Tsurezure Children Episode 9 Review

(Spoilers in this review) Our favorite shy couple, Chizuru and Takurou, open the episode for once. They can’t help but stare at each other during swim class, but Chizuru is convinced he’s looking at someone else. When they line up to swim from one side of the pool to the other side, Takurou corrects her misunderstanding and says he’s been only looking at her right before he jumps into the pool. She follows suit after being surprised at his words. Once she reaches the other side of the pool, she turns Takurou and confesses that she was looking at him, too.

Unfortunately, she took too long (or is just a slow swimmer) and Takurou had already bolted away from the pool. As a result, she was actually “confessing” to Takeru instead. He at least tries to support her by offering to tell Takurou what she had just said, but she politely declines out of embarrassment.

The second couple for this episode is Takase and Saki, who have yet to make amends after their “confession via text message” incident. I guess Takase was unable to apply what he had learned from the Love Master in episode 7. Unfortunately, Saki accidentally implies that she no longer wants to date him, Takase plays along, and both parties are too prideful or scared to make sure about each other’s feelings. As a result, both Saki and Takase agree to return to being friends even though they like each other. One step forward and three steps back!

Another misunderstanding between Takeru and Ayaka ensues. He assumes that she didn’t like the kiss and that she thinks he was too forceful. However, she wants him to initiate another kiss since she can’t get over how she coughed during her first kiss. Even when she starts inviting him to make his move by pretending to sleep on his lap, Takeru is too much of a gentleman (and too exhausted from sports practice to the point that he starts falling asleep as she “naps” on his lap) to do anything.

The last couple for this episode is Jun and Yuki. She trolls him as usual and he, as well as the audience, is left wondering if she actually kissed him or if she pressed his fingers against his lips.

What else can I say? You already know what you’re getting if you’ve been following along. I did notice that a lot of the male characters share very similar-sounding first names…but that’s like a minor point. All in all, the episode was enjoyable as long as you keep in mind that the couples will probably continue to struggle with miscommunication and assumptions until the series ends.

At this point, I doubt there will be any more couples introduced, which is a shame since some of the other couples have hilarious dynamics. Oh, well.