Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in TOKYO「イタズラなKiss～Love in TOKYO」Episode 8 Recap

Another Spring13 Japanese drama I have really been enjoying (along with Last Cinderella which I mentioned here)  is Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in Tokyo. Based on the highly successful Japanese manga written and illustrated by Kaoru Tada, the popular  series has been previously adapted into various live action dramas. The remake stars Miki Honoka as our charming lead, Aihara Kotoko and Furukawa Yuki as her brainy boo, Irie Naoki. Itazura na Kiss ~ Love in Tokyo is currently airing on Fuji TV.

Not having seen the previous Itazura na Kiss or its various adaptations (South Korea’s It Started With a Kiss or Taiwain's It Started With a Kiss and They Kissed Again) I am completely in the dark about what unfolds in the series. Aside from the obvious (Kotoko and Naoki get together) happy ending.

Lets recap on Episode 8. Screen shot spam and possible spoilers after the jump. 

Naoki walks an injured Kotoko home after their unsuccessful doubles match. Kotoko seizes this opportunity to cling to Naoki... and he obliges. Are we witnessing a display of duty or is Naoki secretly into Kotoko?

The pair finally arrive at Kotoko’s new home. But hold up, it appears a snippy Ojiichan has moved into the very same house?

Homeless once again Kotoko has no choice but return to the Irie household with the dreamy Naoki.

A delighted Mrs Irie welcomes Kotoko.

And lets slip she knows all about Naoki and Kotoko’s graduation kiss.

Yuki is repulsed! 

It is clear Mrs Irie has been scheming! The Aihara’s will have to rely upon the Irie family’s hospitality once more.

Poor Kin Chan is devastated to hear about the Naoki / Kotoko kiss and is more determined than ever to protect Kotoko.

Kotoko resumes creeping around the Engineering Department, hoping to win a date with Naoki.

But the confident and eloquent Matsumoto San gets in first with the offer of a movie.

As it turns out Sudo Senpai is rather taken with Matsumoto San and the rejected pair decide to join forces.

 Sudo Senpai and Kotoko trail Naoki and Matsumoto San on their date

And intercept all of Matsumoto’s attempts at flirtation.

After witnessing Naoki protect Matsumoto from a careless cyclist, a deflated Kotoko decides to return home.

 Just as Kotoko is set to leave she finds herself in a spot of bother.

But gallantly, Naoki reappears just in time to rescue her.

Kakkouii, ne!?!

Naoki abruptly calls his date short with Matsumoto 

And offers parting words of encouragement to Sudo Senpai. “Now you should show Matsumoto how great you are and win her heart!”

Naoki and Kotoko run off into the sunset… but of course, Kotoko falls flat on her face. Must have been her bung ankle.

Once they have reached safety Naoki unexpectedly offers to hang with Kotoko. In shock, Kotoko is somewhat slow to respond 

But quickly recovers to enthusiastically accept his invitation. Iku! Iku!

While Kotoko is busy admiring the beautiful Tokyo skyline Naoki disappears. Did he bail without so much as a goodbye?

Of course not! Naoki reappears with take-out burgers (OMG, dream man!)

 Naoki admits that life is more interesting when facing a challenge (Usually Kotoko related) than having no hardships and thanks her for enriching his life.

Kotoko speeds ahead – is this a confession? A proposal?

Sadly it isn’t either. Naoki explains… ‘’ I don’t mind living in the same house as you" "I have trouble being with you, but I don't hate you”

Kotoko is moved to tears. I don’t know if I’d feel as pleased at his admission but I guess it’s a start.

Meanwhile, Kin Chan waits in vain outside a sleazy ‘Adult Cinema’. “Kotoko, Where are you?”

Just when things appear to be looking up for Kotoko we are hit with the cliff hanger – Naoki is moving out?!

Well I certainly wasn’t expecting that! What are the reasons behind Naoki wanting to move out? And so soon after admitting he didn’t mind living with Kotoko!

I really felt for Kin Chan in this episode. Try as he might Kotoko continues to slip further away from him and to make matters worse she appears to be making a little progress with Naoiki . Kin Chan is just so sweet and adoring, I really wish there was a character we could set him up with! One of Kotoko’s friends perhaps?

Kotoko's determination is really admirable and I love that she doesn’t allow her shortcomings to hold her back. Sure, Kotoko was in Class F but that does not mean she can’t pursue a romance with a genius from Class A right? In spite of being humiliated time and time again Kotoko continues to brush herself off and purse Naoki with a cheery disposition. Yes, it is a little tragic but it is also super cute!

In episode 6 we saw Naoki become increasingly jealous of the friendship between Kotoko and Kin Chan and his budding interest continued in episode 7. In episode 8 it obvious that Naoki is no longer indifferent to Kotoko’s awkward advances.

I can't wait to see what happens next!