Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus

Episode 10

Himeji was a girl who thought it was natural for people to love her—that love was something that happened to her rather than something she did. Thus, it was a huge shock to her when Kasai, her childhood friend, realized that he didn't love her. She literally couldn't understand it—couldn't see Kasai's point of view—which led directly into her Puberty Syndrome: the ability to see through another person's eyes and hear their thoughts.

Of course, the purpose of this ability is for her to learn empathy—to discover her limitations and that the world doesn't revolve around her. However, thanks to her long-reinforced self-centered tendencies, she instead uses her powers to seduce every man and boy that catches her eye. Himeji is subconsciously desperate to prove that she can have any man she wants—that's how she has always seen the world. She's gone from popular boys in school to the teachers in her cram school—showing that even taboo relationships are easily attainable… and then there is Sakuta.

Sakuta represents both the ultimate challenge and the most decisive proof possible that the adolescent worldview Himeji is clinging to is the right one. He is a man dating Mai Sakurajima—the most beautiful and popular teenage celebrity out there. If Himeiji can steal him away from Mai, truly, she can have any man she wants. However, as she discovers, Sakuta is not a horny high schooler or lonely middle-aged man. Rather, he is a guy in a loving, committed relationship.

All the little tricks she has learned—bumping into her target out on the street, sharing secrets, and constant flirting—are parried easily by him. Even spying on his thoughts and seeing through his eyes does little. Sure, using her powers to unravel the walking, talking mystery that is Touko is something he wants—and he's happy for the help—but nothing she could do would ever lead to Sakuta cheating on Mai. There is simply no room for Himeji in his heart because he loves Mai with his whole being.

But the true death nail in Himeji's worldview comes from the fact that Mai feels the same way about Sakuta. Mai is the full package. Not only are people naturally drawn towards her physical beauty and calm personality, but she is also capable of loving her chosen person in a way Himeji can't. No one can replace Sakuta in Mai's life. It doesn't matter that others may see them as too different in terms of social status. No random celebrity pretty boy can offer Mai the love she is already getting from Sakuta.

And it is being confronted with a woman seemingly superior to her in every way that forces Himeji to accept reality. She can't have any guy she wants. She's not naturally loved by everyone. She's not the center of the world. To top it all off, she has seen proof positive that “being loved the most by the person you love the most” is a superior feeling to having tons of people in love with you. And if she wants this kind of love—like what Sakuta and Mai have—then she's got to let go of her childhood notions about love and grow up.

Of course, with this realization comes a loss of her powers. No longer is she able to read Touko's mind—if such a thing was ever possible with Touko's inability to be perceived by those around her. And worse still, resolving Himeji's Puberty Syndrome makes Sakuta late to his meeting with Touko, which feels like it might have some serious impending consequences as we head into this season's final arc.

Rating:

Random Thoughts:

• The future that Sakuta and Himeji dreamed of never came to pass. However, neither proactively worked to change it. I wonder if it was Mai showing up for the “date” that changed things—and if, in that original timeline, Himeji was able to read Touko's mind after all.

• While Himeji is very much trying to steal Mai's man, Mai seems to almost pity the girl. She's not angry or threatened. She simply wants Himeji to understand the kind of love she's missing out on.

• While Mai's manager is clearly playing chaperon on this hot springs trip, are we supposed to believe these two lovebirds have never gotten it on? Because that honestly seems impossible.

• There are times when a slightly revealed thigh is far sexier than even the skimpiest bikini.

Rascal Does Not Dream of Santa Claus is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.

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