Episode 21

**Shinpei Ajiro's Longest Day** (網代慎平の一番長い日, *Ajiro Shinpei no Ichiban Nagai Hi*) is the 21st episode of the Summer Time Rendering anime.

## Synopsis

Seido Hishigata appears before Shinpei, who is in despair over Hizuru's death. In the course of his conversation with Seido, Shinpei learned a new clue about Shide. There was a possibility that Shide had kept his own corpse as a spare body. Furthermore, Shinpei recalls that on the day of the Hitogashima Summer Festival - July 24th - Ushio, who had no memories, will return. There are signs of Ushio's resurrection, but Haine and Masahito are also trying to capture her.

## Summary

Its raining outside and Seido calls Shinpei inside. As Shinpei ignores him, Seido explains that Hizuru's body is stored in the morgue, but as she is famous novelist, press would soon come. They can't also hide her stab wound. Shinpei states they don't need to hide it as it was a murder and they know who did it, but requests Seido to give him one more day. Seido heard that there are two Shide and isn't surprised that Shide kept a spare. Seido doesn't think that Haine gave birth to two Shide, but its likely that Shide preserved his previous body, Iwao Karikiri, but has no idea how he can move it. Shinpei then warns Seido to close his ear as a lightning then hits the ocean, surprising Seido and wondering how he knew.

Ginjiro tells Sou that if they stayed together, they may not have saved the three children. Shinpei had to choose who to save and choosing Sou and Mio, guaranteed Hizuru's death. Sou states that Shinpei is taking all the responsibility and carries all the burden himself, and is annoyed he couldn't help.

At the beach, Shinpei wonders what they should do considering they lost Ushio, Hizuru, a stray shadow, Ginjiro's rifle, Tetsu's pistol, while the enemy haven't lost anything. Shadow Mio asks Shinpei, what is in his pocket and Shinpei takes out the shell necklace that belonged to Ushio, and believes its a fragment of Ushio. Looking at it, Mio explains she could feel Ushio's anger from it, which made Shide and Haine leave. Mio is sure that Ushio's memories are inside, and she must had transferred them before she disappeared. However, she made it so that other shadow's can't scan it and the only one who can read the data is Ushio. Looking at the sea and thinking, Shinpei realizes that Ushio is coming back. Her version with no memories should appear at the beach during the festival. She then can scan the necklace and restore her memories.

Sou recalls the pseudo-loops that Ushio showed them and that he confessed at Mio and she turned him down. He wonders if Mio also remembers that. Mio then shows up looking for Shinpei and Sou tries asking her again, but Mio acts like she is shadow Mio and states nothing changed. Sou then states she likes Shinpei and Mio starts to panic and blush, making him state she ain't the shadow, but confirms that her feelings for Sou and Shinpei have not changed. Sou then states that Shinpei said he will be on the roof.

Mio then meets Shinpei on the roof and asks if Ushio will be really coming back and Shinpei believes so. Mio confesses that she loves Shinpei, who feels awkward and thanks her. Mio realizes he knew and he confirms. Mio explains she wanted to say it as there is a chance they all die tomorrow. Shinpei apologizes and states he can't return her feelings as he loves Ushio, and Mio is his little sister. Mio is happy to have let it out of her chest, but as she returns to her room, she cries over Tokiko's shoulder. Shadow Mio states that if they defeat Haine, Ushio will be gone and if Mio asked if she would have a chance then. However, Mio couldn't ask that and knows that Shinpei isn't a playboy.

Shinpei explains that Shide called his ability to observe parallel worlds. Essentially each time he dies, he his consciousness goes to another parallel world. He met Ushio in the third loop and she started coming with him. However as normally Ushio still had not appeared, it means there were 2 Ushio's at the same time. Ushio fought with Haine to save Shiori and is currently drifting in the sea trying to heal herself, which she manages to do on the day of the festival. If Ushio was like Shinpei and Haine, he consciousness would have returned to the drifting in the sea Ushio and not stay by Shinpei's side, which confirms that the two Ushio exist at the same time. As Ushio read Shide's mind, she figured a way to return. Shinpei states that this may all have been wishful thinking, however he believes its true as when he leaves the necklace, it always turn towards south and starts moving slowly. Shinpei explains that she shell was moving faster earlier at 3AM, making them realize it was during rising tide. They realize around where Ushio's body should be and that it will be closest to them again at 6PM. Shinpei knows that Shide and Haine are aware of Ushio, but they have no idea where she is or can track her, and Shinpei's group must not let this chance slip. Shinpei then tells the group, they will proceed as planned.

Shinpei and Ginjiro are waiting together. Ginjiro gets to talk to Ryunosuke and they reminisce on Hizuru. Haine asks Masahito if during the search earlier, there was a stray that ignored her call, since its been two hours since she lost Shinpei's location. Her handprint is still on Shinpei, but he can isolate his presence, just like Masahito while in the mud. Masahito wonders if they gave too many hints to Shinpei and since most stray's are looking for Ushio, if they decide to invade Hiruko Cave, they can easily reach Haine. However, Haine doubts they will attempt that unless they are fully prepared. Haine suspects that Shinpei is hiding as maybe the Ushio that's with Shinpei is the only one who can locate the Ushio in the sea and are trying to get to her before Haine.

Shinpei is inside of Tokiko's stray and is heading towards Ushio in the sea. Shide and other stray are searching everywhere and find the stray that ignores them. They get close to Ushio as she starts to awaken. The stray grabs her and they fly out of the water, where Shide attacks the stray. Ushio and Shinpei start falling and Shinpei gives her the necklace, which starts to shine. Shide attacks them, but Ushio manages to recover her memories and cuts Shide's attacks. Ushio states she knew he will come for her and then kill all the strays that attack them.

## Characters

* Shinpei Ajiro
* Seido Hishigata
* Ginjiro Nezu
* Sou Hishigata
* Mio Kofune
* Tokiko Hishigata
* Masahito Karikiri
* Alain Kofune
* Haine
* Tetsu Totsumura
* Shide
* Ushio Kofune