Suzuka Ep 19: Wakare (Separation)

Yamato tells Hattori about Honoka flaring up at him despite her insistence that she wasn't angry about him going shopping with Asahina. However, Hattori points that this is impossible as Honoka must be upset since Yamato used to like Asahina. Despite her effort to put on a strong front, Yamato had to aggravate the situation by talking relentlessly about the shopping trip which made Honoka flare up at him. Hattori remarks that Yamato is always thinking about himself but the latter denies it. He advises Yamato to apologise to Honoka soon or things between them will be beyond salvation. Yamato refuses to listen and says that nothing will turn out well every time he listens to Hattori.

During athletics practice, Yamato tries to apologise to Honoka but she walks away and says that she doesn't want to talk to him now. Yamato is stunned by her attitude and feels rather upset.

Yamato goes home and finds Asahina waiting for him along the corridor. She asks him if he has made up with Honoka and finds out that Honoka is not willing to listen to him. Asahina apologises for causing this quarrel between them but Yamato assures her that this is not her fault since he was the one who made Honoka angry. Asahina asks Yamato what he intends to do and suggests that he can try a few more times before Honoka is willing to listen to him again. Yamato is apprehensive about doing this but he agrees to take up her suggestion in the end.

Yamato tries to call Honoka but she's engaged on the line with Nana who tries to persuade Honoka to patch up with him. However, Honoka believes that Yamato is still in love with Asahina and wonders if they should continue dating. Yamato decides to go to Honoka's place personally as he doesn't want the situation to get worse.

Yamato brings the birthday present he bought for Honoka and goes to her place to talk to her. Honoka is surprised by his sudden visit and tells him to go back when he tries to pass her the present again. Yamato gets angry and says that Honoka should make herself clear about what she's upset over. Honoka states that she doesn't feel comfortable seeing them together and Yamato could have got anyone else to go with him to buy the present. Thus, she can't help feeling that Yamato was just using that as an excuse to go out with Asahina. Honoka then runs out to the entrance of the shrine where she is stopped by Yamato.

After the heated quarrel, Yamato and Honoka finally settle down but there is an uncomfortable silence. Yamato realises that his actions may have suggested to Honoka that he's still in love with Asahina and feels that he has hurt her unknowingly. Honoka then says that it's better that they break up or they will keep quarrelling over the same issue. Yamato agrees to it which leads Honoka to remark that he should not have dated her in the first place. Yamato clarifies that he did not date her just because she took the initiative to kiss him and says that he does have some feelings for her. Honoka also accepts the present as a symbol of their brief relationship. They then say goodbye to each other after the chat.

Yamato returns home in a crestfallen state and says that he doesn't want to eat dinner when Miho asks him. He is still pondering over Honoka's remark that he's still in love with Asahina. When Yamato sees Yuka and Megumi drinking in his apartment, he gets irritated and blurts out that they have broken up. Yuka scolds him for giving up Honoka just like that and he might not find another girl as good as her. Asahina happens to walk past Yamato's room and overhears their conversation. Yuka says that it's good for Honoka because she won't have to bear with Yamato who doesn't love her wholeheartedly.

After Yuka and Megumi leave, Asahina comes to look for Yamato and asks about his breakup with Honoka. She wonders if she's the reason for this development but Yamato doesn't think that it's right to tell her the truth. As such, Yamato lies that he dumped Honoka because he found it hard to please her. This gets Asahina angry and she leaves his room in a huff. However, Yamato is also feeling upset as he knows that Asahina will blame herself if she knows the real reason for their breakup...

Well, in a way, breaking up would have been good for both Yamato and Honoka. He won't have to convince himself that he likes Honoka and she won't have to bear with the thought of whether he's still in love with Asahina. However, Yamato's kind gesture in trying to prevent Asahina from blaming herself might backfire on him since this has caused her to misunderstand that he's a callous jerk. As such, unless Asahina knows the truth, it will be hard for them to reconcile or even start a relationship.