Kuroneko to Majo no Kyoushitsu Ep.17 - Aria has to be hiding something...

Episode 17 of Kuroneko to Majo no Kyoshitsu starts the new story arc about the final test to graduate the first year of magic school, but somehow it feels like that'll be a sideshow to the real focus of the chapter, which is the relationship between Spica and Aria.

The final test itself is quite simple: the students are left on a deserted island with multiple gems hidden in various places. In order to graduate, everyone needs to get at least one gem for themselves, and the one with the most points gets to be the new leader of the class. Those with zero gems get to repeat the year.

It was just their imagination, but damn Spica looks just downright amazing in a swimsuit. Can we get a swimsuit episode please?!

This kind of playful action between Aria and Spica is nice to see, I wonder how yuri would Aria become if she dropped the pretenses...

The spice is that fighting between students to steal other gems is allowed, which means people will be forging alliances to survive, and there may be some combat happening. Add on top monsters being set up by the faculty around the island, and you have a recipe for a deathless death game.

This is, however, one of the best tests for Spica because most of her power comes from being able to befriend other students. I can totally see Hana siding with her unconditionally, and other students are more or less favorable toward her. Aria is the real hurdle, but I'm sure she'll find a way to win.

Aria's situation is interesting; because of that small scene with her serious face when asked about dreams, it's clear that they're going to reveal her backstory, but I'm confused about what exactly it could be that makes her act like that. Is it a serious problem (family, etc.) or a personal quirk?

Next week's episode is titled "Adventure on the Deserted Island," which seems to show Pisces Merrow as a major character taking on the role of an ally for Spica. Considering the track record in the last few arcs, it means that Spica and Merrow will be casting Cross Magic merging Virgo and Pisces.

Spica will win and then get Aria home! It's the only inevitable outcome of this final test. To gather yuri girlfriends!

This is the image that shows that something must be hiding behind the playful Aria, but the question is what? Family issues? Or something else altogether?

I don't think we're going to get the conclusion next week, as there wouldn't be enough time to also do a flashback around Aria, so it'll likely end with another cliffhanger. I guess it'll be two more weeks to see more about Aria's secret, as that's the part that I'm really interested in...