S02E03
Finesse of Love! The Sea Which is the Nearest to Heaven
October 19, 200824m
Taizou and Dr. Sakaki's endeavors to pacify Minamoto and dissuade him away from following through on his resignation announcement from the previous episode quickly take a back seat when Kaoru, Shiho, and Aoi's extreme anguish and anxiety at losing their leader prompts the girls to combine their energies into a frenzied and effulgent psychic tempest. After successfully pacifying the girls before they completely destroy B.A.B.E.L. Headquarters with such ease that it could be argued that the tempest was by her design, Fujiko resolves to make Minamoto recant the resignation declaration as she spirits him away into a brief history lesson and personal anecdote. While Fujiko illuminates her awareness of Ikyuugo's final prediction for Minamoto through her admonition to guard against being such a workaholic and to spend quality time with his esper charges, Kaoru and her teammates are not thrilled about Taizou and Oboro paying them a visit. Fortunately, Taizou sees the light as he explains that Fujiko is training Minamoto to increase his power. As Oboro mirrors the girls' confusion regarding Taizou's inadequate explanation, Fujiko is directing the hypnotic nurse Hanae Suetsu to take good care of Minamoto. Minamoto's disgust and Hanae's anguish give way to Fujiko again warning Minamoto that he will see his esper charges as adults unless he makes some drastic changes. Fujiko is realizing some meager success from her plan as Hanae successfully emulates both Shiho and Aoi as adults; aside from Fujiko rushing things a little, not a whole lot could go wrong . . . except the real Aoi who is not at all flattered by the emulation and Kaoru who sees Fujiko as her vendetta. After driving home his passionate displeasure of Fujiko and Hanae's conduct of him as a plaything, Minamoto apologizes about the resignation threat and realizes that the avenue to save his esper charges' future and keep them away from P.A.N.D.R.A. is to make lots and lots of euphoric memories with them in the present.