Recap
We see a glowing memory in which a young Minoru is upset, and his mom cooks him something to cheer him up. Just the smell improves his mood.
Adult Minoru gets a text from Yutaka about being busy with work. He texts back encouragement but clearly wants to say more.
At the ramen restaurant, Minoru’s coworker notices his funk. Minoru wants something to cheer up instantly. His coworker points out they sell a ‘Happiness’ ramen set meal, but Minoru doesn’t take it seriously.
On his way home he has a surprise meeting with a classmate. They go to a coffee shop, where she tells him he’s important to her and he doesn’t need to carry his burdens alone. She is also totally uncomfortable with Tane, who spills orange juice on her.
Then she helpfully urges him to have his own life and leaves, saying she’ll wait for him. Great!
Yutaka’s coworker notices he looks unhappy and urges him to eat good food. Despite that, he’s back at the supermarket. But he runs into Tane and Minoru! Both guys think the other one looks down.
Tane is the one with the solution though: Ramen Fried Rice. A culinary invention of their mothers meant to cheer people up. It’s exactly what the name implies.
Tane flails around while they eat and spills things on Yutaka, who takes it much more in stride than the woman earlier. Minoru sees this. He also sees how cute Yutaka is in his sweater.
The two drink beer and play Go. Yutaka asks Minoru about his mother. Minoru explains that she was always smiling and cheering people up, even when sick. Yutaka thinks Minoru is like his mother.
Minoru’s latest effort to ask Yutaka about his feelings fails when his father shows up. As Yutaka leaves, Minoru gives him a picture and tells him they should eat together again.
The next day, both Yutaka and Minoru’s co-workers notice their improved moods… Was in the company or the Ramen Fried Rice? Or both?
Thoughts
The contrast between Yutaka and the classmate was nicely done. Fitting in with the rest of the show, the classmate wasn’t that bad. She was mostly oblivious, wanting something for Minoru without being interested in what he wanted or how to actually help him in his situation. She might be a fine partner for someone else.
Yutaka fits much better with Minoru, Tane, and their father. He doesn’t want anything from them except to help out with cooking and have a nice meal. His only drawback is he doesn’t talk about himself.
Keeping quiet is a defense mechanism for Yutaka, it’s how he survived in his family. Minoru is open, but I imagine he’s hesitant to pry into Yutaka’s life when their relationship is so new. He’s also grateful for and interested in Yutaka and probably doesn’t want to mess anything up.
Truthfully, their relationship isn’t based on much at this point anyway. They met at the park because of Tane and onigiri. Here they fumble, Yutaka pulling back and Minoru not knowing how to close that gap. But in the end a meal together gets them back on track.
Another home-cooked meal, this time from the brother’s mother via Tane. I love how everyone is a part of the cooking this way. Ramen Fried Rice isn’t a thing I’ve ever eaten and I’m not a huge fan, but there are recipes out there. Maybe I’ll switch the egg for something else and try it sometime!
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