Boys Over Flowers Season 2: Episode 2
Haruto is surprised to see Tenma looking for Ota. Tenma tells Ota that he saw her walking home so he pulled over for her. Tenma recognizes Haruto and says that he has heard a lot about C5. Haruto wants to know how Tenma knows Ota and he says they know each other very well as they are childhood friends. As he is about to mention that Ota is his fiancée she interjects and changes the topic fully aware that knowing about her engagement to Haruto’s enemy will only invite more trouble for her. Just then, Kobayashi arrives with his team looking for Haruto. He orders his men to lift Haruto and bring him to the car as he believes Haruto ran away from the mansion because he was left traumatised after being hit by a girl with a meatloaf. Haruto struggles to get off the men’s grip but Kobayashi explains that he will bring him the best psychologist to help him recover from the shock.
Before he can leave, Ota quickly runs to him and says that she too does not like him but is grateful for saving her from her attacker. As she bows and runs away Haruto suddenly feels something tighten in his chest. (Awww….he probably felt something for her hehehehe) Kobayashi mistakes it for a heart attack and orders his men to arrange for a CT scan and a heart surgeon.
Tenma drops Ota home where she sees her mother wearing the dress Tenma’s mother sent as a gift for her. Her mother sheepishly says that she also needs some change in life and Ota just sighs at her mothers’ antics. Right then, she receives a call from her workplace and rushes to the convenience store where she learns that Maeno has quit his job.
At school, Haruto is expelling another student in peasant hunting only this time he looks nervous and clutches his chest as images of Ota cursing him flashes before his eyes. Airi notices the change in Haruto’s behaviour and holds Kaito hostage to know if Haruto is being bothered by the girl who threatened him. Kaito is surprised that Airi knows of it and she says that Sugimaru blurted it out to her. He tries to evade her question but she clearly states that she does not care about Eitoku Academy and is a part of C5 only for Haruto’s sake. He then assures her to divulge the girl’s identity later.
At the C5 den, Issa asks Haruto if Ota dumped him and he lies that Ota has always been in love with him and still feels for him. Kaito then asks to have a word in private with Haruto. Haruto narrates the nights’ incidents to him of how Ota has a fiancée and how Tenma appeared from nowhere and claimed to be her childhood friend. He says that he just cannot stop thinking about Ota and Kaito sighs that Haruto has fallen badly for her. Embarrassed, Haruto says that it is only because he wants Ota to fall in love with him so he can dump her. Kaito says he must not do something that will make Airi lose her temper and Haruto wonders what Airi has to do with this. Kaito feels annoyed at Haruto’s ignorance of Airi’s feelings for him. Haruto then asks Kaito what he needs to do next to have Ota fall for him.
At school, Ota friends invite her to have some pancakes at a newly opened popular food joint. She refuses saying that she forgot her wallet but in reality, she has her part-time job to attend. Haruto manages to catch hold of her as she leaves and asks her if she has anything to thank him for especially about something that happened at her workplace. Ota racks her brain hard and realises that Maeno’s sudden quitting must be Haruto’s doing and in a flashback scene we see him giving Kobayashi instructions to do something about Maeno who attacked Ota. She thanks Haruto for it and he instead asks for a gift from her. She asks him what he wants and he fumbles on the word ‘pan’. She mistakes him for asking ‘panty’ and he quickly corrects her that he wants the next generation pancakes which are very popular these days. In a flashback scene, we see him hiding under a desk near Ota and making notes of what she talks with her friends. They discuss their schedules and decide to meet on Saturday at 1 pm which makes Haruto very excited.
Wearing a suit Haruto has his hairdresser and stylist have him ready for his pancake ‘date’ when Kobayashi suggests he wear something more casual. Haruto does not know what is casual and neither does Kobayashi. So, Kobayashi suggests he try wearing an outfit that is best suited for his horoscope. Ota is in a shock when she sees Haruto waiting for her in a cowboy outfit. (hahahahhahahahahaha…… I fell off my bed laughing at this scene. It reminds me of Ranveer Singh and his clownish attires. I wonder if Deepika feels the same like Ota.)
She asks him what made him dress like that and he justifies that according to his horoscope, Western films is his reference for his lucky attire. She is aware of his obsession with lucky stones and gems so without wasting any more time she asks him to head straight to the shop where it will surely be crowded today. But when they reach there she is surprised to find a ‘Closed’ sign at the door despite it being a Saturday. Haruto barges straight into the shop and the chef there welcomes him calling him ‘owner’ or probably ‘boss’. Ota is surprised and Haruto tells her that he bought the shop yesterday as there was is no way he would stand in a queue for a pancake.
Ota digs into the pancake and finds it utterly delicious. Haruto however, refrains from even touching his plate. She asks him why he won’t eat the pancake and he answers that whipped cream does not suit him. Amazed, she points out that it was he who insisted on going to the shop where the whipped cream is their speciality and he just brushes off her observation. She then wonders why he is being nice to her and realises that it could be because of the secret she knows about him. She tells him that he need not worry about it as she will never divulge it to anyone as she seriously wishes to continue studying in Eitoku. Haruto suddenly leaps on hearing her request to allow her to stay back at Eitoku and he assumes that it is because of her love and admiration for ‘F4’ that she does not wish to leave the school. Ota does not understand what Haruto is talking about and he takes her to Domyuji’s residence and tells her how he idolises him and wishes to become like him.
Ota finally asks him who exactly is Domyuji. Angry, Haruto rebukes her for not knowing about the leader of F4, the person he dreams of becoming like. Just then, an old lady shoos them away for standing in front of the main gate. Haruto however, bows before her when he learns that she is the head maid of the house and the lady who bought up Domyuji. Seeing his love and admiration for Domyuji, she invites them in for tea. The moment Haruto steps in, he starts clicking pictures of himself inside Domyuji’s house like an obsessive fan. Ota apologises for Haruto’s fangirl-like behaviour and the lady says that Haruto may be a little weird but he sure is good at heart.
Haruto tells Ota that he will uphold the name of Eitoku just like Domyuji did and will not give in to Momonozono’s tactics. Seeing the passion in his eye the lady exclaims that he is very similar to Domyuji and Haruto cannot help jumping in glee. But Ota feels guilty seeing his passion for Eitoku and confesses that the only reason she wants to study at Eitoku is that staying in that school till she turns 18 will enable her to marry her fiancée Tenma. She requests him to allow her to stay another year at the school and runs away as he stands transfixed almost in tears over the news of Ota’s engagement to his arch-rival Tenma.
He finally musters some courage and calls out to her. He then mocks the fact that she plans to marry Tenma only to be able to get rid of her poverty and she admits that her life is indeed miserable enough to depend on Tenma to help her out of it. Haruto regrets his words the moment it leaves his lips but the damage is done and Ota has left the mansion.
The lady who witnessed this smacks him on his behind and urges him to apologise to Ota right away but he instead collapses to the floor clutching his chest.
Tenma arrives at Ota’s house to pick her up for their regular date. Wearing the dress and shoes his step-mother sent her, she happily joins him while still feeling a stinging pain in her heart. At a mall, Airi finds a dress in a catalogue and demands to have it but the sales girl tells her that the dress is sold out already. She then looks around and spots Ota wearing the same dress. Before she can identify her she sees Tenma take Ota away.
Kaito sighs on seeing Haruto in bed claiming to have caught some ‘peasant’ disease as he does not feel well at all. He says that each time he shuts his eyes he sees Ota’s face and Kaito screams at him for acting sick when he had clearly fallen in love with Ota.
He vehemently opposes the mere thought saying he still has a lot of stuff to do before falling for a girl. Kaito asks Kobayashi to give his opinion and he lists some symptoms such as caring about another person before oneself as love. Haruto jumps out of the bed and states that there is no way he will ever fall for the secret peasant.
Tenma and Ota are at a posh restaurant when Ota feels uncomfortable in her heels. Sensing her discomfort, Tenma takes off his shoes and suggests she do the same so she feels better. At a nearby table, a little baby starts crying and the mother apologises to the people around for disturbing them. A waiter tells Tenma that they have the VIP room empty so he can have a quiet meal there but Tenma instead asks the waiter to shift the family there so the mother and child can eat peacefully. (Kyaaaaaaaaaa? Oh you second-lead, stop being so nice. You are never going to get the girl no matter how nice you behave.)
Ota thinks to herself of how much she loves this about Tenma. He then asks her about her time at school and she lies about having a good time with her friends. She then feels guilty about lying so blatantly to Tenma who is so honest and sweet.
At school, Airi is after Kaito to tell her about the girl troubling Haruto but he cleverly lies that his investigation has hit a roadblock. Haruto then receives information that it was Tenma’s suggestion that they have B class rich students in their school i.e. kids from families who businesses are just picking up. Additionally, the school’s open environment makes it more appealing to ditch Eitoku and enrol with Momonozono.
Clad in Momonozono uniforms C5 then visit Momonozono and are stunned to see students have virtual classes, skydiving lessons and a nail spa. Haruto tries to play it down by calling all these facilities as regular but Issa tells him to open his eyes and acknowledge their technological advancement.
Tenma’s step-mother Rie calls Ota who thanks her for the gifts. Rie tells her that she sends the gifts so Ota looks presentable as the future daughter-in-law of the Hase family. She then tells Ota to be careful of who she befriends at school and talks of Haruto.
Meanwhile, Haruto sighs looking at Tenma’s video at the Momonozono Institute and recalls Ota telling him about her engagement to Tenma. C5 look in awe of the facilities provided at the institute and Haruto reprimands them for not having pride in Eitoku. A robot stops at Haruto and tries to identify him in its students’ records. It then starts playing an alert calling Haruto out. A glass shatters hard to the floor and Haruto turns to see a student who has identified him. He remembers the student being the same boy he had expelled for failing to pay his fees a few days ago. The boy screams that C5 is there which brings the schools prefects or guards who call C5 out for trespassing on their schools’ property. They then ask C5 to apologise which Haruto refuses. Just as the group heads towards C5, Tenma intervenes saying that C5 are his guests.
Tenma then brings them tea and offers a hand of friendship to Haruto which fiercely declines the offer.
He calls him out on handing out pamphlets promoting his school and promises to never lose to Tenma before storming out of the room. Before he can step out of the room Tenma apologises to him and assures to warn those students who have been distributing pamphlets.
At the C5 den, C5 cannot stop gushing about the perfect leader Tenma. Haruto cannot hide his disappointment in himself and leaves the den. Airi tries to follow him but Sugi stops her.
Lost in his thoughts, Haruto reaches the convenience where Ota works and crouches on the ground with his head between his knees. Ota feels shocked to see him there. In a daze, he asks her is he is not good enough and his sudden question baffles her.
Konno too is surprised to find him sitting outside and he tells them that he hasn’t eaten in two days. Konno invites him to her house so he and Ota can makeup with each other. She then leaves them alone in her house as she leaves to bring some food. Ota cooks for them and Haruto observes her in awe as he sees someone cook for the first time.
As they sit for dinner, Haruto looks reluctant to eat as he has only eaten food prepared by professional chefs. Konno forces a morsel into his mouth and he looks impressed by the food.
He gulps down everything on his plate and when he rises to get second helping he stumbles to the floor unaware that his legs have gone numb because of sitting in seiza position for probably the first time. His cute behaviour has Ota and Konno in splits.
Later, Haruto walks Ota home and she tells him that she knows why he asked her if he is not good enough. She tells him that it is understood for him to feel inferior as he will never match up to ‘him’. Haruto says she is too blunt and she says its ok to not be as perfect as Domyuji. Haruto looks surprised that she thought he felt inferior of Domyuji when in reality he was fretting over not being able to match up to Tenma. She then shares with him her dilemma of how she feels guilty about taking advantage of Tenma’s good nature. She tells him that she has been in love with Tenma since they met the first time. It was her family’s tradition to meet for lunch every fourth Sunday of the month which she and Tenma still carry on by meeting each other on the fourth Sunday of every month. She says she feels bad about tying him down with the engagement his mother had promised her mother. Haruto rises and says he will never make her feel bad this way and she smiles and says probably because he is too clumsy and not perfect. He states that he will one day become perfect enough to never lose to ‘him’ (by which he means Tenma). She counters that he is desperately trying to be perfect when he himself has his own good points. Her response amazes him and he looks at her fighting back tears. When he drops her home he promises her to never peasant hunt her and make an exception in her case.
Next morning, when Ota arrives at school she receives a message and notices that everyone around at school has also received a message. She nervously opens the message which contains her photo and reads that ‘Ota is a secret peasant’. We see Airi grin and say that she will never forgive Ota. Everyone around Ota flashes their phone containing the message and she curses Haruto for not keeping his promise.
Comments
I see some sparks there. 🙂 I love the way the show is moving forward. However, I am a little scared of Tenma not being the way he looks or tries to be. In the original Hana Yori Dango or even Boys Over Flowers, I always rooted for Hanazawa Rui or Ji Hoo. I liked the second lead more over the main lead. Here, though I like Tenma I still don’t think he is a genuine person. Surprisingly, I like the stupid Haruto more than the perfect Tenma. It could be because I have not seen him bully anyone on the show yet. Yaa he got one boy to quit the school, it still wasn’t as bad as Domyuji or Jun Pyo did things in their respective times. Haruto is dumb, naïve and adorable. Tenma actually scares me with his overly sweet nature. I know second-leads are always better than the main lead but here the second-lead Tenma is just too good to be true. In fact, he seems boderline creepy.
I hope in the bid to make Haruto look good, the writers do not make Tenma a character with grey shades. No matter how fake he looks, please let him be a positive character because I like to see Taishi as a good boy.
Another thing that bothers me is the lack of involvement of C5 in the story. Kaito and Airi at least have some role but Issa and Sugi have absolutely nothing to contribute. Why are they then known as C5 if everything is going to be about Haruto? If they are a group, they must have something to bring to the table. I do not appreciate the fact that Haruto takes away all the attention and the other members have no story in the dorama. I am saying this probably because I am comparing it with Hana Yori Dango in which I loved Soujiro’s love story a lot. I think I am looking for something like that in this dorama too which is why I am so concerned about the supporting cast. But since this is a Japanese dorama and I will stay patient and wait for the story to pick and I am sure the other cast members will also have something to contribute in the later episodes.
Image Courtesy: Tokyo Broadcasting System
Screen Grabs: Tokyo Broadcasting System
Boys Over Flowers Season 2: Episode 3
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