#episode three

Blue Boy Natsuki has always liked what his Red Rascal sister Rio has liked.

Including the same fictional character.

But even though they like the same things, they couldn't be more different.

When Natsuki was just a Baby Blue Boy, all the girls thought he was so pretty in his flower crown, so the other boys picked on him.

Which is why his Red Rascal sister had to step in and beat some toddlers up.

And now that they are older, Rio still watches out for her baby (Blue Boy) brother, which is why she arranged for her Green Guy boyfriend to fall in love with tutor him.

Rio is so great which is why everyone loves her! Her best friend made sure to take a picture with her boyfriend to send to her on her trip. The chef at the restaurant adores her because she compliments his food (exactly like her brother does). And even Natsuki's best friend seems to have a crush on her since she beat him up in elementary school.

Yet it's interesting that no matter how much Rio loves her brother, she still takes his blue clothing without asking and even snatches his slice of watermelon which results in him having to get another slice for himself.

Rio is a true spontaneous Red Rascal who flies off to Okinawa whenever she fancies, but just like her taking her baby brother's things without asking, her spontaneity can come across as a little selfish.

Her boyfriend doesn't see it that way though. He thinks that's what makes Rio exciting compared to him, who he thinks is boring. He didn't even seem that bothered that Rio was late for their date.

And although he wasn't too happy that Rio randomly walked Rock without telling anyone, especially because she left their date earlier because she was supposed to be at work yet got her schedule mixed-up, he didn't see that upset about it when he was desperately trying to call a pet detective for Natsuki.

Because Sota is an easy-going "smiling, cheerful monster" as Natsuki calls him, yet when he was helping the family look for Rock, his smile faded and was replaced with genuine concern.

And when Natsuki fell from exhaustion, Sota was the one to catch him.

Then again, Sota is just helping his sister's brother and is happy that Rock made it home safely since he is more than a pet but is a family member. Or at least that's how Natsuki sees him, and now so does Sota since he is getting along with Rock even though he normally isn't too friendly with dogs.

Natsuki is clearly trying to fight his developing feelings for Sota because he knows Sota is being his normal natural kind Green Guy self and a good boyfriend to his sister.

Yet when he looks up an answer to his crisis, he gets "LOVE" highlighted in green as the response.

And this is why it's hard to write that Natsuki's feelings are one-sided, and not just because Natsuki is trying to give Sota blue "good job" stickers too, or because he finally called Sota So-chan to show they are equals.

No, it's because Sota, in his green and blue striped shirt, bought an image of "a bridge surrounded by clouds under a fiery sunset" on his date with Rio and wished Natsuki had been there to see it.

The bridge is obviously Sota, and the fiery clouds which are red in the summer due to vapor in the air (thanks for the fun cloud facts, Natsuki!) could have been what caught Sota's eye since they might remind him of Red Rascal Rio, but the clouds are what captured Sota's attention.

And the clouds in the sky could only represent one special Blue Boy.

Perfect timing for our adorable Baby Blue Boy neighbor to ask the poly questions that need answers — If love is feeling happy with someone and wanting to always be around them, then why is love only reserved for one person? Why can't he love multiple people?

Natsuki can't answer that, but he does know that he is always happy around Sota listening to him talk about bridges, which might be why he is turning a bit green, so despite Sota thinking he is boring in comparison to Rio, Natsuki thinks he is interesting and reliable.

He also thinks he is cute as he uses the blue pillow to comfort himself during the thunderstorm.

And thank goodness for the storm since it brings Natsuki luck with it in the shape of Sota spending the night due to the train services being suspended, which means Natsuki gets a surprising glance at Sota's half-naked body after showering and his beautiful sleeping face.

So perhaps it's because Sota is laying next to Natsuki, in his clothes, wrapped in his color and kindness, that he feels safe enough to share details about his life he hasn't told anyone else, not even his girlfriend.

In the glow of the green and blue lights, Sota tells Natsuki that his dad is abusive, so he found it was easier to pretend to be the perfect son his father wanted growing up. Sota wanted to escape his father, and he thought a bridge could take him far away, but it never did.

Because of that, he thinks he is split in two. On one side, he is a cheerful guy who remains calms at all time like his dad wanted, and on the other side, he is still a kid who wants company while the storm rages outside. Yet, somehow, he can be both with Natsuki (because Natsuki is a bridge!) and that makes him feel more like himself since he doesn't have to hide either part of himself, which he does with everyone else, even from Rio.

The next morning Natsuki is panicked that Sota left back to the apartment he lives in by himself while he was asleep, but Sota is simply in the kitchen making him breakfast with his mom.

And they end the episode promising to keep Sota's hidden selves a secret with a bright (not blinding) light emerging behind a pink-stained window. 👀

So although I'm still unsure if this is a BL (and what the dad is doing with the noodle classes and secretly booking a vacation), I don't think the "storm" from the title is Natsuki's alone. Sota is afraid of storms, not Natsuki. Sota was the kid who looked at the bridge with storm clouds behind it with concern, not Natsuki. Sota is the one hiding parts of himself, not Natsuki.

Scott... Ough... He makes such a Perfect, Manipulative, and Fierce Coven Leader.

Lots or rambles under cut, which is placed for spoiler reasons!