WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Teasing Master Takagi-san Season 3, Episode 7 segments "On a Walk" and "Knitting," now streaming on HIDIVE.
One of the signs of a strong relationship is when both members have a firm grasp on what the other enjoys. Generally, a good partner is able to find joy in their counterpart's happiness. Season 3, Episode 7 of Teasing Master Takagi-san may be just another day in the life of Takagi and Nishikata, but the events that fill its opening and closing segments reveal just how well she knows him.
Despite both characters continuing to beat around the bush with their feelings toward the other, Takagi has begun using her latest jokes to spell out her knowledge regarding Nishikata's affections for her.
Nishikata is elated to receive an invitation from Takagi to join her in walking an acquaintance's dog, as he has surprisingly never done so before. Rather than use their time together to tease him, per her usual modus operandi, Takagi is extremely genuine in extending Nishikata an opportunity to enjoy himself. Even when he's afraid he might say something embarrassing due to his excitement, Takagi preempts his hopes in the moment, asking if he'd like to hold the leash himself, or even run ahead with the dog.
Though she does later poke fun at Nishikata by covertly taking an endearing photo of him playing with the dog, what's most apparent in the segment is how glad she is to make him happy. This is not the first time Takagi has proven how well she understands Nishikata's preferences, as previous episodes have shown her constant ability to predict his likes. Seasons 1 and 2 of Takagi-san included examples of this with her insight into his love of shojo manga, to the point where she was able to pick out the perfect birthday present for him based on one of his favorite series.
More recently, Season 3 Episode 2 included a similar instance where Takagi, knowing fascination with prehistoric creatures, selected a book on dinosaurs for Nishikata to read during their shift on library duty. Coincidentally, Episode 7's last vignette shares the same circumstances of the two manning the desk at the library. Per usual, thanks to the lack of patrons, the pair have to find a way to kill time.
Nishikata takes to reading an encyclopedia on dogs, but soon notices Takagi is using the idle moments to knit something. While their interaction begins endearingly with Takagi showing Nishikata the basics of knitting, the mood sours somewhat when Takagi reveals she is making a present "for a 15 year old boy." This causes a bout of anxiety and jealousy in Nishikata, who fears she may have eyes for another person.
Of course, Takagi soon reveals that the "boy" in question is actually a "good boy" by showing Nishikata a picture of her neighbor's 15-year-old dog. At this moment it becomes clear that Takagi is sending a message to Nishikata that she knows about every last thing he likes -- up to and including the fact that he likes her. Even though this much is obvious to everyone around them, it may be the first time Takagi actively uses Nishikata's crush to elicit this sort of reaction from him.
On the one hand, Takagi's tactics here could almost be seen as manipulative, as she strings Nishikata along for quite a while before clearing up his anxiety. That said, it is possible that she's starting to grow impatient with his prolonged reluctance to confess his feelings or ask her out. Luckily her clarification within the same segment conveys that she does not intend to gaslight him in any way.
Still, audiences may relate to Takagi's desire for Nishikata to take initiative. Hopefully this will serve as an opportunity for him to reflect on his own emotions and decide what he wants their relationship to be as Teasing Master Takagi-san continues.
