The scene starts off with Mei talking really gently...like they're doing something other than what it shows as being...something  (naughty) 0_0

But, she's just trying to play nurse. And not the kinky nurse, either. LAME.


Pretty sunbeams to light that gorgeous face.

Rihito does not want her tending to him because it's unnnatural (cause having a butler is natural). He resists her help but she pokes him anyway. When he winces in pain, she gets worried so he flashes her a dashing smile (I drooled), that is appropriately paired with warm sunlight growing from the window. Hell yeah they belong there; cause he's that good looking, yo. They gawk at each other for a few seconds but...

KNOCK, KNOCK, and then ppl just barge in.


Scatter!

Yeah, they look at ease and innocent. Why would Rihito be leaning like that, as endearing as that position is?


Sweet aura.

Aura?? Must get rid of it!

Mei feels bad for having everyone demoted to Ombra rank. Rika reassures her and asks for something to help Mammee with his wounds. Then

...someone screams.



Izumi and the mummy.

This place is so haunted, there's even a mummy residing here. They're all backed into a wall, but it's only Mameshiba, covered from head to toe from Rika's handwork.




Worried, Mei asks how Mammee is doing. He acts tough.

Move to close-up of Rihito looking at Mei. I love how they never forget him, even though he gives the same concerned look every time. I love it because I didn't forget him and I do want to know if he is paying attention to Mei and Mammee's exchanges.



Butt-pinch.

Rika slaps Mammee's ass  drags Kento back to her room to bathe him in disinfectant. Fun times.




Mei thanks Mammee and she apologizes. They have their usual chatter (to be honest, I forgot what they talked about =(

They're beckoned to the classroom for another plot twist.




At the Asylum

Tami wants to see Shiori.

Shiori is a few nuts short of a sack (is that even a saying?? I just made that sh1t up, didn't I? Oh no, it sounds dirty, doesn't it? -___- How about, she's off her rocker?? Well, she is.)

She wants Shinobu to ruin Mei some more, knocks Tami to the ground, giving her a wound, and starts talking into her broken mirror, mirror on the wall about evil stuff. All negative. I blocked it out.


Back at the classroom

Skipping through the forest, two pairs of Jacks and Jills got beat up by faceless ninjas. Another girl's family house has a truck smash into it. The big girl is sent diet products by a boxload. Nezu might have to go back to HK to help with Fujiko's granpappy.

Everyone has been sucker punched on a personal level.



And whose fault is it??

No guesses.



Mei is feeling responsible but the twins come and distract her by taking her to see Kintaro.





But oh! Who else is there?? The woman who makes people in wheelchairs look bad.

Kintaro decides who the next successor is.

It's Shiori. WTF?

'Mei, you can do whatever you bloody want.

There will be an announcement ceremony in three days and Rihito, you'll be leaving for America with her.'

'Bite me. No joke, sir? Aww, damn it all to hell.'



Mei's really distraught over the news.

Tami is there to rub it in.

'Hate me! Hate me, you goody-goody!'

'No, Tami. I'm more concerned about your hand.'

Outside of her room, Kanda is waiting to deploy a guilt trip.

'Oh if only she were a bitch, then I wouldn't feel guilty about trying to kill her, maim her, and destroy her happiness all the time.

Isn't that what you're thinking, Tami?'



Everyone's talkng about Shiori being the official successor.

She's leaving soon, and taking Rihito with her!



Planning your escape.

We all vote for elopement. We got all the details worked out and provided.

(I vote this, too.)



Rin votes for divine intervention and Miruku suggests a complete destruction of the corporation. Gangstah man.




Izumi, ever the voice of reason, tells them their suggestions suck.

'Mei, what are you going to do?'

'.....'


While the girls have their talk, the guys have a hearts to heart, too. Rihito, with the special lights, is made 2x better looking.

They want Rihito to take action but shoot down their own suggestions.

He calmly replies that he has already told Mei his intentions. It's her turn to take control.




Poor Shinobu (I never thought I'd say that)

Shiori is all smiles and giggles. She wants to give Shinobu something for being such a good pet. He doesn't want anything, just to remain with her. AWW!

Being a cold-hearted, insane female, she off-handedly declares that it is time to part ways, breaking Shinobu's faithful lil heart.


In search of the Director

Mei can't find Rose in her secret room. Leaving, she runs into the devil spawn in her makeshift chariot of destruction.

Shiori just goes on a tirade of how much she hates Mei, doesn't care if she hates her or plots her demise, keeps talking about how she's always been alone, won't bury her parents together blah, blah. Just plain evil, hateful sh1t.

Rihito tries to drag Mei away but Shiori unleashes a super attack disguised as Rose's role in Yu and Shutaro's lives. She tells Mei Rose will not give advice or aid because Yu-san stole Shutaro from Rose, just like Mei is doing to her.

Rihito can't believe his ears. This bitch is crazy, he finally realizes.

'I'm a victim too!'  Yup, that expression screams "victim".
(Yo, when you start thinking you're a victim and shouting it to everybody, it means you are no longer one -___-)



Mei's despairing.

'Even if I get all the damn jewels on this stupid bell, granpa ain't gonna change his mind. You'll still leave tomorrow, won't you? I give up. Screw this.'












...

I thought it was inappropriate at first; then again, she needed to get a grip. Japanese ppl seem to love using the slap as a way of communicating that the slappee is in need of a time-out. (It's also really strange that the day before I watched this episode, my bf slapped me for the first time. Not a serious one, but even playfully I thought it was a big deal. I was just like, "You slapped me..." *disbelief face* He found it amusing that I was so shocked, the bastard. Love you, honey!)




Mei is shocked.

Rihito looks PISSED. Still hot, though.



Yup, I used this hand. I touched her again.





Mei runs away. Rihito is sad.



Search party!

Nope, can't find her. Not even with a helicopter.




Mammee, Izumi, and Kiba go to Natsumi's house only to find that Mei has not even been there. Mammee leaves in a hurry and Natsumi looks on, unsure.

I always try to capture their moments. They're just the cutest!


Kiba is left behind in the rush

Yufu-somthin (what's her name?) takes advantage of Kiba.

"Izumi-sama!"



Hahaha, way to handle it. Izumi's the sh1t. Lucky Kiba.




Nope, Mei is not by that post.


In this horrid lighting, Rihito still looks yumm-licious.

At first I was mad because Rihito wasn't looking for Mei but goes instead to the lion's den.

Btw, wth is up with her lights all the time? Like she's a bat that can see in the dark?

Rihito is there to make it crystal clear to Lucia that if she has any delusions about him coming back to her, he's about to tear it down.

"My heart, now and hereafter, is with Mei-sama."

Also, 'You are a nitwit and a stomper of hearts. You're a heart stomper! Mei is nothing like you (OH, burn).' Then he respectfully bows like he just didn't rip her frigid heart out of her chest. I love it. The contrast is  brilliantly played out.

'See ya!'


Rihito finds Rose. Less dark than earlier, and still fione, Hiro.

We get this long explanation of Rose's history: Rose used to hate Yu-san for taking away Shutaro. She was similar to Shiori back then but realized the couple's bond was unbreakable. Once she gave up, she felt a whole lot better, rose to Lucia status and here she is today.

Rose reminds Rihito that Mei is being tested right now.




Kintaro finds Kento. He wants Mammee to study abroad and get an S-rank certification. He admires the kid for all he's done and his loud spirit.

Kento wants to know why Mei didn't become successor.

'No resolution in the girl.'


Pretty scene!

Mei is overlooking  some water and some mountains. She has found a new jacket. And different shoes. Rihito is there!



I hear footsteps.

'You found me.'


Cutest bow I've ever seen.

'Because I'm your butler.' XD So he has a cheeky side.


Looking mighty nice surrounded by snow glare.

'This is the last place my parents and I visited together. It was only a year ago.'

'Mei-sama, you must think being a Hongo causes so much trouble. I am, however, grateful that you possess that blood. It has allowed me to meet you.' T__T





'This letter is from the Director. I have to get going; I must prepare for my trip.' Sure...*wink-wink*




We don't know the contents of the letter, written by Shutaro and her mom, yet. Whatever it says, I would still cry over it.




Shutaro tells Mei that life is full of sacrifices and protecting what you hold dear, like he did,  when he left his family to make a new one with Yu.

Mei runs after Rihito. He's taking his sweet time walking away =D



Have to relive the moments with the glowy effects.

Yu-san's message: Mei, you're a strong girl, you'll be fine without us. If you have someone who can fight with you, in whatever, fight for them.



Walking away, Rihito is beckoned to look back.




"I'll fight!" He closes the gap.

I'll rip that heffa a new one!



Hand grab =D

'Then by the sword you fight with, I'll be your shield.'



*Squee!!**





So envious...I wish I had warm back-lighting following me wherever I go. I would look bitchin' too.


Enter.


Let's duel.

'I don't want to be successor. We're fighting for my butler, Shibata Rihito.' (This is the first time, or maybe the second she has said his name. Rihito must be giggling with joy inside from hearing it)

'You leaving this school if you lose has no benefit to me. Let's go Shinobu.'

She remembers Rihito's statement of being faithful to Mei, stopping her in her wheelchair tracks.

Looking at Rihito, 'Will you promise to forget her and serve me for all eternity?'

"If that's the conditions of the duel."

'Let's bet everything, then. If you win, I'll step down as the successor and leave the school. If I win, Rihito returns to me and you and this entire class leaves the school.'

Mei hesitates because everyone's fate is in her hands.




Izumi, Rika and the rest speak up and say it's okay.

'We got your back, cuh.'



That's some support =)


Hiro, lookin good with just the right amount of shadows.

Shinobu accepts on behalf of Shiori. The guys discuss how unbelievable of a fighter he is  -___-


Mouth closed, mouth open, still the same effect on me (drools).

Shiori and her evil presence leave and they rejoice. Cute, reassuring moment...




Had to kill the joy.



Uh, I'd be in disbelief too.

WTF just happened?!



Oh Tami, you misguided lil rat.



*GASP*

*EYE-POP*


Oh noess... =(





'F#$@&$%#!!'

Preview:

Last episode.... =(


Too much lighting...they kinda look 1/2x bad.



SH1T GOES DOWN.