Erika's annoying.


But with that out the way, I think it's probably because of episodes like this that I'm a little bothered by how the opening of this show is pretty much one big spoiler. By already knowing the final cut for the group, you're left to basically count down the episodes for how long characters like Haruka would be around.
..And of course there was the fact that she was pretty much a horrible person that got along with no one.

And no episode showed that to us as much as this one. Well.. maybe the last one was pretty bad, too. ..And the one before that (though during that time she was rather overshadowed by Saya's bitchyness). But in this episode, she employs the help of her submissive lackey, Yukino. ....I mean Fuyumi (same thing, really). And attempts to sabotage Tomo and friends by various means. Or rather, Saya and co., seeing as Haruka has a fierce rivalry with her. However, when Haruka suggests that Fuyumi poison her donuts and give them to the girls, this all turns out to be a little much for even her, who values donuts as if they were currency.
However, despite Haruka's most obvious disapproval, Fuyumi still manages to become friends with Tomo and co.

It turns out that the two girls are actually childhood friends, that both have been performing and have had an eye on stardom since they made a promise with each other long ago. We get the feeling her that somewhere along the line, a rift formed between the two girls' personalities and reasons for why like being on stage. In Fuyumi, we see that she generally enjoyed performing, no matter what the case. However this wasn't enough for Haruka, who we see embarrsessed and disappointed at being a tree in a school play. Later, in one of Fuyumi's photos, we see that Haruka was made a princess for one of their troupe's plays while Fuyumi supporting her in the background. Most likely a clue to why Haruka is so competitive in this competition, such as why she might do such condemnable acts. And of course, why she's willing to try and force herself above everyone else so fervently. Later in the episode, when she does just that, she's cut down to size by a prominent dance instructor, and fnds out that working with a group isn't exactly what she'd thought it to be.

In all honesty, I'm glad Haruka's story ended the way it did. She was a pretty one-dimensional character overall -- mean for the sake of being mean, for the most part. However, if she didn't herself quit the competition and instead was faced with the rejection of not being picked, she probably wouldn't have gotten the oppertunity to grow, both within herself and onto the audience. In the end, she's still a bitch, but we know deep down she's a good person rooting her her friend. ..Maybe.

I look forward to perhaps seeing her make a cameo at the end of this series, cheering Fuyumi on from the audience at one of Lemon Angel's concerts.

Labels: Lemon Angel Project

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