Inu x Boku SS – 04

“How dare you touch my Soushi…” *mumble mumble*

The weekends are finally here! *throws confetti* January passed by in a flash – I feel like I’m growing up too fast. xD With weekends comes sleeping in late, relaxation and not to mention my favorite sparkling bishie and tsundere! >D

Since their touching recontract, Soushi has become more attached to Ririchiyo than ever! (Yes, that is actually possible.) Both of them are back to their normal routines with Ririchiyo being adorably tsuntsun, and Soushi being melodramatically loyal. Ririchiyo starts to notice that her heart has being going all dokidoki around Soushi recently, but she simply attributes it to a medical condition – an irregular heartbeat. Oh Ririchiyo, just wait till you find out.

Later on in the day, we are introduced to two new characters – Banri Watanuki and his Secret Service Agent, Zange Natsume. Right from the start, Watanuki and Ririchiyo hit it off, kick-starting a furious staring match. It turns out that both of them have some tsun in them – looks like Ririchiyo might have just met her match! Watanuki introduces himself (very proudly, for that matter) as a delinquent, and promptly transforms into his youkai form… eh? A RACCOON? Even Ririchiyo cannot resist his cuteness and turns dere! That is, until Natsume cuts in and breaks into a dramatization of his entire life story. A descendent of a Hundred Eyes creature, he is able to see everything – both mental and physical. He tells Ririchiyo that he is willing to explain her heart’s dokidoki, but only if she wins the “match” tomorrow…

The next morning, the two pairs run into each other in the longue. We then learn that Soushi, Natsume and Watanuki are childhood friends, previously acquainted by Soushi’s ex-master. In the past, Watanuki was abused and bullied by them because of his adorable youkai form, and Soushi, being the kindred spirit he is, tried to comfort him, unfortunately calling him “cute” in the process and smashing his pride into little pieces. Ever since then, Natsume has harbored a grudge against Soushi. Natsume decides to settle it with a match – the Ayakashi Manor Walk Rally! Rules are simple: the first team to collect the signatures from every Demon Manor resident and return to the longue wins!

Not sure if inner fujoshi wants to ship this pairing more than RirichiyoxSoushi…

As Ririchiyo and Soushi go around collecting signatures, we finally meet the staff of Ayakashi Manor. They are extremely peculiar, to say the least – the overly-dramatic cook, Joe and his responsible son; Maid #1, a well-endowed Lilliputian; Maid #2, a glorious trap brownie who is successfully charmed by Soushi’s sparkles; Maid #3, a… I don’t even know what he is supposed to be; and finally Nekozuki Homare the concierge, a very shy cat demon.

When Ririchiyo and Soushi are finally down to the last signature, they come across Natsume and Watanuki once again, who is in the middle of a conversation with Karuta-chan. We get to see Watanuki’s dere side when Natsume reveals that *gasps* Watanuki is in love with Karuta-chan! The entire purpose of the Walk Rally was actually to give him an excuse to approach Karuta-chan after his long absence. Natsume has an alternative purpose though, and that is to prove to Ririchiyo that he truly does know everything about her, whispering to her about her people problems.

Thus, the Walk Rally comes to an end! As Ririchiyo and Soushi head back to rest, Soushi stops the lift and asks Ririchiyo if there’s anything troubling her. Ririchiyo denies it, but it turns out that it is Soushi who’s troubled – he’s become jealous of Natsume after seeing that little discussion between the two of them. Ririchiyo’s heart goes dokidoki again, and she pushes him away embarrassedly, promptly losing her balance and falling in the process.

Back in her room, Ririchiyo lies awake at night thinking about her beating heart and what it could possibly mean, while Soushi wanders the corridors at night, reminding himself to make sure that Natsume doesn’t say too much…

“Extrasystolic arrhythmia…”

Awww that was such a cute episode! Looks like the relationship between Ririchiyo and Soushi is beginning to level up once again! It would make sense that Ririchiyo wouldn’t understand the feeling of ‘love’, having had such a lonely childhood. (Yet another case of bad parenting D<) It was adorable watching her all confused and worried about that dokidoki, and I burst out laughing when she attributed that to an irregular heartbeat. So endearingly naïve xD Soushi too, seems to realizing that his feelings towards Ririchiyo might be different now. Sure it used to be an inexplicable kind of unconditional loyalty and kindness, but now a hint of attraction, or romance for that matter, is slowly seeping in. He said himself (with a deep, sexy voice, might I add) that he was growing “more and more demanding by the hour” and that’s an indication for what’s yet to come, isn’t it? Although I highly doubt that the two of them will get into a real relationship anytime soon, from this episode, I do believe that they will eventually end up together. It’s just the question of when – and I suppose Ririchiyo is going to find out what exactly is the strange feeling she’s experiencing in the next few episodes, and I’m curious as to how she’s going to handle it. xD I’m expecting more tsun to ensue.

The introduction of the two new main characters to the show was done very smoothly, in my opinion. I like how Watanuki is a male tsundere! (I believe the correct term is Oranyan, but it just reminds me of the ape Orangutan so I’m just going to stick with tsundere) His interactions with Ririchiyo will surely be hilarious in the future too with both their tsun sides clashing. His little crush for Karuta-chan is also absolutely adorable and I totally support the pairing. I’m rooting for you, Watanuki! I also love his youkai form, by the way, for I have a weakness for small furry animals and all I want to do now is cuddle him to death forever. I MEAN, A CHIBI RACOON! HOW CUTE IS THAT? *coughs* Okay now on to Natsume, aka MIYANO MAMORU MY HUSBANDO. <3 By default I love him because of his seiyuu already *shot* But no really, I do think that his personality was enhanced by Miyano Mamoru’s voice-acting. DAT ENDING SONG. I am loving you more and more, Miyano Mamoru. I like how comedic he is. xD Those illustrations featuring that adorable bunny? I am a fan. He does have that intimidating side though, most obvious when he was speaking to Ririchiyo about her problems. Judging by Soushi’s last words this episode, Natsume is definitely a potential dangerous to the relationship between Ririchiyo and Soushi. I wonder what secrets he knows about Soushi, but I guess we’ll soon be finding out. That’ll mean more character background for Soushi too – he might not be just all smiles and sparkles.

The Ayakashi Manor Walk Rally was also a genius way of introducing the behind-the-scenes staff of the Ayakashi Manor. xD I like how of them are so weird in their own funny ways. A trap maid, an excessively-shy bodyguard and THAT FREAK-OF-NATURE MAID #3? Full of epic win. I also like Joe’s son (more than Joe himself) because he’s such a responsible little kid. Responsible little kids are hard to find HAHA. (No but seriously, what on earth is Maid #3 supposed to be? xD)

I liked this episode and the new characters a lot, so I’m looking forward to what the next few episodes will bring. Ririchiyo’s realization of her love? Conflict between Soushi and Natsume? All we can do now is wait~

Preview: Another mysterious new character! Looks like he has something in store for the residents of the Ayakashi Manor…

About Miyu

A stressed-out jyoushi kousei doubling as Metanorn's loli with a soft spot for sappy romance animanga. She will watch anything with bishies in it. :3