New Game! Episode 3: What Happens If I'm Late to Work?

Natsuki Haibara works with precision in the café kitchen, impressing his manager and a coworker. His friends, Uta Hoshimiya, Tatsuya Ryuzaki, and Reto Someya, arrive, surprised to find him working. They playfully order complicated dishes, allowing Natsuki to showcase his unexpected culinary talents. The food astonishes them all, with Tatsuya especially praising Natsuki's broad capabilities.

The midterm schedule appears, casting a shadow over the students. Uta openly fears failure, reminding everyone that club activities are on the line. Even Tatsuya, usually confident, admits concern about his grades. The group decides to study together, an act of collective desperation.

Natsuki quickly identifies the depth of his friends' academic struggles, particularly Uta's fundamental gaps. He patiently tutors her, leaning close as they review her notebook. In the golden afternoon light, their proximity creates a quiet, intimate moment. Tatsuya watches them from a distance, his usual cheer replaced by a somber expression.

Days turn into a montage of study sessions, with Natsuki as the group's steady anchor. After one long day, Uta openly praises Natsuki's kindness, leaving him flustered. Tatsuya notices Natsuki's reaction and teases him about his popularity with the girls, hinting at the unspoken tension. Natsuki dismisses it, focused only on academics.

The study group, now joined by Miori, moves to Café Mares. Natsuki arrives late and sits by Uta, who saved his spot. He presents her with a meticulously prepared, customized study notebook, tailored to her specific weaknesses. The others marvel at his dedication, while Tatsuya observes the scene with an unreadable look.

Alone in his room, Natsuki reflects on his 'Rainbow Youth Plan' and Miori's comments about his luck. He questions if his new, perfect life inadvertently causes trouble for others. Later, Hikari calls, asking if Natsuki has noticed Tatsuya's strange, distant behavior. She warns Natsuki that guys often hide their feelings, leaving him with a vague sense of unease.

The midterm exams arrive and pass in a blur of focused effort and mounting stress. Natsuki completes them with ease, while his friends struggle in their own ways. After the final bell, the group heads to karaoke. Yuino stuns everyone with her powerful singing, setting a celebratory mood.

Natsuki and Uta step up for a duet, their voices harmonizing beautifully. A visual montage highlights their growing closeness throughout the study period. The room fills with warmth and admiration for their connection. Tatsuya sits apart, his face growing darker with each note.

The celebratory atmosphere shatters as Tatsuya abruptly stands, announcing his departure with a cold, flat tone. Natsuki follows him into the hallway, trying to understand. Tatsuya lashes out, accusing Natsuki of being a 'perfect superhuman' who constantly overshadows him, both in sports and now in academics and social circles. Natsuki is stunned by the raw anger.

Reto appears, explaining the full extent of Tatsuya's pain. He reveals Tatsuya’s long-held crush on Uta and how Natsuki’s actions, however well-intentioned, dismantled Tatsuya’s self-worth. Flashbacks show Natsuki all the moments of Tatsuya's hidden distress. Alone, Natsuki is left with the crushing weight of his own ignorance, realizing his perfect youth has come at a terrible cost. He is determined to fix his broken friendship.

The final moments show Natsuki in his room, grappling with the revelations and the wreckage of his friendship. The silence of the night reflects the chasm between him and Tatsuya. He understands now that pursuing his ideal youth meant overlooking the needs and feelings of others. Natsuki ends the episode with a clear resolve to mend what he has broken, to truly earn his second chance.