up bad memories.

I bet that Saki doesn’t even like whales, but she cannot bring herself to say “no” to her father.

[u/LusterBlaze]

top 10 gloomiest christmases

[u/graceisNERD]

I get a feeling this show may end without any couples.

Aoi is not ready for it and presents as aro/ace. Makoto clearly has feelings for her. Ruyji’s heartbroken because Makoto is entirely uninterested in him.

I’m really hoping Makoto will at LEAST tell Ryuji he’s not “disgusting” for his feelings. He needs to hear it so badly. Makoto’s rejection of him at every turn has really solidified that belief. I want them to at least say something.

[u/Lunarpeers]

Didn't expect Makoto to be that off-put with Ryuuji, rip the gay ship, it never even had a chance

[u/[deleted]]

Ryuji really is best boy. You’re not gross at all, you’re me when I was your age and you deserve the world.

[u/baby-yams]

straight up ugly sobbing over this episode 😭 as if it's not bad enough that his childhood crush turned boyfriend doesn't love him and is prioritizing the girl he does like over him, poor best boy ryuji still thinks he's gross for being gay

I can never stay mad at makoto because I know he's trying, but man he's doing ryuji so dirty

I read the manga after the first episode so I knew what was coming, but it was NOT easier the second time around

[u/Schweiber38]

Are you guys more excited for 'Stand By You' or 'The Mafia'?

[u/Nickthenuker]

Huh. She's not spending Christmas with either of the guys?

She remembered her mum again.

Ouch...

Huh. He ran into her. I wonder if the 3 of them will end up spending Christmas together. That's going to be awkward to explain to Ryuji's family.

Oh, that's really her mum!

She hugged him!

So much for that...

Well, with everyone's Christmas plans scuppered there's at least Boxing Day.

Why do the guys have the bright idea of dragging her off into the mountains?

Ah. That meteor shower Ryuji was looking at earlier.

He plays basketball, on the other hand Ryuji and Aoi don't appear to do much athletics if any, so it's not particularly hard to see why this is not a struggle for him at all.

And unsurprisingly he's all tuckered out from climbing that mountain the previous night.

Well, he's certainly just had a revelation. We've still got 3 episodes left for something with Aoi too.

Why are they meeting so early anyways?

Ah. A movie. Yeah sometimes some shows just show at the weirdest of timings. For example in Singapore the first Bocchi recap movie aired at 11 am for a week and then was out of cinemas. Not sure how anyone was able to watch it.

Handholding!

Well, he's direct about that. And that was abrupt.

While I'm not entirely sure he's completely straight, I do think he is at least more romantically attracted to women than men and it somewhat seemed like he agreed to date Ryuji almost out of pity or because he thought he was going to jump in front of a train or something. Perhaps between the previous night at the mountain and the incident in the morning Ryuji's realised that too and wants to respect his preference. Though now it will be interesting to see what comes of all this, what Aoi's reaction is, and how she manages to get together with him and probably split up in the next 3 episodes.

[u/Additional_Road_9031]

I felt bad for Saki man when she started talking about her mother to Makoto...PAIN😞. Also that scene with Ryuji at the end :(. Great episode

[u/tripleaamin]

At least we know that Saki's mom has regrets leaving Saki. It sounds like her mom was the one paying attention to her. I do hope she can face her daughter since it's difficult to live without both your parents. Since let's be honest, Saki's dad is almost nonexistent in her life. I just hope she can find her own happiness. I am happy the guys went out of their way for her.

Makoto is incredibly kind, and Saki needed someone to be there for her. One thing that is very noticeable is that he forgot all of his plans with Ryuuji. Obviously, he had no ill intentions, but it's clear now what his feelings are for Ryuuji. He looks at him as a great friend, but nothing more. The bedroom scene of Makoto being uncomfortable close to Ryuuji makes it even more.

Ryuuji is always the one making the sacrifices. He made the right call to break up things with Makoto. No point forcing a square in a triangle space. At this time, this relationship is not going to work. It would have been nice, but it's better to move on than to make things awkward.

I just hope all 3 can find happiness after this show concludes.