Even though I love episode 9 with a passion, this episode was probably the best one of the season if you look at the whole picture. The drama, comedy and character interaction were all really good and the animation was better than usual as well.
The scene of the Kousaka family was really interesting. You'd think their parents would notice the change in behaviour of their children after all. After I noticed that their mother was watching their 'emotional moment' in the background during episode 6, I knew that this discussion would come sooner or later. During this little talk Kyousuke's and Kirino's mother finally points out something that I've been pointing out since episode 9, namely the importance of the fact that Kirino is calling her brother 'Kyousuke' now.
I had to facepalm a few seconds later. Both of the siblings are trying to deny everything, but both are kind of making it worse. First Kirino shouts 'I told you not to stick it there!' to Kyousuke while blushing furiously after their mother shows them the heart-shaped picture of the two, which basically confirms their parents' suspicions that something is going on between them. After that Kyousuke is the one who says something stupid. His parents tell Kyousuke to start living on his own because they think he and Kirino are getting too close. Of course he tries to deny this, but what is the first thing Kyousuke says after hearing what he has to do to return: 'I'll get an A and come right back', while looking at Kirino with a soothing smile on his face. Acting all lovey-dovey isn't helping here. Did he forget that the ones who are accusing the siblings of being too close are still right in front of him? Isn't this just adding fuel to the fire, Kyousuke...?
The Kyousuke Kanako scene was priceless, especially the fact that he denied everything she said with a straight face. The best line was of course 'She's eating a sausage.' ...Kyousuke, you pervert. I don't know anyone who could say something like that with a straight face in such a situation....
Kanako doesn't have a really big role in the series, but the scenes she is in are usually pretty funny.
The Ayase-Kuroneko 'battle' was epic, of course. Ayase still has a way to go if she wants to win against Kuroneko though. It's just like she says, she knows Kirino's 'true feelings' better than anyone else. I think she might have let her imagination run a bit too wild though when she said 'I wouldn't mind if Kyousuke had sex with his actual sister!'
But Kyousuke again made me facepalm a few seconds later. Instead of stopping the (interesting and graphical) fight between Kuroneko and Ayase, Kyousuke actually asks if Kirino wants to have sex with him. You're turning into some kind of Hentai Ōji, Kyousuke...
But even though Kanako, Ayase and Kuroneko all had their time to shine, I have to say that Kirino stole the episode for me. Kirino's just so cute when she's being more honest with herself. This episode shows just how much she has changed since this series began. There were a lot of subtle hints in this episode that she's become really close to her brother. Their conversation in Kyousuke's own place felt really heartwarming. The way they look at each other and the subtle movements they make when talking make them seem really comfortable with each other's presences. Especially the way Kirino slowly pushes Kyousuke's 'thumbs up' down with a smile on her face made me feel like this. In the past she didn't even want to touch him. The old Kirino would have slapped his hand away while saying that he was being gross.
The final scene was really sad as well. Kirino kicked against Kyousuke's door, probably hoping that it's suddenly opened by her brother. But after she realised that the door wouldn't open she rested her head against his door, drained of any energy she had left. She then decided to open the door herself and upon noticing that the room was completely empty she buried her face into his bed. Even if this situation she managed to stay true to her tsun self 'You don't have to come back, baka...' If this wasn't enough to convey her feelings of loneliness, then nothing is.
Hmm, I tried to keep it short, but I seem to have failed...
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