Thoughts on Episode 3 of 'Until We Meet Again'

This time, I'm planning to watch the drama through to the end without digging too deeply into the actors themselves. When I watched 'Between Us', the couple was doing activities in real-time, so my thoughts were a mix of excitement and swooning over the lovely photos that appeared every day. But for this drama, it feels like everything has already passed. (I gently wipe away my tears.) Anyway, I started to think it might be dangerous to write my thoughts before watching all the episodes. If I'm going to say that, I should mention that I committed the reckless act of writing thoughts on 'Between Us' while only watching it with English subtitles, haha. (I was later safely helped by a kind person six months later; thank you so much for that.)
So, here is episode 3. Since the last episode ended on such a gripping note, I, Yamamoto, couldn't wait and immediately hit the play button.
I thought about it, but isn't the contrast in tone intense? They pack in sweet, bittersweet scenes like light-colored snacks and sticky note exchanges, and even though they meet with a heart-fluttering gesture of him reaching for something high up, you're suddenly shoved into a pit of sorrow and shock by the karma of a past life. That has to be intentional, right, scriptwriter? And then, to add insult to injury for the viewers who have lost their footing from that drop, there are Pharm's big, heavy tears. At the very least, for me, it's impossible not to get hooked. It's not just simple heart-fluttering excitement.
So, the beginning of episode 3 starts with a scene from the past life. It's a scene where In's friends are crying in memory of him after he passed away, and it's so heartbreaking! In must have been a good kid, too—smart, bright, and friendly. When a classmate goes through something like that, of course the friends left behind would end up like this.
Usually, scenes from the past life appear in the dreams of either Dean or Pharm, but this scene isn't either of them. Since both of them are already gone, it's an event they couldn't possibly know about. So they show that to the viewers, too. It's a strange structure. The fact that the timeline of the past life appears in a scattered way makes me confused while watching, but it feels like Dean and Pharm are working together to piece things together while being confused about their own past lives, which makes the immersion into the drama even stronger. Why? When is this footage from? What happened? That's what I end up thinking.
Now, in the modern part, wait for it—it's the swimming club's training camp. A training camp! What a youthful sound! When Pharm, who came to deliver the bento boxes requested by the cooking club, speaks to him, Dean-senpai's attitude changes completely, even though he had been on edge and yelling at everyone until then. It's not just a 'Non-Pharm♡' moment, he's so easy to read! To Pharm, who apologizes for crying and running away like a little deer at the supermarket yesterday, Senpai says, 'Mai pen rai.' Of course he would; for Senpai, 'mai pen rai' applies to almost everything when it comes to Pharm. Pharm, for his part, has a special bento just for Senpai. He says he wrote his name on it. 'This one is for P'Dean♡.' They both have such obvious favoritism. What's going on? You two haven't even talked that much yet, right? What happened? When did you become like a couple? And while I'm being left behind, Team, who has high responsiveness, secretly takes photos of Dean at the camp and sends them to Pharm. He's such a good friend. I see, it's already like that, even if we don't understand it. Is that what it's like when you see it up close?
And then at the university, there's the scene where Pharm has a panic attack due to trauma from his past life. Dean rushes over immediately and takes him to the hospital—so reliable! He's practically a guardian. The way he asks the doctor various questions goes beyond being a father; he's like a mother. His love is incredible from the start. I want him to keep rushing to Pharm's side like this whenever he's in a pinch♡. On the way home, he naturally drives him back. This is where the distance between the two suddenly closed, right? I burst out laughing when they suddenly started introducing themselves in the car, but it's very like them and very good! As they talk about what they know and don't know and start to open up to each other, just as Pharm starts to smile, Dean looks him straight in the eye and pushes harder, saying, 'I don't have a lover... yet.' His technique is amazing. Pharm is surprised, and his mouth hanging open is cute. Up until then, it was like a Q&A, and Pharm was answering in the same way as Dean, so he reflexively said, 'I... I don't have one either,' and a smile broke out on his face. So cute. His healthy, glossy pink tongue inside his mouth! (Yamamoto, your fetish is showing, be careful.) Of course Senpai would make that face. He's making a face he's never shown anyone else! Just start dating already, it's so bittersweet! And then, he drops him off at the condo and asks for his contact info at the entrance. He's not a player at all! Who asks for contact info in such a business-like and intimidating way? And then, 'Fan dee na,' 'Fan dee krub, P'Dean'... So... sweet!!! (I'm leaving) (Please forgive me) I've never seen a couple like this... (Of course not, Yamamoto only knows King and Uea).
The next morning, Pharm wakes up and stares at his contact list, thinking 'P'Dean...♡', and Manow appears in his mind. After being urged to contact him, he panics and sends a 'good night' stamp even though it's morning, showing his silly side. (Cute, I'm grinning.) From here, the way the story progresses with the SNS exchange with Dean, as if Dean is sitting next to him talking, is innovative! Since they decided he would pick him up by car starting tomorrow morning, Pharm decides to make breakfast for Senpai. Somehow, because it's clearly mutual, things move forward forcefully without them realizing it (it seems they are both double-natural, not realizing that each of their suggestions is a shortcut to intimacy), and it's funny that the viewers are the only ones who think so, while the people themselves are just '♡'. We are on the outside looking in. Of course. It's fine. Please proceed as your heart desires. I'll be watching from the shadows.
So, the next morning, they even show us Pharm's morning routine! Thank you! Seeing a small animal get ready is helpful! Still, isn't Senpai early? Arriving an hour early, how much was he looking forward to this? Pharm finds Senpai's car in the parking lot from the balcony and rushes downstairs in his loungewear. His bedhead is too cute; how is Dean responding with a straight face? He's making that face because he's a closet pervert, but inside he must be thinking, 'Wait a second, isn't my Pharm's morning look too cute? Is he wearing that to sleep? And what's with the bedhead? Are you trying to kill me with cuteness? That's negligent homicide!' When he's invited, 'P'Dean, since you're here, let's have breakfast together,' Dean looks so happy! His expression only changes slightly, but I've started to understand his face when he's happy or surprised! He invited that expressionless, closet-pervert mask into his home, but Pharm is moving around busily because he's nervous!!! Pharm!!!! (Seizure) Ah, so cute. As expected, Senpai is licking Pharm with his eyes while he makes an omelet, with his big hand on his chin. You can't get enough of watching him, I get it. And Pharm even glances over while making it, and when their eyes meet, he does a double-take. Seriously, give me a break, why are you showing me Pharm from Dean's perspective? Should I pay for this? And what's more, the camera licks Pharm from bottom to top just like Dean's gaze! Stop it!!!! It's starting to look like the opening of an AV! The line after that, '...Aren't you going to take a shower?', is also too suggestive! You're doing it on purpose, right! Guilty! And while Pharm goes to take a shower, Senpai is walking around the room looking at everything!! Is this okay? What drama is this? Are you serious? Should I report this? (Yamamoto is getting flustered) (I want to go through this quickly, but the story keeps progressing while scattering cuteness everywhere, so my thoughts aren't making any progress at all.)
Forget it, I'll just give up and go into detail. Dean fixes Pharm's messy hair as he rushes out of the shower, saying, 'I told you there's no need to rush. I'll wait.' And then, wait, did he tie Pharm's tie?! Wait a minute!! So erotic!!!! Everyone! Don't search for 'tie Freud' or anything! You shouldn't think about it too deeply! And just when the viewers had managed to hold back, after this,
Pharm: 'Um... please eat.'
Dean: '..."Eat"...?'
Pharm: 'No, I mean, breakfast!'

...Huh?

Yamamoto made this face: (´ﾟдﾟ｀).
Do whatever you want! Pharm, don't say 'It's going to get cold.' You two will be hot forever! And Senpai heading to the table with his hands in his pockets! That's a problem! I get it now, that's why you were famous as the handsome swimming club captain at school! You were hiding this potential! No, wait, is it only in front of Pharm? That he makes such a handsome face? Is it because it's love? Did love make him do it? Can you steal Pharm now? (Shut up.)
It's still morning, just eating breakfast, calm down Yamamoto. (Seriously.)
And Pharm, what's with fixing his bangs quickly before saying 'itadakimasu'? Is he a bundle of cuteness? What kind of movement is that? And the moment the spoon and fork clink on the omelet, Pharm's past life switch turns on! His consciousness is sucked into the interaction between Korn and In, and he can't even hear Senpai calling his name. He starts crying, 'Hau...'. What's with the tears running down his cheeks so beautifully? Is this a manga? And oh no, he's even hyperventilating! But because they went to the hospital together, Senpai understands Pharm's panic, and he hugs him and strokes his head, saying, 'It's okay, I'm here,' calming him down. So mature~! I was groaning at the capacity for care of Dean, who is barely in his twenties, when episode 3 ended. What, what, what happens after this?! I'm so curious about what happens next, I'm saying it out loud in Hakata dialect! I'm going to head straight to episode 4! I have more to say, but I'll take my leave here with my thoughts on episode 3!