Report 162

Plot
Kazuomi anxiously recalls his brother at various times in his past, going to work to support the family and telling Kazuomi not to worry about money, as well as the time he gave Kazuomi an ear-piercing device when he was placed in charge of merchandise for the first time. He also remembers trying to wake his brother up for work by knocking on the door to his room and receiving no answer. He is brought back from his memories by Arata trying to get him to talk about what is bothering him, but he maintains that everything is all right.

In the ReLIFE Laboratory office An is talking with Ryō about how hard it has been to watch Arata try to get Kazuomi to open up without success, and that she was sure he would talk with Arata or Rena about what is on his mind. Ryō listens in amazement as An begins a monologue with strong hints of speaking from personal experience. She tells how feeling bad about not enjoying your own life like the people around you seem to be doing can give birth to other negative feelings such as jealousy, and trying to avoid those feelings can make you want to distance yourself from others to the point that you are no longer able to reach out to anyone, and just want to be saved by someone.

An asks Ryō what he would do in Kazuomi's place. He explains that it may actually be harder to talk to your close friends because you do not want them to start thinking differently about you for having a hard time. As Ryō returns the question to An, asking if she would reveal her problems despite the threat it would pose to her pride, she understands that Kazuomi's situation may be more difficult than she thought.