One thing you can say for Seihantai no Kimi to Boku – it’s never stagnant. The characters do change and evolve, in believable ways for kids their age. When you compare Yuusuke now to how he was when the series started, it’s quite a stark difference. And it’s certainly not just him. Some have changed more than others but they’ve all dealt with their own issues over the course of the series. Yuusuke has probably changed the most though (I like to think that’s why he’s the only one who opens his eyes in the ED).

“When did you first start liking me?”. Ye Gods, what a trap question that is. Yuusuke more or less wriggled off the hook, I think, but Miyu was still a bit less than satisfied with his noncommittal answer. He more than makes up for that, though, by inviting Miyu over on New Year’s Day (only when his cousins can’t make it, but who’s quibbling). Finally telling his parents he has a girlfriend is a huge step – their shocked reaction says a lot. And his mom and dad are more than a little vexed to learn that Grandma has known all along.

This is a positive development, but Miyu does make a bit of a hash of it. Somehow she’s convinced herself that the Tani family are some sort of tight-assed traditional clan (they’re not). Being nervous is one thing, and her mother’s contribution was definitely not a positive one. But dyeing the hair was the big misstep (not counting the literal misstep). Unnecessary (obviously), and directly leading to awkwardness. Tani-mama has seen her in her son’s class trip photos and Grandma has literally seen her, and they’re confused as hell. Not to mention the black fingers.

Ah, well – such events are just meant to be awkward I suppose. Thing improve considerably when the couple head off for a first shrine visit (there are a bunch of “first” shrine visits here, and that happens a lot in real life). Yuusuke telling Miyu he invited her suddenly because “I thought it would be nice if she were here” restored a lot of self-esteem (though it wasn’t the imagined wedding proposal). The second round at the Tani house goes much better – though Yuusuke might argue otherwise once Grandma gets the photo albums out. I like how plain-spoken Yuusuke’s parents are (especially the mom). “Next time you come don’t bring a gift” is un-Japanesedly direct.

Uncharacteristically, we don’t get a lot of the supporting cast here. But there is a group outing towards the end of the episode, with everyone headed out for a joint hatsumode once Nabe-san gets back from her family trip. Searching for different shrines and temples to visit for hatsumode is definitely a thing, and Nabe picks this one. It’s on top of an impressive flight of steps (as so many shrines and temples are), and as it turns out the mountain goes up even higher than that. Yuusuke has an uncharacteristically heartfelt moment – though that it’s less so than it it would have been is rather the point – where he expresses his desire to spend time with these people in the coming year.

TairAzuma just always seem to wind up together, don’t they? Yeah they live nearby but there is a certain kismet quality to the pair of them. This is a pretty low-key wrap to the episode, but Shuuji does take note of the fact that Shino says this been her first time up with classmates over the winter break. That he notices at all is significant – he’s becoming more aware of social cues. That he’s surprised is also notable, as this doesn’t fit the Azuma image in his head. Perhaps of all the characters in You and I Are Polar Opposites, Shino’s public face is most at odds with her inner workings – and Shuuji is starting to figure that out.