Lovely Complex: Episode 2

"The Ex-Girlfriend Love Triangle"

Quote(s): "If an amazon like her gets swept up in any kind of flow, she'll probably clog the drain."

Disclaimer( I don't own any of the following pictures, there may be spoilers so read with caution, and I'm not an English teacher so forgive me if a comma is out of place.)

So in this episode of Lovely Complex we're really getting the ball rolling. We're starting to see that Koizumi is starting to see Otani in a whole new light. 

The episode starts off with Otani having some really crazy hair that reminds Koizumi of a sea urchin.

Otani claims that this hair will help him get a girlfriend (I highly doubt it, Otani-kun.) After Risa mocks his pitiful attempt in upping his cool points, Otani points out that her red lips aren't much of an advantage either. Well after that comment he might as well have kissed his new-do goodbye.

I really like this anime because I feel as though Otani really sees Koizumi as a friend. That might change later, but as of right now it's a strictly platonic relationship. Boys and girls can be friends, and by that I mean actual FRIENDS. Not friends with benefits, not fr-enemies, and not "friendsssssss." Friends, dammit.

Anyways, as they're walking home Chiharu-chan and Suzuki-kun are holding hands, while Nobu-chan is hanging on to Nakao-kun's arm. And poor Risa is walking behind them, boyfriend-less. Well, Otani-kun is there,but he's kinda short soooooo

Before they all go home they stop at a restaurant where Nakao-kun offers Otani Umibouzu concert tickets. Right as Otani was about to excitingly accept, Koizumi exclaims "Umibouzu?! Seriously? I'll go!" Otani then asks Koizumi if she was a fan of Umibouzu(because the "I'll go" thing was too subtle for him to tell.)and they both go on and on about their love for this guy. Nobu-chan then asks, after observing this common interest(along with everyone else at the table)why don't they date. Both Otani and Koizumi are shocked that she would even imagine something so disgusting and bizarre

The next day at school Risa shouts that she wants to be in love, Nobu-chan then goes back to her previous suggestion of dating Otani. She tells Risa that Otani is pretty popular, though Risa doesn't believe her. They then go to basketball practice where they see Otani's very impressive basketball skills and a group of girls fawning all over him.

Now seeing that Otani has the upperhand when it comes to their bet, Risa asks Nobu-chan to set up a "hook-up" party.

Now I know what you're thinking and no. Apparently, a "hook-up" party is a perfectly respectable thing to do and does not involve any actually "hooking up", or at least not in this case.

When Koizumi arrives at the hook-up party she is greatly disappointed because all of the guys look like animals. (a horse, monkey, bird, dog, and pig to be exact.) Let's just say the love she's hoping to find, won't be found there...

When Koizumi sees Nobu-chan and Chiharu-chan the next day at school she's sulking until Otani comes and gives her her ticket to the concert. She's excited until Otani point's out that the concert is on the 25th. Christmas Day. Lover's Day.

As they're walking home they both agree that no matter how lovey-dovey the atmosphere is, there is no way they'll fall in love. Just then they meet(or in Otani's case, re-meet, if that's a word.) Mayu Kanzaki.

 

Mayu Kanzaki: resembles Chiharu-chan, Otani's ex-girlfirend, dumped him for other guy.

That's about as much as you need to know for this part. The thing that strikes me as odd is that up until this point it's like Koizumi didn't know Otani had a first name. Like she was genuinely surprised that the name Atsushi belonged to him. I wonder if he knows she has a first name...

Anyways, later on in the episode we find out that Kanzaki-chan broke up with Otani for a guy who was much taller. Coincidence or not that didn't help Otani's height complex.
Kanzaki later invites Otani to a basketball banquet thing that is also on the same day as the concert that he's suppose to be attending with Risa.

Risa tells him to go and instead of buying him new shoes she'll treat him to a cup of tea. 

Risa informs her friends that due to the change in plans she'll now be attending the concert alone, and hopes to spend the time before the concert with them, but they have already made plans with their loves. (who saw that coming?)

So Risa ends up going to the concert alone and rather early I might add. She starts thinking about all her friends that are all coupled up and she begins to feel lonely.She also thinks about how Otani has probably gotten back together with his girlfriend and even he won't have time for her. 

Just then a guy "accidentally" pushes her down. Her stocking rips and her knee bleeds and she cries like a big baby until Otani shows up telling her that he made a promise to her first and that Kanzaki is just going to have to wait until next time. Then she begins to cry like an even BIGGER baby. They go to the pharmacy and grab a band-aid for Risa's knee before the concert starts and have a great time watching their favorite artist perform. 

 

As they're leaving a unidentified boy/man hugs Risa, clearly knowing her.

So I loveeeee this episode because it shows Otani in a more gentle light, not to mention it showing Risa liking him more. Otani has some great line in this episode that really touch your heart like "but if i said a thing like that, you'd punch me again, right Koizumi?" "Koizumi, what's wrong?" and other little sweet gestures like that. This is also the first time that you see Risa cry. And it's definitely not the last.