Sports montage time as we see Akari win a footrace and Kris taking that opprutunity to well, provide us with another...
Akari is looking at a chart and smiling because it lists their wins. Kris brings her some of Gyubei's milk and they drink. They have to win the last game to enter the competition and Anna arrives to tell them their opponents...
Tanya is catching pop flies that Marshall hits. Tanya celebrates with her triple sommersault. Marshall points out there were FOUR flips but Tanya says number four was a bonus. Mashall commends Tanya's energy and I don't think that counts as subtext. Marshall takes picture of Tanya dances. Another brown haired girl arrives and is called "Vanessa, who is our alternate team member taking the place of Jessie who resigned" the girl would prefer to be called Vanessa, but Marshall is loving being more important than someone. "Vanessa, who is our alternate team member taking the place of Jessie who resigned" says that their final opponents have been announced. In case you're too dum to figure this out here's a screenshot.
The Three plan over a meal. Anna asks for data on Tanya but Akari wants to win by besting Tanya's strength and not her weaknesses. Akari leaves a pleading Anna with Kris. Eric and Miracle were hiding in the wall outside. Miracle calls her stupid. Eric says she's just a good friend. Miracle says the chocolate is too sweet. They hide again when Gyubei passes by.
Akari sits alone staring at earth. If she wins she can keep her promise to Itchan. But that would mean Tanya doesn't get to be in the Great Competition.
Tanya flashes back to losing to Akari at the Antarctica school while running like mad on the track. Tanya swears she'll win this time.
It's the next day and the final competitions. Miracle and Eric watch from a control room. The Headmater watches from the stands and Mylandah is brought out next to him. The Three are seen getting ready. Kris puts the moves on Akari AGAIN for another LESBIAN SUBTEXT ALERT! but Akari is too distracted to reject her and that worries Kris. Marshall announces that "Vanessa, who is our alternate team member taking the place of Jessie who resigned" will be goalkeeper. "Vanessa, who is their alternate team member taking the place of Jessie who resigned" complains but no one listens. Marshall want a plan. Tanya's plan is to go on the offensive like crazy. The game (soccer) starts and Tanya out maneuvers Kris and get past a sluggish Akari.
At halftime Kris tells Akari to separate her emotions from the game. Marshall complimetns Tanya, who shakes it off. Tanya is still unhappy that Akari is blowing it today.
In the room Eric wonders what Miracle's gonna do. Maracles answer:Nothing. Miracle says she has to win to deserve the miracle but he deosn't specift who "she is". Eric calls Miracle a fiend for miracles.
Second half starts with Tanya still dominating. Tanya is bored to the point of busting out
Tanya screams in shock. The Three celebrate. Marshall's so upset she breaks into a chinese accent all but confirming it's Lin Phae. Tanya tells Akari the game was fun and says she'll pray to Woong-A-Ji that Akari becomes Cosmo Beauty. Eric is happy but Miracle says "she's too dense." Eric says at least the miracle happened. Miracle reveals this to be ANOTHER prelude to the REAL miracle. Tanya takes defeat in stride,
The Headmaster asks Mylandah what she thougt of the balance of friendship and competition. Mylandah says it was a boring match. Mylandah tries to leave but Lahrri Feldnut is up in the next match. Mylandah goes nuts, breaks her chains, and wipes out one of Lahrri's three opponents. Anna sees someone else (who looks a hell of a lot like Anna) instead of the girl that's down. Mylandah rushes Lahrri but a cage is sprung around her.
Time it took to write this:72 minutes
Cryptic Miracle Quote
"Bittersweet."
Lezbenocity/Flame Factor
Kris is ALL over Akari here. Mylandah doesn't seem very "man friendly" and I doubt she could be that pissed without SOME romantic issues.
Additonal thoughts
It looks like Lahrri is going to play both Jessie AND Ayla's roles. Akari is slowly maturing very naturally. Miracle shows some very villainous tendcies and that was funt to watch.
Final Verdict
Seven Headbutts out of Ten.
Last episode was Jessie's goodbye and this was Tanya's. While I liked seeing Tanya exhibit humanity what with crying (her single genuine tear said VOLUMES) it sucks that she didn't get an origin episode like Jessie and Ayla.