Episode 9: Will These Wishes Come True?

WILL THESE WISHES COME TRUE ?

EPISODE 9 OF THE ANIME

( Manga Cross-reference---Chapter 12, " Of Summer Festivals and Cotton Candy " )

Previously
During the summer break, the friends, at the suggestion of Yasuna, spend a hot day at the beach. What fun ! Asuta's big dream was to see Hazumu wearing a bikini swimsuit. This he got to see, as well as all the girls wore bikini swimsuits. Wow! However, Yasuna and Tomari spent some time together on a beach blanket, but hardly spoke to one another at all. Asuta and Hazumu got to spend some quality time together, with Asuta rescuing Hazumu from two beach bums that were trying to hit upon her. In the late afternoon, the friends had a beach cookout, fixing Yasuna's special recipe of curry. Unfortunately, the curry was spiced so, so hot, that no one could manage to eat it, except for Yasuna and Sora, who absolutely loved it !

Episode Overview
Just before the Summer Festival, Hazumu has a dream about a past Summer Festival they attended when they were a child. It turned out to be an unpleasant experience for Hazumu, as she never did get the cotton candy that they wanted. Hazumu then awakens.

Later that day, the friends plan out the details of all of them attending the festival that evening. They are at a soda shop, but soon break up so that each one can prepare for attending the festival. The girls have all decided that they will wear the traditional festival outfits of pretty yukatas. In the late afternoon, all the girls meet up and enter the festival, but due to a timing mixup, Asuta is left to themselves. The girls have a wonderful time, with so many things to see and do. Unfortunately, Hazumu once again can't make up her mind, and ends up in the dark in back of the Shrine, in low spirits, while all around in the dark are romantic couples kissing and doing more ! The Alien Being helps Hazumu get back into the swing of things at the festival. Soon, the fireworks show begins, with the three friends all holding hands and enjoying the pretty sight.

This Episode's Story
Hazumu is dreaming, and the dream recalls a memory of when he was taken to the Summer Festival by Mom---

FLASHBACK---Mom, as she always did back then, dressed little Hazumu in a pretty, colorful girl's yukata (*) for him to attend the Summer Festival. After all, young Hazumu looked so much like a cute little girl ! Hazumu wanted cotton candy, but could not decide between white or pink cotton candy. Little Hazumu took so long to try and decide, that a cloudburst happened, and it began raining steadily. Mom had to scoop up Hazumu, and run for cover, all the while Hazumu was crying his/her heart out because he/she did not get the cotton candy he/she wanted so badly. ( END )

Hazumu awakes with a jolt, to find Jan Puu sleeping with her, as she always does ! Later in the day, Hazumu, and the three friends, Yasuna, Tomari, and Ayuki, are at a restaurant, having drinks together. But only Hazumu is still trying to decide what to order. Ayuki mentions that today is the day of the Summer Festival at the Kashima Shrine. Tomari exclaims that she will win a prize at the festival contest, for sure ! Is everybody going ? Yes, even though Hazumu hesitates because of the dream that she just had. Yasuna suggests that everyone wear pretty yukatas, the traditional female dress for summer festivals. Unknown to the girls, Asuta is in the next booth, and he intrudes with his opinions on going to the festival. He then leaves, stating that he will wait at the front gate at 6pm. Tomari now says that she doesn't want to wear a yukata, however, Hazumu insists that she do so. The girls agree to meet up at the front gate, ''at 5pm ! ''

Tomari, the perennial hard-core tomboy, rushes home to announce that she needs an ultra-feminine yukata to wear tonight ! Ayuki is at her home, looking through her vast collection of yukatas, trying to decide which one to wear. Asuta daydreams of what Hazumu will look like wearing a sexy, provocative yukata. The teacher, Namiko, picks out the yukata that she is going to wear. She ends up spinning herself dizzy, and faints. Tomari ends up in a specialty shop trying to find a nice yukata. Then in walks Yasuna, wanting an elegant sash for her yakata.

Meanwhile at Hazumu's home, Dad is taking pictures of both Hazumu and Jan Puu wearing their yakatas. It is Jan Puu's yakata that turns out to be especially sexy and provocative, with the hemline being above her knees, and worn with a petticoat. The Alien Being remarks that the highlight of the summer festival must be the many couples that retire to the darkness in back of the shrine, for some memorable romantic moments. He then looks directly at Hazumu's parents, somehow knowing that is the only reason that they went to past summer festivals ! However, Mom and Dad bring up that one festival in the past wherein Hazumu cried and cried, even into the next day, because of not getting the cotton candy. This makes Hazumu sad, as she recalls the dream from last night. Jan Puu tries to cheer her up.

Yasuna actually invites Tomari over to her house, and there she outfits Tomari with one of her own yukatas, one that is especially regal and high class. Unfortunately, the subject of shipping with Hazumu comes up, but with no hard feelings, the two girls decide to go to the festival together as friends.

All the girls do, indeed, meet at 5pm to enter the festival. So much to see and do ! Hazumu, Ayuki, and Jan Puu decide to head out, leaving Tomari and Yasuna alone. By 6pm, the girls are all busy, as Hazumu can't quite recall what was supposed to happen at 6pm ? Asuta waits at the gate for Hazumu, who is already inside the festival. He daydreams what a remarkable date with Hazumu tonight will turn into. Inside the festival, Tomari has second thoughts about wearing a yakata, until Hazumu compliments her for her attractiveness. Tomari reciprocates by giving Hazumu a prize---several goldfish inside a water filled plastic bag !

My how time flies by when you are having fun ! All is good until Jan Puu points out the cotton candy booth. This brings back bad memories to Hazumu. Added to the confusion, Hazumu is asked to pick which snack she wants. She can't decide ! Hazumu becomes disoriented, and excuses herself by saying that she has to go to the bathroom. She runs away, but not to the bathroom, but to the darkness behind the shrine. There, the Alien Being meets her, wondering if she came here for some sort of romantic purpose ? Why, all around, hidden by the numerous trees, are many teenage couples kissing, and doing much more ! Hazumu is far from romantic, in fact, she is sad and a bit upset. The Alien Being taps into her memory, and brings up the incident that happened at the previous summer festival so long ago ( see FLASHBACK above ). Hazumu begins crying, as the memory is brought to her, fresh as the day it happened. She just could not decide, not then, not now ! Tomari and Yasuna come looking for Hazumu, and are saddened to see her kneeling on the ground and crying.

In a short while, Hazumu is back on the fairgrounds. However, Tomari and Yasuna have a surprise for her ! One girl has pink cotton candy, and the other girl has white cotton candy. Both are offered to Hazumu. She tastes both, and becomes instantly happy ! Then, when Hazumu tries the "shell game", she loses. Soon, the three friends find themselves back at the area behind the shrine, where all the love-making is going on. There, they get to see the fireworks begin. While the display is lighting up the sky, Hazumu offers a prayer to God---that the three friends stay as friends, and not be broken up over petty feelings. Then, for some unknown reason, all three girls spontaneously, but romantically hold hands with one another, and watch the rest of the fireworks display.

Episode Lookback and Commentary
(*) Wearing a yukata style kimono to the Summer Festival---

In Japan, kimono have a very special place in people's hearts, and are a medium for a thousand symbols.

Kimono are also a specific type of Japanese Fetish, in ways not easily explainable. First, people are expected to not wear normal/western-style lingerie underneath, including bra and panties, as bra will ruin the chestline (which should be smooth), and panties will without exceptions create pantylines. Second, most of the body will be covered in a lovely package, spelling out (in the case of a young girl) "youthful", "innocent", "pure", "proper", "cheerful" and " virginal  eligible for marriage" - in kimono code. Few people in Japan know enough about kimono to get every nuance, but much of the message seems to trigger some subconscious understanding.

Yukata -- a similar but lighter and less formal robe-like garment -- are worn by nearly everyone come summer and festivals. The feelings they awaken are rather similar to kimono. By nature, a yukata is relaxed home-wear (comparable to shorts and a tank top), and situations where one can wear it are very limited. A big deal of the allure of summer festival or hot springs episodes in anime and manga is related to having all the female (and in rare occasons, a boy) in yukata. Because there's nothing underneath. On young children, the special fluffy yukata obi makes for an excellent chance for extra big bows and super-cute satisfaction.

Manga Fan's Commentary on This Episode