Rikuo is still baffled at Sammy’s actions, but he is seemingly convinced that everything is normal when she begins her usual activities again. Not helping the situation, Naoko still insists that Rikuo is acting like a Dori-kei. At school later, Masaki reminds Rikuo of the three laws of robotics. He further suggests that they should check to see if Sammy is really following her usual duties, bringing the boys to the previously visited cafe once again. Rikuo is relieved after a quick look around the shop, but since Masaki reminds him that this may not be enough, the two boys go to a higher level of the cafe. Rikuo is alarmed when the young girl Chie appears behind him, but the two boys are then properly introduced to her and the older man named Shimei. After observing these two, and the couple Rina and Koji, Rikuo and Masaki recall how hard it is to tell whether people are human or robot in the cafe.
After ordering drinks, Masaki correctly guesses that Rikuo is worried about Sammy. He suggests that he wouldn’t know about such concerns, however, as he does not have a robot of his own. When Rikuo asks why, Masaki doesn’t answer. However, this makes him remember an event that happened to him as a child. When Akiko walks into the cafe, Rikuo takes the chance to ask her about what had happened earlier. Akiko simply reminds him of the rules of the cafe in response, however, and the two are then interrupted by the very active Chie. A man named Setoro meanwhile confronts Masaki about his concerns about the rules and the inside of the cafe. This conversation doesn’t last long, as he leaves soon after. Masaki attempts to follow him out, but he finds that the exit to the cafe will not open. Nagi explains that the door will not open immediately, as privacy is respected at the cafe. This doesn’t stop him from continuing to run out after a short while, however.
Sammy enters the cafe to order a usual drink, expressing her worries to Nagi. This is unknown to Rikuo, however, as he had lost his glasses earlier. While Rikuo discusses the secrets that Sammy is keeping from him with Akiko, Shimei brings up that everyone has some secrets that they will keep from others. This makes Rikuo realize that Sammy may have been doing this for his sake. Rikuo finally realizes that Nagi has been holding his glasses as well, but when he gets them back, he is shocked to find that Sammy is right in front of him. Sammy is just as shocked, running out in panic after Rikuo confirms her identity. Rikuo is of course unable to chase after her, and Nagi forces him to sit down with her afterwards. Nagi brings up that she is unsure of when Sammy first started coming to the cafe, recalling all of things she had eventually started talking to her about. Sammy had spoken about various things, including Rikuo, but it seemed like she was worried about something.
Masaki relays his negative results of his chase to Rikuo over the phone that night, and when Rikuo suggests that he will probably return to the cafe again, Masaki expresses his wish to accompany him. Rikuo takes the chance to mention how good the coffee has recently been to Sammy afterwards, but he finds it odd when she gives her usual response. Unknown to him, Sammy has put a smile on her face. Setoro reports his findings to a woman named Dr. Ashimori in the meantime, as she observes her tracking of robot movement throughout the city.
Thoughts
I was given a chance to actually get to know the characters a little better; both Rikou, his android, and the other androids and/or possible humans that frequent Time of Eve cafe. Setoro, the one that was speaking to Masaki for a short while before leaving, seems like a sort of watchman over the cafe. If I recall, he was the one who was reading a book the last time Rikou and Masaki visited the cafe. Koji and Rina seem like a perfect couple; they’re always huddled together, but I’m sure they have their fair share of secrets. We’ll get to learn some of those secrets in the next episode, as the preview indicates.
I was also wondering if Shimei and Chie were human. They play the role really well, but then again, so do the rest of the “robots” at Time of Eve. But I can’t really imagine one owning a toddler android. The only thing they’re useful for at their age is . . . whining, food depletion, and sleep deprivation. I don’t think androids grow up either, so I’m pretty sure Chie, at least, is human.
The Sammy scene was by far the best part of the series so far. The climax of Act 02. The slow pause as dreadful realization creeped into both Rikou and Sammy, the realization of each other and they’re current location. Rikou’s sudden and swift movement of the hand that revealed that the girl with the ponytail was in fact Sammy. That part was epic. Loved it. I can’t wait to see how their delicate relationship develops.
And thanks to this series, lately, I’ve been paying more attention to backdrops and backgrounds in anime series. I guess I’ve been looking to see if they can top Time of Eve’s. So naturally, I noticed the subtle detail of the teapot towards the end. It looked so realistic. I was baffled. I didn’t know if that was a photograph or an animation! Props to the animators.
