Even a Replica Can Fall in Love Episode 4: A Replica Cries

The episode opens with Aki, acting as Sunada's replica, sprinting down the basketball court. He calls for a pass, but Hayase, a senior, deliberately ignores him, showcasing the cruel dynamic between them. Despite being frozen out, Aki scores cleanly, prompting a piercing, hateful glare from Hayase. Aki meets the gaze, his determination evident, before this sharp memory fades.

Aki wakes, jolting from the dream of the court. His heavily bandaged ankle aches, a physical reminder of the injury Sunada, his original, sustained. Sunada enters, tired and somber, and sits on the bed. He asks Aki for a serious favor, setting the stage for a plan of retribution.

Under the festival lanterns, Aki meets Nao and details Sunada's request: a violent revenge on Hayase. The plan involves creating an alibi for Sunada while Aki physically confronts the senior, a calculated act designed to ensure punishment without blame. Aki's voice is flat as he recites the instructions, revealing his internal conflict.

Nao immediately objects to the violent scheme, her voice filled with disbelief and horror. She insists Aki's hands are gentle, meant for helping, not for hitting, grabbing his hands and pleading with tearful sincerity. Overcome, she openly sobs, begging him not to bear such a burden alone, declaring he was born to meet her, not to commit violence. Aki, stunned by her deep care, admits she is right and promises to find a different, non-violent way to settle the score, bringing a small, relieved smile to her face.

Aki calls Sunada, his tone firm as he tells his original he will not go through with the physical confrontation. He explains that violence would make him no different from Hayase. Sunada is silent at first, surprised by the defiance, but ultimately agrees, sighing in weary acceptance. This moment signals a profound shift in the dynamic between original and replica.

After the call, Aki turns to Nao with renewed purpose. He asks her to be present on Monday for his confrontation with Hayase, telling her her presence gives him strength. Nao blushes deeply, her heart fluttering, and happily agrees to support him.

At home, Nao paces nervously, contemplating the upcoming Monday. She kneels before her own replica, asking to swap places for the day so she can attend school as her original self. The replica is initially hesitant, noting the risks, but softens when Nao explains the importance of Aki's match. They begin to plan the deception.

In his dimly lit room, Hayase receives Aki's challenge to a 1-on-1 basketball game. He scowls, his pride wounded, but a calculating intent shines in his eyes. A flashback reveals the source of his bitterness: Sunada's selection over him for the starting lineup. Later, Hayase stands over a fallen, injured Sunada in a stairwell, confirming his deliberate malice.

On Monday morning, the school gym buzzes with students, whispers spreading about Hayase's responsibility for Sunada's injury. Nao and Ricchan position themselves in the balcony, ready to record. Hayase enters with arrogant confidence, followed by Aki (as Sunada), who walks with a slight limp. Aki removes his medical boot, revealing a bandaged but functional foot, as the crowd falls silent.

Aki addresses Hayase, proposing a 1-on-1 game: first basket wins. If Aki wins, Hayase must publicly apologize for the injury. Hayase scoffs, but his ego and overconfidence make him agree. Aki then offers Hayase the first offensive possession, a surprising move that gives the senior an advantage, yet Aki remains steady.

The game begins, and Hayase drives hard, using his size to shove Aki aside. Aki grunts, his face strained, and winces from his foot after a jump. Hayase mocks him, accusing him of faking. Despite the pain, Aki stays focused, forcing Hayase into a difficult, missed shot.

Aki recovers the rebound with surprising agility, executing a clever crossover that leaves Hayase stumbling. The crowd begins to cheer for Aki, sensing the underdog's chance. Aki performs complex feints, mimicking Hayase's own techniques, finds an opening, and leaps into a jump shot. The ball arcs perfectly, swishing through the net, and the gym erupts in applause as Aki lands with quiet triumph. Hayase stands frozen, unable to believe his defeat.

As the applause subsides, Aki confronts Hayase, demanding the apology. He reveals he kept silent about the stairwell incident to protect the team's tournament chances, not Hayase's reputation. Hayase, seeing the judgmental faces of his peers, mumbles a reluctant apology, still trying to minimize his actions. Aki accepts it with a cold nod, turning his back, effectively ending Hayase's reign.

Up in the balcony, Nao breathes a sigh of relief, watching Aki as his classmates congratulate him. Aki eventually makes his way to Nao, collapsing onto the court as she kneels to wipe sweat from his forehead. Later, on a group call with Sunada, they celebrate the victory. Aki admits his foot throbs, and Nao realizes she felt a phantom ache during the match. She looks at Aki, telling him his pain is her pain, and she will always share his burdens, her devotion moving him.

Aki shares a melancholy thought, comparing his temporary existence as a replica to the 'Little Mermaid' turning into sea foam. Nao is visibly distressed, insisting he is a real person and making him promise to value his own life. Meanwhile, Sunada talks to Nao's replica, finding comfort in their shared experiences. Later, the literary club enjoys a moment of normalcy. As Aki and Nao ride the bus, the conversation returns to the painful possibility of replicas being deleted, which Nao refuses to accept for him.

At the train station, Aki and Nao make future plans, their eyes bright with the hope of a shared future. Aki feels a profound gratitude for Nao in the beautiful sunset light, sharing a quiet, intimate gaze. Just as the train approaches, a mysterious pair of hands shoves Nao over the edge of the platform onto the tracks. Aki's desperate hand reaches too late as the train's headlights illuminate her terrified face.