Mei Chan no Shitsuji Ep 04 Review

Since the english subs for ep 03 is already out, I will continue review from Ep 4.

Mei Chan no Shitsuji Episode 04 Summary

The drama starts with recap from the wheelchair girl asking Mei to drop out, and Mei deciding against it as her feelings towards Rihito change. As she pondered and recalled his words, Mei found her "reason" to compete. She turned up at the last minute to accept the duel with Izumi san. The challenge for the two was a "treasure hunt" where Izumi's butler Kiba had hidden his most precious treasure in a box and hidden within a confine area of the school compound. Both contestants are given a tracking device to help locate the box when they are near one. However, the challenge includes a series of fake boxes and traps.

Izumi and Mei headed out and we see Mei finding a series of "traps". Kento who was worried for Mei sneaked out to locate Mei, wanting to help her but only to fall into series of traps himelf. Meanwhile Rihito was off by himself to help investigate the root cause of this challenge.

During the challenge, 4 secret attackers attempted to kidnap Mei. Kento arrived on the scene on time to rescue Mei from their grasp. However, despite his best efforts, he was no match for the 4 attackers.

So kento chose to grab Mei and escape instead. When they were finally safe, they came acros Izumi who asked if it was 2 of them searching for the treasure. Kento was more irate and accused Izumi was cheating by sending people to attach Mei. Izumi proclaim she has no idea what Kento was talking about. Unknown to the 3, Rihito had actually sent 2 other people to protect Mei and the twins had sucessfully captured the 4 attackers. The twins said that Rihito was right and they must report this matter back to Mei's grandfather.

Towards the end of the hunt, Izumi located a box with Kiba's bowtie. However, she was annoyed with herself for locating another false box and went on searching, before finally locating the box she believed was the treasure. As the rest of the school waited as the time countdown, the Sole girsl demanded the principle that Mei would be considered the losing party if she does not return on time. As the seconds ticked down to the final 2 seconds, Mei appeared with a box in hand.

Izumi was first to present her treasure find. She presented a butler's book, explaining that it has to be Kiba's treasure as she had never seen him without it. Plus as a butler, for someone liek Kiba who have been working diligently to date, it has to be an irreplaceable treasure.

When it was Mei's turn, she presented the box that Izumi had previously forgo, the rainbow bowtie. The sole girls and rest present were laughing. When Kiba was asked by the principle to indicate which was his treasure, he sadly pointed to the bowtie in mei's hand much to Izumi's surprise. At that point, Rihito appeared and started to explain the meaning of the bowtie to a puzzled Izumi, as to why it was so important treasure. It was the same bowtie that Izumi at 12 had made for Kiba and to him, Izumi sama was an irreplaceble treasure. Whenever Izumi was sad or when Kiba prays for Izumi's well being, he would always wear the tie. Izumi finally understood her butler's feelings.

At that, Izumi's stepmother tried to disregard the whole challenge even though Mei had stated as her challenge reward was for Kiba to stay in the school with Izumi. Rihito swiped off the guy who tried to lay his hands on Mei. The principle stepped in stating that anyone who defies the challenge tradition was defying the school as well. To that, Rihito revealed he knew the exact reason why Izumi's stepmother did what she did, including the person he had discovered.

Privately between Izumi and her stepmother, she confessed she was being blackmailed by the real birth father of Izumi's step brother. The mum said she will leave the household but Izumi said she would not forgive her if she left, because she had witness how her stepmum had stood by her ailing father, and that both of them are her surviving relatives now. Rihito and Mei who were evasedropping were impressed by Izumi's magnamious nature displaying characteristics of being a true heiress.

Between Izumi and Mei, Izumi insisted on fulfilling Mei's one order/wish as a proper reward for the challenge. As such, Mei requested as her prize, is for Izumi to address her by her name "mei" instead of her surname which sounded so informal. Izumi agreed and to Mei's delight, Izumi shocked everyone in the class the next day when she called Mei by her name only.

Mei looked on at Rihito and thought to herself that apart from Izumi addressing her has changed, Mei's own feelings towards Rihito has also changed.

Izumi brought Mei privately to reveal a secret. She told Mei it was Lucia-sama's butler who suggested in kicking Mei out of teh school and hence the duel. As such, it was most likely it was Lucia sama who wants Mei out. At that, the white hair butler appeared and said he was here to tell the truth. He denied that it was Lucia and said it was all his own doing for his mistress Lucia sama.

He then asked Mei to follow him and brought her to the greenhouse where she witness Lucia sama throwing herself at Rihito. Rihito at that time was trying to reject Lucia sama but the white hair butler was telling another story to Mei. He said that a year ago, Rihito was serving Lucia but because she hardly attend class due to her health, not many people was aware who Rihito was serving. He told Mei that it was Mei's existence and appearance that torn the 2 away from each other and that both Rihito and Lucia needed/ depended on each other. As he was serving as a 2nd butler at that time, he knew how the 2 felt. Mei walked away silently without a word.

Inside the greenhouse, Rihito pushed Lucia away and asked to take his leave. Lucia threw tantrum and demanded no, and that she wants him to call her by her name as before. At that, Rihito revealed he knew that Lucia was the instigator and mastermind of what happened to Izumi, stating she had changed, being not the same person he knew from before. An angry Lucia retorted "Who do u think made me changed to this? Moreover, I am not the only person who has changed. Rihito same"

"that's right. I am no longer your butler. The person that I am serving now..." Rihito said but was interrupted..."Now. That 's right. NOW. There will be one thing that will not change. That is you will return to me. FOR CERTAIN." Lucia said and started laughing like a mad crazy woman.
Rihito turned and left the mad woman.

In the forest, the white butler caught up to Mei. He said he understood how Mei must be feeling and perhaps to her it is too cruel, but as Lucia's butler....but Mei interrupted him "Precisely u are Lucia's butler, which is why u are trying to make Rihito return to Lucia. Which is why u made me duel with Izumi right?"

The white guy replied that his mistress happiness is the greatest joy as a butler. The Lucia sama he served needs Rihito and vice versa. As such, he said Mei should allow him to comfort the lonely sad her. The white guy leaned in to try to kiss Mei but was stopped when Mei stamped down her foot on his. She warned him to stop joking and if there is a next time, she would not be so polite about it. At that, she walked off saying "My mind is made up". The whole scene was witness by Kento who chased after her. The white guy smiled evily and said "Do not regret that little girl."

Back in the room, Mei felt abit awkward alone with Rihito. She complimented Rihito's cooking a few times much to his amusement and joy.

Next day in school, to Mei's surprise and Rihito's shock, the class introduced a new classmate. Izumi worriedly informed Mei of the new change. "No way." Mei uttered in complete shock. Lucia sama has decided to join them in class as the new classmate. The principle said to butler "She has finally showed herself." The butler replied. "yes indeed". At the end of episode, Lucia sama smiled sinisterly to Mei : "Please guide me..MEI san." Rihito stared on knowingly of the battle to come.

PS: I forgot to recap this part earlier in the rush.

The twins inform Mei's grandfather that they had confirmed that the 4 attackers were indeed sent by Lucia the wheelchair girl. They expressed concern for Mei's safety but the Grandfather only laughed, stating that it is getting more interesting, and that if Mei cannot even fend for herself, then she would only prove to be ordinary instead of a worthy Hongo sucessor.