Komekami! Girls Episode 4: Episode 4

Mai admires her newly painted pink nails, a small moment of vanity before the storm. Mei, however, is in a fury, accusing Mai of taking her makeup. This domestic squabble is instantly forgotten when a notification from Nicomaru changes Mei's mood entirely. Her anger vanishes, replaced by an urgent joy as she concocts an excuse to leave.

Mei sits alone, consumed by her desire to see Nicomaru. Her quiet moment is shattered by Mai, who appears, having deduced Mei's secret plan. Mai’s threat to expose Mei’s use of the sacred mirror is a calculated move, ensuring her own inclusion in the adventure. Mei, outmaneuvered, has no choice but to agree.

Recalling Sanae's warning about the mirror's use, Mei nonetheless holds the glowing artifact before the shrine. She prays for safe passage to Miyazaki Hachimangu. Golden light engulfs the sisters, culminating in a swirling portal that transports them away. They step into the unknown, driven by Mei's fandom.

Komonosuke and Okoge, the Boma villains, have been watching from the shadows. They observe the girls' teleportation with keen interest, seeing an opportunity for mischief. Komonosuke decides they must follow, and with a burst of dark energy, they create their own portal. The chase is on, though the girls are unaware.

Mai arrives in Miyazaki, admiring the traditional shrine architecture, but quickly realizes Mei has run ahead. Mei, ever respectful, pauses to pray before continuing her dash. She then discovers a girl slumped against a pillar, looking utterly exhausted. This girl, despite her disguise, is revealed to be Nicomaru, her idol, in a state of profound weariness.

Mei offers help, recognizing Nicomaru despite the tracksuit. They move to a park bench, where Mei introduces herself as a devoted fan. Nicomaru's reaction is one of quiet despair. She confesses to having run away, feeling too weak and depleted to give her fans the performance they deserve. The weight of her responsibility has become a crushing burden.

Meanwhile, Mai wanders the streets, frustrated by Mei's swift departure. She overhears a frantic Manager on his phone, desperate to locate the missing Nicomaru. Mai quickly pieces together the gravity of the situation. The idol's disappearance has plunged the event into chaos, and Mai realizes she must find both Mei and Nicomaru.

The Boma villains, Komonosuke and Okoge, are enjoying local snacks when they spot Mei with the disguised Nicomaru. Komonosuke recognizes an opportunity to exploit weakness. A dark, shadowy figure begins to emerge near the unsuspecting idol and her fan. The atmosphere shifts, signaling imminent danger.

A dark entity named Shalene rises, mocking Nicomaru's sense of duty. The spirit claims Nicomaru's strong responsibility makes her an ideal vessel. Dark energy envelops Nicomaru, transforming her into a monstrous creature with a pale mask and whipping tentacles. Mei watches, frozen in terror, as her idol is consumed.

Mai arrives at the park, confronted by a massive, translucent purple barrier. She tries to reach Mei, but Komonosuke intercepts her, grabbing her arm. He revels in the unfolding chaos, dragging Mai toward the conflict's center. Mai struggles against him, determined to reach her sister and the possessed Nicomaru.

Inside the dim barrier, Shalene has bound Mei in thick energy threads, leaving her helpless. Okoge mocks her from the sidelines. Mei's sacred mirror falls, sliding just out of reach. As Mei struggles to retrieve it, Shalene steps on her hand, preparing to destroy the vital artifact. Hope seems to dwindle in the face of such power.

Mai bursts through the barrier, using lightning to free Mei. Mei seizes the mirror, praying for the truth to be revealed and for Nicomaru's return to normalcy. A blinding white light reflects from the mirror, striking the possessed idol and forcibly expelling the Shalene spirit. Mai follows with a powerful lightning strike, shattering the purple barrier and stunning both Komonosuke and Okoge.

Nicomaru collapses, freed but still desperately weak and hungry. Mei realizes that Nicomaru's poor health was the true vulnerability. With newfound resolve, Mei declares she will use her cooking skills to restore the idol. She activates her Komekami power, transforming into her 'Chef Mei' persona, ready to heal through food.

Mei begins an intricate cooking performance, crafting an 'Oshare Hiyajure,' an Elegant Cold Soup Parfait. She meticulously explains the process, from creating a dashi and miso base to layering it with rice, tuna, and tofu. The final dish, beautiful and deceptively dessert-like, contains all the nutrients of traditional Miyazaki Hiyajiru. Nicomaru takes a bite, and her eyes light up, her strength and passion visibly returning.

Revitalized by Mei's cooking, Nicomaru makes it to the stage at North Mall just in time. She performs with incredible energy, showing no trace of her earlier exhaustion, much to the delight of the roaring crowd. Mei and Mai, watching from the audience, wave their glowing green light sticks, proud of their contribution. The Manager watches, relieved, as the crisis is averted and the concert is a resounding success.

Under the cloak of night, the sisters return home, hoping to sneak in unnoticed. Instead, they are met by a stern Sanae, arms crossed, scolding them for their unauthorized adventure. Mei and Mai hang their heads in apology, yet they cannot hide their smiles. A photo on Mei's phone, showing her, Mai, and a smiling Nicomaru, captures the memory of their successful, if rebellious, trip.

In a 'Mini Kome' segment, Momoi and Mai explain the culinary history of Miyazaki's Hiyajiru. It is a local dish of miso and sesame in dashi, poured over rice, traditionally eaten cold in summer. They detail how Mei's modern 'Elegant Cold Soup Parfait' honors this history. This segment connects the personal adventure to broader cultural and nutritional themes.

Later, Sanae shares a practical kitchen tip, and Minori and Mei discuss the five major nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. They introduce dietary fiber as the 'sixth nutrient.' Minori guides Mei through categorizing her breakfast by color groups, highlighting nutritional imbalances. This series of segments reinforces the episode's underlying message about health and well-being.