お隣の天使様にいつの間にか駄目人間にされていた件2

Did anyone else think it's interesting that Amane showed up to the meeting without fixing up his hair? I guess he's not really there to make an impression, just that he wants to hear out what Mahiru's dad has to say without caring what he'll think of him. While I do like that the dad is clearly regretful of how he treated Mahiru, he really should be talking to her right now instead of her boyfriend. Like, dude! If you truly feel regret and want to atone, face your own daughter and lower your head in front of her to apologize! -_-

After nearly half a season of pure diabetes, guess it's time we dealt with the more serious issues. Asahi's nowhere as malicious as Sayo, and he's aware of his act. Still, his neglect resulted in Mahiru's mental scars. He totally deserved Amane's dressing down. If Mahiru ever felt longing for a parent, then Amane's were more than happy to pamper her. They're just a phone call away. Mahiru tying Amane's tie at the front door. That's what housewives do when their husband's about to head off to work. That's a welcome soul-cleanser after the heavier stuff that consumed most of the episode.

Lol seeing how much space there was on the footpath after Amane bumped into Asahi was amusing. It was interesting to see the two interact and hearing what Asahi had to say. I can understand why he'd find it difficult to approach Mahiru after all he has done, or rather lack of having done anything, but I do wonder if they'll actually make amends.  Mahiru and Amane at the doorway was making me think of wife sees husband off to work lol.

Definite shades of Ryuuji sitting down with Taiga's shitheel dad in Toradora this episode, except Asahi was less awful in person and Amane was more mature and less intimidated than Ryuuji was. Maybe that's because Ryuuji always wanted a dad, and Amane has a great one already. The idea of highly deficient dads interacting with their daughters through the boyfriend out of guilt is pretty consistent though. I can't help but feel that despite everything Asahi has done or failed to do, and despite what Mahiru said about it being too late, if he reached out to Mahiru directly with an open heart and a profound apology, she would forgive him at least a bit. She's the nicest girl, after all. Of course, maybe Asahi does not want to be forgiven.

Just a normal evening as Amane returns home...only to see a man with striking blonde hair, soft features, and golden eyes. Odds are this is none other than Mahiru's biological father, frozen in place and staring at their apartment building. Why has he turned up now? After everything he's done (or more accurately NOT done) to Mahiru? Mahiru can't believe he would ever show up for one thing. He's always treated her more as a business obligation than a daughter, so the idea he would visit without informing her ahead of time or even have any reason to visit her is utterly perplexing. She can't believe he would ever do anything a father would do for a daughter because he's never been a father to her. The only parent she knows was THE FAMILY MAID. That's how bad it was. But luckily Amane is there to shower her with affection and be as open and honest about what's going. She could care less about Asahi Shiina, but she trusts and has faith in Amane. However, while her mother was a cold and heartless woman, Asahi is...surprisingly nice? If resigned and understanding of how much he failed as a parent, even if it seems like deep down he DOES care about Mahiru, only it's too late for that to matter and it doesn't absolve him of his treatment of Mahiru up to this point. But what is the "why?" of it all and how he treated Mahiru? Why is he suddenly acting like a caring father? Maybe we'll never know, maybe it doesn't matter, but I guess what matters is that he doesn't want to infringe on Mahiru's life, her happiness, and her peace...and is willing to accept Amane as the person who makes her happy. Mahiru herself, even if she did once long for her parents to love her, feels it's too little too late for her to believe her father cares about her now. She wasted too long chasing after affection she would never receive. But now she's got Amane who will never leave her and be there for her as long as she needs him. "Mahiru didn't spend the night after all" - Booooo! Although I guess having her up first thing in the morning to cook for you and see you up 100% wife style works too! Even if the next episode preview makes it look like she's pouncing on him on sofa-kun!

That wasn't as heavy as I thought it would be. Mahiru's father seems like more someone that hates himself and regrets that outcome of the choices he's made. Choices that he cannot undo, as opposed to his wife so who is still actively hostile towards Mahiru. If I had to guess it would be that he never thought Mahiru or thought she was a mistake like his wife did, but he's such a wimp of a man that he always prioritized his wife over Mahiru. Effectively surrendering his agency to her entirely instead of taking charge and leaving her and raising Mahiru with the housekeeper. Amane handled that pretty well. It was satisfying to see him a piece of his mind and not allow his father absolve himself of responsibility. It also seemed like he was trying to see it from a different point of view. I don't think we're done with her father. He wouldn't reach out to the boyfriend of the daughter he neglected after all this time if he didn't have any desire to reconnect.

So I guess that means if Amane met Mahiru's mom, it won't be pleasant that Asahi's because he plans to be aggressive. I guess Asahi is similar to Enji except instead of abuse, it was neglect & realized his mistakes too late & can't ever reconnect w/ her & can only atone by asking her boyfriend to take care of her & ask if she's doing okay. I have mixed feelings. I agree that Asahi doesn't want to interject in Mahiru's life because he lost the right to but another part of me wants him to reconcile w/ her w/ just baby steps. I guess we're prepping for the cultural festival next week. Mahiru putting Amane's tie on him before they leave makes them look married.