This series does love its subsets. This season we’ve gotten the Boku Alliance, now it’s the Triple Love Squad. And given that the name refers to the big three of Iruma, Azz, and Clara, it’s a good reminder of how their bond is really the center of the series. Mairimashita Iruma-kun has so many weapons in its arsenal that it can be easy to take some for granted. But each of Murase Ayumu, Kimura Ryouhei, and Asai Ayaka do such an amazing job with these roles.

Iruma isn’t the only one carrying secrets now that Kirio has revealed himself to Azz-Azz. His instinctive reaction is to go into overprotective mode. Which, given Azz’ strength and the nature of his power, is rather an inconvenience (and hazard) to everybody else. Clara is most obviously effected, since she’s unable to satisfy her RDA of glomping Iruma time. It’s only when Azz goes to consult with Balam-sensei (presumably about Kirio) that Clara has a chance to get her fix. And for she and Iruma to give each other awards for their work during the music festival.

Clara also uses this window to do something surprisingly mature for her – declare that Azz needs some alone time with Iruma and plan a day out for the two of them. Triple Love Squad they may be, it’s Iruma-kun who’s the glue and Clara knows this all too well. So Iruma and Azz head off to Magical Street, which has the added benefit of letting Iruma fulfill another teenage ritual he probably never had to chance to before. Asmodeus is thrilled of course, though not so much as to let his guard down right away.

Trendy thrift stores are clearly not Azz’ usual shopping hang, but anything for Iruma-sama. And they do manage to pick out some cool and appropriate outfits for each other (Iruma insists on paying for his own). In fact most of this day out seems focused on shopping, though there is some time for aimless teen time-wasting. The absence of Clara – and her usual soundtrack – does provide Azz the opportunity to see that Iruma has grown a great deal in confidence since the pair of them started hanging out together.

Iruma really makes some headlines after that, though. First he confides in Azz-Azz about how much pressure he feels as the eternal icon of the Misfit Class (remember, you can’t spell “Heavy” without “He”. Then he drops the real bombshell on Azz – he tells him that while he’s fully card-carrying with the Triple Love Squad, Azz is his “best friend”. Surprising? Well… Iruma is at the age where a guy best friend feels like the natural order of things. This is overwhelming for Azz of course – what more could he ever wish for in life (outside of doujins, anyway)? It’s a truly heartwarming moment between the two of them, who couldn’t be more loyal and true if they were built from loyal and true legos.

Su…ki…ma