What happens when two friends, navigating the murky waters between platonic affection and burgeoning romance, find themselves alone in a private hot spring? For fans of “There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless…” (also known as Watanare), Episode 10, titled “A Trip With Just the Two of Us?! No Way!”, delivered a potent mix of heartwarming intimacy, emotional vulnerability, and a dash of classic romantic comedy chaos. This pivotal episode deepened the bond between Renako Amaori and Ajisai Sena, only to introduce a familiar disruptive force at its climax.
The Hot Spring Getaway: A Test of Friendship and Feelings
The tenth episode of the popular yuri anime centers almost entirely on a trip shared by Renako and Ajisai. Following events from previous episodes, the two find themselves at a traditional Japanese inn with a private hot spring, an environment ripe for deepening their relationship. The initial setup sees Ajisai, ever the considerate friend, insisting on paying the full bill for their stay. However, Renako, eager to maintain a “friend-like” dynamic, challenges her to a game of ping-pong to decide who pays.
This seemingly simple game becomes a significant emotional exchange, allowing both characters to articulate unspoken feelings and solidify their connection. Renako, in particular, lets down her guard, expressing her emotions openly. Despite the emotional closeness, Renako ultimately loses the ping-pong match, leading to the pre-arranged consequence: they end up alone together in the private hot spring.
Navigating Ambiguity in the Hot Spring
The hot spring scene is a highlight of Episode 10, described by viewers as a blend of “wholesomeness, gay denial, and surprisingly intense emotional foreplay”. This intimate setting pushes the boundaries of their “friendship,” creating a palpable tension as Renako grapples with the increasingly blurred lines between platonic affection and romantic feelings for Ajisai. Ajisai, on her part, shows a more vulnerable, even childlike side, at one point reportedly calling Renako “onee-chan” (big sister). The interaction in the hot spring is crucial for their evolving relationship, with Renako actively trying to prevent the situation from becoming overtly romantic, even as the “spice” of their interactions intensifies.
The episode delves into themes of emotional vulnerability and the difficulty some characters face in openly acknowledging their desires. For Renako, her journey involves understanding her own feelings and what she truly seeks in her relationships. Reviewers noted that the episode adeptly portrays how these characters, usually accustomed to being the strong or supportive ones, rarely get the chance to be “spoiled” or vulnerable themselves.
The Return of Mai: A Dramatic Cliffhanger
Just as Renako and Ajisai reach a new level of intimacy and emotional understanding, the episode delivers a dramatic cliffhanger: Mai Ouduka, the popular and charismatic fashion model who is also entangled in Renako’s complex web of relationships, makes an unexpected appearance and interrupts their private moment. This interruption is a signature move for Mai, who has been described by some fans as the “Bazelgeuse of yuri anime” for her tendency to “dive bomb” into other girls’ arcs.
Mai’s arrival reintroduces the central romantic conflict of the series, pulling Renako back into the dilemma of choosing between her affections for different girls. Her presence forces Renako to confront the reality that her connections with others are rarely isolated, often leading to complicated emotional entanglements.
Production and Reception
Episode 10, which aired on Tuesday, September 9, 2025 (JST), was scripted by Naruhisa Arakawa and directed by Daisuke Inoue, with Manabu Nii serving as Chief Animation Director. The anime itself is animated by Studio MOTHER and is based on a light novel series written by Teren Mikami with illustrations by Eku Takeshima.
The episode was largely well-received, with many praising its balance of humor, emotional depth, and character development, particularly for Renako and Ajisai. However, Mai’s interruption was a point of contention for some viewers, who expressed frustration at her consistent role in disrupting other character’s blossoming relationships. Despite, or perhaps because of, the dramatic ending, Episode 10 solidified its place as a memorable and impactful installment in the series, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the fallout of Mai’s unexpected arrival.
