This was an epic episode. Imo, the best episode of the series so far actually, even better the opening two. Everything I envisioned in the series is beginning to unfold.
Conflict between Kissuoi's business operations, conflict between Ohana and her mom, conflict between Ohana's mom and her work, conflict between Ohana and Ko, conflict between Ko and the "book girl", conflict between Ohana and herself. Now in the PV it suggests conflict between Ohana and the "book girl", with a "goodbye" phrase by Ko, a pissed off Tooru and a jealous Minko.
So to the people who thought that romantic/shipping elements didn't exist in the show...
This is what I initially envisioned Hanasaku Iroha to be, not some same-old, generic slice of life that's going to focus on slice of life/comedy but something with a dramatic bang that explores the theme of coming of age. This episode delivered that in spades. Now, please for the love of god keep it up and not go back to the slapstick nonsense that was episode 3 and 7.
11/10.