Shizuka is willing to discard even someone like Azuma if that means she stays free—after all, she needs to be with her Chappy. So Azuma’s attachment to Shizuka is a projection to his need to get his mom’s attention. He’ll do anything to get the validation he desperately needs, even turn himself in. Junya is such a bro that he doesn’t want to see Naoki suffer any more. His love for his younger brother compelled him to be implicated in Marina’s death. He didn’t have to throw away such a bright future ahead of him, so that Naoki is truly set free. What would Shizuka do next? She learned all the wrong lessons from her experience.

Junya, I now consider you as one of the GOATs alongside Himmel. Hoping your sacrifice isn’t in vain.

@rikka@ani.social

I was floored when finally something not-absolutely-awful happened for once.

Credit where credit is due; the plot on this show doesn’t waste time with hand-wringing. It’s moving.

Another beautifully animated episode. I lost my word, honestly.

In the next episode: Happy summer Tokyo trip!