氷の城壁

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The more interesting thing was Youta's reaction and Minato's hint that anyone dating Youta would be in for a world of trouble. This was a very non-normal family interaction that Koyun just witnessed, his stepmother asking him essentially if he was going to eat with them and that she hadn't planned on it, implying that that's the norm. Both of them looked surprised to see each other, which is not something I'd expect of a functioning family. So something is going on, and I suspect Youta is not nearly as inwardly calm about it as his outward demeanor would suggest.

Boy, it’s been a rough episode for Minato lol. It seems bro’s catching feelings for Koyun but is trying his damndest to deny that fact. But then he sees Yota and Koyun together and gets jealous. What a little goofball. I know Miki thinks Koyun and Yota would be a good couple, but I don’t feel like there’s any romantic vibes there. Seems purely platonic to me. Guy apparently gives off dad energy so she feels safe lol.

Yota also doesn't seem to feel anything romantic for Koyun. Minato says falling in love with him would only cause her suffering. I am curious what he means by that, I don't think he's just saying that out of jealousy. I think it could have something to do with his relationship with his step mother, maybe his dad remarrying someone so young messed up his opinion of love to the point he doesn't want to pursue it at all.

Honestly, that's how I figured it out. Ironically though, I think this is the more likely thread at episode 1. Minato used to pity Koyun, even if he's developping feelings for her Miki was pissed at Minato for treating Koyun the way he was. I hope I could say there's jealousy in it because they're my OTP but... yeah. Koyun just sees Yota as her 2nd real friend in years for now. Yota's feeling being so understated also allow them to be the first one to have bloomed.

I mean, the bigger issue with the pairing is that it seems like Yota is into Miki and not Koyun. He drops everything, when she is near him and he didn't want to answer why he was transferring to this school (Minato had to come in and give a reasoning). And with this episode, it seems likely that Minato is aware of that fact as well which is why he thinks that Koyun wouldn't get happy if she fell in love with Yota.

Boy, it’s been a rough episode for Minato lol. It seems bro’s catching feelings for Koyun but is trying his damndest to deny that fact. But then he sees Yota and Koyun together and gets jealous. What a little goofball. His friends cursed him with falling in love with a girl who wanted nothing to do with him and it came due far quicker than he expected lol. I know Miki thinks Koyun and Yota would be a good couple, but I don’t feel like there’s any romantic vibes there. Seems purely platonic to me. Guy apparently gives off dad energy so she feels safe lol Yeah, seems like they were dadzoning him at the end there.

Maybe, but as someone who has always been slow to have such feelings kindle and make themselves known, and appreciating a warm friendship foundation, I feel some hope for them. It’s possible it’ll stay just friendship and platonic, but could be a slower burn. I do like the vibe between them either way. But yeah, it may be more likely she’ll do better elsewhere. I still have my doubts about Minato but maybe his emotions getting stirred up a bit will let him change in a good way.

Yota accepts Koyun as she is -- and sees her as an equal. Minato wants to re-make Koyun -- and make her grateful to him. Minato is part "goofball" -- but he is also part something that makes me very uncomfortable. I do not see how the show can convince me that he is somehow a better match for Koyun. And now that we know MIki has NO romantic feelings towards Yota (while her feelings for Minato seem to remain unclear and complicated), a Yota-Miki pairing would also strike me as arbitrary. If the show does go this direction in the end, I will likely deem it unsatisfactory.

What made you even think Minato wants to change her. Just last episode when he is being told off he decides that his help is not needed truly and decided to back off He thought he was genuinely trying to help, and later genuinely wanted to make normal conversation with her and unwittingly stepped on landmines. He had pushy curiosity etc.. I don't see how anything Minato did (asking about hobbies, middle school, trying to flirt) says he wants to change her lol

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Yota is always depicted (by Koyun) as a very chill guy who is really easy going, friendly, and considerate. But this episode also emphasizes him spending time "thinking nothing". If you are to do that deliberately, it's mostly when you want to avoid about thinking about something. It seems that it stems from the family situation, to the point he (subconsciously) tries to avoid spending time home. But even so, he claims the family is "normal". When you piece it together, this looks like someone who is trying really hard to accept reality, but some places just do not fit right and he doesn't want to make a fuss about it. Subtle, but honestly quite relatable, even if the context is not always the same.

The lesson of today is: don't just ask "are you free tomorrow" without actually saying why you want that person to be free tomorrow. If you're on the receiving end, it doesn't hurt to ask why back instead of just turning it down. There's something unsettling about the way Yota says that his family is normal now. Koyuki is clearly triggered by it, but I don't think Yota's stepmum looking young is the issue.

Poor Miki. She just said the wrong thing at the wrong time, after getting dumped, making Koyun think dating Igarashi was a good idea. Which is also why she's so protective of her. And also wanting the best for her friends. Even going as far as shipping them. But let's admit this episode was quite cute for them together. But Minato is so funny : "I can control my emotions easily." Koyun does anything. "Fuck!!!!"

So props to u/Frontier246 who suggested last week that the reason for Igarashi not remembering Koyun is that the difference in last name is a result from a divorce. Considering the ending of this episode and how Koyun reacted seems to be right. It seems her father is gone and compared to Yota, she can't really get accustomed to her new father. And as much as I like Miki shipping people, girl needs to realize that Yota is into her and not Koyun (at least very likely with all his actions). I get she is a bit hurt from what happened before. So she can't even imagine someone liking her for who she is. And maybe she even thinks that she shouldn't because they make such a good pair. But if Minato can get a grip of his feelings (even if it is slow) then you can as well.

He obviously remembers Koyun, that is not the question. And there is something that happened between them which might be related to the bullying. But Minato said that Igarashi really looked like he didn't know anyone named "Hikawa". Of course, there is the chance that Minato was just misreading the situation, but I feel considering that this wasn't used in the plot between him and Koyun that this was meant to be true.

Really liked episode 6 of The Ramparts of Ice. Feels like the anime’s structure is every episode ends on a drama cliffhanger to keep viewers wanting more. This episode focused heavily on the inner feelings of the main cast and showed how flawed their ways of thinking actually are. Miki’s part was especially interesting. She pushed Koyun toward dating Igarashi because of her own bad experiences with love. Since Igarashi genuinely loved Koyun, Miki thought “why not just date someone who loves you that much?” But the problem was that she never truly listened to what Koyun herself wanted. It’s a good example of how personal experiences don’t always apply to other people’s lives. In the end, Miki realizes she indirectly pushed Koyun into a relationship she never truly wanted. Minato also became way more understandable here. His view of emotions almost feels mechanical, like feelings are something that should be controllable through logic. Ironically, falling for Koyun is probably the first thing that’s breaking down his unhealthy mindset. I also loved Tsukiko’s debut. She’s straightforward, honest, and openly expresses anger instead of suppressing it. It’s rare for someone to be able to melt Koyun’s ice wall this quickly. And then there’s Yota. Everyone loves him, but he’s still the biggest mystery in the main cast. Compared to the others, we barely know what he actually thinks. The reveal about Yota’s mother being dead and him living with a young stepmother definitely adds another layer to his character. Even without saying much, you can tell he’s gone through a lot. Overall, this felt like a strong setup episode.

I'm once again convinced that Igarashi is a complete dick...even if he was probably right that Miki's real personality was going to get her dumped by her current BF. But that's still no excuse to break up VIA TEXT and with no explanation. Poor Miki. And Miki channeled her frustration into telling Koyun to give Igarashi a chance, because at least SHE had someone who genuinely liked her (or so Miki thought). Koyun took this seriously and apparently, against her better judgement, went out with Igarashi and it did NOT end well. And now Miki is carrying the guilt over that. Best of luck to Hayato with his Band Girl Senpai. Not sure of his chances, but at least he and his pal can roast Minato over how he's never been in love and just mutually "liking" someone isn't enough for a relationship (as his many breakups he's clearly not hung up on can attest). But he can't help but think of Koyuki. Seems like the reason Minato is as reserved with his real emotions/feelings is he saw how unhappy his older brother was to the point of fighting with their parents and moving out so he doesn't want to be like him? So he never shows his real self because he sees it as a weakness? Imagine if Minato had been told ahead of time that Yota and Koyun were heading to visit Miki...I mean, they even looked dressed for a date and spent tons of time by themselves just trying to find the place! Even Miki's boss is shipping them now and frankly now Miki might be too! Koyuki is happy with her current part-time job, but since she's the most available student she ends up getting stuck in the library committee too alongside Shimojima from the art club. And finding out Shimojima was forced into it because people don't take what people do in art club serious is enough to make Koyuki mad and show Shimojima that she's a genuinely caring and emotional girl deep down! Could this be the start of a new friendship? Dang, Koyuki REALLY seeks out Yota whenever she sees him (especially when he stands out so much). Yota's always got his head in the clouds without a care in the world (seemingly) and Miki wishes she could be like that with how self-conscious and overthinking she is about everything. She wishes she were more like Yota...and Minato spots that longing look she's giving him. He should be worried! They are, after all, POLAR OPPOSITES! (Although seems like it's not just jealousy but just knowing how falling for Yota...does not end well) Although is it really romantic feelings or just...the reassuring comfort of Yota reminding her of her dad who she hasn't seen in a while? Oh hey, a mysterious young woman related to Yota who acts weird around him and he acts weird around her too...turns out she's his stepmom! I think Koyuki might have stepped into the emotional minefield that is Yota's family.

I'm once again convinced that Igarashi is a complete dick...even if he was probably right that Miki's real personality was going to get her dumped by her current BF. But that's still no excuse to break up VIA TEXT and with no explanation. Poor Miki. wait, how is her boyfriend breaking up over text with her Igurashi's fault? Like, sure, bit coldhearted to point out that the breakup was likely, but if this is the one we heard about before, wasn't the other guy from a different middle school or something? That's not his fault (This time)

Yess. You are so right. But I think the comment says Igarashi is a dick for being so rough with his words. Though honestly I want to cut him some slack. He was what.. 12. Blunt and flippant with everyone. Had a personality of annoying others and not mincing words.. Maybe he didn't realize what the words were doing to her. Lots of people in real life have habits of saying things harshly and not meaning it. I have come across them. So maybe he is like that. An ass but not a complete one imo

The pacing of this show is really well done. I like how we are slowly getting their past. Miki really feels guilty and I just feel bad for the overall situation. But Miki breaking up with her bf and getting blocked was sadly very relatable to me 😩 Also my boy MINATO!! He is so jealous 🤣 Also lowkey curious about Yota and Koyun's past. Koyun maybe her dad left idk. But when Yota said "Right now the family I have feels normal to me" sounded like he wasnt okay. Maybe theres something wrong thats why Minato keeps saying Yota isnt a good match or something along that line.

But when Yota said "Right now the family I have feels normal to me" sounded like he wasnt okay. Maybe theres something wrong thats why Minato keeps saying Yota isnt a good match or something along that line. I have been wondering when we'll learn more about Yota and what secretly is wrong with him (besides pairing noodles with pancakes like a psychopath) seeing as the other 3 all have their share of mental struggles but Yota seems fine My guess as to why Minato thinks Yota and Koyun would make a bad match however is I think because he knows that Yota has a crush on Miki (he gets nervous and drops stuff when around Miki). Thus if Koyun develops a crush on Yota she'd likely be turned down and hurt

Not gonna lie, I am having fun watching Minato agonize over Koyun and Youta's friendship. I definitely agree with how his friends feel about him. I doubt he really fell in love with his previous girlfriends, so it's fun watching him finally learn what it truly feels like to be in love. I'm glad to see Koyun making friends. So far, Shimojima seems fun, and I can't wait to see more of her. [Polar Opposites] Based on her cameo along with Koyun and Miki in Polar Opposites, I'm guessing she'll end up joining Koyun's friend group in the future That staircase scene between Koyun and Youta was so goddamn cute! I really want them to end up together, but so far, it really looks like this will end with the two of them having a strong platonic relationship, which isn't bad! I just wish there was more to it than that. So this lady is Youta's stepmother? Okay, I get that, but what's up with Koyun's reaction? Is it because of her father? I'm guessing that Koyun's parents are divorced, so she feels she can relate to Youta even more.

A relationship takes more emotional investment than just treating it the same as a friendship. I feel like KoyukixYota can go either way. You can definitely spin it as building up to a relationship, and maybe Koyuki needs to overcome Yota's family situation along with her issues too, but at the same time she seemed to relate that comfort with her longing for her father and Yota is so comfortable could he ever bring her out of her shell? How would she ever lower her ramparts if she just dates someone who she never had them up for?

This anime story telling is so good. They tell you a little bit of the past each episode and you have to little by little piece everything together. It's interesting how they are making yota seem like the perfect pairing for koyuki, but Minato keeps saying she'll suffer if she falls in love with him. I wonder what is it? that yota likes miki? he likes that mom character? he's internally too depressed after his mom's death and can't love anyone?

Minato is just like me fr fr. I think my camera reel is like 65% of my cats when they do funny poses. Yota looks like a baby chick following Koyun, oh my stars 😭😭 Short girl with the tall guy, look at that! It’d be nice to have tall queens with short kings once in a while 🥀 How did he take that big of a bite?! The moral of the story is to be considerate by telling people what you’re inviting them too! True! Thinking about nothing is hard. It is! But it genuinely surprises people when you have nothing going on upstairs. Awwww. I love guy-girl friendships so much!! Oh Netflix, are you kidding me with no text overlays? I wish CR had gotten this. Every episode, I’m so mad the care that was put into the chaos of Polar Opposites overlays even in the dubs (though quality varied, especially towards the end) was there . CR is very inconsistent with doing overlays for text messages, admittedly, but cmon, Netflix. Feel it for Miki girl. She’s struggle-bussing. I’m glad she wants to be a better friend to Koyun after the Igarashi Incident. But she’s still got blindspots. I liked digging into Minato and Yota today! It’s not a bad thing to talk more blasé about a loved one’s passing. But eyebrows shot up when Yota said “And now, they’re my real family” and his smile was more of a smirk. I’m worried for him 😕 The ED in the background should’ve been a dead give away something was about to happen. Really love Yota and Koyun’s friendship. I like when romances show men and women can have platonic intimacy with each other and the difference between that and romantic affections. Minato’s little photo shoot of his Slug!pompom makes me wanna take a dozen pictures of how crazy my cats are sleeping right now :3

I’ve read it (haven’t gotten to the spin off though)! It’s so cute and heavy! A Spell for Smith > is a witch x dwarf comic on Webtoons though the FL is, I think, a normal sized woman and the ML is normal sized for a dwarf (but dwarfs be shorter than most adult humans). And there’s Morgana and Oz > (YA, witch x vampire, paranormal, queer). But I need more tall queen/short king in romance anime, dammit! The { Lovely Complex } reco, so I’m gonna watch it. But any day now, tall queen/short king will have dozens of anime around it! Dozens!

Yota and I are polar opposites. Another title drop! That made it two weeks in a row. If Yota’s the sun, then Koyuki’s the moon. Pretty funny to see Minato getting jealous over Yota & Koyuki getting close. It’s not as if Minato’s being left out by them – Yota did invite him to the burger shop although he should’ve told where he’s going. Minato shouldn’t be that worried, for Yota got dadzoned. When I saw the redhead, I thought it’s his sister or his ex who parted amiably. Never would I thought she was his (step)mum. She looked only a couple years older than him.

Finally, some Yota content! My best boy. Glad to be getting more insight into him as an individual. I like the dynamic Yota and Koyuki have, to be the type of person that can put her at ease even as just a friend. Though of course behind that smile of his it seems he also has his own personal problems from his past and some baggage he is trying to detach from. He's giving me a bit of Sousuke Shima vibes from Skip and Loafer.

This episode made me like Minato a lot more, he is crushing so fucking hard! Its so entertaining to watch, to the point that I considered maybe shipping him and Koyun but then we switch to any Koyun x Yota interaction and I turn into S Tier shiptrash just like Miki! Another easy 10/10 episode, cant wait to learn more about Yota's family situation! Seems like his father re-married after mom died and he now has a young step-mom + 2 step-siblings.

Emotions. The more you let it show, the more it gets used against you. Not exactly the same as the Rampart of Ice that Koyun has around her but even Minato has kinda built around himself that makes him suppress his emotions. I thought Koyun was the only one but I can see a bit of myself in Minato as well. It's not like I want to suppress my emotions but I guess I'm kinda weary about sharing everything because I don't know how it might be used against me. But now that's he falling for Koyun, every mention or anything related to her and Yota is evoking strong reactions from him. Even Yota was surprised. Some of his reactions really made me chuckle this episode, lol. When making plans, it's considerate to let people know what you're inviting them to. Also, I agree about this because sometimes knowing what it is can change whether you're willing to go there or not. The whole library segment with Shimojima kinda reminded me of Nishi-san and how she got introduced in Polar Opposites. Always love whenever we get to shades of this in Polar Opposites. Minato here is thinking that Koyun has crush on Yota but things seem different. A part of the reason why she likes Yota's presence is because he reminds her of her dad. It's kinda small but the whole direction with the traffic light really stood out to me when Yota was stopped by his step-mother. He was walking and the light was green. Then the light turned yelllow and soon her mother called out to him and as soon he stopped, it turned Red. And after their whole conversation, it became green again. And after the ending, I think the red light might have been an indicator about his family. I wonder how my dad is doing. Also, I noticed Koyun said this so maybe her parents got separated and she's living with her mother and that explains why she reacted the way she did when Yota told her about what the whole thing with his step-mother. Well Yota said he likes to absent-mindedly gaze and doesn't think about anything. I wonder if it's kinda his way of coping with whatever happened in his family. This was a relatively chill episode until the cliffhanger and I have noticed the piano prelude just before the ED always manages to really set the tone for it and it always manages to go hard.

Not exactly the same as the Rampart of Ice that Koyun has around her but even Minato has kinda built around himself that makes him suppress his emotions. I thought Koyun was the only one but I can see a bit of myself in Minato as well. It's not like I want to suppress my emotions but I guess I'm kinda weary about sharing everything because I don't know how it might be used against me. I'm kinda wondering how if even though Minato says the reason he suppress his emotions is because he doesn't want to get hurt or it's tied to a deeper self-esteem issue and he feels like he doesn't deserve to be loved because he dislikes himself. That's why he is liked by many but truly known by none.

Resistance is futile Minato. You've caught feelings. A girl has finally pierced your defences. It's time to deal with it. First that curse that his friend put on him about catching feelings for someone that doesn't like you back (yet) paid off much faster than he thought it would then he sees Koyun with Yota. It's not been a good day for Mr. I Can Control My Emotions. Miki is a great friend. Always looking out for her and being a shipper on deck. Also phrasing Koyun! Please! This isn't that kind of show. I think I've heard that somewhere before. It sounds so familiar lol. It might seem selfish that Minato for to say if Koyun falls in love with Yota it will end badly because he's caught feelings for her, but he's really observant. He knows that Yota likes Miki and doesn't see Koyun that way. Also that scene at the end with Yota's step mom shows that Yota isn't as chill and uncomplicated as we though. I wonder how those things are going to affect Miki's willingness to ship Koyun x Yota when she finds out. Side note, Shimojima is literally just Emilia. Like the exact same voice.

I've been waiting for a Youta focused episode since he's the main character we least know about, and watching the episode made me curious about him. I liked seeing Koyuki's feelings develop for him in such a natural way, but it stood out to me when she claimed that he seems to be peaceful and doesn't have many thoughts like she does, which to me seems like the opposite.  It feels like Youta actually has a lot and that is why he needs moments of peace where he can think about nothing, the question is what isn't giving him peace? Minato once again mentions how he wishes Koyuki doesn't develop feelings for Youta because she'll get hurt, and we're introduced to his stepmother at the end of the episode. I think Youta's story is going to be about how much he is overloaded by the burden of his family, maybe feeling like an outsider, or if I'm not overthinking things, he might have liked his step mother before she became his step mother and it never went away?  I like how Minato's friends are hoping he falls in love with someone who gives him the biggest heartbreak, they don't have to worry, the feelings he's developing for Koyuki are proving to already be more than he can handle lol.

Nagase Anna is doing a great job, but can’t help but feel Koyun is so Tanezaki Atsumi-coded lol Must be rough for Minato. He’s at that ambiguous stage where you’re not sure if you like someone as a person or is it something special. Not to mention, from what his friends have said, this could be the first time he actually likes someone. And to add to that confusion and uncertainty, he keeps seeing her and Yota together and is probably his first experience with jealousy. I guessed Miki had a hand in Koyun and Igarashi. But I thought she suggested it to stop the bullying. But it’s a bit more reactive. She sort of guilt trip her into it cos of her own break up. Personally, I’ve never had anyone like me (🥲) so it’s a foreign concept to me to get with someone that likes me but I don’t like them. Seems there’s some pain behind Yota’s chill vibes as well. And I wonder what Minato meant when he said Koyun would only get hurt if she gets involved with him. Also, I know he can be overbearing, but Minato has been left out a lot since the three of them became a group. Of course, he’s not entitled to be in that group but I can also understand how hurt it must feel

I appreciate the bits on whatever went down with Igarashi and the characterization details for Koyuki and Miki. This is rich coming from me, the world’s most shameless shipper who actually agrees with Miki that they look good together, but calm down there with the shipping girl. I’m being unnecessarily mean about this but I am enjoying the universe conspiring to make Minato lose the war against his own thoughts. Not in a “dislike” way but in a “it’s just very entertaining” way. His buddies sure are getting what they wished for. The red light effect is making me feel a bit concerned about Yota and his family deal.

Yeah Miki messed up badly in middle school. She didn’t have bad intentions and came from her own frustration but that was the wrong thing to say at the time. The akward thing is that she should apologize but Kohyun is happy with Miki so while she still has the trauma of that experience bringing it up again to apologize for it may do more harm than good. I am now going to be trying to get my family’s pomeranian to pose like Potta to make an irl equivalent of that photo. She is the laziest animal in history so it should be easy in theory. This episode had so much Yota x Kohyun that it got full on that train. So many cute moments and some of them like Kohyun telling Yota your puffy and him responding your fluffy is just flirting in my eyes. The end of the episode had me concerned due to the change of tone with the family moment (who I was concerned was hist girlfriend and not his mom) and due to Minato’s comment in the restaurant while glooming about how Yota and Kohyun together would end up poorly which I hope is just him being salty than something going wrong. Yota is the one person around Kohyun (alongside this new library girl) who she doesn’t have any baggage or drama around and can just enjoy herself. I will also say I don’t think the story will go with Yota x Kohyun and will end up with Minato x Kohyun instead because of how everything has been building up. Also for conspiracy level when Kohyun said Yota and her are polar opposites made me think it won’t happen and that the author made you and i are polar opposites after ramparts of ice to have a story that has a couple of polar opposites together.

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The words Miki used for Koyun about Igarashi were definitely poor. It basically influenced her not to think of her own feelings for Igarashi. I doubt Koyun will ever hold that against Miki, though. I got to feel bad for Minato since nobody likes feeling left out. It's clear that Koyun is affecting him differently than the other girls he has been with. I guess, on one hand, she is giving him more of a chase. Though perhaps it is a friendship where he is the one who has to take initiative compared to the others potentially. Still, his words are interesting: if Koyun fell for Youta, will she end up getting hurt? What does that mean? It can't be as simple as Youta only has eyes for Miki considering how the episode ended. I guess we can infer that Koyun can empathize with losing a parent, potentially maybe. On a more positive spin for this episode, we are introduced to Tsukiko Shimojima. At a glance she seems similar to Nishi from Polar Opposites but is definitely not as passive and shy as Nishi. I think there is good potential in a new friendship for Koyun, so hopefully that is what happens.

So, looks like last episode was the end of an arc (mini-arc?) and we're beginning a new one where Minato is falling in love with Koyun despite his intentions, Miki might be falling back into being too nosy, and Koyun seems to maybe be catching (fatherly?) feels for Youta. More past stuff with Miki explaining what she meant a bit by the middle school stuff being her fault: she may have spurred Koyun on with an ill-judged remark. Interestingly, we now have a bit of a timeline: Koyun was bullied before dating Igurashi, Igurashi liked her, Koyun did not like him. There's still a blank to where this changed to Igurashi acting against Koyun (probably the belittling of her likes that was shown... two or three episodes ago?), not sure if it's been hinted yet exactly what caused the swap between crush and dating to complete fear-or-shame-inducing crashing and burning. Interesting stuff around Minato and his friends at the beginning - while outwardly he's emotional and seems very genki, his friends know that he treats everyone the same. He treats no one specially, has never treated any one specially, and therefore can't really ever have fallen for anyone. No wonder none of his relationships stick: everyone in a relationship hopes to be the one the other treats differently and specially, above everyone else, and it seems like that's been anathema to him for his other relationships. But ahahahaha the realizing you may be catching the feels for someone in highschool. That's... too relatable. Seeing them or someone that looks like them and your heart jumps and then you wonder why your heart jumped and then... yeah, faceplant on the couch seems about right. New named person! Artist forced librarian, looks like we're going to expand our cast at least slightly outside of these four. Pretty good way to show what outsiders think of Koyun, they think she's just... aloof and maybe a bit cold and condescending and never really gave her a chance so far? Or maybe she shut them down early? And lots of Koyun/Youta scenes, though notably none from Youta's POV. Koyun appreciates that she can feel at ease around him, which is probably one of the greatest things for an introvert to find: a person that doesn't take a lot of energy to be around because of no expectations or a similar aura/energy/whatever. Also to make Minato a little bit envious... Props to him for not actually acting on any of it, though having been there, it stings a bit. The ending scene is... interesting. Not sure what to make of it. First we have some indications that Koyun's parents are at the least estranged, I don't think we know more than that now, but both alive. Probably. And that she's not bitter against her dad, probably, despite him not being around. Wonder if she resents her mother then? Secondly we have some further info on Youta and a bit on Minato. For some reason, he thinks anyone falling in love with Youta is in for some pain, though it's not obvious why. It could sound a bit like jealousy, but the way that it's framed with the red light surrounding Youta in the next scene, I think we're going to find out a bit of Youta's own problems. He seems... emotionally distant and yet charged by the sight of his stepmother? There's definitely something with him and his interactions with his family that's worrisome to Minato at the least. I forget, didn't Minato invite Youta to eat dinner with his family in the first or second episode or was it vice versa? Either way, though I may be missing the reason, Koyun seems... freaked out by it. I dunno why. Interesting setup, still a lot of hooks going on, curious to know where this is gonna go next.

Minato is unable to read the room again and is shipping Koyuki and Yota with each other. As an outsider you could get that impression just like Miki's manager. But of course we know that Koyuki sees Youta only as a friend she can be comfortable with. And I don't see any romantic vibes from him either. When Koyuki thought how nice it must be to be able to just zone out, I related so hard with her. I'm the same, always having a million thoughts in my head, unable to shut them off. Spacing out means to me that my thoughts start spiraling uncontrolled, and it can be very tiring.

>"I sure wish Yota was a bit more developed" and then the insane rollercoaster lmao. But I still have a hard time believing this is what Minato meant. He's also in love with Miki, right? I'm glad the episode went into Yota and Koyun's relationship but I can't help but see it as setup for Minato's feelings. I love ramparts of ice, it's probably my anime of the year, but it kind of hurts to know that my ships are doomed because I love it so much.

I get it Miki this ship is very shippable. Super chill episode. I really do quite like Yota ngl if I was Koyuki and were to choose a guy right now it would probably be Yota. Also, polar opposites line drop. I think with how things set up Minato probably end game but I really do like Yota. He vibes with Koyuki very well ngl as well. It seems though Minato thinks if she falls for Yota she's only going to get hurt though. What's wrong with Yota? nothing really himself it seems? though home situation might be off? His mom is dead RIP and we just saw his step mom? Still even if some more might be off cuz of family he himself seems fine? Is he really though I guess cuz we haven't really seen the inside of his head right? Nice to see jealous Minato though lol. He really just had to see them together looking at the sky in fact Koyuki looking more at Yota lol. Also so Yota makes Koyuki think of her dad huh? Yota might be someone she can be comfortable around but maybe not romantic? Also so damn that's why Miki thinks it's her fault Koyuki went out with Igrashi? Still why doesn't he remember Koyuki? or at least doesn't remember her last name?

Minato catching strays all episode, bro kind of deserves it too if you think of it as karma for past actions that upset Koyuki. I was wondering why he thought Koyuki would get hurt pursuing Yota and I don't really think that dead mom/new mom reveal at the end really explains it just yet. Maybe he's gay or very aromantic? Then again we also got hints that her family is split up so maybe Minato somehow knew the details on both sides and was correctly guessing Koyuki would get upset about it.

I see a lot of people speculating that her family may have split apart as well (which could explain as well why Igarashi didn't recognize her surname) and Yota saying that reminded her of her own personal experience which she has been unable to properly process. A change in surname means something probably happened with her dad. And she was earlier in the episode reminiscing about her dad and how much Yota is like him

This show clarified a lot of things for me. We now know that Miki does NOT have any romantic feelings towards Yota -- as she really really wants to ship Koyun and Yota. We know that Koyun feels utterly comfortable with Yota. -- and vice versa. We now (pretty much) know Yota does NOT have a GF from another school -- as the seemingly possible one turns out to be his step-mother. We (or I) can strongly feel that it seems almost inconceivable for Koyun to feel genuinely at ease with Minato. We know Minato has a really weird (and not especially pleasant) attitude towards Koyun (does he see her as an equal -- or an object). We know he THINKS that Yota will somehow hurt Koyun if she develops romantic feelings for him -- but we haven't the faintest clue as to why. We know that Koyun is actually beginning to develop the ability to make additional friends -- she did a surprisingly good job with her fellow library attendant. We learned that Koyun's father is alive (Not clear to me before what his status was). We learned that Yota's mother died when he was young -- and that his father married a surprisingly younger woman (or one who LOOKS that way). We see that Yota has a massive appetite (and can eat super spicy things) -- but this was not really a surprise. What we/I seem to have no clue about is WHERE this is headed, I (like Miki) can easily see Yota and Koyun drifting into a dating relationship. I cannot conceive Koyun EVER doing so with Minato -- and feel that such a pairing would be arbitrary story-wise -- no matter how the show might try to push tings that way. Koyun has shown that she has the capacity to learn and change ON HER OWN -- with no need for teaching/training by Minato. I still see no similar shift in Minato's attitude -- which strikes me as very egocentric even if not precisely selfish. And I cannot see him becoming "chill" enough to understand and deal with Koyun's emotional needs. We shall see....