Honey and Clover Ep 16

The Fujiwara brothers decide to split their design agency after some differences where one group will operate in Tokyo while the other goes to Tottori. The announcement was even splashed on a tabloid. Miwako and Nomiya are discussing this as they are supposed to decide who goes to Tokyo or Tottori. Since the staff are already split into group A and B, those who are going to Tottori would likely be group B but there's a newly-married staff, Tanaka whom Miwako says should stay behind in Tokyo. Just then, Mayama returns to the office but ignores their questions on where he went with Rika. The two had come to know about Mayama's meeting with Rika through a fax from Asai and feel that Rika might quit from the industry if Asai is not fit to work anymore. As such, in order to see if Mayama will sacrifice everything to be with Rika, they decide to place him in group B to replace Tanaka where he's supposed to be posted to Tottori.

Yamada is having a flu and Hanamoto says that the virus spreads especially during the preparation of the school festival. He also asks about Takemoto where Hagu mentions that he's not doing well too. Hanamoto says that this is a natural process for all 4th year students and tells Hagu not to worry for him.

Hagu goes to look for Takemoto who is staring blankly at the tower he has created and seems to be unsure of how to continue. She gets him some refreshments and looks on with a worried look about Takemoto's condition.

Mayama goes to visit Asai and finds out that Rika has lied to him about the assignments under Harada Design being completed. Asai reveals that he had suggested to Rika before about getting Mayama to return to her agency but she refused to do so as she's worried about hurting his feelings. Rika said that she didn't have to put on an act in front of Mayama since he's unaware of her past with Harada and could concentrate on work. However, Rika is still blaming herself for the accident which killed Harada thus at the first sign that she's feeling happy and relaxed in Mayama's presence, Rika decides to punish herself by pushing Mayama away in order to repent for the accident she caused. Mayama thinks to himself that the pain he feels when he can't see Rika is the best reason why he cannot stop loving her.

The official announcement by the Fujiwara brothers about the splitting of the agency is made. Mayama finds himself being posted to Tottori and decides to quit immediately as expected by Nomiya and Miwako who already knew that he will throw away everything for Rika.

Mayama goes to Rika's apartment and makes his way in much to her surprise. He starts to set up the computer system and make arrangements to prepare for work which startles Rika. Mayama then reveals that he has quit from Fujiwara Design and wants Rika to hire him. She asks him why he insists on returning to her company where Mayama reminds her that he promised to return whether Rika is waiting for him or not and stresses that he won't be hurt anymore. As such, Rika has no choice but to accept his decision.

The 3rd generation boss of the sushi shop, Tatsu is getting married to Akemi, one of the owners of a bar named Misuzu and he seems to be quite unwilling to do so. His counterparts rejoice over the fact that there's lesser competition for Yamada who congratulates Tatsu and she even cries after getting drunk.

On the eve of the school festival, the teachers are judging the graduation projects and seem to be unsure of how to view Takemoto's creation. Hanamoto decides to help out by naming his creation which results in the teachers being full of praise for Takemoto.

Nomiya comes to Yamada's shop to buy wine and she remarks that he has been coming frequently of late. He reveals that Mayama had quit from their company and he has gone to work for Rika. Upon hearing this, Yamada faints on the spot.

The next day, Yamada is not looking well after hearing what Mayama did. At the same time, Takemoto who had been sleeping beside his creation, wakes up to find the festival already in progress and realises that Hagu had been there with the blanket, warming packets and hot drinks.

Yamada is shocked to find 4 of the 3rd generation shop owners proposing to her and runs away from them by using Hagu as her cover. Takemoto also comes to look for them and they find out why Yamada has to hide from her suitors. Yamada says that she has never thought of them in the romantic sense even though they are childhood friends. If they did not propose to her, they would have remained as good friends. This suddenly makes Yamada realise that her situation with Mayama is similar and she bursts out crying after finally seeing why Mayama told her to give up.

Hanamoto and Yamada have a chat on the rooftop and she reveals that she has always felt that Mayama is a fool not to reciprocate her feelings despite how much she loves him. However, now that the same thing has happened to her, it's not possible for her to pick anyone from the 4 suitors despite them loving her since she doesn't have any feelings for them. That is why she has finally realised Mayama's feelings when he told her to look for someone else now. Hanamoto tells Yamada that she should tell her suitors the truth and leave them to decide whether to continue or give up just like what she has to choose with regards to her feelings for Mayama.

Hanamoto thinks to himself that he lied to Yamada where there should be another way of handling the situation. However, by letting her think that there's only 2 choices, it will help her to settle the matter in an easier manner...

In a sense, I really do admire Mayama for his determination to press on once he has made up his mind. I guess until he found out about Rika's true feelings and realised how he couldn't live without her, he was still in a fix over what to do as he didn't want to force Rika into desperation. Since this relationship is not exactly hopeless and she does feel something for him, Mayama feels that there's nothing left to stop him except to stay by Rika's side and wait for her to come to terms with her feelings. If this had been a one-sided relationship where Rika felt nothing for Mayama, I guess he might not have that belief that things will work between them and continue to struggle with his pining for Rika and his unwillingness to force her. Judging from this, he's not afraid to fight for what he wants but this is a calculated move, not a rash action without taking into consideration the consequences that may arise.

As for Yamada's side, I can't really say that it's wrong of her to think of trying to change Mayama's feelings since she has the right to love just as Mayama has the right to reject. However, by expecting someone to love you back just because you have invested all your feelings into him/her is not logical. Love doesn't work like an equation where you get what you have put in. She realises that she has been too demanding of Mayama to reciprocate her feelings but this might not be enough for her to give up on him totally despite knowing that he has made his choice. Maybe Nomiya would be the answer to help her get over Mayama.