The penultimate episode of “There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless…” (also known as “Watanare”), titled “Is There No Way We Can Stay Like This?”, delivered a blend of summer festival fun and significant emotional developments, particularly focusing on the intricate relationships between Renako, Ajisai, and Mai. Airing on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the episode saw the trio enjoy a hot spring town getaway, culminating in a dazzling fireworks display that masked burgeoning romantic confessions and internal conflicts.
A Hot Spring Retreat and Childhood Discoveries
Episode 11 opens with Renako, Ajisai, and Mai embarking on a trip to a hot spring town, providing a scenic backdrop for their deepening bonds. Their excursion includes visits to local candy shops and a photo studio. During these seemingly innocent activities, Renako uncovers surprising details about Ajisai’s childhood, shedding new light on her soft-spoken friend. This insight into Ajisai’s past highlights her often-overlooked responsibilities and the pressure she’s carried, contrasting with her usual “angelic” demeanor.
Festival Night: Yukata, Fireworks, and Unspoken Words
As evening descends, the girls don traditional yukata and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of a summer festival. The festive mood, complete with dazzling fireworks, sets the stage for a pivotal moment. While Renako is thoroughly enjoying the night with her friends, unaware of the underlying tensions, something significant transpires between Ajisai and Mai just before the fireworks illuminate the sky.
Mai’s Intentions and Ajisai’s Dilemma
A key development in the episode involves Mai making her romantic intentions towards Renako abundantly clear to Ajisai. This directness from Mai, who expresses her feelings and even seemingly infers Ajisai’s own affections for Renako, marks a shift in their dynamic. Ajisai, portrayed as someone who often sacrifices her own happiness for others, finds herself torn, choosing to step aside to avoid interfering with Renako and Mai’s budding relationship. This decision is heartbreaking for Ajisai, as she struggles with denying her own feelings and faces interruptions when trying to express them.
Renako’s Perspective and Ajisai’s Realization
Throughout the episode, Renako remains somewhat oblivious to the deeper emotional undercurrents, genuinely enjoying her time with friends—a stark contrast to her lonely middle school years. This innocent enjoyment underscores the different emotional states of the characters. Meanwhile, the episode strongly hints at Ajisai’s romantic feelings for Renako, culminating in an internal monologue that confirms her love, stemming from Renako giving her the courage she needed. This realization signifies a crucial point in Ajisai’s character arc, as she begins to embrace being open around others.
Production Details and What’s Next
Episode 11, with its script by Naruhisa Arakawa, was directed by Toshiyuki Yahagi, who also handled the storyboard alongside Natsumi Uchinuma. Hiroaki Matsushima was credited as an episode director, and Tadashi Sakazaki was among the chief animation directors. The anime series, animated by studio MOTHER, is based on the light novel by Teren Mikami with illustrations by Eku Takeshima.
With only one episode remaining in the season, fans are left to anticipate how these complex feelings and shifting relationships will unfold in the finale of “There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless…”.
