Tsuki no Koibito – Episode 4

• Title: 月の恋人
• Title (romaji): Tsuki no Koibito
• Tagline: Moon Lovers
• Format: Renzoku
• Genre: Romance
• Broadcast network: Fuji TV
• Broadcast period: 2010-May-10 start
• Air time: Monday 21:00
• Theme song: LOVE RAIN ~ Koi no Ame ~ by Kubota Toshinobu

Episode 04 Review

WARNING! This episode is nothing but aggravating and please forgive me if the language I use is not appropriate. To all Maemi fans (like myself), brace yourselves because you might end up breaking something due to the events that occur in episode 4. Now that the disclaimer is done, on with the review of the horrific episode 4.

The episode begins  with Rensuke who’s looking mighty sad in his office. He recalls reading what Xiu Mei had wrote in her diary/journal. His thoughts are interrupted by an employee calling him and he leaves his office. Next, we see Maemi walking down the studio hallway and recalling what Xiu Mei wrote as well. She enters the studio, ready to work. There’s just one problem: Xiu Mei didn’t show up. Maemi immediately goes to see Xiu Mei and she’s ..

feeling sorry for herself -_- (like always -eyerolls-)

As Maemi is trying to talk to her from outside the door, Xiu Mei is remembering what Kazami said to her regarding her father. The scene changes to the meeting at Regolith. There Kazami is giving a presentation on specific changes in the company. He announces that they are switching wood providers for their furniture and everyone else is opposed to it, they are afraid of what will happen with the factory workers in Shanghai. Rensuke declares “anything that impedes the company’s growth will be eliminated” and that they shouldn’t be wavered with their feelings. After the meeting, Rensuke enters his office and looks at his phone – many missed calls from Maemi. As if on cue, Maemi is calling and he answers. She informs him that Xiu Mei didn’t show up to work, so the photo shoot couldn’t proceed. She asks him if he knows whats wrong and just as he was about to say something, Mineoka the traitor enters his office. Now just why is he there? .. To resign. Rensuke asks him to sign a disclosure for the company that states “any material from the company or learned within the company may not be disclosed to a third party.” However, Mineoka the traitor quickly brushes it off and tells him it’s been a pleasure working for you.

That smile is so obvious; at least be more discrete about it, stupid.

So the traitor quickly leaves and Rensuke looks on with suspicion. I’d be surprised if Rensuke weren’t suspicious; it’s as bright as day. Honestly, why didn’t he put a disclosure into the initial work contract in the first place. It’s smarter! And he’s supposed to be a good business man? C’mon~ that’s always the first thing you should do regarding your employees. GAHHH! I would’ve put Mineoka into a headlock and demand he sign it, if he valued his life .. MUAHAHA! I know, I’m evil xD

The next day, we see Yuzuki standing outside Regolith ..

and she’s concerned
As if that weren’t obvious enough.

Well, as she’s standing there, she’s recalling what she saw her father and Mineoka conspiring. I guess she’s thinking about telling Rensuke to warn him. She finally sees Rensuke leaving Regolith and runs to him. She tells him that (once again) she’s the only one who can protect him and asks him to pick between her and Xiu Mei. He simply gives her a small smile and walks ahead. As Yuzuki watches him walk away, she shouts “what’s so good about that woman anyway?” Good question, Yuzuki. I’d like to know the exact same thing. When Yuzuki arrives home, she tells her father to make her the model for Mastpole and pulls out the hidden Regolith poster in her father’s office. At Regolith, Maemi is working overtime – like always. Kazami walks in and ..

gives her a drink. So kind~

As he walks in, he asks Maemi what she’s doing in Chinese. He then tells her that he’ll help her study Chinese. Why is she studying Chinese? To help out Xiu Mei .. -__-;  Maemi-san~ you’re too kind!  Kazami then says, “You love your work, don’t you?” She asks him the same question and he answers that he’s never really thought about it. Here, we learn a little bit more about Kazami’s family. His father believed that Japanese people quit once the work gets too hard and how he worked several jobs to help raise Kazami. Maemi listens quietly and the moment is quickly forgotten when he asks her what she needed help with. She needed help pronouncing the word “huoban.” The next day, Maemi is on the phone asking to postpone the commercial shoot because they couldn’t do the photo shoot. So basically, the whole schedule is messed up and tight. Thanks a lot, Xiu Mei >=[   She looks to her right and notices that Rensuke is done with the meeting in his office and goes in. Maemi tells Rensuke that they won’t make it in time and he tells her that she should’ve used a substitute. She then tells him, “Who’s idea was it to use Xiu Mei?” That’s right! Tell him! When he doesn’t say anything, she asks him if something happened. He ignores her and she sternly asks him again. He closes his office door and tells Maemi about Xiu Mei’s father. Maemi says that he should have told Xiu Mei and he tells her that there was no point to. She calls him cruel and he ..

gets really angry for the first time in four episodes. Congrats!
“It’s for the good of the company!” is what he yells at Maemi.

Technically, he’s taking his frustration out on the wrong person. Maemi has been nothing but supportive to him .. jerk. Right before he leaves, Maemi tells him to apologize to Xiu Mei. Meanwhile, Xiu Mei is still wallowing in self pity at home. She really irritates me! She should just rise to the occasion and fight for herself for crying out loud. Feeling sorry for yourself will get you no where! Anyway, Maemi enters the Chinese restaurant looking for Xiu Mei, who -gasp!- actually left her room and is sitting by the local pond. Why is she there? To look for amenbos/water striders.  Maemi arrives at the pond and sits next to a depressed Xiu Mei with the onigiris the old man gave her.

The always too kind Maemi and .. her -_-

Xiu Mei tells Maemi that there aren’t any water striders. Maemi tells her sorry and not to force herself to work. Like hell! The girl is getting paid to work for Regolith, so she should f***ing work. She really pisses me off. I’d understand that she’s upset at Rensuke and all, but she shouldn’t drag down Maemi and everyone else who has worked so hard. And Maemi is the one who’s been nothing but kind and helpful to Xiu Mei. Stupid brat! -takes deep breath-

Anyway, Maemi explains to Xiu Mei that Rensuke is sorry, on the inside, and he can’t say it out loud. She further tells Xiu Mei that Rensuke needs her -_-;  No, he doesn’t. Xiu Mei then gets up and just stands there, back facing Maemi. Maemi tells her in Chinese that she’s Xiu Mei’s ally and no matter what she chooses, she’ll always be on her side. Way too kind, Maemi. Wayyy too kind. In Rensuke’s office, Maemi tells him that Xiu Mei went out looking for water striders. He informs Maemi if Xiu  Mei does not show up the next day, then use another model. Maemi then asks him if he’s okay with that and reminds him that he’s the one who brought her to Japan. Maemi leaves his office and he’s left to his thoughts, as he looks at Xiu Mei’s journal once again. He reminisces what Xiu Mei said in Shanghai and calls Kijihata to his office.

At the studio the next day, everyone is waiting around to see if Xiu Mei will show up. I don’t even know why they bother, just use another model! Well, Xiu Mei shows up the last minute and gives Maemi a small bow saying “sorry.” You better be sorry!  Maemi then tells everyone to get to work and the photo shoot begins. Soon, everyone takes a break and starts setting up for the CM shoot. Xiu Mei goes to her dressing room and notices her journal lying on the table. As she flips through the pages, she finds Rensuke’s small note on the last page saying, “I’m sorry.”  Back at the studio, after a few more shots ..

Xiu Mei looks depressed .. again.

Maemi notices and ..

Always so concerned.

Maemi asks Xiu Mei if she was okay and the girl just nods. For the CM shoot, she reminds her to think about the one she loves. Xiu Mei then notices Rensuke by the monitor. Xiu Mei gets up from the couch and ..

ignores/walks by Maemi, who was still talking to her.

What a b****! Xiu Mei walks up to Rensuke and tells him she read his message. They have a little talk about her father and that it was for the good of the company. She says that she believes in her father .. and in Rensuke. Meanwhile, a poster of Yuzuki advertising Mastpole is being put up .. everywhere. Kazami runs to Rensuke in his office and asks him if he’s seen the latest news. Well, Rensuke slams down the newspaper. Guess that answers his question. He tells Kazami to gather everyone. In the meeting room, they compare the two pictures and one of them says that they stole the concept. No duhhhhhhh!  Everyone begins to wonder who could’ve leaked the information. Rensuke points out that it was Mineoka the traitor. Rensuke turns everything around and tells them that they need a new concept to compete. Next, we see Maemi who’s telling Rensuke that it’s impossible to come up with a new concept with everything that’s going on and the short time limit. Frustrated, Rensuke slams his hand on the table and ..

demands Maemi to make a new concept. Ass!

He leaves and we see Xiu Mei listening/spying in behind a wall. In the studio hallway, Xiu Mei approaches Rensuke, concerned. She asks him if everything was okay and he tells her not to worry about anything. Hello! Maemi was the one who was just yelled at! The least Xiu Mei could have done was comfort Maemi first then gone to Rensuke. My god!  Now, Maemi is sitting at her desk with Kazami, trying to think of a new concept. She expresses how much Rensuke pisses her off and Kazami tells her that she will come up with a concept. Ahhh~ Kazami, you’re too cool~

The next day, everyone is concerned about an article written about Rensuke. The article basically says that he’s ruthless, a heartless person to work for, and he’s the reason why people are quitting left to right. Rensuke is in his office thinking about the latest ad debacle. Meanwhile, Tsuguo, Rina, and Xiu Mei are at the Chinese restaurant eating and chatting about the latest article. It’s late at night once again and as Rensuke leaves his office, he notices Maemi working .. overtime again. She’s still trying to think of a new concept. To break the awkward silence, Maemi mentions that Rensuke should treat her out to eat for all the hard work she’s putting in. He tells her she sounds like an obaa-chan and looks through her plastic bag of onigiri. She only has salmon and he mentions that he likes mentaiko.  Rensuke is seen pulling up to the hotel he lives at and is swarmed by reporters. He ignores all the questions and as the reporters leave, we see Yuzuki looking on.

It’s morning and Maemi enters a store that sells onigiri. She buys three with mentaiko (for Rensuke of course – awwwww <3). When she gets to Regolith, she notices Xiu Mei standing on the side. They go to the rooftop to talk and Xiu Mei holds out the bag of onigiri she made for Rensuke. She asks Maemi to give it to Rensuke. Maemi tells her to give it to him herself, but Xiu Mei doesn’t want to because of how poorly they’re made. Maemi agrees to give them to Rensuke and Xiu Mei tells her not to tell him that she made it. Just as Xiu Mei is about to leave, Maemi tells her that Rensuke loves mentaiko and to make it next time. No! Don’t give information to the enemy!! Next, Maemi is sitting in Rensuke’s chair .. contemplating. Rensuke enters his office and sees Maemi, asks her “what did you want to talk about?” She asks him why he’s so insistent. His answer, “I want to win.” But that’s not what she was asking about, she was asking about the advertising. He then answers truthfully that it’s because of Xiu Mei. He wants to help her and be good to her. As he’s gazing out the window, Maemi looks like she’s come to a decision. She tells him that’s the answer and leaves. He finally notices the bag of onigiri on the table. Maemi ends up at the studio for the CM shoot and everything begins. The filming goes without a hitch and we see the finished product broadcasted all over Tokyo, well mostly in Shinjuku, Roppongi, or whatever. Yuzuki and her model friend see the CM. She expresses how it pisses her off. Meanwhile, Mineoka and Onuki shachou are displeased with how well Regolith did in retaliation.

At Regolith, everyone is happy and one of the employees mention that they are getting a lot of calls about Xiu Mei. In Maemi’s office/work space, they’re hanging the new poster for their project. Kazami walks in and tells Maemi that it’s thanks to her. She says, “No, it’s all Xiu Mei.” He then denies that statement and tells her that it’s Maemi. Seems like Kazami is the only one who knows the truth. While everyone is praising Xiu Mei, Maemi is left in the dark when she’s the one who’s worked the hardest. People .. wake up!  At some cafe, Yuzuki is on the phone with Rensuke asking where he is. Turns out ..

right behind her xD

She asks him “what’s with the ad?” He says that he’s thankful to Yuzuki’s ad and she tells him that she won’t lose to Xiu Mei. At the Chinese restaurant, everyone is excited about the CM too and Rensuke shows up. He hands Xiu Mei an envelope that contains documents she must sign to extend her contract and leaves. She opens the envelope and notices a picture of her mother and father are in it. Meanwhile, Rensuke and Maemi are out eating tempura. I want some~~~ -drools-. Maemi notices something is bothering Rensuke and asks him what’s wrong. He tells her about what he gave Xiu Mei and how he helped reunite Xiu Mei’s mother and father. She asks him why he didn’t just tell Xiu Mei. His answer – he doesn’t want Xiu Mei to be sad if things didn’t work out. She points out that he must like Xiu Mei. Rensuke mentions that the onigiri should be better prepared and Maemi tells him that she didn’t make it. She quickly leaves after barely eating. I would’ve eaten until I was stuffed and taken something to go .. since Rensuke is buying after all. Outside, Maemi ..

gazes sadly at the moon T_T

Rensuke is busy driving down the street to his hotel. Once he arrives, the receptionist tells him that a woman left him something. He opens it up and sees the onigiri left by Xiu Mei. Since the receptionist said that Xiu Mei had just left, he runs out to find her. He finally sees her at the water fountain and runs to her. When he approaches her, he asks her what she’s doing. She answers by saying “water strider.” Congratulations! Do you want a cookie or something?? She states that she finally found a water strider and she reminds him that when you find a water strider, you’ll find happiness. She then tells him that she’ll give the water strider to Rensuke. How cheesy~ >.<;   He runs up to her and asks, “Can I say one thing?” Turns out she wrote his name as “Wansuke.” I know it’s supposed to be cute, but I find it stupid. They hug and he lifts her up.

At the park on a swing, Maemi is sitting in solitude. Kazami just happens to be walking by and notices her. He walks up to her and asks her what she’s doing in a place like this. She answers by stating how beautiful the moon is. He walks closer and she gets up and walks ahead, telling him not too look.  He knows something is wrong and tells her, “you don’t need to smile all the time. Let me see your crying face too.”

This is toooooo sad T_T
Thank god for Kazami.

He turns her around and gazes right into her eyes. Meanwhile, Rensuke and Xiu Mei are in a romantic embrace ..

I want to push these two and drown them!

And there’s the end of episode 4! I don’t know about you, but I am full of anger right now. Not only is this drama still Xiu Mei centered, but Maemi’s torment still continues. So far, my wishes for this drama are:

1. Maemi’s happiness
2. Kazami’s happiness
3. Xiu Mei’s torment or death
4. Rensuke to wake up and slap himself silly
5. From the current standings, Kazami and Maemi together. (But we know it won’t happen)
6. I still want Rensuke and Maemi to end up together. Maemi is the only one who knows and understands Rensuke well enough. A girl like Xiu Mei will never understand with her selfish needs that’s always put above everyone else. Besides, everything Xiu Mei did to make Rensuke “fall” for her was thanks to Maemi. Maemi tells Xiu Mei and pushes the two together, assuming it’s what they want. Too bad playing cupid is breaking her heart so painfully T_T

If you’re thinking that I’m horrible for wishing death on Xiu Mei, then I don’t see how you wouldn’t want this too. Xiu Mei is being bratty and ungrateful to Maemi. There is not one thank you to Maemi from her whiny, crybaby lips. Not even Rensuke thanks Maemi, which pisses me off more! Maemi is the one doing all the work. -sigh- Hopefully, things will turn around for Maemi. If not, I’m going to hurt somebody.

Also! Is anybody else annoyed at the fact that Xiu Mei talks about water striders every episode? We all know she wants to see one, so we don’t need to hear her say it all the freakin time -_-;  This also adds to Xiu Mei’s annoyingly childish persona. In my opinion, water striders is Maemi’s thing. It doesn’t help that Lin Chi Ling can’t act as well. This character is all together unconnected/disjointed in so many ways. With each passing scene, I still see no connection between the actress and the character Xiu Mei.

With that said, episode 5 better be awesome and Maemi centered. I’m so tired of the stupid “romance” between Rensuke and Xiu Mei.

Rating: 7 out of 10

It would have been lower, if not for Maemi.
Maemi is their only saving grace, I swear.
And Kazami, sort of.