Suzuka Ep 20: Ouen (Support)

Yamato looks extremely listless in the morning which makes Ayano and Miho worried since they notice that Honoka did not come to wait for him like before. On the way to school, it is the first time that the feeling of the breakup has finally sunk in for Yamato. When he bumps into Honoka along the corridor, the atmosphere between them is so awkward that the latter walks away hurriedly after exchanging greetings.

During lunch, Yamato confides in Hattori about what happened between him and Honoka. Hattori reprimands Yamato for not listening to him and is surprised about Yamato admitting that he's in the wrong. Yamato regrets being so selfish without a care for Honoka's feelings. In order to lift his spirits, Hattori tries to cheer Yamato up but the latter is still upset. Just then, Miki comes over to talk to Yamato and argues with Hattori who calls her a busybody. Miki misunderstands that Yamato is feeling down over the recent chemistry test and encourages him to get over it by revealing that she got 20 marks only for that. Hattori mocks her for being stupid thus resulting in them bickering again. Yamato suddenly leaves his seat without a word which leads Miki to ask Hattori what had happened. However, Hattori refuses to say anything so as to spite Miki which results in him being pinched on the cheeks.

During athletics practice, Yamato is asked about the whereabouts of Honoka who is not around. The members find out that they had broken up and blame Yamato for causing Honoka's absence. They even push her duties to Yamato in punishment. When Miki sympathises with Yamato for being treated in that way by the others, Asahina says that it is his own doing and they should not feel sorry for him.

Honoka asks Nana out for a chat and tells her about the breakup. She reveals how miserable she feels when she met Yamato today. Nana asks Honoka if it's OK for her to give up Yamato so easily but the latter feels that it is no use staying with him if he still likes Asahina. However, Nana thinks that Yamato had never said that he is pining for Asahina thus it's a waste to give up the relationship in this manner. Nevertheless, Honoka feels that the relationship failed to work out because she lacked self-confidence and Nana cheers her up that she will find someone better in future.

The next day, Honoka turns up for practice which makes everyone feel happy. Kobayakawa offers a drink to her and tells her to look for him if she needs a listening ear. Actually, Honoka has made up her mind to tell Yamato about her feelings one day if she feels confident about herself.

Miyamoto gets Yamato to join the relay team but the latter is apprehensive about his abilities. Miki tells Asahina about it but she's not concerned about this and says that she dislikes Yamato for being a frivolous guy. Asahina reveals that Yamato told her that he was sick of Honoka so he broke up with her but Miki is not convinced.

After practice, Miki asks Yamato about the real reason of the breakup but she sees that he is just lying since Honoka would not have come to practice if this was true. As such, Yamato tells Miki that Honoka thinks he still has feelings about Asahina so he couldn't tell her about it since it would make her guilty. Miki promises not to tell Asahina about it and even drags him to have some food so as to cheer him up.

Miki and Yamato go for okonomiyaki where they quarrel over how to cook it. At the end of the meal, Yamato realises that the purpose why Miki has done so much for him was just to encourage him to get over the matter. Yamato says that he feels confused and guilty towards those who are serious about athletics since he entered the team just to get near Asahina but got her more angry as a result. Miki realises that Yamato is toying with the thought of quitting but she persuades him to fulfil the expectations of those who have faith in his abilities instead of worrying over meaningless things. Thus,Yamato makes up his mind to stay on in the team in return for Miki's concern towards him.

Yamato may have the kind intention to lie to Asahina about the real reason for the breakup but he failed to realise that this will sour his relationship with her as a result. In such situations, it's hard to decide which option to take. Even if he tells her the truth, the atmosphere between them may become awkward as Asahina tries to avoid Yamato. When he realises the gravity of the result of his decision, he would have to spend time to mend things between them.

Actually, I really don't like Asahina's attitude towards Yamato. It seems as if she is really undecided on what she wants to do about him. On one hand, she keeps getting close to him subconsciously when he is with Honoka. Now that he's no longer with her, she judges him according to what she is told without thinking further. I'm sure she should be smart enough to know that Yamato is behaving strangely for someone who has supposedly dumped his girlfriend. It just goes to say that she's still confused and this will be tough for Yamato to guess how she's feeling.