What is it about different nationalities' flags that make an event seem more festive?

Lamenting her misplaced love in Naoki, Kotoko falls asleep crying and clutching her love letter. Naoki comes in to tell her that the shower is free. Seeing the letter, he sits down to read it.

The next day is the school's sports festival, where each class competes against the other. Class F is very pumped up for this occasion, and they usually win. Class A could care less. The first event is the boy's 100 meter dash, which Kinnosuke wins, with Naoki coming in second. Kotoko is a little disappointed to see him lose.
Next is Kotoko's event, where she gets a slip of paper telling her what kind of person to get as her racing partner. Just her luck, she needs to find 'The person you love'. A fumbling Kotoko tries to ask Naoki, but he stares at her so vehemently that she ends up asking his dad again. Consequently, she gets last place.

Later, as Kotoko (attempts) to congratulate Naoki for being second, his superiority complex kicks in and he says that he could win if he wanted to. This infuriates Kotoko so much (It'd infuriate me, too.) that she fanatically cheers for her classmates in the other events.

Last even is the baton face. Class F has a huge lead, but as Kotoko spots Naoki as she is about to hand the baton to Kinnosuke. Kotokovision kicks in, and she runs blindly at Naoki, but crashes into Kinnosuke. Kinnosuke manages to get up and running, but the time lost allows for a smaller gap and Naoki proves that he really is Mr. Perfect (except attitude-wise) by beating Kinnosuke from behind.

x_xx

The crowd pushes Kotoko from behind and knocks her onto the track, causing Naoki to trip and fall on her after he crosses the finish line. He piggybacks her to the nurses office, despite Kinnosuke's objections.
That night, Naoki's mom is again teasing Kotoko and Naoki about being lovers, and both say that the other is not their type. Kotoko's response, however, strikes some mischief into Naoki. (He wouldn't!) Using his gifted memory, Naoki recites the entire contents of Kotoko's love letter to everyone present, earning him a hearty slap from Naoki. (Thank youu!)

Kinnosuke barges in, causing even more commotion. He says that Naoki hates Kotoko, so a relationship between the two is impossible. Probably to spite Kinnosuke, Naoki says that a hate one day may be a love tomorrow. Unsurprisingly, Kotoko takes his words for more than they're worth. Meanwhile, Kotoko's mischievous friends listen in from outside.
Next day, it's happened again. someone's posted up a poster teasing Naoki and Kotoko's (lack of) relationship. Things seem to be going better for Kotoko, as she walks off Naoki follows her, arguing with her. The rest of the students merely look on and see a lover's quarrel.

Thoughts:
Naoki's stuck-up as ever, unfortunately with good reason. NOT a good idea for him to be reading the love letter aloud - in front of family too! Also, for a genius, he should really watch what he says… that bit about hate turning to love is probably going to backfire on him…
When Kotoko went into love-daze mode during the baton race, even running at Naoki with arms outstretched, I almost couldn't watch it. So embarrassing! ~_~ I had to pause the episode for a good 30 seconds before I could continue.
Well, at least Naoki's shell seems to be cracking, revealing him to be just a confused, inexperienced boy. Aww.