Episode 17 - Study Group
Mikoto asks the Dormitory Supervisor for official permission to spend an evening outside the residence. The Supervisor says she's had a lot of flimsily-explained absences recently, but grudgingly admits that the paperwork for this request is in order. Mikoto tells her she'll be meeting some friends for a "study group" to catch up on all their summer homework. After noting that Kuroko has made the same request, the Supervisor grants permission but warns Mikoto that they'd both better be back by the required time... otherwise she knows what will happen...
On the day of the study group, Saten is cleaning her apartment to get everything ready. Uiharu calls her to confirm that Mikoto and Kuroko have received permission. Saten suggests they take this chance to find out who Mikoto was baking cookies for — she had borrowed Saten's kitchen to avoid attracting attention at her dormitory. Uiharu scolds her for prying, then adds that Haruue has some business to take care of and will be late.
Mikoto lingers over breakfast in the dorm cafeteria as Maika Tsuchimikado serves tea. Maika says Mikoto has been absent a lot lately, noting that she saw Kuroko eating by herself a lot. Mikoto looks slightly guilty but brushes it off.
Meanwhile, Uiharu and Kuroko start the day's work at Judgement. After patrolling various alleys and side streets, Kuroko notes that the Money Card incident seems to be well and truly finished. Passing by the river, she sees several children hunting four-leaf clovers, including Minori, the girl she met earlier. Back in the office, Uiharu juggles working on a book report and foiling some computer hackers, while Konori watches her with amusement.
After work, Kuroko goes shopping for dinner ingredients and runs into Kongou, who claims to be on a similar errand. Kuroko is nonplussed when Kongou leads her into a pet store, then horrified when she buys some vacuum-packed rats — which turn out to be for her pet snake.
Around the same time, Mikoto visits the hospital to check on the Sisters. The frog-faced doctor meets with her and says they need to adjust the Sisters' metabolisms so they won't suffer from dramatically shortened lifespans due to their accelerated growth. Because of the sheer numbers, they're dividing the work among many laboratories both inside and outside Academy City. Reassured, Mikoto heads off to go shopping.
After buying several packages, Mikoto arrives at Joseph's Family Restaurant, where she is to meet Kuroko. She is taken aback, however, to run into Frenda and Mugino, who are likewise shocked to see her. Mugino tries to brush Mikoto off, but Frenda taunts her by saying she could have won their earlier battle if she'd arranged her explosives better. This causes Mugino to get angry with Frenda, since it was due to her explosives that they ultimately lost. At this point, Kuroko arrives and scolds them for making a scene, only to end up squabbling with Frenda over who is better: Mugino or Mikoto. All the commotion eventually gets them kicked out of the restaurant.
Mikoto, Kuroko and Uiharu all arrive at Saten's apartment, where they start preparing a nabe note dinner with all the ingredients they've brought. As they cook and eat, they chat about various things; Saten obliquely teases Mikoto about baking cookies, but doesn't pursue the topic. Haruue arrives in time for seconds, and a good time is had by all.
As she heads back to the dormitory with Kuroko that night, Mikoto says they should do this kind of thing more often. Kuroko seems slightly taken aback by Mikoto's happy mood, but is clearly relieved that her friend seems to be over her troubles. Noticing this, Mikoto looks momentarily guilty again, then smiles and says "let's go home".
Tropes
- Breather Episode: Nothing of any real plot significance happens in this episode — its main purpose is to unwind all the tension from the just-completed Sisters arc, although it does briefly foreshadow Haruue making plans to move.
- Buxom Beauty Standard: Part of the argument between Frenda and Kuroko, as they compare Mugino and Mikoto's "strengths". Neither subject is amused and knows that the argument isn't going anywhere.
- Call-Back: The episode includes a number of incidental references to previous events, such as the Money Card incident and Mikoto's battle with ITEM.
- Glowing Eyes of Doom: Mugino directs these at Frenda when the topic of their defeat comes up.
- "Silly Me" Gesture: Frenda tries to deflect Mugino's irritation with one of these. It doesn't work.
