For an obligatory swimsuit episode, its actually quite decent. The remaining episode seems to be geared for the individual tournament and everyone is busy preparing... not.
Kiyosumi is went to the local sport center to show of Nodoka's swimsuit. You have to hand it to our favorite and only student
congress president, breaking the fourth wall like it was nothing
Ah, the Saki x Nodoka moments are quite well done (Nodoka teaching Saki how to swim is quite adorable as well as the volleyball game), Yuki and the token male's interaction is quite funny as always. The subtle Mako x Hisa is sure win too.
And guess, who our protagonist bumped into, why none other than Ryumonbuchi. Why am I not surprised?
Apparently, Touka owns the sport complex. Koromo, I thought your cuteness level could not go up any further, but its now above 9000. Its too bad you're not going to enter the individuals but, I'll be quite happy if you become a mascot
. Anyway, Touka and Hajime antics will keep me busy and entertained.
Hmm... for a school who seems to be quite disciplined compared to the other two, you would think they're doing massive training.
Nope, their captain, Mikoto, is doing laundry while her teammates :cough: harem :cough: showers her with whispered adulation and make a resolve of love and unity amongst themselves for the tournament. To get their beloved captain a pass to the nationals.... aww... they're really devoted critters aren't they?
Finally, there is a team who is sensible enough to prepare! dun dun dun Tsuruga. They're actually shown playing mahjong ... in preparation for the mahjong tournament.Wow... Though, it is somewhat averted since their best players are having a romantic meeting in the rooftop. YumixMomo is officially canon.
I'm actually frankly quite amazed on how they managed to pull such a blatant fanservice and still make it work in the context of the story.
Now, onto the not so fluffy part...
Teru is a total 180 from Saki's flashback. Either Saki is in serious denial... or have selective amnesia ... or something somehow changed Teru from ideal onee-sama figure to someone who denies her sister's existence. I'm seriously wondering if this characterization of Teru is canon or not...
If this episode is partly canon, I think Saki's reaction to Hisa-sama's word is quite telling. There seems to be something more going on Saki's family than being not given candy...