Behind the Feelings that Grew at ‘Minato’s Laundromat’ Episodes 5-8

BL Recaps Japan

2023-07-27
11:04

Facing a hurdle after Minato’s past love returns, Shin and Minato’s developing relationship will be put to the test.

Will Minato finally get to confront his feelings, giving a chance to Shin who has been actively pursuing him? Or will the return of Sakuma complicate things?

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD. Read at your own risk!

Episode 5: The Toughest Sheets Can Be Taken Care Of

Shin is surprised to find that Sakuma, the teacher, is quite goofy during his introduction to the class. Meanwhile, Minato decides to close the laundromat and go on a trip to heal his heart. When he last encountered Sakuma, he used the excuse of feeling unwell to avoid him. Shin has been texting Minato, but Minato is now questioning his feelings for Sakuma. At school, Shin confronts Sakuma about his thoughts on Minato, but Asuka interrupts and drags Shin away without knowing the situation. Later, Asuka visits Minato’s laundromat to ask about his preferences for younger men, and Shin arrives, feeling jealous and curious. Minato explains that Asuka was seeking love advice, but Shin remains upset as Minato had not been responding to his messages but instantly brightens when Minato promises to get a watermelon shake together. Shin confesses to Minato again, and despite his initial reluctance, Minato decides to visit Sakuma’s store. He meets Sakuma’s nephew, Shuu, instead who gives him Sakuma’s address. Minato feels unsure about what to say when he meets Sakuma.

Shin cooks too much mackerel and gives some to Minato as a thank-you for the souvenir shirt and they decide to eat together at the garage. Shin asks Minato where he went, and in a panicked state, Minato accidentally drops the glass of water. As he reaches for a cloth from his pocket, the paper with Sakuma’s address falls out. Shin encourages Minato to meet Sakuma, but their conversation takes an unexpected turn as Minato fails to confess his feelings and Sakuma misinterprets their discussion as being about the swimming club, just like the first time they met back in school. Shin scolds Minato for his indecisiveness since he accepted being a coach at the swimming club, but their conversation is interrupted when Minato’s freshly washed sheets are done. Minato suggests that Shin smell the sheets, but he trips and falls on top of him. Shin quickly turns the tables and ends up on top of Minato and starts feeling the bed sheet covering him. With Minato’s heart pounding, he sits up with a scream, startled by the situation. At night, Asuka can be seen at the Sakuma store greeting Shuu who has just come back to Japan. The next day, a girl approaches Shin to talk to him and at Minato’s laundromat, Saki shows up.

Episode 6: Clothes Can Be Cleaned, Regardless of Storage Duration

Minato’s former colleague, Saki, pays a visit to the laundromat and asks about his recovery since they previously dated to avoid being alone. It turns out that Saki wanted to have a vacation, and since Minato’s place is close by, she decided to visit him. With the laundry taking some time, Saki asks Minato to show her around his hometown. Meanwhile, Asuka recalls his reunion with Shuu, who shares pictures from his time in Europe. Shuu questions why Asuka came, and Asuka admits that he simply felt like seeing him. Asuka then witnesses Shin with a classmate who questions Shin’s attraction to guys, he responds that he has never really thought about it despite having feelings for a guy. The girl quickly leaves the scene once Asuka approaches and turns out to be a fujoshi. As they go around town, Saki notices how well-liked Minato is by the townsfolk and questions if this was the reason for their breakup. She urges Minato to tell her the truth, but their conversation is interrupted by Shin, who accuses Saki of being a stalker. Minato reveals that Saki is his ex-girlfriend, which surprises Shin. He boldly asks Saki how she made Minato fall for her, seeking insights for his pursuit. Minato clarifies that he no longer has feelings for her, but Shin then questions Minato’s feelings for Sakuma, to which Minato is unable to respond. Realizing his inappropriate behavior, Shin apologizes and leaves.

Shin picks up his sister, Sakurako, who admires her teacher Shuu and expresses her desire to see him again. This conversation makes Shin realize his longing to see Minato, so he goes to the laundromat after Saki leaves. He asks Minato to cheer him up and though initially hesitant, Minato gives him a magic charm by pressing his forehead against him. Shin leaves with a brighter expression, which prompts Minato to stop running away. He chases after Saki, apologizes to her, and reveals that he is gay. Saki expresses her wishes for Minato to find true happiness just as she hopes to find it for herself. The next day, Shin’s younger brother, Yu, visits the laundromat with Sakurako who invites Minato to Shin’s birthday party. Minato feels a sense of familiarity with Yu, and Sakurako explains that it’s likely because Yu looks like a younger version of Shin. For career guidance, Shin is torn between studying in Tokyo or staying in his hometown because the person he has loved since childhood is there. Minato realizes he may have met Shin ten years ago.

Watch ‘Minato’s Laundromat’ on GagaOOLala.

Episode 7: First Love

Shin visits the laundromat and witnesses Minato jokingly attempting to remove the clothes of the swimming club members, leaving him in disbelief. Later, Shin studies English while Minato rediscovers his passion for swimming and expresses his desire to inspire the students. Shin playfully suggests joining the club, but Minato advises him to focus on becoming a doctor. Concerned about Minato’s interactions with naked guys, Minato assures him that he has no inappropriate thoughts about high school students’ bodies. Minato then asks Shin about the meaning of “ten years,” and Shin playfully responds that he’ll reveal it if Minato kisses him. Minato ends up thinking about it until he gets home, he then receives a text from Sakurako reminding him of Shin’s upcoming birthday party, so he goes out to buy a gift for him the next day. He chooses a doll and encounters Sakuma, who offers to buy Minato a watermelon shake. Meanwhile, Shin arrives at the laundromat and becomes upset upon seeing Minato with Sakuma earlier, as Minato had promised to get the shake with him. Minato accuses Shin of acting childish, and Shin is hurt because that’s how Minato has always seen him, just as a kid. Shin then leaves the laundromat.

Minato encounters Asuka on his way to Shin’s birthday party and convinces him to come along. Sakurako notices the tension between the two and uses the excuse of forgetting the cake to create an opportunity for them to talk. However, things take a turn for the worse as Minato accidentally spills juice on Shin so he has no choice but to take a shower. Asuka and Sakurako spend time together at the playground, where Sakurako reveals the person she likes, who turns out to be Shuu. Meanwhile, back at the house, Minato anxiously waits for Shin. When Shin comes out of the shower shirtless, Minato is flustered but Shin assumes he doesn’t mind since he said a naked high schooler doesn’t affect him. Shin apologizes for his anger yesterday and emphasizes the importance of their promise to him. Minato apologizes as well and gives Shin his gift. Grateful, Shin invites Minato to his room to show him something. He shows Minato a photo of himself from ten years ago, sparking Minato’s memory of rescuing him from drowning. Shin then confesses that Minato was his first love and asks him to see him as a man, requesting to become his boyfriend.

Episode 8: The Only Person I’ll Love In My Life

Minato contemplates Shin’s confession at the laundromat and decides to address past issues with Sakuma during the summer break course. On the other hand, Asuka is worried about Shuu’s response to his texts. Shin offers to help with advice, but Asuka dismisses it, jokingly referring to him as a “virgin boy.” Sakurako visits the laundromat with snacks but meets Shuu there, who explains that his washing machine broke. Since Minato isn’t present, she offers the snacks to Shuu instead. While cleaning the school swimming pool, Minato finds Sakuma’s dropped towel and decides to return it to him. He overhears Shin and Sakuma discussing Shin’s grades, and Sakuma advises him to confront his feelings directly with the person he likes. After the conversation, Minato returns the towel to Sakuma and receives a call from Shin, who is heading to the laundromat which prompts Minato to rush back. At the laundromat, he is surprised to hear that Shin woke up at 4 am to cook for him. Concerned about Shin’s studies, Minato confesses overhearing his conversation with Sakuma. Shin reassures him that it’s not Minato’s fault and explains that his feelings for him are just too strong that he can’t hold them in. He promises to focus on studying to ease Minato’s worries.

Minato thinks about how Shin faces things head-on so at the beach, Minato musters the courage to talk to him, with the watermelon shake he promised to drink with him. He confesses that he had genuine feelings for Sakuma and was afraid of rejection. Shin reassures him that he’ll wait for Minato and just wants to be with him. However, Minato clarifies that he can’t date Shin not because he’s a high schooler but as long as he’s not clear about how he feels, he can’t be by his side. Shin jokes about a final kiss, but then sincerely tells Minato that the time they spent together in the summer will be a precious memory. He touches Minato’s cheek and asks him never to forget that he is the only one Shin will ever love in his life, before leaving.

Despite Shin’s heartfelt confession and revelation that he has loved Minato for the past ten years, Minato still grapples with unresolved feelings. He has decided to face his feelings head-on but will he and Shin never really get to have their happy ending?

Watch ‘Minato’s Laundromat’ on GagaOOLala.

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