In episode 5 of My Love Story With Yamada-kun at Lv999, we see Akane making progress in her personal growth by focusing on building friendships, particularly with Runa. Although Runa initially schemes against Akane and tries to sabotage her relationship with Yamada and the guild, the two eventually find common ground in their mutual appreciation for their guildmates.

Runa’s misguided plan to set Akane up on a disastrous date with an obsessed fan reveals her immaturity and lack of understanding of the potential dangers involved. However, when Runa sees Akane suffer physical harm because of her actions, she learns her lesson and realizes the importance of nurturing genuine relationships instead of resorting to manipulation and jealousy.

As Runa’s motives become clearer, it seems her attachment to the guild has more to do with her need for attention and care than her crush on Yamada. This clarification allows for a more nuanced understanding of Runa’s character and avoids the clichéd love triangle scenario between her, Akane, and Yamada.

The guild members’ reactions to the botched date highlight their positive traits and their caring nature, making it clear why both Akane and Runa value their friendship. This episode also showcases the series’ skilled direction, which effectively captures the tension and fear in the date scene and conveys the characters’ emotions through visual storytelling.

Ultimately, this episode takes a different approach from previous ones, focusing on the importance of friendship and personal growth rather than the comedic mishaps of Akane’s romantic pursuits. As Akane herself begins to recognize the value of friendship over romance, this episode serves as a turning point in her character development, offering hope for a more mature and confident protagonist.