Blast Reality!
Bwwwaaaaa! I had tears in my eyes almost all the way through the second half. Damn, the explanation of Rikka's condition was so sad. I thought the way the last episode ended that there would be some angst, but this really tore me up. Seeing Rikka smiling when Yuuta agrees to help made the contrast even worse.
A father that died, a grandfather with no empathy, a mom that runs off and leaves her. Chuunibyou was probably the best alternative as opposed to what she could have turned into. She seemed to be drawn less as a child and more as a young woman in this episode. Specifically the last scene. Her conflict with her sister is less about Chuunibyou than about her refusal to face the loss of her father. Chuunibyou is only her means of escape not the cause.
At the same time I loved the comedy scenes too. Dekomori never ceases to delight. Dekomoron,
! If I read Shinka's back right is actually says: ニセサマ(nisesama) in katakana so I guess it is "fake summer" though I read it as her calling Shinka a fake but politely
. And Kumin...HNNNGGGG. Issika I can see where your coming from but I don't think you have a snowballs chance, grade schooler.
Of course, why in the hell is Shinka there, except that this was nominally a beach episode? You really have become friends with them in spite of yourself haven't you?
Can't wait for next week's battle and I expect it's going to get even more emotional.