Ep 2. Yamamoto-san from Next Door
- TV-14
- April 18, 2009
Hatsukoi Limited season 1 episode 2, titled "Yamamoto-san from Next Door," follows the story of a young high school girl named Ayumi Arihara, who is struggling with her feelings for her new neighbor, Mr. Yamamoto.
As the episode begins, we see Ayumi sitting outside her house, staring at Mr. Yamamoto's house, lost in thought. Her friends, who also live in the same neighborhood, notice that she is behaving strangely and ask her what's wrong. Ayumi confesses that she has developed a crush on Mr. Yamamoto, who is much older than her and is her neighbor.
Ayumi's friends are surprised to hear this and are also a little worried about her. They try to dissuade her from pursuing her crush, pointing out the age difference and the fact that he is her neighbor. However, Ayumi can't help how she feels and is determined to find a way to get close to Mr. Yamamoto.
While Ayumi is struggling with her feelings, we see how Mr. Yamamoto is coping with his own issues. He has recently moved to the neighborhood and is still settling in. He is also dealing with the aftermath of a broken relationship and is trying to find a way to move on. As a result, he is somewhat aloof and keeps to himself.
One day, Ayumi's friends decide to pay a visit to Mr. Yamamoto's house, hoping to learn more about him and possibly help Ayumi get closer to him. They are surprised to find that he is a friendly and charming man, who welcomes them into his home and makes them feel comfortable. However, they also notice that he is somewhat distant and doesn't seem too interested in getting to know them better.
Ayumi, who is observing this interaction from a distance, feels crestfallen, as she thinks that her crush is not reciprocated. However, she decides to give it one more try and decides to bake Mr. Yamamoto a cake as a welcome gift.
She nervously delivers the cake to his house and timidly knocks on his door. As luck would have it, Mr. Yamamoto is in a good mood that day and is delighted to see Ayumi at his doorstep. He invites her in and they spend some time talking, getting to know each other better. Ayumi is thrilled to have this opportunity to speak with him and learns that they share many interests in common.
As the episode comes to a close, we see Ayumi and Mr. Yamamoto walking home together, laughing and chatting. Ayumi's friends, who have been watching from a distance, are relieved that things seem to be going well, but are also worried about how this relationship will progress.
Overall, Hatsukoi Limited season 1 episode 2 is a poignant and heartwarming exploration of young love and the challenges that come with it. It explores how difficult it can be to express your feelings, especially when you are dealing with a significant age difference and other social barriers. Despite these challenges, it also shows that it is possible to find connection and happiness, even in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Fans of romantic anime will surely enjoy this episode and the series as a whole.