Ep 9. I Will Go Out On a Journey for a While

Mayo Chiki season 1 episode 9, titled "I Will Go Out On a Journey for a While," follows the story of Subaru Konoe, a butler for Kanade Suzutsuki, who has been living a double life disguised as a male due to her family's tradition. Subaru's secret is at risk of being exposed when his classmate, Kinjirou Sakamachi, accidentally discovers that he is a girl.

In this episode, Kinjirou learns that Subaru has a family problem, and she has decided to solve it by going on a journey for a while. During the usual routine of preparing breakfast for Kanade and her family, Subaru suddenly announces that she will go on a trip for a week, for which Kanade grants her permission. Kinjirou, on hearing the news, becomes sad, as she is his butler, and he does not want her to leave. His friend, Usami Masamune, notices his sadness and tries to find out the reason behind it. Kinjirou opens up to her and reveals that he has grown fond of Subaru, and her sudden departure has upset him.

Meanwhile, Subaru is packing her bags and saying goodbye to everyone before leaving. Suzutsuki Kanade, who is aware of Subaru's true gender, asks her to take care of Kinjirou, who has been struggling with his phobia of being touched by girls, because Subaru has been helping him overcome it.

Subaru embarks on her journey, planning to visit her grandmother, whom she hasn't seen in a long time. She boards a train and finds a seat next to a middle-aged man named Tatsuo, who starts a conversation with her, revealing that they are headed in the same direction. They continue to chat, and Tatsuo shares some of his life experiences with Subaru, giving her food for thought.

Meanwhile, back at home, Kinjirou is unable to deal with Subaru's sudden departure. He keeps reminiscing over his time with her and how she has helped him get over his fear of girls. He takes a walk around the city but finds himself lost in his thoughts, consumed with worry that he may never see Subaru again.

As the day progresses, Kinjiro meets a girl named Nakuru, who he thinks is also trying to overcome her fear of being touched by boys. She asks him for help, and he agrees, thankful for the distraction from his thoughts. Later, when they are sitting at a park, Nakuru reveals that she was only pretending to have a phobia and that she likes being touched by boys, much to Kinjirou's surprise.

The episode ends with Subaru reaching her destination and meeting her grandmother, who is glad to see her. Subaru realizes that her journey has just begun and that she still has a lot to learn from life.

"I Will Go Out On a Journey for a While" is an introspective episode that explores the emotions of the characters. It highlights Subaru's character growth and her willingness to face her problems head-on. The episode is filled with subtle moments and conversations that lend authenticity and depth to the story. Fans of the series will appreciate the focus on character development and the emotional resonance of the episode.