Intense Confrontation and Emotional Turmoil
The episode opens with a fiery clash between Natsuki and Atri. Natsuki, overwhelmed with suspicion, confronts Atri about her secretive behavior, demanding the truth. Atri, with a hint of remorse, admits her doubts and reveals her inner conflict. Tired of her pretense, Natsuki implores her to stop pretending to possess a heart, leading to a tense exchange where Atri admits her own feelings, or lack thereof. Her response fuels Natsuki’s frustration, and he storms out, instructing her firmly not to follow him.
As Natsuki walks alone to clear his mind, he suddenly collapses, overwhelmed by emotional distress. Ryuuji, Ririka, and Minamo discover him in a vulnerable state and carry him to Minamo’s home. There, Natsuki confesses his deep disappointment and confusion over Atri’s recent revelations. Minamo, with gentle wisdom, suggests that Atri might truly have a heart but is uncertain about how to express it. With these heavy thoughts weighing on him, Natsuki finally retires for the night, contemplating the complex nature of his feelings and Atri’s true identity.
The Next Morning: Revelations and Discoveries
The following day, Minamo reports that Atri has returned to her usual self and has gone to school. Upon arriving at the school, Natsuki and Minamo realize Atri is missing. Suddenly, Hanako approaches them, handing Natsuki an envelope from an anonymous sender. Inside, Natsuki uncovers detailed data about the Yamasaki Factory’s 4th-generation Humanoid models, revealing shocking hidden truths.
The documents disclose that one of these models malfunctioned and went rogue, causing chaos at a school and disobeying its designated orders. Although Hanako suggests this model might not be Atri, she points out that only one out of 58 units like her was unaccounted for before the factory’s closure and subsequent dissolution. The factory’s concealment of this information raises suspicions. Hanako also mentions that she had to prevent Atri from entering the school premises, deepening the mystery.
Encounter with Yasuda and Unveiling the Past
Later, Natsuki encounters Yasuda, a man claiming to be a former employee of the factory’s development division. Yasuda invites Natsuki into his vehicle, and they drive to a secluded location. There, Yasuda unveils an aged log, revealing that units like Atri were programmed to learn and develop human-like cognitive skills, including reading and writing. He explains that Atri’s original master, a professor, had instructed her to befriend a girl named Shiina, adding a personal and emotional layer to her purpose.
Yasuda further discloses his own connection to the professor and the tragic circumstances surrounding his death. He expresses regret and a desire to recover and dispose of the remaining unit that authored the log, believing that doing so will help him reconcile with society and atone for past sins. Yasuda presents a consent form for the disposal of Atri, emphasizing that she is the last of her kind and that surrendering her might be in everyone’s best interest.
Natsuki’s Plea and Atri’s Confession
Back at home, Natsuki approaches Atri, requesting her to speak to him as she once did. Miraculously, Atri reverts to her previous, more innocent persona, promising to cook a meal for Natsuki. However, Natsuki, feeling conflicted, insists that she must stop pretending to have a heart. Atri complies, serving him her dish with a gentle smile. When Natsuki questions her about her happiness, she responds affirmatively, but he quickly accuses her of lying. Their interaction escalates into a heated argument, leaving Natsuki overwhelmed by the emotional turmoil.
The Search and a Heartfelt Revelation
Natsuki, seeking clarity, retreats to his submarine to gather his thoughts. During his solitude, he is washed ashore but manages to return home. To his dismay, he finds Atri missing and notices a note beside her log, indicating she has gone to the school with Ririka. The message contains the phrase “Shiina, I Love You,” forging a poignant connection to Atri’s original purpose and feelings.
Determined to find her, Natsuki rushes to the school. Meanwhile, Yasuda and his accomplice have taken several children hostage amidst their confrontation. Hanako, Minamo, and others confront Yasuda, who demands the return of Atri in exchange for the children’s safety. Ririka arrives with Atri, prompting Yasuda’s associate to release the hostages amid tense negotiations. Yasuda begins to verbally abuse Atri, blaming her for the death of the professor—his own mentor—and unleashing his pent-up anger.
The Final Moments and Cliffhanger
Despite his injuries, Natsuki fights his way through the chaos, driven by his conviction that Atri has a kind heart buried beneath her mechanical exterior. Hanako desperately pleads with Yasuda to cease his violence, but he remains resolute. Just as the situation reaches a breaking point, Natsuki arrives at the scene, arriving just in time to hear Atri calling out to him—a moment filled with tension and emotional intensity, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting what happens next.