In the latest episode of Blue Box, titled episode 3, Taiki Inumaki encounters an unexpected challenge as he juggles his emotions for Chinatsu and gears up for the forthcoming Inter-High tournament. Overwhelmed by jealousy from Chinatsu’s apparent closeness with Haryu, Taiki feels disheartened. However, the twist arises when he discovers that he and Haryu have been paired as doubles partners for the nationals.
As they navigate their complicated dynamic, Haryu recognizes Taiki’s potential in badminton, motivating him through rigorous training sessions. With the revelation that Haryu has a girlfriend, one of Taiki’s obstacles is seemingly lifted, allowing him to concentrate on their shared badminton pursuits.
Blue Box: Taiki’s aspirations to bond with Chinatsu are dashed upon witnessing her with senior teammate Haryu
Taiki has been grappling with his feelings for Chinatsu, and Hina, a close friend from the badminton team, tried to comfort him by suggesting that Chinatsu and Haryu were merely friends. Although Taiki agreed, he was dismayed to see them continue their conversations the very next day, which only heightened his anxiety.
Another teammate, Kyo, reinforced Taiki’s insecurity by stating how it was no surprise, given that both Chinatsu and Haryu were celebrated MVPs in their respective sports, while Taiki was still working hard to catch up.
Kyo further elaborated that Haryu and Chinatsu had the added connection of being classmates and class representatives, intensifying Taiki’s feelings of frustration. Hina attempted to put Taiki at ease by reminding him that Chinatsu’s main focus was basketball, but Taiki could not shake the thought that she might develop feelings for someone else. Seeking clarity, he invited Kyo to join him for practice.
During their practice session, a coach expressed optimistic expectations about Taiki’s potential. In the midst of training, Chinatsu’s basketball unexpectedly rolled towards Taiki. When he returned it, she inquired about when he would finish up, needing access to her home while others were out.
Taiki informed her that he would wrap up by seven, coinciding with the end of her practice. The exchange was interrupted by Haryu, who asked Chinatsu about a timer for the basketball team, which irritated Taiki especially since Haryu used a casual nickname for her while he only called her “Chinatsu Senpai.”
Blue Box: Following a brief exchange with Chinatsu, Taiki decides to prioritize badminton
Later at home, Taiki was consumed with thoughts about Haryu’s closeness to Chinatsu and contemplated whether he could afford to drop the formal title. However, he quickly dismissed that thought. When Chinatsu came home, she surprised him by observing that he returned quickly; she had seen his teammates still practicing as she left.
Taiki, feeling flustered, fabricated a reason about needing extra training. Restless, he went for a jog, where he concluded that he couldn’t afford to obsess over Chinatsu and instead needed to concentrate on badminton and the upcoming competitions.
Taiki was in the midst of a winning streak during team matches, though he minimized it by telling Kyo he was only up against first-year players. Kyo noted Haryu’s success in all his matches and inquired about Taiki’s feelings regarding Haryu and Chinatsu.
Taiki insisted that he would remain in control of his emotions. Nonetheless, he inadvertently overheard a conversation between Haryu and a friend discussing Haryu’s friendship with Chinatsu. When asked about their relationship, Haryu nonchalantly replied that they were just friends, although he did express admiration for hardworking girls. Kyo commented that it might not have been the best timing for Taiki to overhear that, but Taiki did his best to push it aside.
Blue Box: Taiki and Haryu united as teammates for the Inter-High tournament
The competitive tension reached a peak during Taiki’s match against Haryu, where he struggled against the more seasoned player, ultimately losing 21-15. Afterward, Taiki expressed his disappointment to Kyo about the loss.
Surprisingly, Haryu later confided to a friend about his own frustration despite winning the match. The following day, Taiki was taken aback to learn that he and Haryu had been selected as doubles partners for the upcoming nationals—this only added to his frustration, given Haryu’s prior interactions with Chinatsu.
During a training session, Haryu candidly acknowledged his awareness of Taiki’s feelings for Chinatsu. This revelation added awkwardness to their training as Haryu continued to challenge Taiki to elevate his skills. After an intense session, Taiki encountered Haryu and his friends outside school.
Haryu praised Taiki’s commitment and expressed optimism about his badminton future. In an unexpected twist, Haryu disclosed that he was receiving messages from his girlfriend, a figure in the entertainment industry. This revelation stunned Taiki, who had mistakenly thought Haryu was interested in Chinatsu. Haryu playfully teased Taiki, suggesting he shouldn’t fret about dating just yet.
Final thoughts
Looking ahead to episode 4 of Blue Box, set for release on October 24, 2024, fans can anticipate further growth in the bond between Taiki and Haryu as they prepare for the tournament. With a deeper understanding developing between them, the spotlight will likely turn to Taiki’s advancement in badminton, even as his feelings for Chinatsu continue to linger.
Viewers should also look forward to more intricate explorations of character dynamics, particularly how Taiki reconciles his emotions and ambitions in both badminton and his personal life as challenges mount.
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