Ep 8. The Passionate Private Running Coach

Kosaka Junpei is a high school student who has a rare allergy to cats. One day, he accidentally breaks the head of a local cat deity's statue and is cursed. To lift the curse, he must do 100 good deeds for cats. In episode 8 of Nyan Koi, titled "The Passionate Private Running Coach," Junpei's good deed for the day involves helping out his school's track and field team.

Junpei is asked to fill in as a private running coach for Kinoshita Kanako, a member of the school's track and field team, who is preparing for an important race. Kanako is known for her quick temper and intense personality, which can often make her difficult to work with. However, Junpei is determined to help her improve her running skills and complete the race successfully.

As they begin their training, Junpei quickly realizes that Kanako's biggest issue is her nervousness and lack of confidence. He tries several different techniques to help her relax and focus, including creating a special playlist of music and practicing visualization exercises. Junpei also shares some of his own personal experiences with nerves and anxiety, which helps Kanako to feel more comfortable opening up to him.

Throughout the episode, we also see glimpses of Junpei's growing feelings for Kanako. While he tries to remain focused on the task at hand, he can't help but feel drawn to her intense energy and determination. However, he also knows that he needs to maintain a professional relationship with her as her coach.

As the day of the race approaches, Kanako seems more and more nervous. Junpei does his best to reassure her and help her feel confident in her abilities. On the day of the race, Kanako starts off strong but quickly falls behind the other runners. Junpei urges her on and helps her to push through her exhaustion, cheering her on every step of the way.

In the end, Kanako finishes the race in last place, but she is incredibly proud of what she has accomplished. With Junpei's help, she was able to face her fears and complete the race, something she didn't think was possible before. Junpei, too, is proud of her and feels a sense of accomplishment for having helped her improve.

Overall, "The Passionate Private Running Coach" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the power of determination and the importance of having someone in your corner to support you. It also offers some insight into Junpei's developing feelings for Kanako, which adds an interesting layer to the story.