Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru Kan - Episode 9 - 10 Second Anime

Hachiman and Yui spend more time together as Yukino directs prom planning and students say farewell to graduating seniors.

Episode 9 – “A Whiff of That Fragrance Will Always Bring Memories of That Season.”

Hmm.

Oregairu shifted to slice-of-life mode this episode to give us a rest from the drama of Hachiman playing the bad guy prom competitor. What it shows, even though Yui claims all the things she and Hachiman are doing are for other people, is that she's fulfilling her wish of a fake relationship she had while helping Hachiman planned his alternate prom proposal. This moves and builds up the emotional fireworks for the final confrontation of everyone's feelings in our featured love triangle.

What we're also seeing from Oregairu through hints and vague pauses is how Yukino is falling back into her usual pattern of not asking for the right kind of help and Hachiman will also go back to his usual pattern of playing the absolute villain in the high school social hierarchy to rescue her. Hachiman did not suffer enough in the prom proposal hoax, so obviously that was not the real drama of the whole prom event chapter. Until then, we enjoy Yui playacting as Hachiman's girlfriend, Yukino holding back her feelings, and Hachiman surprising people when he admits he likes things or people. Like Chiba pears or former president Meguri. Was there anyone who hated her, besides Iroha having rough feelings for following such a tough act of leadership, charisma, and beauty? No, there was not.

Komachi is here to tell Hachiman what he'll use as an excuse to hang out with Yui instead of doing Service Club activities. She needs birthday sweets. So high school. Texting instead of just getting a girl's attention out in the open. Ah. These aren't Yui's real wishes. Her wish is spending time with Hachiman while he fulfills her "wishes." This is fine. Yui is fine to look at, so let's go!

Yukino and Iroha are busy with prom stuff, but Iroha wants Hachiman to help her so bad. Just her, not anyone else. We know. Anyway, time for Gahama Mama! This is all win. Gahama Mama pouts. Gahama Mama flirts. Gahama Mama encourages Yui to cook for Hachiman with a certain "ingredient." Supposedly, it's love, but I think she said, "condoms."

Oh yeah, it's time for graduation. Iroha gave an emotional goodbye to the seniors, but former president Meguri shows why there was no chance Yukino would have been a good successor. Yukino has no charisma. Maybe she'll learn some, but we haven't seen it yet. Until then, just mourn the passing of Meguri to college, but we'll see her at the prom.