Kamiina Botan, Yoeru Sugata wa Yuri no Hana Ep.11 - So what is the endgame here?

Episode 11 of Kamiina Botan: Yoeru Sugata wa Yuri no Hana continues with another episode of what can be summarized as a whole heap of nothing. It's incredible how the events pile up, but they all feel so inconsequential that, by the end, you wonder if anything has really changed.

I know, I know; it's a slice-of-life series, and yet it doesn't seem to entertain me like other series in the same genre do. The episode starts strong with the first "date" between Kanade and Chin-lan. Kanade arrives late at the restaurant due to heavy rain, but things work out pretty smoothly.

Botan looks great here, this episode art was one of the best. Less experimental, more traditional

I'm not sure exactly what kind of shop is this one where Akane and Botan went. Am I the one out of touch?

It's pretty clear that the two are going out, or are about to, and while I'm happy that's a thing, I'm surprised at how quickly Kanade switched from being "Ibuki or bust" to "A Chin-lan is fine, too". Especially considering the scene where she left Chin-lan to go to Ibuki just last week, it's a bit jarring to see.

Then the series moves to Botan, and as usual, that's when things start to break down. They show a date with Ibuki, and everything seems to go nicely until Botan starts to have her usual doubts again and things move toward her rethinking their relationship. It doesn't really give information about WHAT are the doubts she's having though. 

This leads into the "date" with Akane at a shisha cafe. I'll be honest: I was completely confused as to what kind of establishment that was, and I had to search online to try and understand what it was all about. Apparently it's a social establishment where patrons gather to smoke through a communal water pipe. I don't smoke or drink so maybe that's why I don't know about it.

There, the words of Akane seem to give Botan the courage to do something, but the series leaves it open without actually explaining what she is thinking. Much like the "crying in the bathroom" scene from a few episodes back, it is, as usual, trying too hard to be "poetic", I'm afraid.

Chin-lan had quite a patience to wait 20 minutes in the restaurant without feeling awkward.

Kanade, your switch from Ibuki to Chin-lan was quick. I'm not complaining be aware, just pointing out.

Next week is the final episode, and I'm curious to see how they plan on concluding the adaptation. I doubt they can change my overall opinion of it, but I still want to see what their endgame is for Ibuki and Botan, and the state in which they'll leave the girls of the Chichibu Hostel.