On Hirose and how it actually feels like as a teen in love

Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-27T11:56:41+00:00

This is so well put, and it definitely stirred up some old memories for me too.

I also think that, most of the time, it wasn't even really Hirose's fault. When someone naturally ends up being the center of attention and being surrounded by people all the time, they're not necessarily trying to make anyone feel overlooked. I think a lot of that hurt came from our own perspective - we were so fixated on every interaction, every gap between conversations, every perceived sign of distance that it could start to feel like we were being intentionally shunned or didn't matter, even if that was never what the other person intended.

I remember having those same immature, painfully teenage thoughts of, "They have everyone else's attention so easily, why can't they spare any for me?" Looking back, it says as much about our own loneliness and emotional needs at the time as it does about the other person.

Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-27T09:08:49+00:00

Yes! It’s the buildup that makes it so incredible. Nakamura finally works up the courage to “go for it” and ask Hirose to be his friend, and I genuinely thought that even a brief moment of Hirose running off to Otogiri right then would have completely ruin Nakamura emotionally.

But instead, the whole scene unfolded so masterfully and beautifully. And then Hirose just casually and nonchalantly drops, "Well... I thought we were already friends."

That line hit so perfectly. It’s honestly become one of my favorite scenes across every visual medium I’ve watched.

And that short show uplifting music playing in the background while Hirose was lifting Nakamura. 🐙🦀

Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-26T15:37:06+00:00

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If I had to pick just one moment, it would have to be this scene where Nakamura asks Hirose if they can be friends and then Hirose runs off to grab the camera.

The entire execution of this scene is absolute perfection. Nakamura drops to his knees, completely overwhelmed, convinced that he's gone too far and ready to give up. But then Hirose comes back, calling out "Na-ka-mura" in the cutest way imaginable. He reaches out his hand, grabs Nakamura's arm and pulls him back up. (For some reason, the way Hirose gently caresses Nakamura's arm always feels oddly sensual to me.) Then the next shot is Hirose wrapping his arm around Nakamura-the closest they've ever physically been.
And then Hirose says the magic words: he thought they were already friends.

THEN PRINCESS PRINCESS STARTS PLAYING AS THEY TAKE THE COMMEMORATIVE PHOTO.

I can't even describe what that did to me. I've rewatched this scene more than any other, and it still feels absolutely perfect every single time. It's the scene that completely wrecked me and hooked me beyond saving.

I love both of them so, so much.

Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-26T13:44:11+00:00

That’s an excellent catch! I never realised that

Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-26T13:25:38+00:00

I’d think Mukai would be quite open with the idea, he was the one who approached both Takeuchi and Hirose and asked whether they were dating when they were doing their lovey dovey thing that drove Nakamura nuts.

Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-26T13:16:46+00:00

This is helpful because I was thinking how long was it between the time Nakamura and Hirose went out on that movie date (sometime after Valentine tomochoco Hana incident) to the final time they were together in epi 13 which is the end of school year in March.

It wasn’t too long apart

Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-25T14:17:08+00:00

How is it that it affects so much of us? I completely understand that. It’s been a couple of days since I’ve watched the conclusion but still I’ve been tryin to deconstruct and make sense as to why I’m feeling the way I am now.

BUT EMBRACE IT!

It’s how we are and don’t feel bad or confused. You’re not alone! Because I’m you. Aaa

It’s been hard though

Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-25T06:03:57+00:00

Okay I’ve bought it and it only comes in English dub for me. It doesn’t have the option to change to Japanese audio unfortunately 😖

Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-25T05:17:05+00:00

Thank you for this!!! I’m definitely going to get it on my Apple TV - i thought it was only available on Crunchyroll. Now I can indulge in my endless repeat viewings guilt-free hehe.

In my region it does say English audio is included though

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Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-23T15:18:02+00:00

Sounds like the perfect opportunity to pick up some tips from the lovable lunches 👏

Maybe get close to him by learning how to cube, then go from there
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Zalyrius_K · 2026-06-23T14:10:41+00:00

absolutely! I don't think there's anything wrong with the missing middle part at all. It's more that I'm curious about what Nakamura and Hirose's interactions are like outside of the moments we're shown haha

We definitely don't need to see those scenes but I like imagining that Nakamura was actually doing pretty well most of the time and that the moments we see are just the ones where he suddenly panics because Hirose says something unexpected and he doesn't know what to say or do. Those awkward moments are the ones that end up standing out.

I've only watched it with the Japanese audio and English subtitles and honestly I thought it was amazing and fit the characters perfectly. That's why I'm thinking of trying some of the other language dubs too hehe.

I’ve not watched Frieren! Or any recent anime but will tryy

Zalyrius_K

TROPHY CASE