Summary:
The next episode picks up
exactly where we left the last one. The MC starts to ask the Mad Hatter about
last night, but he quickly changes the topic, telling her that they have a busy
day and dragging her off to the warehouse to prepare items for the next
auction. The warehouse is full of cardboard boxes stacked haphazardly. It has
been a while since they had an auction, and the Mad Hatter tells her it’s
because they have been waiting for the poker tournament. She thinks that the
poker players are also interested in the auctions potentially, but he reveals
that it’s a cover for the auctions. She seems kind of shocked from hearing that
news, and he giggles about it, telling her that she looks like a flounder. She goes back to
wondering about the man from the previous night and trying to lay his face over
the painted one before her. They go back to sorting through the items, but it
is not long before she brings up the man from last night to him again. In his
surprise, he drops a glass he was holding.
That evening, they are back at
the auction. He happily makes small talk with the VIPs for a little while. Mr.
Ichinomiya wants to discuss the items for the auction that night. The MC is amazed at
his depth of knowledge about each item. After they finalize the list, Baba asks
him about how their communal living is going. He responds that it is going well
with a smile. Of course, the group goes on to tease them as usual. Baba jokes
that they might have run into each other just out of the bath. The Mad Hatter
doesn’t comment, and a strange silence falls over the room. His is uncomfortable as everyone stares at him. He finally gains
his composure and excuses himself and the MC.
There is a palpable awkwardness
when they arrive back in the tea room. He tries to go back to his room, but the
MC stops him to ask what he wants for dinner. He tells her that he has no
appetite, so she suggests his usual favorite – milk tea – which he also
refuses. She asks him once more about the other man she saw the previous night,
asking if it was him. He tells her no, and she presses him to tell her the
truth, but he plays it off saying that it could be a “trump soldier” sent by
the “Queen of Hearts” and suggests that she keep a glass of water at her
bedside from now on. She is confused by the terms. She keeps pressing him, and
finally realizing she’s gone too far, she apologizes. He looks pained so she
takes him by the hand and apologizes again. He finally says that the man
she met was his “friend”. She knows he is lying but plays along. She asks for
his “friend’s” name, to which he asks why initially. He does tell her the name:
リオン・ハッター
(Rion Hatter). His voice finally perks up, and he smiles very gently as
the episode ends.
My commentary:
The Mad Hatter’s reactions in
this chapter are particularly funny. He tries so hard to avoid the
conversation! The MC is really stubborn, but I think I would be, too. Now, I
have thought a lot about his real name. It’s リオン (pronounced ree-on), but how does that translate into English (since it is a
foreign name written in katakana)? A few CGs I’ve found of later seasons with
him do write it in English as “Lion” but that’s definitely not a usual English spelling.
A potential choice is actually “Leon”, and the pronunciation also fits. That’s
my best guess.
Songs to
listen to while reading this chapter:
"Work" by Jimmy Eat World
“Runaway” by
Cartel
"No Secrets" by The Exies
"No Secrets" by The Exies
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