Episode 6

**"Summer! The Beach! I Want to Test My Courage!"** (夏だ！海だ！きもだめしたい！, *Natsu da! Umi da! Ki mo dame shitai!*) is the sixth episode of the Uzaki-chan Wants to Hang Out! (anime).

## Summary

Shinichi, Hana, Ami, and Itsuhito are all at the beach together. A presentation by Mr. Asai reveals that the four of them are there due to an event that occurred in his cafe. One week before the beach outing, Hana becomes a part-time worker at the cafe, much to Shinichi's chagrin. Mr. Asai's reason for hiring her was since he figured it'd be fun to have her around. To allow Hana to learn the proper etiquette of working in the cafe, Shinichi teaches Hana the ropes. This leads to Hana growing bored fast of it making Shinichi lose his temper. Later in the day, Hana asks Shinichi what he's going to do over summer vacation and he answers that he's going to be holed up playing video games in his room. Disconcerted by this revelation, Hana suggests they go to the beach or a pool. Just then, Itsuhito enters the scene and wants in on the action.

On the day of the beach outing, we see a scene in the locker room where Ami is mortified over Hana's ample bosom. It's also noted that the reason why Mr. Asami wasn't there was because he threw his back out. A flashback revealing that Itsuhito reassured that he'd take care of the transportation and lodging just so he can keep a close eye on the two. To enjoy the beach experience in his own way, Shinichi swims from a faraway distance. Noted by Ami that Shinichi was merely trying to relish some alone time for himself. Once he reaches the shore, Shinichi is criticized by Ami for wearing goggles and a swim cap. She then tries to coax Shinichi into trying to spend more time with Hana in the guise of protecting her from other beachgoers. Shinichi follows this advice and is pushed over by Hana, as it flustered the poor girl. Itsuhito then arrives with a fresh watermelon and proposes that Shinichi play a game of blindfold watermelon break. Due to the mixed messages given to him by Hana, Shinichi collapses into her and falls on top of her.

Late that afternoon, the group walks to their lodging for the night, and Hana is notably pouty. Arriving at their housing, which turns out to be Itsuhito's family summer home. Soon the group has a cookout and when the topic of what they should do afterward. Hana and Shinichi's suggestion for video games is shot down by Itsuhito who suggests they venture out to the back hills at night. This was for an act to get Hana and Shinichi closer to one another adding the "fear factor" approach. The plan in a sense works, when Hana steals Shinichi's phone from him causing him to chase after her. However, Shinichi becomes so terrified by this experience that it's decided they should all head back to the lodge for that night. Back at the lodge, the only one awake is Hana whom was playing video games. When she approaches the tuckered out Shinichi, she's grabbed by him and he cuddles her. The following morning, as Hana and Shinichi, brush their teeth. Shinichi notes how well he rested that night, while Hana notes that he should purchase a body pillow. Perplexed as to why Hana suggests that, she refuses to answer as to why Shinichi should. Peeping in on the conversation, Itsuhito and Ami note how they must have missed an important moment between the two.

## Characters

* Shinichi Sakurai
* Hana Uzaki
* Ami Asai
* Itsuhito Sakaki
* Mr. Asai

## Trivia

* At the beginning of the episode, Mr. Asai is shown sitting directly under a light as he explains to the viewers about the beach trip, before standing up and shouting "Ready? Go!" while raising his fists in the air. This is a direct reference to the character, Stalker, the narrator from the mecha anime, *Mobile Fighter G Gundam*.
	+ Both Stalker and Mr. Asai are voiced by the same Japanese voice actor, Yōsuke Akimoto.
* It's never revealed what Shinichi said about Hana about her swimsuit; but he may have mentioned something about her attractiveness in general, given how much she's blushing.
* After Ami and Itsuhito spied on Hana and Shinichi as they brushed their teeth, Itsuhito promises that he'll make sure they end up together, before Ami tells him "And I'll bet Kakyoin's soul that you'll fail again". This is in reference to the character Noriaki Kakyoin from the anime and manga series, *JoJo's Bizarre Adventure*. More specifically, her line refers to the episode, "D'Arby the Gambler, Part 2", when Jotaro agrees to wager Kakyoin's soul in a poker match against Daniel J. D'Arby.