Tamon's B-Side Episode 13: I've Made Up My Mind

Tamon Fukuhara, an idol usually seen with pink hair, appears with tired eyes and a black hoodie, revealing a more private self. He learns his house cleaner, Kinoshita-san, has quit, a piece of news that visibly shifts his mood from weary to genuinely concerned. His quick, sharp gasp suggests a deeper, personal reaction to her absence. This early moment establishes a surprising connection, hinting that he cares more about his cleaner than one might expect.

Utage Kinoshita is seen in a classroom, physically present but emotionally distant, ignoring her friends' enthusiastic chatter about Tamon Fukuhara. Her dejected demeanor, underscored by a sad ghost icon, signals a profound shift within her. She then walks away, determined to shed her identity as a superfan, vowing to embrace a new, less idol-centric life as a house cleaner. This is a deliberate, albeit painful, act of self-redefinition.

The episode's opening sequence unfolds as a vivid, unsettling dreamscape, where Utage's anxieties about Tamon manifest as multiplying chibi versions of him. These figures become increasingly overwhelming, culminating in a sinister Tamon accusing her of forgetting him. She drowns in a chaotic sea of these fragmented selves, reflecting her internal struggle with the persona she is trying to escape. This is a dream that feels more like a confession.

Utage wakes from her nightmare, the lingering melancholy evident in her deep sighs and somber expression. She tidies her room, a symbolic act of putting her past self, the idol worshipper, behind her. She places a recipe book, explicitly labeled for Tamon Fukuhara, into a storage box already filled with fan merchandise. She openly questions her own identity, wondering what remains of her without her intense devotion to her idol.

Utage's younger siblings, Homare and Yamato, disrupt her introspection with their blunt observations. They question the value of her former idol worship, suggesting it was a waste of time and money. Her passionate, anguished defense of fandom falls on deaf ears, leaving her feeling isolated and misunderstood. She finds a brief, quiet comfort with her dog, Pochi, after their departure.

As Utage prepares to walk Pochi, Tamon Fukuhara emerges from hiding, having tracked her home from school. He casually reveals his 'stalking' behavior, framed as concern for her sudden departure from work. Homare and Yamato immediately label him a

Accused of being a 'creepy guy' by Utage's siblings, Tamon Fukuhara stays while Utage is away, helping clean the house. He discovers her old recipe book and, encouraged by her siblings' stories of Utage's past care, urges her to consider her own desires. This prompts Utage to reflect on her housekeeping job, realizing she finds genuine satisfaction and appreciation in her work, a joy independent of Tamon.

Utage's fury erupts when her siblings continue to call Tamon a 'weirdo,' defending him as a 'god.' Tamon calms her, genuinely happy to have connected with her family, before his departure. The next morning, Tamon's frantic call sends Utage running, only to find him delirious with a fever, his apartment a chaotic mess. He speaks of 'other Kinoshita-sans' and his 'netsusenkou,' revealing a mind overwhelmed by his own public persona and private anxieties.

Utage immediately sheds her frantic fan persona and assumes the role of a capable caregiver. She swiftly cleans Tamon's apartment and prepares a nourishing zousui. Despite his initial embarrassment at his unkempt state, Tamon finds comfort in her cooking. When he accidentally spills food and removes his shirt, Utage's inner fangirl briefly resurfaces, her face flushing at the sight of his physique, a powerful reminder of her enduring attraction.

Tamon, still affected by fever, takes Utage's hand, placing it on his forehead, then playfully on his cheek. He teases her about her pale, 'real' face, contrasting it with his imagined, vibrant 'other Kinoshita-sans.' Utage cares for him as he drifts into a peaceful sleep. Upon his waking, she firmly declares she will not quit her job, prompting Tamon to admit he simply wants her by his side. Her soft smile confirms her acceptance, forging a deeper connection beyond idol worship.