Recap: Haruka comes down with a cold and as Manabe takes care of her he discovers a surprising side effect. After she recovers, Manabe must pay for his perversions by taking her out on what is most definitely not a date.

Jel’s Thoughts: In chatting with Irothtin we were discussing how we like implied romance. No big confession necessary, just two people who are really into each other, who cares what you want to label it. It makes things so much more natural and simple, kind of like, you know, good romance in real life.

While I’m not sure I would characterize Haruka and Manabe’s weapons-grade adorable relationship with that kind of subtlety, I have to once again note how easy and comfortable it all feels. Even at the end of their date, Manabe can just say “let’s hang out again.” If they don’t want to call it a date right now, who cares? They clearly like each other and it still accomplished the same purpose.

Assuming you survived this episode’s extremely high cute levels (including Yuriko and Chibi Keima’s scenes), you already know the real noteworthy part is the twist after the credits. At first I assumed it was Haruka’s power returning as she picked up a strong, horrible memory from a passerby, but the more I think about it I’m not sure that’s the case. Maybe it was a strong, repressed memory of her own? Or is it possible her power has changed altogether and the writers are going to mess with us Kokoro Connect style? I mean we do have Yuriko’s story about her mother being clairvoyant, so the possibility is there. I’m also going to take a not so wild guess and assume this will somehow connect back to Haruka’s mother, but that’s just my gut feeling.

Regardless of what happens next, it’s a fascinating turn of events in a series that refuses to settle down. I really was starting to think we would keep coasting through episodes with romance and comedy and deal with the remaining drama at the end, but it seems we may now have some kind of crime/mystery story on our hands? Did ANYONE see that coming? In less talented hands I would be skeptical but Kotoura-san has earned my trust. Now I’m just really excited to how far they’re willing to go with this.