"Love is bitter-sweet" is the twelfth and final episode of the second season of the Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi anime series.
The episode revolves around the couple Ritsu Onodera and Masamune Takano. This is the first episode from Takano's point of view, and it mainly resolves around Takano's past and how he became the person he is today.
Plot[]
The scene starts off with Takano and Ritsu on a busy train. Ritsu asks Takano why he was standing right next to him since he was sitting. Takano tells him how there is nowhere else to sit besides, and then says how he would like to sit beside him, using his cold as an excuse. A lady gets off and Ritsu orders Takano to sit there instead. Takano says he will. He then thinks about, despite the basis of his personality staying the same, how much Ritsu has changed since their high school years. He recalls how easily flustered and outspoken he had been. Still exhausted from his cold, Takano falls asleep and has a dream about his high school year.
Ritsu tells Saga that he loves him. Saga knew who he was even before the day he confessed to Saga. It's Saga's third year of high school and he has college plans to think of. A meeting for all students were ordered to come with a parent. A girl comes to Saga and asks if she can borrow his history notes because she was absent. While blushing, she tells Saga that she knows that he writes good notes. Saga lends his notebook to the girl, who promptly runs to her two friends telling her good job.
Saga looks up at the clock and notice it's four. He would normally kill time by going to the library since he knows that his parents would be home. Saga opens the doors to the library to find Ritsu sitting at a desk. Saga goes up and asks him if he was going home and Ritsu says he was about to leave. Ritsu stops Saga from walking asking about what happened the other day when he asked Saga to go out on a date asking if it was a joke. Saga thinks that, while it wasn't a joke, it wasn't serious either. Saga had known that Ritsu has feelings for him. This due to Saga re-reading the books he read and only to find "Oda Ritsu" on every check out slip. He never thought someone would read a book that looked boring and came to the conclusion that Ritsu must like him.
Saga goes home and is greeted by Sorata, (who is a kitten during this time). He opens a door finding his father. His father coldly asks him where he was and if he was hanging out with people. He tells him that high-schoolers aren't supposed to act like that, which makes Saga think to himself, "What a nice way to welcome someone back home". His mother asks where he found the cat while Saga simply replies that he found it. His mother tells him that she hates animals. Strangely Saga's parents are facing behind each other. Saga's father tells Saga that he left some paperwork in the house only finding Saga's mother inside as well. Saga explains that his father is a surgeon and his mother is a lawyer. While they look like they are a wealthy good family, they are actually not a good or loving family. Every time his father and mother were in the same place at the same time, they argue and fight. Saga tells his parents that the meeting for high school graduates were going to begin and asked if one of them can come. Saga's dad coldly replies that he can't and make his mother go. His mother says the same thing and tells Saga to choose what college he wants. His mother leaves him with money for the house and food for Saga. Saga doesn't say anything and leaves the room.
Sorata is sitting on top of Saga's belly while Saga is looking up in the ceiling. Saga picks up Sorata and curls thinking about an ex-girlfriend whom he broke up with due to her wanting a serious and exclusive relationship - causing him to lose interested. He then wonders what it would be like to date a guy, gradually turning his thoughts in wonder about what sex between two guys would be like. He then suddenly stops his train of thought.
Saga is going to the bookstore of a new manga when he sees Ritsu standing in front of a fast food restaurant (similar to Subway). A lady asks many questions about what he wants on his sandwich. Ritsu is clearly uncomfortable being asked so many questions like what type of bread, sauce, meat, etc, while Saga stares at him. Ritsu ends up getting the same thing that Saga gets. Ritsu tells Saga that he is sorry and Saga tells him it's alright. Ritsu explains that it's his first time eating at a fast food restaurant since his friends always bought their lunch from the restaurant. This made him want try it himself, but he was intimidated by the order and the long line. Ritsu tastes the sandwich, saying it's delicious. Saga asked if he never eats fast food and Ritsu says that his parents dislike that kind of stuff. He also has never had any pre-made food. Ritsu tells Saga that he is glad he came with him for lunch.
Saga comes home once again greeted by Sorata. His mother comes out of the door giving Saga his post high school conference sheet which makes Saga ask her if she is coming. His question was interrupted when his father leaves the room making his mother ask what he was doing.
Saga's mom ends up not showing up in the meeting but tells him that he can choose his college. Saga tells his teacher that they don't know what college they want him to get into and they won't be interested in it anyway. Saga leaves passing by the brunette girl from before. She asked Saga if he was going home, only getting a no for an answer. Saga makes his way to the library finding Ritsu. Ritsu tries to talk to him and shows him a manga but Saga takes his frustration out on Ritsu and tells him if Ritsu was saying he loved Saga, he should have talked to him more often. Saga cools down telling him that he wants to be alone for now. Ritsu leaves the library. When he leaves, he sees that Ritsu came back with a umbrella because it was raining outside and he didn't think Saga had one.
Surprised by this act of kindness, Saga once again asked Ritsu why does he love him. Ritsu blushed and told Saga that it would took 3 days and 3 nights to answer that question. Ritsu explained to Saga that he's willing to listen whatever troubled Saga and apologized for being too nosy. Ritsu is worried about Saga since he seem troubled and wondered what he can do to help him. Saga was surprised by Ritsu's statement and firmly asked him if talking would fix anything; Ritsu stated that it wouldn't solve anything however it may helped Saga ease his troubles. As the two leave the school, Saga once again stated his belief that people only acted nice to others because they expected to receive something in return. Despite this, Saga now understand that Ritsu truly loved him and began to grab Ritsu's hand. Ritsu immediately get embarrassed by this, much to Saga's surprise. Ristu tell Saga to be careful on the way home and immediately ran out in an odd fashion. Saga now knew that Ritsu is definitely weird and began to walk home. Regardless, Saga noticed that since he began to hang out with Ritsu, something inside him began to gradually change.He felt it's odd how he can easily expressed his emotions instead of keeping those feelings to himself. Saga wondered to himself what exactly change inside himself
The next day during the afternoon, Saga is confronted by the brunette girl. She confesses her feelings to Saga and asked him not to give her his answer right now. Instead, he should think about this before giving her his answer. The brunette girl walked away embarrassed while Saga looked outside the window.
The following day, Saga noticed Ritsu looking for him as their classes head to the audience. Distracted by his actions, Ristu bumped into the wall much to the amusement of his classmates. Saga laugh and wondered what he is doing; Ritsu noticed Saga's smile and blushed. Saga was surprised by his expression and wondered why did he just laugh like that. While heading to the audience, Saga noticed his chest is pounding loudly and looked at Ritsu once again. After taking a few steps, Saga looked back at Ritsu once again while blushing with a surprised expression on his face. As the pounding in his chest grow loudly, Saga wondered to himself what is this feeling he felt.
The next day, Saga apologized to the brunette girl that he can't her feelings. She later asks him if he was already in love with someone else. Saga replies with a maybe. Saga walks to the library and Ritsu called out to him with a smile. While he happily informed Saga about the latest book from the author he liked, Saga wondered how can Ritsu smile and look so happy being with him? After accepting that he still can't understand why Ritsu loves him despite everything else, Ritsu asked Saga if he want to borrow the book he brought and read it. While sitting down, Saga calmly asked Ritsu if he like to come over to his house. Although Saga tell Ritsu that he doesn't have to come over if he like, Ritsu replied that he definitely want to come over. From hearing Ritsu's answer, Saga understand that the feeling from his chest was love. From that day, Saga fell in love with Ritsu.
Takano woke up from his dream after Ritsu called out to him. He informed him that they reach their destination and proceed to get off the train. Takano tells Ritsu that he was having a good nap and should have let him sleep more. Ritsu denied Takano's request by informing him that they have a meeting the next day. Takano asked Ritsu why he have changed so much from his high-school self' Ritsu angrily replied that his sudden change was Takano's fault. As the two continued walking, Takano complained about a headache and fall out to his knee. Ritsu asked Takano if he is alright but Takano replied that he may thrown up. Ritsu panicked inform him that he get some help but Takano assured him that he just need some rest. Despite this, Ritsu tell Takano that if he is really sick, he will call out the office and inform them about Takano's condition.
Unfortunately, Takano is amused that Ritsu is now acting nice to him. Ritsu was angry by Takano's reaction. After siting down, Takano commented that he really does feel tired from his cold; he agreed with Ritsu's decision about taking the day off tomorrow. However, Ritsu was deeply angered by Takano's casual attitude. He informed Takano that he will blackmail him by taking pictures and sent those pics to the office; thereby informing the office and his superiors that he is playing hooky. Takano is taken down by Ritsu's action and wondered to himself whether Ritsu does work for him. Takano calmly replied that he felt like spending time with Ritsu today, much to Ritsu's shock. Ritsu asked Takano to please come to work which Takano replied. Takano grabbed Ritsu's hand which made Ritsu blushed. He asked Ritsu to give him a little boost. While Ritsu questioned Takano what he meant, Takano calmly replied to Ritsu that he want him to stay still.
In his thoughts, Takano tell himself that he didn't think that he would love Ritsu this much compared to the first time they met. Ritsu may not be the first person Takano went out with. Nonetheless, Ritsu is Takano's first love; not that Ritsu would know.
BGM Listing[]
| # | Song Title | Romaji | Translation | OST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 世界の果てに君がいても (TV Size) | Sekai no Hate ni Kimi ga Itemo (TV Size) | Even if You Go to the Ends of the World (TV Size) | Sekai no Hate ni Kimi ga Itemo (Single) |
| 2 | 束の間の安らぎ | Tsukanoma no Yasuragi | A Moment of Peace | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 3 | 逡巡する気持ち | Shunjun suru Kimochi | A Feeling of Hesitation | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 4 | 切なさの正体 | Setsunasa no Shoutai | Pain’s Identity | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 5 | イライラする | Iraira suru | Getting Irritated | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 6 | 猫の手も借りたい! | Neko no te mo Karitai! | So Busy, One Would Even Welcome the Help of a Cat | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 7 | 忍び寄る影 | Shinobiyoru Kage | Extraordinary Shadow | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 8 | 不安のるつぼ | Fuan no Rutsubo | The Crucible of Anxiety | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 9 | 恋は切なく | Koi wa Setsunaku | Love is Painful | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 10 | 複雑な心境 | Fukuzatsu na Shinkyou | Mixed Feelings | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 11 | 初恋の想い出 | Hatsukoi no Omoide | Memories of First Love | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 12 | 本当は好き? | Hontou wa Suki? | True Love? | Sekai-ichi Hatsukoi Original Soundtrack |
| 13 | アイコトバ (TV Size) | Ai Kotoba (TV Size) | Words of Love (TV Size) | Ai Kotoba (Single) |
Voice Cast[]
| Character | Voice Actor |
|---|---|
| Ritsu Onodera | Takashi Kondō |
| Masamune Takano | Katsuyuki Konishi |
| Masamune's Father | Yutaka Aoyama (青山穣) |
| Masamune's Mother | Rei Shimoda (下田レイ) |
| Announcer | Hiroomi Tamaru (田丸裕臣) |
| Masamune's Homeroom Teacher | Yasuhiro Mamiya (間宮康弘) |
| Highschool Girls | Saori Hayami (早見沙織) |
| Mina (美名) | |
| Saeko Zōgō (臓合紗恵子) | |
| Salesperson | Shiori Izawa (井澤詩織) |
