Ron Does Stuff

I’m guessing this is going to be the big Dai/Shun episode? Because the previous episode certainly teased it. Will I enjoy this episode or will I be rolling my eyes? Let’s see!

Dai is fuming just a little at the coffe truck location because Shun didn’t seem to want to work with him. He’s pretty confident that Shun’s going to talk to him later on though. He also says he’s ready to stand up for himself when Shun starts acting spoiled but are you really?

Back at the Green Room, Shun is at least aware that he’s constantly in bad moods. He realizes he’s a troublesome person and you know what? I’m going to clap for this self-awareness.

At this point in the show we get the title credits and I wish they had this online but they don’t so I’ll just put the music video of the band who sang this song.

Back at the coffee truck, Dai says he likes that Shun doesn’t try to smooth things over and just flat out says he doesn’t like something. He finds it more trustworthy, which I guess makes sense? That’s something I’d prefer too but I’d also like it to 1.) be consistent and 2.) have an actual reason. Not just based on how the wind’s blowing that day!

Ikuo is wanting that same forwardness from Kazuto as well. Just tell me if you don’t like me! At least he can then think of what to do next once the rejection comes.

Shun and Ikuo come back and there is no report on the earnings, which is the second time this has happened. Again, sorry for being hung up on this I am a pewr. But anyways, Shun is explaining his side and to Dai’s credit, he just doesn’t take it and tells Shun that you can do better than this. Which leads to Shun sulking again and I tell you I am just. OVER. IT.

Shun is outside with a glass of wine and he’s got Taeheon out there with him. YES SCREEN TIME FOR TAEHEON. Shun is asking for advice from Taeheon and I am just basing this on the subtitles and may be missing nuances from the actual Japanese but is it really that big a deal to apologize for not going on a shift when you’re not feeling it? Especially when this isn’t a permanent job and the two of you aren’t even boyfriends yet?

ANYWAYS. Shun feels bad about hurting Dai’s feelings and Taeheon really should have had more screen time because he gave great advice! Sure, Shun’s not obliged to take the shift with Dai, and maybe it’s not fair that Dai is hurt over it, but he likes Dai and he knows that he hurt his feelings. That’s the more important thing and the one he should focus on.

SO. Shun heads on over to the kitchen and he apologizes and Dai is smiling! And they hug and stuff and YOU KNOW WHAT I’M A WEAK BITCH I’M ON BOARD THE SHUN/DAI TRAIN AGAIN.

After dinner, the guys are drinking like they planned to do and Alan asks whether the guys talk about their relationships with their parents. Most everyone dud, although Ryota only told his parents when he was cast on the show and I’m so jealous that his parents’ reaction was to say bring the person home if you do find a nice one.

Taeheon, on the other hand, hasn’t told his parents yet and from my admittedly limited knowledge of the LGBTQIA+ situation in Korea, this really isn’t surprising. Although at least from Taeheon’s explanation, it doesn’t seem like it’s homophobia? It’s just that the last time he really was with his parents was when he was 10 years old and now he’s in his 30s. That’s a lot of time to not know your kid.

Taeheon asks the group about their coming out stories and it turns out that Kazuto only told his parents the July? August? before this show was filmed? This site says the Obon Festival is celebrated in different times in different regions so I’m not sure when Kazuto told his family. But he was a little disappointed that his family was sad about it.

When Taeheon expresses his anxiety about coming out to his parents, Dai says that there’s still value in you existing and you shouldn’t let your parents’ reaction detract from that. I agree with that and Alan agrees with that. Hope your coming out goes well Taeheon!

I also really liked how the panel talked about coming out. Durian talked about how it’s something you do if you feel like it’s necessary while Horan tries to parse the layers of the sadness that Kazuto’s mom is feeling. Honestly, maybe it’s because I haven’t been watching more varied media from different countries, but I didn’t think they would be this open about it.

After that discussion, it’s the Kazuto Discussion Hour as Ikuo and Ryota schedule conversations with him. With the way these two are hounding him, Kazuto may just end up with Alan out of frustration.

SO. Outside, Ikuo pointblank asks Kazuto what he thinks of him now, and Kazuto also directly answers that he prefers the Ikuo he speaks to when it’s just the two of them over the Ikuo who is the golden retriever among other people. Gotta admit Kazuto, I’m not liking this “I want a guy who can’t live without me” thing you’ve got going. But at least Ikuo’s got his answer now!

Okay, now it’s Ryota’s turn. It’s like Kazuto’s revolving door of men! And Kazuto lets him down too, and not easily. He’s just a heartbreaker, this Kazuto! That’s three people he’s rejected in the house! Also strengthens my theory that Usak’s episode five departure just made him so attractive to Kazuto. Anyways I think Kazuto really took Marina to heart.

The next day, the coffee truck is closed and the guys are going on their last private date and I would bet money on Shun and Dai being able to go on this date. The question is will there be another couple that gets to enjoy this benefit too. Sorry but if I were the other guys I wouldn’t even get my stuff ready, just saying.

HOWEVER. There’s a second couple for the first time ever and it’s KAZUTO AND ALAN FUCK. AND THEN THERE’S A THIRD FUCKING PAIR AND IT’S RYOTA AND GENSEI GENSEI BABY THIS IS YOUR TIME GET YOUR MOUTH AROUND THAT DICK. EIGHT FUCKING EPISODES JESUS CHRIST.

Gotta say the date location looks great? I mean I don’t think it’s just me being pewr even Alan looked impressed. Anyways, the two of them talk about picking each other and while I don’t think this is Kazuto saying he likes Alan that way, he does admit that spending time with Alan is more fun and comfortable.

Ryota and Gensei, on the other hand, are at a glassworking shop. I…honestly thought everyone was going to be at an overnight thing or something. How’s Gensei gonna flick Ryota’s nipples here? The glass beads look great though! Ryota and Gensei go to a cafe afterwards.

Shun and Dai are also staying someplace else and am I misunderstanding? Why do Ryota and Gensei go back home? Or do they mean home as in the accommodations they’re staying in for their date? Anyways they’re making googly eyes at each other and for sure someone’s getting their balls fondled tonight.

Shun says all his past relationships other than the surfer from New York were all toxic while Dai says he’s never been hung up with anybody the same way he’s been hung up on Shun and your boy Shun barely holds back his smile.

We then head on over to Kazuto and Alan’s date, where they’re grilling steak and Kazuto walks right into a glass door oh my god? But after that hilarious moment we get another heart to heart between Kazuto and Alan and you really gotta admire Kazuto’s straightforwardness and introspection. He tells Alan that he does want to get to know him more, but he doesn’t want to move as quickly as Alan is used to, which I feel like is something that they can work on!

Meanwhile, back at the house Gensei is telling Ryota to not be polite with him and Ryota’s too dense to get that babe just show hole! Just so there’s no misunderstanding because Ryota tends to do that until you hit him in the head with something.

Ryota asks Gensei why he wrote his name for the date and Gensei basically tells him that he’s been pining over him over the past eight episodes or something. Ryota then tells Gensei that it didn’t take him long to decide either since he’s sorted his feelings out that morning.

Back at Shun and Dai’s date, Shun talks about meeting his New Yorker ex’s family in Atlanta and I do get why he was so won over by seeing that intact family considering his own background as an orphan. Although I probably think that they were all just being Southern. But maybe that’s just the stereotypes American media has fed me. Anyways, both Shun and Dai want to have a family and someone definitely is going to get their balls fondled tonight.

Dai and Shun start out sleeping in separate beds but Shun makes the jump to Dai’s bed and OH BOY SOMEBODY’S GONNA GET PENETRATED FOR SURE. They’re staring at each other but I FOR SURE recognize that movement under the blankets AND SOMONE’S BALLS ARE DEFINITELY GETTING FONDLED. AND THEN THEY KISS AND BOYS PLAY SAFE AS THE CAMERA PANS TO THE BIG ASS MOON.