The latest episode of Honey Lemon Soda, entitled “Feelings Burst Forth,”premiered on March 19, 2025, and significantly advanced the relationship between Ishimori and Kai. It opens with Ishimori reflecting on her feelings for Kai, displaying her hesitance to elevate their bond to the next level.
A pivotal moment in this episode is when Marin drags Ishimori to a mixer party. This experience enables Ishimori to confront the depth of her feelings for Kai. Despite Kai’s initial role as protective, it is Ishimori who ultimately finds the strength to save Kai and take the first leap into a romantic connection.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for Honey Lemon Soda episode 11.
Key Moments from Episode 11
The episode kicks off with Marin confessing her feelings to Kai while Ishimori and her friends watch from a distance. While Ishimori and her friends initially doubt Marin’s intentions, Kai swiftly turns down her confession, leaving Marin disheartened. Following this, Kai finds himself near Ishimori, who is caught up in a sea of mixed emotions regarding their relationship.
As Ishimori attends class, her classmates speculate about her romantic interests, eventually prompting Ishimori to falsely claim her preference for boys who have subdued fashion and black hair. Overwhelmed by the pressure and Kai’s presence, she feels compelled to conform to what is expected.
Marin, recognizing the tension, drags Ishimori to a mixer party held at Kai’s workplace. Here, Ishimori is labeled a “stalker” by Kai’s coworkers, a title that Kai quickly dismisses, illustrating the ambiguity of their relationship. As the mixer unfolds, Marin makes attempts to set Ishimori up with another attendee, but Ishimori’s patience runs thin. Under pressure, she claims to prefer “blondes with flashy fashion”during a moment of frustration.
Just as things seem to spiral, Kai appears and suggests that Ishimori join him in leaving, given that he has finished his shift. Their discussion about the nature of their relationship leaves them both questioning where they stand.
As the storyline progresses, a sports festival is announced, sparking excitement and speculation among Ishimori’s peers regarding her athletic capabilities. To everyone’s surprise, Ishimori proves her mettle by completing a 60-meter dash in under eight seconds, securing her spot in the upcoming relay race.
In a clever twist, Marin enlists Ishimori to illustrate the sports jerseys for her classmates, to which she readily agrees. As the artist works, Kai advises Ishimori to stand her ground against peer pressure, emphasizing her need for self-advocacy.
The illustrations turn out to be a hit, with Marin feeling a mix of embarrassment and pride over her own jersey, while Ishimori’s jersey remains untouched. During the festival, Ishimori notices a group of troublemakers leading Kai away, prompting her to spring into action. She ultimately discovers Kai bound with duct tape in a storeroom, reversing their earlier dynamic and casting Ishimori in the role of the savior.
The looming crisis reveals their true feelings, culminating in Ishimori and Kai winning the relay race together. Post-race, Ishimori’s friends encourage her to express her feelings to Kai, which overwhelms her to the point of fainting. The episode concludes with Ishimori awakening in the infirmary, where a tender moment shared with Kai confirms their romantic relationship.
Conclusion
In episode 11 of Honey Lemon Soda, the transition from friendship to romance between Kai and Ishimori becomes evident. While prior episodes hinted at Kai’s complex background, this installment suggests that his desire to help Ishimori might have led him to make more adversaries than previously thought.