Is Shimako really that dense? Did she not pay attention in the scene prior to the opening credits? Sachiko isn't exactly the master of subtlety, you know.
Nor is Rei very lady-like.
Anyway, I guess this wraps up the Shimako-Noriko arc of the story. Next episode, looks like Rei and Yoshino will be in the spotlight. With only a few episodes left, I'm assuming the focus will then shift back to Sachiko and Yumi. Oh, and Touko. Lord knows, we can't forget her.