Amongst the sea of swirling skaters, Takeba and fellow bystanders awe at Leader’s and Mitsuru’s synchronous flips. However, to her dismay, further ahead Aigis fervently pursues Mochizuki. Yamagishi holds Amada’s hands as Iori, brandishing a camera, briskly circles the slow yet adorable pair.
Where does that leave our masculine duo?
Coming here was decided by a mass majority SEES’ vote. Donning a pair of rental ice skates, Akihiko pulls a reluctant Shinji along as they waddle towards the rink. It’s evident who voted what.
“It shouldn’t be so bad…” Akihiko says — to coax his friend as means to build himself up — before stopping right at the edge. His eyes lay fixed on shiny flooring much like a cat staring down a brimming bathtub. Mentally, he prepares for inevitable demise because unlike Yamagishi and Amada, they refuse to admit they’re inadequate as well.
“Okay, on the count of three.” He nudges the other in the arm too vigorously for comfort (and balance). “You hear me, Shinji?”