The team travels to Hiroshima (Yamato's hometown, as you might recall) via bullet train for the newest tournament. The track captain has a new training program for Yamato to do, including more after-practice work, and Yamato is thinking of that workload. He tries to talk to Suzuka, but is rebuffed in his attempt. Meanwhile, Honoka, who observes Suzuka's icy demeanor, wonders what is going on, and Yasu points out that if she likes Yamato so much, she should tell him, or risk losing him. Both Yasu and Miki try to get Yamato out of his little funk, but Yamato declines their offers, and later, Miki tells Suzuka at dinner that she should wish Yamato luck - that it might help him out. Suzuka declines, but later changes her mind. Yamato is having a night practice, but his times are not improving. Just as he stops to rest, Honoka comes to wish him luck. They talk for a bit about Yamato's confidence, and Honoka takes Yamato's hand. But she hears footsteps and looks up to see Suzuka is nearby. As Yamato turns to see who is behind them, Honoka kisses him. It's Yamato's first time, and he's quite shocked and even after she leaves, he is unable to think of much else, until Suzuka surprises him. She talks about track and what he's doing, but then asks Yamato to come cheer her on. The next day, Yamato does indeed go to cheer on Suzuka with the other members, but as he is sitting and watching, Honoka sits next to him, and holds his hand. Yamato misses the action on the field - Suzuka has jumped 173 cm, the same height as in episode 1 when it was just her and Yamato at practice, and she is rushed by the press and news crews. While observing this, Yamato thinks that Suzuka is slipping away from him with her success, and he grips Honoka's hand, to her surprise. Later, there is a party for the team for the seniors and Suzuka's success. Yamato leaves to go to the fish pond outside, and there Honoka meets up with him. The track captain, wondering where Yamato is, sends Miki to find him. While Honoka and Yamato talk, a fish jumps out of the water, splashing her. She jumps towards Yamato, and tries to kiss him, but he hesitates for a moment. Honoka is saddened and starts to cry, but then Yamato does move in and kiss her. Meanwhile, Miki observes this from nearby and is stunned.

--------------------

Obviously, this is a Honoka centered episode, and it was needed. Honoka clearly takes Yasu's advice to heart and tries her hardest to win Yamato over. It's not immediately obvious what Yamato sees in her, but he does explain through his thoughts - he has a different reaction and is filled with different emotions with her than with Suzuka. She is a calming influence on him and he can relax. One can argue that perhaps this isn't fully a sign of love. I'm not convinced that it is love, but it must seem a soothing balm to Yamato and his "wounds" that have been inflicted by trying to match up with Suzuka.

Honoka shows a lot more bravery that I would have given her credit for in episodes past. She has been fairly timid in her desires, but now she knows what she wants. She is revealed as a person of true feeling. Yet deep down, I wonder if she realizes that Yamato doesn't love her as much as Suzuka. It's hard to say what the pecking order of feelings are here.

Suzuka doesn't help herself with her curtness at the beginning of the episode - its hard to get a read on what she wants. Clearly she wants something, because she does change her mind and goes to talk to Yamato. But she can't seem to get past the "hump" of her own internal feelings, and that might cost her in the end. You'd think the end of episode 12 would have made her realize that she's losing this battle because she can't make up her mind and manages to bungle any feeling she tries to put forth. It's amazing that she manages to function in society with her temper sometimes.

Gee, I wonder if Suzuka will hear about this through Miki? (yes, I'm being sarcastic, I'm 99.99999999% sure that will happen)

What will the results of this thing with Honoka be? Obviously, this isn't the end of the relationship battle since we have 13 episodes left, but its an interesting halfway point...