Toradora! – Have an unmerry Christmas.

The conclusion of the X-mas arc turned out to be a…not so happy one.

Before the Christmas party gets on the way, Ryuuji and Taiga prep up by wearing their finest and fanciest clothes. Well, in Ryuuji’s case, he’s got an old suit that Taiga’s father wore a long time ago.

..and which still has his nametag.

After the preparations and with a few encouraging words from depressed single teacher Yuri, Kitamura announces the start of the party in one of the most bizarre Santa outfits ever.

No commento.

A few retarded comments from village idiot Haruno, then commences a surprise singing duet, featuring Taiga and Ami.

At least they're wearing better clothes.

After the song is complete, Taiga rushes over to Minori’s place to tell her that Ryuuji wants her to come to the party – that also prompts Ryuuji to leave the party when he knows of this because he thinks that something isn’t ‘right’. No reactions from Minori yet, but Taiga doesn’t seem to be interested in getting back to the party, so she sulks back into her apartment, thinking at how she’s alone and how Santa isn’t real.

Until she hears someone or something knocking at the window; whom turns out to be none other than…

Pedobear!...in a Santa suit.

After Taiga’s joy with meeting Pedo..err, Santa, she takes off the costume’s head while knowing that it was Ryuuji who did all of this for her. Despite losing the suit to get the Santa one, Taiga encourages Ryuuji to go back to the party to meet up Minori.

After he leaves, she looks back at the scarf left behind Ryuuji’s Santa outfit and suddenly has a flashback of her times with him, as tears roll from her cheek.

Looks like she finally recognized that she really likes him. About time.

After trying to go after Ryuuji (who’s already left), she continues to break down further, as a certain somebody else sees her actions.

Oh snap.

Minori then meets up with Ryuuji on the way, telling him that she’s giving up on looking for UFOs and ghosts and not wanting to see them anymore – an indirect way of telling Ryuuji that…well, he got dumped.

Pretty good episode all ’round. Despite the bizarre fashion sense in a few of the characters, we slowly get to see both main characters finally acknowledging that hey, you’re both in love with each other. Makes me feel sorry for the other main 3 (Kitamura, Ami, Minori) and how they’ll be able to deal with this further as the relationship slowly becomes official.