Isshuukan Friends – 05

Just when I thought this show couldn’t get any cuter.

There had been little hints of it in episodes past, but it seems Kaori’s memory situation is gradually starting to change.

Even More Friends

A friend indeed.

This episode introduces the latest addition to Kaori’s friends, Saki. And she brings with her some big changes. The seemingly dopey girl has a rather persistent but innocent approach to Kaori, which is a refreshing change of pace from Yuuki’s own brand of jealous “friendship.” Saki might be considerably more proactive in pursuing Kaori when she tries to back away or run away. But unlike Yuuki, she only desires to be a friend instead of Kaori’s only friend. I know Yuuki probably doesn’t mean any harm by it, but I’m still going to hold his attitude against him because it’s just bad for Kaori. Like that part where he lies through his teeth about hoping that she finds more true friends when he’s really happy to be the one special person in her life? Ugh. I know I might be exaggerating things a bit, but a lack of malice still doesn’t excuse him indirectly wishing for Kaori to remain a social outcast. What good friend would wish that upon a friend?

A Better Perspective

At this rate Kaori’s friends will increase exponentially!

It seems I’ve gotten off-course with my displeasure with Yuuki, so let me return to Saki. As mentioned, the girl is quite aggressive when it comes to Kaori. The one big consequence of this is that it provides Kaori with much needed positive exposure to the rest of the class. It’s almost crazy how happy I felt when the class looked on in amazement at Kaori laughing happily at Saki acting like a ditz in general. Not to mention, Saki brings her own connections as her own friends now want to be introduced to Kaori. Talk about progress!

Oh gawd it hurts.

While this sort of external change is nice, I do think that Saki’s biggest influence on Kaori is internal in nature. Until now, Kaori has thought of her predicament with a defeatist mindset; she’s actively avoiding making friends instead of attempting to overcome the challenge. But Saki just blows this away by relating her own difficulties with remembering important things and how she doesn’t let it bother her. Now, obviously their situations aren’t exactly the same, but Saki’s words clearly gave Kaori a different perspective on life and inspired her to be more open with others again. Which is considerably more than anything Yuuki can claim to have done for Kaori in the four episodes they have been together.

This episode is particularly important in my eyes as it marks the first time that Kaori has recognized Yuuki on a Monday of her own accord. That’s right, no need for him to waltz on up and ask to be friends. She turned around, looked straight at him, and smiled. That’s a milestone if I’ve ever seen one. Next time it looks like Yuuki will have the pleasure of meeting Kaori’s mother. So far, it has been suggested that she isn’t aware of her daughter’s condition. But I can’t imagine it has gone unnoticed to her that Kaori hadn’t made any friends in a long time, so I would think that she has much to discuss with Yuuki and co. about how her daughter has been doing at school.

Is Kaori overcoming her condition?

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