You’ll have to bear with me on this, but I think the B-part of this episode was actually kind of deep. Superficially this was certainly another low-key slice of life episode. And sure, it was. But with a point to it. That was the second chapter, though. As for the first one that was strictly for light amusement. And as usual that’s a tack this show knows how to sail on, even if it doesn’t give me much to write about.
Jazz is one of those second-tier characters that hasn’t had much to do this season. So we get a chapter about him and his familiar, Supu. A familiar Jazz will only summon in solitude, as his deep, dark secret is that Supu is extremely cute. Despite being a supposedly fierce “split wolf”. The funniest thing here was when Jazz opened his locker and found Iruma-kun inside, eating snacks (because “snack police” Clara and Azz are on his case about it). As usual Iruma cuts to the chase, letting Jazz know how all his good points are surely reflected in Supu. Including pickpocketing, as it turns out.
The second part was seemingly almost as wispy, but there was more to it. Azz challenges Lead to a duel after school, causing the latter to fear for his life. Asmodeus just wants to virtually duel, though – he’s trying to fit and tone his game to better be a foil for Iruma. Or so he says. But soon enough it becomes clear to Lead – who’s quite perceptive and emotionally intelligent, despite the way he acts – that Azz had a deeper reason for this rare meeting.
This whole “flow” thing is interesting because to me, it gets right to the essence of what this series is about. To wit: I really think the cause behind Nishi’s writing with Mairimashita! Iruma-kun is “let kids be kids”. Don’t pile pressure on them, academically or otherwise. Don’t scold them not to act childishly. And don’t batter their self-esteem. Just let them be themselves and enjoy this time in their life. Sounds simple, but it’s not – not in practice. And no one exemplifies that more than Lead-kun. He fully embraces his inner boku without a trace of embarrassment or hesitation.
It’s kind of funny to hear Azz talk about being jealous of Lead’s relationship with Iruma, because it sure looks like Azz and Clara are closer to him that anyone in the Misfit Class. But because Lead is so unpretentious and comfortable being a kid, Iruma can relate to him in a different way than Azz. And because of Iruma’s background, he really treasured being able to just cut loose and embrace his inner baka with Lead.
It’s going to take Asmodeus a while to figure out how to just be a kid. And the truth is he’ll never be comfortable being one the way Lead is – life is unfair that way. But kudos to him for swallowing his pride and going right to the source for help, even if that pride forced him to couch it as something different. And lucky for him he has Clara as a role model too – they don’t get much more baka than her.
Su…ki…ma
