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Minami-kun no Koibito: My Little Lover, Episode 10

Minami-kun no Koibito: My Little Lover, Episode 10

Episode 10 Recap

Akebono Cape fails to return Horikiri Chiyomi to original size

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

Minami Shunichi and Horikiri Chiyomi‘s hopes that sitting atop Akebono Cape and praying to become big again fails. Horikiri Chiyomi is in tears, feeling lost. They’ve tried everything that was in the One Inch Princess legend. Still, she hasn’t returned to her original size. Minami Shunichi tries to remain positive. He jumps to her side and tells her he’s still there with her and there must be another way.

It doesn’t cheer her up, though, because what’s on her mind (and has been on her mind for a long time) is the feeling of burdening him.

Leaving the retreat, Minami Shunichi is quite upbeat as he takes on a casual attitude toward the failure. Walking down the road, he suggests that since they came all the way here, they should just skip a day of school and stay one more night somewhere. He asks her whether she had anywhere she wanted to go. The question has Horikiri Chiyomi respond with going home—not to his home, but hers. She wants to tell her parents everything and for them to forget each other and everything that’s happened up till now so that she’s no longer a burden to him. She can’t do anything for him the way she is now and he can’t become happy being like this with her.

Minami Shunichi is okay with the way things are. When Horikiri Chiyomi suggest that he’ll regret it later, he tells her that he’ll regret it more if he’s not with her. He tells her that he would protect her no matter how she is—as her original self and as she is now. He takes her out his pocket, looks her in the eyes to tell her that he loves her before requesting to stay together as they have been.

Horikiri Chiyomi is set on her decision. Despite his assurance that he’s fine staying by her side and protecting her, she asks to end it between them.

Minami Shunichi is hit by a speeding car

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

Over the seconds before being hit and becoming airborne, Minami Shunichi‘s managed to put Horikiri Chiyomi back in his pocket and protected her the whole time until he crash-landed back on the asphalt. Horikiri Chiyomi escapes injury.

The driver and the car’s occupants get out of the car to take a look, but the sight of Minami Shunichi lying unconscious on the ground has them do a hit-and-run. Minami Shunichi is left lying there bleeding from the head.

Horikiri Chiyomi crawls out of his pocket, calling for him. She’s not able to wake him. Neither can she do anything to help him.

Horikiri Ritsuko comes to Minami Shunichi’s aid and discovers Horikiri Chiyomi

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

It’s a good thing Horikiri Ritsuko‘s been tailing them. After catching Minami Shunichi and Takagi Riku talking about going to Akebono Cape the night before, she followed him to the spa retreat. She believes that Minami Shunichi and her daughter are seeing each other and it was only a matter of time he would meet up with her, leading her straight to Horikiri Chiyomi.

That he did, but probably not in the way of rushing to Minami Shunichi‘s aid after being hit where she discovers her tiny daughter standing by his side crying out his name. She does a double take, surprised by her daughter’s tiny form.

For a few seconds, Horikiri Chiyomi doesn’t notice her mother staring above her. When she does, shock washes over Horikiri Chiyomi‘s face momentarily before cries take over again: “Minami-kun is…” She points to Minami Shunichi‘s unconscious form, looking for her mother’s help with him, but her mother doesn’t respond. She’s still in the midst of processing the sight of her daughter as she thinks back to the time Horikiri Asuka suggested the possibility of Horikiri Chiyomi having turned small. Horikiri Chiyomi calls out to her mother again: “Mum! Minami-kun is not moving! What should we do?”

Her mum finally snaps out of her thoughts and takes control of the situation. She tries to calm her down, telling her that there’s nothing she can do right now, before making a call to the ambulance for help.

Minami Shunichi survives

Minami Shunichi is taken to hospital and straight to the operating theatre. The surgeon returns with good news. The operation is successful. The bleeding in his brain was removed and he sustained no other injuries from the accident. He should make a quick recovery. All the Minami family need to do is wait for him to regain consciousness.

Horikiri Chiyomi reunited with her family

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

Horikiri Chiyomi is brought home after she and her mum hears Minami Shunichi is going to be okay. Awaiting their return is her father. He waits at the door, expecting to see his normal-sized daughter return from Tokyo, only to be greeted by her small-self. Her dad cries in surprise at the sight of his tiny daughter, but he is not horrified by what’s happened to her. In fact, as he has her in front of him on a table, he comments how small and cute she is. He didn’t expect her to return home like this, but at least, she’s home safe and sound. Horikiri Chiyomi is welcomed home by her mum, dad and her sister. Finally, they’re altogether again, everything cleared and out in the open.

Minami Shunichi, who won’t regain consciousness, is revived with a kiss

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

It’s been a day since Minami Shunichi came out of surgery. The anaesthesia should have worn off long ago, but Minami Shunichi has yet to regain consciousness. It’s strange and not what should be happening for a young man like him. Minami Emiko and Minami Tomiko are told that there is a chance that he won’t wake up, which has the doctor request they meet with the doctor to discuss the plan of action for Minami Shunichi.

As they talk with the doctor, Horikiri Ritsuko (who arrived after hearing the worrying news) stays in the ward with Minami Shunichi. She allows Horikiri Chiyomi some time alone with him to express her regret about wanting to end things.

Collapsing to her hands and knees, Horikiri Chiyomi apologises to him for only thinking about herself and pleads for him to wake up. She tells him that she would never leave him and she’d be happy to just be by his side even if she couldn’t get back to her original size. She stands. Even if he never woke up, she would never leave him. Horikiri Chiyomi then climbs onto his chest. She tells him she loves him and wants them to stay together forever. She leverages herself on his chin before giving him a light kiss on the lips. Upon contact, their lips glow; and just like the fairytales, just like in the daydream Horikiri Chiyomi had about a kiss from the prince from a neighbouring country awakening her from death, Minami Shunichi‘s eyes open. He’s woken!

Horikiri Chiyomi, thinking he might not recognise her, checks to see he does. Minami Shunichi suffers no memory loss. He remembers everything as he expresses his relief of seeing her in front of her all safe and sound.

Horikiri Chiyomi returns to original size

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

Horikiri Chiyomi moves in for another kiss. This time, the contact has her return to her original size. She doesn’t realise it immediately as she is seen to take a moment before noticing her hands are of normal size. She also seemingly has forgotten that returning to her original size meant she’d have broken out of her doll-sized clothes and is lying on top on Minami Shunichi with not one piece of clothing on. She’s completely naked!

Minami Shunichi didn’t appear to be in hurry to have her off of him as it takes him a short moment after she became big again to tell her to put something on.

Horikiri Chiyomi gasps realising her state and quickly ducks behind the bed before pulling the covers off of him to wrap around herself. She returns to his bedside. Minami Shunichi expresses his surprise in how a kiss was the way to bring her back to her original size like she had daydreamed. He tells her he should have kissed her sooner instead of holding back, it wouldn’t have backfired on him.

Horikiri Chiyomi suggest that they should kiss a lot from now on which has them move in for their fourth kiss (including the accidental one in Episode 1), all happening in front of Horikiri Ritsuko, Minami Emiko and Minami Tomiko who walked in to the room after waiting outside/seeing the doctor.

Horikiri Chiyomi returns to school

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

Back to her original size, Horikiri Chiyomi return to her class. Her classmates crowd around her and greet her excitedly at her return. Minami Shunichi catches up with her, calling after her about how she could leave a weak person behind. Her classmates immediately notices the changed relationship. Before they fought like cats and dogs. Now, it’s different. They begin making guesses about what could have developed after Horikiri Chiyomi‘s absence, but Minami Shunichi stops them mid-guess and comes right out with the status of their relationship: they’re dating now. Not one bit does he try to hide the fact. Horikiri Chiyomi is not so comfortable about being so, though, as she seems to feel shy about the announcement.

Mikimoto Ami walks up to Horikiri Chiyomi and suddenly slaps Horikiri Chiyomi in the face. It shocks Horikiri Chiyomi, but when Mikimoto Ami pulls her in for a hug between best friends who was extremely worried for the other, Horikiri Chiyomi moves to apologise to her.

Classmates greeted and apologies made to Mikimoto Ami, Horikiri Chiyomi returns to her dance club to pick up where they left off—prepare for the dance competition that is to take place in one months’ time. We don’t see the dance competition take place nor the results, but hear through the emcee at Horikiri Chiyomi and Minami Shunichi‘s wedding reception that took place after they both graduates from high school.

Minami Shunichi and Horikiri Chiyomi get married

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

Minami Shunichi and Horikiri Chiyomi get married right after they finish high school. Family, friends, classmates and Horikiri Chiyomi‘s dance group all gather at their wedding reception held outdoors. The guests are treated to the winning dance routine performed by Horikiri Chiyomi‘s dance group and a song from the member to take over Horikiri Chiyomi as dance group leader, Ueno Yuka.

Sitting at the bride and groom table, Horikiri Chiyomi talk about how she can’t believe she’s come to this point with Minami Shunichi. It feels so much like a dream to her. His thoughts don’t mirror hers. He tells her he’s never imagined marrying anyone, but her.

Across to Horikiri Chiyomi‘s parents, Horikiri Jouji is letting his emotions flow to the brim. He’s been emotional about the whole ceremony and is still crying. Minami Tomiko and Minami Emiko comments how they always thought that Minami Shunichi and Horikiri Chiyomi would end up together.

Minami Shunichi‘s relationship with his father looks to have truly mended as well. Minami Noboru is at the wedding reception and so is his partner, Kanae, and their newborn son. After the song is over, Horikiri Chiyomi is seen next to Minami Noboru and Kanae, admiring the cute baby. Minami Shunichi is next to his father, sporting a smile as he nods to Horikiri Chiyomi‘s comments about how cute Minami Shunichi‘s half-baby brother is.

At Nomura Sayori and her father’s table, Nomura Sayori approves of her dad’s wishes to remarry at the table where he and his partner, Dr. Reiko, sit. Standing behind her father and her father’s partner, Dr. Reiko, she asks them whether they’re next to walk down the aisle. To their surprise, she tells them that they are a good match.

Over where Takagi Riku and Mikimoto Ami are, there seems to be a love triangle developing between Takagi Riku, Mikimoto Ami and Horikiri Asuka. After Takagi Riku and Mikimoto Ami take a photo, Horikiri Asuka comes over wanting to take a photo with him. She also is wanting to switch to addressing Takagi Riku as “onii-chan” (which we believe can be used as a term of endearment by someone who they like). This has Mikimoto Ami attempt to direct her off to Minami Shunichi in the distance, telling her that her onii-chan is over there. Horikiri Asuka refuses to leave the fight for Takagi Riku.

Minami Shunichi is attending medical university; Horikiri Chiyomi works towards being a dance writer

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

One year later, the main couple have moved in together and are living a sweet married life together. Minami Shunichi‘s made it into medical university and makes commutes from home. Horikiri Chiyomi has decided to become a dance writer: she’s decided to attend the dance workshop she didn’t get to go to last year.

Closing the chapter on Horikiri Chiyomi and her as the One Inch Princess, she heads to her computer to write the ending to her Chobiko in a Pocket story. It is the one telling the moment Minami Shunichi makes a marriage proposal.

She is taken back to the same cave where they once sat as children talking about the One Inch Princess as well as the cave where Horikiri Chiyomi turned small and was found by Minami Shunichi. Horikiri Chiyomi is given a crown of flowers just like back when they were young children. Just like back then, he tells her he loves her and he wants them to stay together forever. “Let’s get married,” he says. Horikiri Chiyomi looks up at him with surprise then nods. She hugs him, resting her head against his shoulder. It’s the same heartbeat as she used to listen to when she was in his pocket she writes.

Minami Shunichi draws her attention to the rainbow arching over the sky. It appears before them just like when they were younger. They stand at the entrance of the cave and gaze up at it. “That rainbow might have been our future. Chobiko is not in a pocket anymore.”

Comments

We should have known it wasn’t going to be as easy as going to Akebono Cape and praying for Horikiri Chiyomi to return to the original size. For some reason, it never crossed our minds that Episode 10 wasn’t just going to follow the events of the One Inch Princess legend and have the drama end that way. It’s too transparent. Also, this is a drama; and no drama ends without one last bit of drama before we get to the happy ending. Still, we thought that Horikiri Chiyomi was going to turn back to being her original size after following the One Inch Princess legend and we were going to see an episode focusing on her and Minami Shunichi together after that. Had that happened, it wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting as what had actually happened in Episode 10.

Normally, we don’t like the insert of something so dramatic as a car accident so close to the end, but in this case, we like it a lot. It gave us something to watch and pay attention to. It set up the whole purpose for the car accident pretty well: it allowed the story to go—which was to have Horikiri Chiyomi awaken Minami Shunichi with a kiss just like in Horikiri Chiyomi‘s daydream back in Episode 3—and come full circle. The way Episode 10 progresses pretty much the same way the drama starts and develops in the first three episodes, but the events are in reverse order, going right back to Horikiri Chiyomi typing on her computer and the telling of the scene in the cave which Horikiri Chiyomi and Minami Shunichi visits, just like the very first couple of scenes in Episode 1. (It’s the way romance dramas like to end it seems. We’ve noticed it in Taiwanese dramas doing this in their last episodes as well.)

Did anyone find Horikiri Chiyomi coming off much older than she is after she got married to Minami Shunichi? Maybe it’s the way her hair is done because she’s no longer small.

We loved watching every episode of this drama. The sweet romance story together with seeing Horikiri Chiyomi in the huge world kept us entertained from start to end.

We loved seeing the big plates of food Horikiri Chiyomi was given to eat and the little outfits she wore. We’re not sure what it is that makes us always so delighted seeing her against giant items and wearing those little outfits, but it does.

We loved seeing Minami Shunichi slowly realise his feelings and overcome the fear of his feelings changing, and fall for Horikiri Chiyomi. Our favourite moment has to be the one where he was captivated by her dancing outside his window in her white ballerina dress in Episode 5. We also really like the scene at the end of the episode where we get to see the two live together as husband and wife and get a happy family of his own.

The wedding scene was a pretty nice scene, too. We like that they didn’t focus on the wedding ceremony and went straight to the wedding reception where they tied up all the relationships as well as showed us developing ones, like the Takagi-Mikimoto-Horikiri Asuka triangle. It’s great to see Takagi Riku being the object of affection. We think that Takagi Riku and Mikimoto Ami would make a great couple!

Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot
Minami-kun no Koibito My Little Lover Screenshot

This drama was very generous with the kiss scenes! They go on quite a long time, too! It was interesting to see the different reactions Horikiri Ritsuko, Minami Emiko and Minami Tomiko had to seeing Horikiri Chiyomi and Minami Shunichi kiss. Horikiri Ritsuko seemed proud of her daughter for kissing Minami Shunichi, Minami Emiko was completely horrified and embarrassed seeing her son kiss Horikiri Chiyomi, while Minami Tomiko was happy and very approving of the act! So funny!

We’re glad Minami-kun no Koibito: My Little Lover caught our attention. We don’t watch a lot of Japanese dramas because they’re not easy to discover when sites we frequent don’t promote them as much as dramas from Korea. We also don’t seek out Japanese dramas as often as we do with Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean dramas, so we rely on sites promoting Japanese dramas for us to discover them. We hope we’ll come across more cute Japanese romance dramas like this one in the future. Minami-kun no Koibito: My Little Lover was a fast, easy, wonderful watch!

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