This is why I say, that simplicity is still the best. Whether be it happy or sad endings, I’m sure the outcome won’t be extreme anyways in this anime series. If Karada and Shouko were never to return to their usual state, people surrounding them would have got used to them by the end of the series. Indeed, summer is short, and in this series’ case, 12-13 episodes. We’re already halfway to the end now and it should be around the climax already; however, stories like these do not seem to have a climax. What I meant was this sort of “a-slice-of-life” story is indeed a slice of life that it’s a story randomly taken out from someone’s life, and it tends to be boring. I have really like Asatte no Houkou all along until now despite being my first “a-slice-of-life” anime because of its soothing OP, slow pace and moderate story, art and character. Take Shouko as an example, I really disliked her during the start, but I guess I had started to like her slowly. Life is mysterious, I suppose. Talking about mysterious, the “girls with secret are more attractive” phrase which originated from Kanon came to work in this episode, in where Karada decided to keep a secret on where she had been to the whole morning. Now, isn’t she attractive? XDTetsu at the door at the Iokawa's.This episode started as usual with Hiro going out to work. Shortly, Shouko went out to go to the supermarket to do some grocery shopping. Karada did her usual house keeping after she left. Suddenly, someone’s at the door. Karada thought that it was Shouko, but instead, it was Amino Tetsu, Karada’s classmate who had a crush on her. “Who are you” was the first question he asked. He asked whether Karada’s around. Karada, in her adult form, couldn’t tell the truth as it might shock him. So she said that Karada had gone to a relative’s house.Karada following Tetsu from behind, hiding every now and then.Tetsu didn’t believe what Karada had said. He left the Iokawa’s and headed for the children’s playground. Karada slowly followed him from behind."Do you want something from me?"In the playground, Tetsu caught Karada. He then asked her whether she wanted something from him. Karada then said that she had told Tetsu that Karada had gone to a relative’s house, so why did he still look for her. Tetsu then said that somehow he had a feeling that Karada is still somewhere around in the city. It’s just a feeling he had. Tetsu started walking as Karada followed him from behind. Shouko met with Kotomi who was looking for a mailbox.Meanwhile, Shouko had just finished doing her shopping. She saw Kotomi at the entrance of the supermarket. She was looking for a letterbox. Shouko led her to one. Kotomi then told her that she’s writing a letter to her father. Shouko wondered why didn’t she use the phone, but Kotomi said that letters are better. Karada started to laugh silently while Tetsu noticed her laughing.Tetsu had brought Karada to their school and they had had a look in their classroom in where Tetsu had introduced where the usual Karada had sat and that she was too short that sometimes she couldn’t see the blackboard. Then Tetsu went outside to the cooking room as Karada followed him. He told her that this was the place that Karada had given his “Crispy Amino” nickname. Karada couldn’t help but laugh silently. Tetsu blushed and started walking away."I tried to look for Iokawa during the summer festival..."They came to a bridge in where Tetsu told Karada that there is an annual summer festival in the town, and Tetsu had been looking for Karada in the earlier festival. Karada was exhausted climbing the stairs.Karada drinking some water in the shrine.Later on, Tetsu had gone up a hill by walking the steps as Karada followed him. Karada appeared to be exhausted. But nevertheless, she continued to climb the steps despite being almost breathless. Once she reached the top, she collapsed to her feet, kneeling on the floor. She started to drink the spring water as soon as she got to the shrine. This is where Tetsu recalled that the Karada he knew would do the same. They started talking about Karada, and Tetsu said that she was far more mature than him, despite being small sized. But he just couldn’t ignore her. This is when Tetsu asked the adult Karada to follow him.Tetsu offering a hand to Karada.They were going into the woods, climbing higher up the hill. Karada was exhausted and again she fell to her knees panting. Tetsu offered a hand to her, saying, “Come on, Iokawa.” She responded by thanking him and started to let out her hand... but this is when she realized that this had happened before. Again, she realized that she had been tested. Tetsu’s face changed and he let go of his hand. Karada continued to follow him. The source of the water and it's surrounding.They reached a rather small cavern with two planks indicating no entry is allowed. Tetsu kicked the sign and pulled away the planks and started to enter it. Karada followed. There was light at the end of the cavern. As Karada put her first step outside, she noticed that it was a paradise out there. There’s a river with water sprouting out. Tetsu then explained that that is the source of the water she had drunk earlier in the shrine. He had tried to bring the little Karada here but she fell down went home. Karada said once the Karada he knew returns, he should bring her here, and Tetsu replied saying, “You bet!”Back at the house, Hiro and Shouko were waiting for Karada to return home. At night, Karada asked Shouko, what would she do if she want to make up with someone but couldn’t say their true feelings easily. Shouko, remembering Kotomi earlier, suggested writing a letter. Karada, thinking of it, came up to an idea.Tetsu smiling while looking at Karada's postcard.The next day, at Kotomi’s place, Tetsu was reading a manga as Kotomi slide a post card to him. He had a look at it and became as happy as a kid receiving the Christmas gift he had always wanted. It was a postcard by Karada.My final thoughts/etc: The part where Tetsu tested Karada reminds me of Detective Conan, in where Ran had tested Conan whether he was Shinichi. Ran was about to force Conan to admit that he is Shinichi when Prof. Agasa called using the voice changing bowtie. In Asatte no Houkou’s case, Karada had sent Tetsu a letter to convince that she was in her relative’s house. So much for size changing, eh? I wonder when Shouko’s turn would be. I wonder whether somebody from Shouko’s side would suddenly appear and Shouko would have to cover it up like Shinichi did. lol. XD
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