So episode 4 was a development episode in my view. Lots of side-stories in motion, but no definitive master strokes that finalize anything. In truth, I found that the "Lesson" that Dawson-kun tried to teach Kaori left me feeling a bit flat... I mean, I think that they got what he was saying, but I don't think that they got what it made Hikki feel like, and that would have made a difference in my book. NOT revenge, but to actually be given a choice to knowingly continue to act like wenches, or to at least try to be a bit more considerate of others. Then it is up to them. Oh, and that "I see" pause when she looked at how Fails at Cookies looks at Hikki could still go either way. Did she recognize a look of love, or pity for an abandoned puppy? I STILL DONT KNOW!
Small amusement when Ebina (Rika Super Tourette-fujoshi) had the super "We approve!" expression while looking-on at Hikki and Dawson-Kun's exchange.
One thing seems certain for me: I think that Hikki-kun NOW realizes that he is past the point of no return for keeping himself separate from the clicks and goings-on of his high school micro-cosm. His actions now have undeniable and sometimes profound consequences. Exactly what I think he truly feared most. If he's invisible, it's
PERFECT, if he's excluded, that's
not so bad since he wants to separate anyway, so public shunning achieves the same end. But now that people are outwardly taking him into account for day-to-day drama, he's going to have a really hard road trying to find his equilibrium. And his main social supports are either mad at him, or undecided about what to do. This is going to be a time of huge growth for him, or the catalyst that pushes him even farther to the dark-side he was firmly entrenched in at the beginning of season one.
Break out the popcorn folks! Will Hikki become a J.R. Ewing, or a Bobby Ewing? Can't wait!