Neighborhood Story

What is Friendship? What is Love? (1x18)

: 21, 1996

Detecting Mikako lost in thought as she tries to reconciles herself to the circumstances, Kuro engages in several »Hey, I want to be played with!!!« paw swats at Mikako's foot as Mikako fears that she is witnessing the advent of a love triangle—and a burnt dinner if not for Ruriko's observation. Mikako's fears of a love triangle are assuaged when Yuusuke piggybacking Tsutomu races by with the exhortation to set course for Mariko's place after school where the Akindo members synthesize merchandise for the next flea market while Mariko sleeps. An unexpected phone call brightens Mariko's mood as she customizes herself before departing for a euphoric nocturnal engagement with Yuusuke right on her heels; her deception nullified, Mariko explains that the suitors interested in her have become bothersome and that she really wants to do karaoke with her girlfriends. Shintaro answering a phone call meant for his sister before Yuusuke interjects to lash out at the caller ignites the adversarial divergent concourse between Yuusuke and Tsutomu that Mikako has been dreading in spite of the other Akindo members' best efforts to lighten the ambiance. Mikako ultimately realizes from encountering Yuusuke and seeing Tsutomu rush over to him for a ride that a divergent concourse between friends can only be extinguished by the plaintiff and defendant's collaborative efforts.