Toradora ep. 17,18,19

After being away for close to 3 weekends, 3 episodes of this uber-licious anime have passed. Which is just as well, since they are linked together, so I'll might as well discuss them all together. These 3 episodes are all about the events leading up to the Christmas party that the characters are going to have. Its something special for all them, as is usual for these anime people. Mine christmas is always the same as any other day.. :( Maybe this year its going to change eh? Anyway.. its significant particularly for Ryuuji and Taiga. For Ryuuji, its of course about trying to jio Minorin.. while for Taiga is more about the Santa that she believes it.

Now.. about Ryuuji and Minorin, we have finally seen the emo side of Minorin. and with good reason too. She secretly likes Ryuuji too, but being perceptive of her good friend Taiga, she hangs back. The current relation between Ryuuji and Taiga is almost like that of very good friends, or should I say.. more like Taiga is depending exclusively of Ryuuji to take care of her. Perhaps she doesn't really realise just how much she depends on Ryuuji. As such of a unique interaction, Ryuuji and Taiga seems to work quite well together, gaining special insight into other's thoughts. While Taiga is infatuated with Kitamura, Minorin understands that actually Taiga is more dependant on Ryuuji than Taiga actually realises. Minorin acutely understands that Ryuuji and Taiga are probably more suited for each other, for the both of them actually seems to work quite well in tandem. As such, Minorin tries her best not to encourage any development between herself and Ryuuji.. even though she likes him. And so there's a conflict of feelings there.. painful for her I'm sure.

Back to the main part, which is christmas preparation.. Something that Taiga is extremely excited about. Cute right? Unfortunately Ryuuji does not seem to be that excited about it. But whatever. And then , Taiga was talking about creating chances for him and Ryuuji.. something along lines of being reincarnated into Ai Tenshi, Cupid. Is that a stalk of celery I see? Yea, very convincing. But things aren't that easy.. Minorin declined the offer to go.
That's her, cooking a tale about having to go to ball practice.




Anyway, the preparations for the party continues.. And then its the real thing. The party gets underway after a duet between Ami-chan and Taiga, and then.. Taiga mysteriously leaves halfway. It appears that that she went home for 2 purpose.. to get Minorin to go to the party, and then after that goes home to wait for Santa. .. Except there's no Santa. The metaphor here is significant. Because the Santa refers to the somebody who cares for her. For Taiga, well, she has been living alone for quite a period of time away from family. Before Ryuuji, she has no friends except Minorin. Therefore it is quite understandable for her to yearn for alittle care. Just as when her emo-ness is about to wax, who turns up? Yea Santa! Erm, a Santa Teddy strictly speaking. They have a good time together enjoying the moment, and then Taiga pulls off the teddy head, to reveal the person that she knew it was all along, Ryuuji. Here we can see just how much Ryuuji is concerned about Taiga's happiness, also displaying a good insight into what she's feeling. He's always doing this kind of little things for her, without asking for anything in return, or any reason except out of kindness.

Then she sends him off to look for Minorin, only to find herself crying involuntarily after his leave. It is just then she realises just how much he means to her, and that she not ready yet to give him up. She tries to chase after him, but he has already left, and all these is seen by Minorin standing out of sight. Then irony appears, for Minorin finds Ryuuji, and rejects him even before he can speak. Episode 19 ends here then. Well, I'll wait for further development on this upcoming weekend! The game have just changed.

We sparkle all the more brightly because we are flawed. Just like a flawed crystal will sparkle under light along the edges.