The summer of 2007 is over and so has the airing of the final episode of “First Kiss”. Those who have seen it has seen the Mio’s (played by Inoue Mao) transformation from being a spoiled brat to one who learns to cherish the blessings surrounding her. She made the best decision to go back to Japan from LA to see her brother Kazu. It’s during this summer that she experiences the various kinds of love that later gave her courage to face a risky heart operation. Her silly brother’s over protectiveness, the new romance with Yuki, and even crazy friends like Ichiryu and Masaru, had brought more meaning to Mio life.

Although they seemed an unlikely pair of siblings, Inoue Mao and Ito Hideaki turned out to have enough blend of on screen chemistry to pull it off. Hiraoka Yuta’s acting was a bit stale, although he’s kinda cute. He lacked the passion that’s required of playing Yuki’s character. Yuki grew out of being subservient to standing behind what he believes is right.

The angle of which this story focused on turned out more interesting than I expected. It highlighted the differences in personalities between the siblings who are both fighting to win their personal battles, rather than the usual focus on romantic love that’s common in Asian dramas. In “First Kiss”, romantic love served as an inspiration to the main characters but does not sidetrack that it’s ultimately one’s own hard work and determination in life that makes wins in the end.

Dr. Yuki kissed Mio under the beautiful moonlight in front of the bridge. Their relationship develops as trouble looms. Dr. Yuki missed several emergency calls and was reprimanded later by his superior. Dr. Renka convinces Kazuki that it’s best to discourage Yuki and Mio from dating further. It may seriously jeopardize his career and be forced to leave.

Meanwhile, Mio has been busy planning for her next date. She even consulted Kazuki’s dim wit girlfriend for advice. Kazuki asks Yuki to breakup with Mio but Yuki stood up for his feelings.

Kazuki is depressed and guilty knowing he has to tell Mio about breaking up when he’s the one who encouraged her to find love. He came up with an excuse to take her photos so that he can speak with her in private. “For the sake of you both, you shouldn’t see Yuki anymore” Tears well in her eyes slowly as the hurtful words came out, and anger soon took over.

“You are strange. What you are saying now is different from before. Didn’t you tell me that even if it ends, love is an amazing thing?! … I wanted to love him wholeheartedly!”

In anger and frustration, Mio asked him to take final pictures of her as it would be the last time she’d model for him.

The next day, Mio tells Yuki she’s breaking up with him and leaving for LA. Mio bids good bye to Dr. Renka. She fights back tears as she thanks Renka for taking care of her all this time.

Banba accidentally finds Kazuki’s photos of Mio that were thrown in the garbage. Kazuki’s photos captured “First Love” beautifully. Previously Banba had thought that Kazuki had not tried at all for the opportunity to go with him to Paris for a special project.

Everyone at the house was tearful, including Mio, as she announce leaving for LA the following Monday. Kazuki’s voice narrates “I’ve hurted my sister. What am I doing?”

Yuki announces he is not quitting the hospital, at the same time, he is not breaking up with Mio. This announcement brought shock to his superior.

View this episode here.

Mio gets ready to head off on her first date with Yuki. Ichiryu and Masako helps her style her hair and outfit. Her printed sleeveless blouse matched her dark colored a-line skirt. Kazuki looks admiringly at his sister and repeatedly warned her act sweet, otherwise, she might run the risk of scaring away her date.

An emergency operation is needed for young patient at the hospital. Inside, Yuki grew anxious as he knew he’d be very late on his first date with Mio without even a moment to call her. Mio sat at a cafe and waited patiently for Yuki until the she was informed hours later that the place is closing for the day.

Dr. Renka noticed how Yuki is not fully concentrating in the operation, several time she caught him spacing out and sternly got reprimanded by her own boss for poor supervision. Yuki immediately phoned Mio. She answered nonchalantly and pretended uninterested in seeing him anytime soon. Feeling disappointed and clueless, Yuki decided it’s better to give each other some time.

The next morning, Mio went back to the same cafe and called Yuki. She confesses that she still wants to see him. She was surprised when Yuki was already standing outside, and said she beat him to the phone call. The two later went to a nice restaurant. Yuki finally gets Mio to talk from the heart. She confesses that she talks mean most of the time because she doesn’t know what to say. It’s her first date. “Just be yourself”, Yuki smiled encouragingly.

Kazuki just learned about an opportunity of going to Paris as Banba’s personal assistant. He’s both excited and sad about the news. But Mio’s operation is just around the corner and he doesn’t want to be away from her at such a crucial time, yet, this is a once in a lifetime career opportunity. As he ponders on what he should do, a phone call from Dr. Renka distracts him from his own worries.

Dr. Renka had previously tried to convince him to discourage Yuki and Mio’s budding romance. She confessed that she had a relationship with a terminally ill patient herself. In the end, he committed suicide and she left Japan to heal wounds and avoid criticisms from people. Kazuki’s next comment surprised Dr. Renka. “I don’t think you were wrong at all. In the end, I am sure he was glad you met. It wasn’t only pain that you remembered, right?”. Dr. Renka was clearly moved by his comment. They were interrupted by an emergency call.

Yuki is outside with Mio appreciating the nice scenes. He didn’t hear the phone ringing. It was a call from the hospital.