I actually enjoyed this episode. It doesn’t focus on the school, and the students; but more on how Yoake failed with the first ReLIFE experiment, and then was offered to be the support for Arata. We also get to see what Arata was doing before he met Yoake. So the episode begins with Yoake on his laptop working on his research report. He receives a phone call, and although we don’t hear and see who it is and what they are asking, Yoake explains the goal of ReLIFE. He also explains that he can’t get too involved because that would make the experiment lose value. So the subject that called had asked for advice, and due to not getting too involved, Yoake decides to maintain his distance and continue to observe.

At this point it is clear Yoake is thinking back to when he had been working on Subject 001, and how he met Arata, who becomes Subject 002. It first starts with how he discovers Arata. While walking down the street, he passes a convenient store and sees Arata working in there.Obviously Yoake is offered the opportunity to be Arata’s support, as he already knows his name and age. So he goes into the store and observes him. He decides to purchase food and after paying, Yoake decides to test him by leaving his wallet behind. Arata discovers it and rushes out of the store to give Yoake the wallet.

He takes note that Arata is good on his surroundings and also quick to take action; comparing him to the difficult subject he had prior to Arata. Onoya (An) approaches Yoake and asks what he is doing. He tells her that he is doing an evaluation on Arata, and Onoya tells him that she wanted to be his support. As the scene changes, we see that Yoake is upset and explains to subject 001 that they couldn’t find them a job. We still don’t see 001 even at this point, and Yoake clearly feels he has failed as a support. This is actually good to see as we get to see that even if the experiment is hard for the subject themselves, it can also be hard for the people that are supporting them.

Because Yoake fails with 001, he had asked Onoya what should he have done to make the subject better. He explains that he was told he was too close and then afterward, that he didn’t do enough. Onoya soon tells him that the research group had picked Arata to be the new subject, and they had chosen Yoake to be his support. Even though Yoake is still feeling the brunt of failure, he accepts the new opportunity, even though he knew Onoya wanted to be the support. When the series began, we saw Arata’s point of view on how Yoake approached him. This time it’s reversed. He is seen at the restaurant where Arata was drinking with his friends, pretending that his life is going well. Yoake observes him as much as he can and waits outside for Arata to leave the restaurant.

This is approximately the time Arata gets a phone call from his parents. When they tell him that they won’t be sending him anymore money, Arata freaks out and asks himself how his life ended up the way it did. I don’t know about anyone else, but I feel really bad for Arata. In a way, I can relate to him, and I’m sure there are plenty of people out there that feel the same way. Yoake decides that it’s the best moment to approach him. He tells Arata about himself and what exactly he is offering him, handing him a ReLIFE business card.

Yoake had informed Onoya that Arata had lost confidence in his social skills, and you get a sense of self-doubt from Yoake when it comes to becoming the support for Arata. It gives you the feeling that he feels Arata might end up being a failure for him as well. Onoya seems to cheer him on, even though he tells her that she is acting creepy and that she annoys him.

Arata calls him and asks to get medicine to change back as he doesn’t want to quit his job and lose his friends. Yoake is in a panic in the beginning and then he tells Arata just to cut the ties. Arata seems to have changed his mind as Yoake finds him in his work, apologizing deeply to his boss, implying that he quit his job. It’s at that point that Arata’s life is about to change drastically.  Even though this episode may not have been as hilarious and fun as the previous episodes, it lets you see the other side of ReLIFE and how Yoake ended up being Arata’s support. Stay tuned for the review of episode eight!