If It’s With You (Japanese BL) – Episode 4 Recap & Review

Episode 4

Episode 4 of If It’s With You begins with Ryuuji and his mother working at their restaurant. He is cleaning the tables but gets lost in thoughts. He arrives at the Enoshima station to go to school, but Amane’s confession from the previous night is still fresh on his mind. He wonders since when did Amane develop romantic feelings for Ryuuji.

He spots Amane at the station. There is a certain awkwardness emanating from Ryuuji. Amane talks as usual, but Ryuuji finds it difficult to string two words together. Amane continues by saying that he is looking forward to the summer vacation. He is going to ask Tamakawa and hang out with him at the festivals.

As the train arrives, Ryuuji abruptly asks Amane to follow him. Ryuuji leads Amane to a shrine. Amane asks if Ryuuji has skipped classes before, Ryuuji says he hasn’t. Amane asks if they miss the semester ending ceremony, but Ryuuji just says that he wants to talk to Amane.

Ryuuji says that he was nervous yesterday since he has never received confessions from friends. Amane apologises but Ryuuji says there is no need for any apology. Ryuuji says that he is just confused about the matter. He asks Amane what he wants to do. He asks Amane what he wants Ryuuji to do, what he wants the result of the confession to be. Ryuuji says that he can decide how to act towards Amane after knowing everything.

Amane says that initially he had only physical attraction towards Ryuuji, but the more he got to know Ryuuji, the more he started to like Ryuuji as a person. Amane adds that the feelings only grew hence he confessed to Ryuuji. He says that despite his confession, he is fine if Ryuuji does not reciprocate his feelings. However, he changes his answer and says that in reality, he wants to date Ryuuji. Amane cannot be just friends with Ryuuji.

Ryuuji listens calmly and replies honestly that he did not think about dating Amane, having a relationship or anything remotely in that sense. But he says that he finds it nice to be liked by Amane. He says that things won’t go the way they were before and wants Amane to continue his one-sided love for a while. Amane says that he had already given up but Ryuuji’s reply makes him hopeful; he finds it easy to fall in love with Ryuuji.

Amane and Ryuuji are reprimanded at the teacher’s office for being late and missing the end ceremony. Amane says that the scolding was better than attending an extra class. Ryuuji sees a festival poster and asks Amane what his plans for August 22nd are. Amane says he has none. Ryuuji invites Amane to go to the fireworks festival together. Amane readily agrees. 

Amane is elated and counting the days until the festival and goes shopping. Amane is hanging out with a few friends at a karaoke room but he is in low spirits because of Ryuuji’s absence. Tamakawa says that Ryuuji must be keeping busy at the restaurant owing to the high demand.

Amane is sitting at a beach and he looks at his and Ryuuji’s last chat from 20th July. He wonders if he should text Ryuuji. He receives a notification and is happy for a second thinking it is from Ryuuji. However, the text is from Amane’s ex. Amane says he has found the one and does not follow his old ways. 

Amane is at home, lazing around and thinking that he and Ryuuji did not meet even once during the summer break. He takes the matter in his hands and visits Ryuuji’s restaurant. He gets nostalgic about his first meeting with Ryuuji. As he reaches the restaurant, he sees that Ryuuji is very busy. He heads back home without talking to Ryuuji so as to not disturb him between work.

It is nighttime and Amane is doing some homework. He gives in after and texts Ryuuji to meet him at the entrance at 4pm on 22nd August for the festival.

It is the 22nd now and Amane wakes up with excitement. He dresses up and sits down for some tea with his grandmother before heading out. The clock reads 2PM and Amane is nervous that he might be late. He gulps the tea and heads out.

He buys a small key chain from a vending machine, and reaches the festival and is quite nervous and excited to meet Ryuuji, who is running a little late.

The Episode Review

In episode 4 of If It’s With You, was quite mature of Ryuuji to be honest about his feelings and his reaction towards Amane’s confession. Despite being confused himself, he gave a short and sweet answer without keeping Amane in the dark.

The two started as friends and that is what made them trust each other with their honest feelings. Amane getting nervous and excited for his date with Ryuuji is all kinds of sweet and innocent things wrapped into one. The finale is going to be quite a treat!