Episode 15 - Love Under the Camphor Tree

Love Under the Camphor Tree (クスノキの恋) is the 15th episode of Aikatsu! TV anime series and the 15th episode of its "1st Season". The episode aired on January 21, 2013.

Synopsis
''After scoring a last-minute appointment with Happy Rainbow's top designer, Otome runs into an elderly woman who has gotten lost. ''

Story
One day Otome paces around, trying to determine where she is at the time. She thinks back to what led up to this moment.

In class, Johnny brings up a very special audition; and those who pass it will gain the Mastery of Appearance. Ichigo is really excited, but Aoi points out that in a way this is like a final exam for them.

After class ends, Aoi informs the other three that she managed to get them a private dance lesson while Ran points out how important team work will be this time. They find the dance lesson very difficult and the woman claims that they are not even concentrating on their appearance, suggesting they think about themselves instead of her having to tell them to.

As lunch comes by the girls try to figure out what the instructor may have meant, but Ichigo believes it just has to do with how one looks. She then goes on to say that Aoi has been keeping track of her calorie intake as of late when they notice that Otome has only been eating a lot of sweets. She claims to be okay though, and Aoi brings up that if eaten carefully, chocolate can provide a good use for substance.

Ran decides that a new discussion should be in order, but as they try to think of something they suddenly noticed Otome has ran outside to go and look at the flowers. They run after her and drag her off elsewhere to try to keep her focused. They bring up how she should be trying to get a Premium Rare for the upcoming audition, as she is the only one in their group without one.

As they chat about the brands, Aoi suddenly recalls how much Otome likes Happy Rainbow. She explains how one obtains the Premium Cards before they go to ask Johnny where to locate Happy Rainbow's top designer. He describes the hard to please young man, but he can easily set something up; although the girls are pretty sure he will just go to Orihime again.

Later, after not having heard anything Otome begins to worry that she is holding the group back, but Ran claims that with that type of behavior she won't get very far. If they all can't use Premium Rare coords then none of them will- they will rely on their skills to show everyone that it doesn't matter. With this said, everyone begins to train.

During break, Ichigo receives a text and reads it to the others.

The next day, the four girls proceed to chase their teacher around wondering what happened to getting the appointment. Johnny confesses that he was unable to secure one after all but he felt terrible. He runs off before the girls can react, and Ran decides that they will just not use the premium cards. It's then Orihime walks by and reveals that Otome got a letter from the designer, Makoto. She tells her not to be late since he is strict and Otome prepares to leave.

Later, Otome comes by the road where she got lost the prior day when she spots a cute-looking older woman. She is accidentally rude and the woman scolds her, causing her to apologize and try to leave. But the woman asks her for help, explaining how she used to live in this town a long time ago and is in search of a big camphor tree. She wishes to find it as it is special to her, and while Otome is touched by this story she remembers that she has an appointment to get to. Unable to leave the woman needing help though, she agrees to assist her and they exchange formalities, learning the woman's name is Ikuyo.

Meanwhile the trio are still trying to determine what's going on when Otome sends a tex, saying she needs their help. After getting permission the girls leave campus and quickly locate her- with Ran scolding Otome since they were busy and don't have time to look for a tree. Otome claims this is just as important, asking them to help her look for it. Aoi tries to use the map on her Aikatsu phone, but struggles to locate the right one since there are so many, and without more information to help out, Ikuyo mentions her inability to walk very far since she is older now. Ichigo volunteers to carry her for the time being.

After they visit six shrines, Ikuyo mentions that she did not see the tree and is worried they may have passed it. As the girls take turns carrying her, running back and fourth, she suddenly remembers that it has been over fifty years and can't remember anything else, other than where it may be. Ran believes they should be going since it's already after three, but Otome remains dedicated and they run around the area to speak to the residents in hopes of finding someone who recognizes it.

Suddenly Otome runs into a strange man and knocks him over. He scolds Otome and mentions that he has to hurry up for his appointment and she asks him about the tree. Only to run off after Ichigo announces she has found it; only for them to lament that it has been cut down after being ruined by a bad storm.

Despite that, Ikuyo is very happy to have found it and she tells them the story of what happened. She confesses her feelings for a boy here, but he turned her down. She married soon afterwards, and she has come a long way since. Her children are grown up and her husband is bedridden, and before she knew it she came here in hopes of reclaiming her past memories. She thanks Otome for her help and gives her a special ring on a string that belonged to the boy that turned her down. It may be special to her, but she wants Otome to have it. Her memories are good enough.

She thanks the girls for all their help and she leaves as the trio remind Otome of her appointment. She runs straight to the building, only to react in shock upon realizing the strange man she ran into earlier was Makoto. Right away he accuses her of being after the Tropical Basket Coord he made and tells her that she can't have it since she's five minutes late. On Otome's behalf Aoi tries to explain why she was late but he refuses to listen. Although disappointed, Otome claims that it is fine because it was her own fault for being late, and she doesn't deserve the time and effort he put into making the coord.

Ran brings up the time again and with disappointment, Otome tries to remain positive, happy that she was able to help someone. She brings up the pendant when Makoto sees it and asks about her owning it out of confusion. He brings up having one exactly like it that his father gave him, and he pulls it out of a nearby drawer to find his Fathers pendant still inside. This causes everyone to wonder if Ikuyo was the same girl, and he recalls hearing this story as well. He explains that his dad really liked this girl, but he had to reject her due to Family circumstances. He gave the pendant to her so that she would have something to remember him by, and like Otome, it was a very touching story to Makoto. He feels overjoyed in knowing that not even after fifty years, the woman still remembers it dearly.

Knowing it would be better this way, Otome offers Makoto the other half of the pendant. He is touched by Otome's kindness and decides to give her the Tropical Basket coord as thanks. But she is unable to thank him properly before Ran yanks her away to remind her that they have to hurry up and get back to school before they're too late for the audition.

The four girls quickly run back and make it just in time to change and perform "Trap of Love".

After, the girls notice they got the Mastery Mark. Mizuki has come by to comment on this and mentions how much harder things will be getting now- only to inform Ichigo that she is going to be her partner for a big event that is approaching. Ichigo reacts with shock.

Character Appearances

 * Ichigo Hoshimiya
 * Aoi Kiriya
 * Ran Shibuki
 * Otome Arisugawa
 * Johnny Bepp
 * Orihime Mitsuishi
 * Makoto Nijigahara
 * Ikuyo Inamura
 * Mizuki Kanzaki

Trivia

 * This episode is the official anime debut of the Tropical Basket Coord.
 * Ichigo, Aoi, Ran, and Otome get the Knowledge of Appearance.