In episode 5 of Blue Box, Taiki Inomata’s journey through badminton experiences an unforeseen shift, both in competition and his personal life. After achieving second place in the regional preliminaries, Taiki’s dedication piques the interest of Chinatsu Kano, leading to a special invite for a day at the aquarium.
This outing, marking what feels like a “first date,” stirs Taiki’s emotions, particularly as Chinatsu opens up about her past comments and offers an apology. Concurrently, Taiki’s friend Hina uncovers a surprising tidbit about the budding relationship between Taiki and Chinatsu, sparking her curiosity as she observes them together entering Taiki’s home.
Blue Box Episode 5: Taiki Inomata Earns Second Place in Badminton Regionals
The excitement builds in episode 5 as Taiki Inomata triumphs over Shoichiro Kishi in a pivotal match during the regional preliminaries. In a high-stakes rally where each competitor only needed one point to claim victory, Taiki expertly executes a shot that just skims the line, securing his win.
Despite his loss, Ichiro shows admirable sportsmanship, maintaining his composure. Unfortunately for Taiki, he faces defeat against Nishida in the finals, settling for second place.
When he confides in Kyo about his disappointment, he acknowledges the strength and skill of Nishida, one of the most formidable second-year players on the team. Their chat is lightened by Hina, who teasingly congratulates Taiki for his second-place finish.
Blue Box Episode 5: Chinatsu Invites Taiki to the Aquarium
During their conversation, Taiki receives an unexpected invitation from Chinatsu Kano via text, asking him to join her at the aquarium the next day. Surprised yet elated, he learns that Kyo had suggested this outing to Chinatsu as a reward for Taiki’s recent victory. Hina, sensing the significance of this outing, playfully refers to it as Taiki’s “first date,” increasing his nerves about the encounter.
As the day approaches, Taiki becomes increasingly anxious, contemplating how best to present himself and what Chinatsu might wear. However, he oversleeps on the big day, resulting in a frantic rush to the aquarium, during which he accidentally scatters some coins.
As he tries to regain his composure, Chinatsu suddenly appears, lending a hand in helping him gather the dropped coins. Taiki finds himself enchanted by Chinatsu’s radiant appearance in her dress and her cheerful demeanor.
Inside the aquarium, Taiki feels a rush of excitement as he observes Chinatsu’s animated reactions to the various aquatic creatures, causing his heart to race. She captures a photograph of him to commemorate their day together, transforming it into a cherished memory for them both.
As they navigate the exhibits, Taiki, feeling a bit awkward, suggests moving on, but Chinatsu halts him by grabbing his bag. Expecting her to confess her feelings, Taiki is instead met with an apology. Chinatsu expresses regret over her previous comment insinuating he might take another two years to reach nationals, even if he didn’t succeed this time.
Surprised by her concern, Taiki reassures her, sending her a playful sticker in appreciation. He tells her that if she ever feels uncomfortable or wishes to communicate, she can send him that sticker, and he would come to her aid. In turn, Chinatsu repeatedly sends the sticker, hinting that she has more to express. Ultimately, she tells Taiki that he is a good housemate—a seemingly casual statement that fills Taiki with quiet contentment.
Blue Box Episode 5: Taiki’s Focus Shifts to the Badminton Prefectural Qualifiers
The following day, Taiki meets Kyo in the cafeteria, where Kyo inquires about their aquarium adventure. Taiki reflects positively on the day, prompting Kyo to ask how he would handle it if Chinatsu expressed romantic feelings towards him. Caught off guard, Taiki dismisses the idea but admits that dating her would be wonderful.
Their playful banter is interrupted by Hina, who hands Taiki a form he needs to revise due to mistakes. Noticing his smile as he daydreams, Hina teasingly expresses her annoyance and shoves the form back at him. Kyo brings them back to the serious topic of the impending prefectural qualifiers, reiterating the importance of focus as they discuss their biggest competitor, Sajikawa, last year’s national champions.
Later, Hina confidently voices her readiness for her rhythmic gymnastics tournament until interrupted by her coach, who arrives with a journalist eager to conduct an interview. As Taiki observes Hina’s natural charisma and poise, he reflects on how, despite her competitive prowess, she is still an ordinary girl.
Blue Box Episode 5: Hina Uncovers Chinatsu’s Living Arrangement with Taiki
In another scene, Hina wraps up her chiropractor appointment and unexpectedly encounters Chinatsu at the clinic. They share friendly banter about Taiki’s unwavering commitment to badminton. When rain begins to fall, Chinatsu kindly offers Hina her spare foldable umbrella.
Once Chinatsu departs, Hina realizes she forgot to return Chinatsu’s phone, prompting her to chase after her. However, she is taken aback when she sees Chinatsu entering Taiki’s house. Confused by the sudden turn of events, she watches them chat and enter the home together, fueling her curiosity about their relationship as the episode draws to a close.
Final Thoughts
Episode 5 of Blue Box leaves fans eagerly anticipating further developments as Hina’s discovery of the relationship between Chinatsu and Taiki adds an intriguing new dimension to the narrative. With Episode 6 set to premiere on November 7, 2024, viewers can look forward to deeper explorations of these evolving dynamics and the potential for blossoming romances.
Images Credit: Sportskeeda.com
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