Even a Replica Can Fall in Love (2026) s01e03 Episode Script
A Replica Is Confused
Long time no see.
Wow, look at your tan.
I went to the pool
with my kid sister every day.
She's a no-show?
Nao-senpai doesn't come every day.
Sanada-senpai. Here.
Akai-sensei gave us these. They're getting
close to their best-before date.
Uh, right.
I've never had this much fun in my life.
They're good.
They really are.
It was over a month
before she summoned me again.
Nao.
Just go away.
And don't come back.
Hurry up and get dressed.
Uh, right.
While time had stopped for me,
Sunao had continued to live
her life without pause.
I'm always the last to know
when the seasons change.
Sunao, did you do this?
I threw away the ticket and stuff.
Okay.
Bye. I'll see you later.
Yeah.
Thanks for keeping the photo for me.
I may get to spread my wings for a day,
but the next day,
I don't even get to walk.
That's just how it is for me.
Whoa.
You're doing those hard problems?
It's my third time at it, though.
G-Good morning.
Your hair.
Ah, sorry. I forgot to put it up.
You're not Aikawa, are you?
You're not Sunao Aikawa, are you?
Hey!
Aikawa!
Aikawa!
Did I hurt you?
I'm fine.
You look like you're about to cry.
I'm not crying.
Sorry. I didn't mean
to put you on the spot.
Let's sit.
So
I'm actually just like you.
I'm just like you, Aikawa.
What?
You too, Sanada-kun?
In truth, I'd known for a while
that something was off.
Sanada-kun was always so quiet.
He never made a sound
or caused any friction.
He even breathed quietly.
It was hard to picture him
on the basketball team.
Plus
I wasn't the one who got hurt.
"I should've died a long time ago."
"Why did I wait so long to die?"
Is that K's suicide note?
From Soseki's Kokoro.
I always wondered
why K died in the book.
Now that I've read it,
I'm chewing over why there's no answer.
It also made me wonder what my own
reaction would be in that situation.
Your own reaction, huh?
The zoo.
If we were going to the zoo tomorrow,
I wouldn't want to die.
You seriously like
those red pandas, don't you?
So you're really like me?
Yeah. I really am.
I'm not the real Shuya Sanada.
I see.
I'm not the real Sunao Aikawa, either.
I'm Sunao's replica.
Replica?
That's what we decided to call me.
It's because Sunao
thinks I'm an imitation.
But Sunao just calls me "Nao."
Maybe because it's easier for her.
Nao?
Yeah. Short for "Sunao."
Makes sense.
Okay, then maybe
I should call you "Nao," too.
Hironaka calls you that,
and I sort of feel left out.
Sure.
What should I call you?
Aki.
It's how you read the first character
of Shuya's name.
So Aki-kun?
Yeah. Is it easier that way?
Yeah.
Hey, you two! The bell already rang!
People might think we like to play hooky.
You're right.
It's so strange.
I can't believe there's another replica
like me, and that it's Sanada-kun
Or rather, Aki-kun.
Since second grade?
Yup.
I had no idea you'd known
Hironaka that long.
We met in the neighborhood's kid group.
Wow, who knew?
But nobody's figured it out?
Not even Hironaka?
That you and Aikawa are, well, different?
Yeah.
Sunao doesn't talk to people much,
and she doesn't come to club, either.
How about you?
When were you created?
In June of this year.
The morning Shuya was supposed to go
back to school after being hospitalized.
Wow, that's so recent.
So you've taken his place since?
Yeah. Shuya hasn't set foot outside
since breaking his ankle.
Not even once? Not even for rehab?
Yeah, well
His doctor told him he'd make
a full recovery if he went to rehab.
But he holed himself up at home
and never even went for a checkup.
I see.
I do feel bad for Shuya.
He can't play basketball anymore
due to his messed-up ankle.
He never feels like coming to school.
Where his heart should be,
it's completely hollow.
Sanada-kun must really love basketball.
He really does.
Basketball was the one thing
he was really good at throughout his life.
People regularly praised him
for his skills,
so he practiced from early
in the morning till late at night.
But maybe he loved the team environment
more than basketball itself.
So I probably don't have long.
What?
Nothing.
Let's put these away and head to club.
Sure.
So now, we had a shared secret.
Morning.
Good morning.
It's not like Aki-kun has told me
everything he's thinking.
But
Now that I know his secret, it feels
like things have changed between us.
It's almost as if we're comrades
instead of just friends.
I don't have that with anyone else.
Whenever we're together,
I feel so at ease.
I have to say, you're really
hitting it off. You two, I mean.
Are we really?
We are in the same class.
You vibe with each other, which is great.
Nao-senpai, you seem sunnier.
And Sanada-senpai now
has better instincts.
What?
Take a look.
I applied your pointers from last time,
and this draft is rocketing along.
I think I'm gonna finish it real soon,
thanks to you two.
Oh, good for you.
The deadline's just around
the corner, so good luck.
Right. I'll make it happen.
Ricchan has been submitting novels to
contests for years, but she's never won.
Still, she never gives up
and keeps trying again.
And that makes her shine brightly.
You can go to your first-choice college,
thanks to your grades.
But you need to ask yourself
if this is really what you want to do
with the rest of your life.
Yes, sir.
I'm back.
Here.
Thanks.
Nao?
Are you and Sanada dating?
What?
N-No, we're not!
But you two have gotten close, right?
Well, um, yeah.
What do you two talk about? At school?
I-I guess we talk about books, and
I'm actually just like you.
And about career paths?
W-Well, you know how Sanada-kun
can't play basketball anymore, right?
Everyone at school knows an upperclassman
lured him into an ambush
and broke his ankle.
So there's no hope
for a sports scholarship?
We don't know yet.
Basketball was the one thing
he was really good at throughout his life.
I think it's because he's lost something
he could absorb himself in.
Sunao, do you know?
Do you know who injured
Sanada-kun's ankle?
Yeah.
That would be
Koh Hayase, the former basketball star.
He always liked to brag
about that sort of stuff.
Sanada could've just gone
to the authorities.
Ugh, it's Hayase. Yikes.
You shouldn't look.
It's been a minute.
What? So now you wanna be
our team's manager?
Huh? Manager?
Do I have something on my face?
Uh, no.
If you've got something to say,
then say it, Aikawa.
R-Really, it's nothing.
Sorry, I'm not interested.
What's her deal?
Sunao worked as a manager
for just one day.
Like the other first-year girls.
But I never knew.
Oh, I almost forgot.
Have you guys ever thought
about going to this?
A festival?
Yeah. The event is a well-kept secret
only the locals know about.
Nothing beats going to a shrine
at the end of summer.
In that case, why don't we all go?
Whoa, there!
Unfortunately, I, Hironaka, will be
too busy doing research for my story.
Until next week. Ciao, guys.
Still wanna go?
Yeah.
I think it's here.
This is my first festival.
Mine too.
What is it?
I wanted to see you in a yukata.
Same here.
I've been wondering
how you'd look in a yukata.
I guess we'll both have to pretend
we're wearing them.
You're so weird.
In that case, what's the pattern
on the yukata I'm wearing right now?
Um, a flowery one?
Maybe on blue fabric. Or maybe more aqua.
Would you be wearing a plain navy yukata?
There. Now that we're in yukatas,
we should eat.
Is there anything you'd like?
Let's see
- Too cold!
- Freezing!
What flavor did you get?
You can guess.
You know now?
I don't think so.
Your taste buds are all blue.
Blue Hawaii.
Bingo.
You realize you said "taste buds"
instead of "tongue," right?
Then, is calling it
a "licker" dialectical?
I'd think so.
Do you want to try mine, too?
Sure.
Melon.
Bingo.
I don't want to lose you.
Me neither.
Whenever I'm with Aki-kun,
I keep experiencing so many things
for the first time.
And it looks to be the same for Aki-kun.
Our smiles are so innocent and carefree.
I wanted to save these moments
in my heart forever.
I'm stuffed.
There was so much to do.
Yeah. Too bad there are no fireworks.
An Abe River Fireworks Festival
would have a huge turnout.
Yeah, probably.
Hey, an insect's chirping.
Nao.
This will be our last day.
Why's that?
I won't be needed as a replica anymore.
I was created so Shuya
could have his revenge.
Translation: Gad Onyeneho Timing: Mariana Martinez Editing: SMR
Quality Control: Riley Dalton Translation Check: David Saylor
Wow, look at your tan.
I went to the pool
with my kid sister every day.
She's a no-show?
Nao-senpai doesn't come every day.
Sanada-senpai. Here.
Akai-sensei gave us these. They're getting
close to their best-before date.
Uh, right.
I've never had this much fun in my life.
They're good.
They really are.
It was over a month
before she summoned me again.
Nao.
Just go away.
And don't come back.
Hurry up and get dressed.
Uh, right.
While time had stopped for me,
Sunao had continued to live
her life without pause.
I'm always the last to know
when the seasons change.
Sunao, did you do this?
I threw away the ticket and stuff.
Okay.
Bye. I'll see you later.
Yeah.
Thanks for keeping the photo for me.
I may get to spread my wings for a day,
but the next day,
I don't even get to walk.
That's just how it is for me.
Whoa.
You're doing those hard problems?
It's my third time at it, though.
G-Good morning.
Your hair.
Ah, sorry. I forgot to put it up.
You're not Aikawa, are you?
You're not Sunao Aikawa, are you?
Hey!
Aikawa!
Aikawa!
Did I hurt you?
I'm fine.
You look like you're about to cry.
I'm not crying.
Sorry. I didn't mean
to put you on the spot.
Let's sit.
So
I'm actually just like you.
I'm just like you, Aikawa.
What?
You too, Sanada-kun?
In truth, I'd known for a while
that something was off.
Sanada-kun was always so quiet.
He never made a sound
or caused any friction.
He even breathed quietly.
It was hard to picture him
on the basketball team.
Plus
I wasn't the one who got hurt.
"I should've died a long time ago."
"Why did I wait so long to die?"
Is that K's suicide note?
From Soseki's Kokoro.
I always wondered
why K died in the book.
Now that I've read it,
I'm chewing over why there's no answer.
It also made me wonder what my own
reaction would be in that situation.
Your own reaction, huh?
The zoo.
If we were going to the zoo tomorrow,
I wouldn't want to die.
You seriously like
those red pandas, don't you?
So you're really like me?
Yeah. I really am.
I'm not the real Shuya Sanada.
I see.
I'm not the real Sunao Aikawa, either.
I'm Sunao's replica.
Replica?
That's what we decided to call me.
It's because Sunao
thinks I'm an imitation.
But Sunao just calls me "Nao."
Maybe because it's easier for her.
Nao?
Yeah. Short for "Sunao."
Makes sense.
Okay, then maybe
I should call you "Nao," too.
Hironaka calls you that,
and I sort of feel left out.
Sure.
What should I call you?
Aki.
It's how you read the first character
of Shuya's name.
So Aki-kun?
Yeah. Is it easier that way?
Yeah.
Hey, you two! The bell already rang!
People might think we like to play hooky.
You're right.
It's so strange.
I can't believe there's another replica
like me, and that it's Sanada-kun
Or rather, Aki-kun.
Since second grade?
Yup.
I had no idea you'd known
Hironaka that long.
We met in the neighborhood's kid group.
Wow, who knew?
But nobody's figured it out?
Not even Hironaka?
That you and Aikawa are, well, different?
Yeah.
Sunao doesn't talk to people much,
and she doesn't come to club, either.
How about you?
When were you created?
In June of this year.
The morning Shuya was supposed to go
back to school after being hospitalized.
Wow, that's so recent.
So you've taken his place since?
Yeah. Shuya hasn't set foot outside
since breaking his ankle.
Not even once? Not even for rehab?
Yeah, well
His doctor told him he'd make
a full recovery if he went to rehab.
But he holed himself up at home
and never even went for a checkup.
I see.
I do feel bad for Shuya.
He can't play basketball anymore
due to his messed-up ankle.
He never feels like coming to school.
Where his heart should be,
it's completely hollow.
Sanada-kun must really love basketball.
He really does.
Basketball was the one thing
he was really good at throughout his life.
People regularly praised him
for his skills,
so he practiced from early
in the morning till late at night.
But maybe he loved the team environment
more than basketball itself.
So I probably don't have long.
What?
Nothing.
Let's put these away and head to club.
Sure.
So now, we had a shared secret.
Morning.
Good morning.
It's not like Aki-kun has told me
everything he's thinking.
But
Now that I know his secret, it feels
like things have changed between us.
It's almost as if we're comrades
instead of just friends.
I don't have that with anyone else.
Whenever we're together,
I feel so at ease.
I have to say, you're really
hitting it off. You two, I mean.
Are we really?
We are in the same class.
You vibe with each other, which is great.
Nao-senpai, you seem sunnier.
And Sanada-senpai now
has better instincts.
What?
Take a look.
I applied your pointers from last time,
and this draft is rocketing along.
I think I'm gonna finish it real soon,
thanks to you two.
Oh, good for you.
The deadline's just around
the corner, so good luck.
Right. I'll make it happen.
Ricchan has been submitting novels to
contests for years, but she's never won.
Still, she never gives up
and keeps trying again.
And that makes her shine brightly.
You can go to your first-choice college,
thanks to your grades.
But you need to ask yourself
if this is really what you want to do
with the rest of your life.
Yes, sir.
I'm back.
Here.
Thanks.
Nao?
Are you and Sanada dating?
What?
N-No, we're not!
But you two have gotten close, right?
Well, um, yeah.
What do you two talk about? At school?
I-I guess we talk about books, and
I'm actually just like you.
And about career paths?
W-Well, you know how Sanada-kun
can't play basketball anymore, right?
Everyone at school knows an upperclassman
lured him into an ambush
and broke his ankle.
So there's no hope
for a sports scholarship?
We don't know yet.
Basketball was the one thing
he was really good at throughout his life.
I think it's because he's lost something
he could absorb himself in.
Sunao, do you know?
Do you know who injured
Sanada-kun's ankle?
Yeah.
That would be
Koh Hayase, the former basketball star.
He always liked to brag
about that sort of stuff.
Sanada could've just gone
to the authorities.
Ugh, it's Hayase. Yikes.
You shouldn't look.
It's been a minute.
What? So now you wanna be
our team's manager?
Huh? Manager?
Do I have something on my face?
Uh, no.
If you've got something to say,
then say it, Aikawa.
R-Really, it's nothing.
Sorry, I'm not interested.
What's her deal?
Sunao worked as a manager
for just one day.
Like the other first-year girls.
But I never knew.
Oh, I almost forgot.
Have you guys ever thought
about going to this?
A festival?
Yeah. The event is a well-kept secret
only the locals know about.
Nothing beats going to a shrine
at the end of summer.
In that case, why don't we all go?
Whoa, there!
Unfortunately, I, Hironaka, will be
too busy doing research for my story.
Until next week. Ciao, guys.
Still wanna go?
Yeah.
I think it's here.
This is my first festival.
Mine too.
What is it?
I wanted to see you in a yukata.
Same here.
I've been wondering
how you'd look in a yukata.
I guess we'll both have to pretend
we're wearing them.
You're so weird.
In that case, what's the pattern
on the yukata I'm wearing right now?
Um, a flowery one?
Maybe on blue fabric. Or maybe more aqua.
Would you be wearing a plain navy yukata?
There. Now that we're in yukatas,
we should eat.
Is there anything you'd like?
Let's see
- Too cold!
- Freezing!
What flavor did you get?
You can guess.
You know now?
I don't think so.
Your taste buds are all blue.
Blue Hawaii.
Bingo.
You realize you said "taste buds"
instead of "tongue," right?
Then, is calling it
a "licker" dialectical?
I'd think so.
Do you want to try mine, too?
Sure.
Melon.
Bingo.
I don't want to lose you.
Me neither.
Whenever I'm with Aki-kun,
I keep experiencing so many things
for the first time.
And it looks to be the same for Aki-kun.
Our smiles are so innocent and carefree.
I wanted to save these moments
in my heart forever.
I'm stuffed.
There was so much to do.
Yeah. Too bad there are no fireworks.
An Abe River Fireworks Festival
would have a huge turnout.
Yeah, probably.
Hey, an insect's chirping.
Nao.
This will be our last day.
Why's that?
I won't be needed as a replica anymore.
I was created so Shuya
could have his revenge.
Translation: Gad Onyeneho Timing: Mariana Martinez Editing: SMR
Quality Control: Riley Dalton Translation Check: David Saylor