Episode 8

**It's a Game Where You Wait, and Wait, and Wait... and Keep Waiting** (待って待って待って... 待ち続けるゲームだよ, *Matte Matte Matte... Machi Tsuzukeru Game Da yo*) is the 8th episode of Tomodachi Game anime series.

## Synopsis

The third game, "Friendship Hide-and-Seek," begins. Group K, with its overwhelming leadership of "genius," advances in the game with a numerical advantage. On the other hand, in Group C, which includes Maria, Tenji comes forward to play the role of hider in order to regain Yuuichi's trust. Yuuichi tells him to trust and wait for him, but even after a few days, Tenji still hasn't seen or heard of Yuuichi.

## Summary

Tenji, Yuuichi and Maria are looking for a place where Tenji can hide. They recall the rules that Manabu explained. You can't use violence to force the other team to tell you where the hider is. You also can't move the hider, and once he settles on a hiding spot, he isn't allowed to move until the game is over. Breaking any of those rules will result in instant loss and doubling of each members debt. Manabu then explains the things you can do and brings out cellphones that he hands out to everyone and states they can contact anyone from the game, friend or foe. Yuuichi tells Tenji that he probably won't call him unless there is an emergency. Tenji feels a bit dizzy as they haven't eaten in three days. They recall that Manabu stated there is food in the middle of the forest and they can eat as much as they want once the game starts, but they need to bring the food to the hider. Manabu also gives a give up button to the hiders, stating that if they get bored or lonely and don't want to proceed, they can use it and their group would immediately lose, but only the hider can press it. After finding a spot, Yuuichi leaves Maria far away and they went to hide Tenji in a small cave. Tenji wonders if the three of them can still win as the enemy have more people and Yuuichi states they probably won't if they play clean. Yuuichi tells Tenji that they can win if they don't play clean, but it all depends on how much Tenji can hold. Tenji promises to not give up as Yuuichi is his last hope to avenge his father. As the two hours they were given to hide is about to expire, Yuuichi then leaves not explaining his plan to Tenji.

Tenji spends two days in the cave without any contact from Yuuichi. He starts to wonder why Yuuichi hasn’t come back yet, but as the enemy team hasn’t found him yet, he starts to realize that it may be a really long game. As Yuuichi hasn’t even bring him food, Tenji starts to have doubts on whether Yuuichi has betrayed him or not, but that wouldn't explain why it’s taking so much time. He begins to think that Yuuichi is punishing him for his betrayal and is ready to give up, but in the end decides not to. Tenji then calls Yuuichi, but he doesn't answer. Yuuichi then returns the call and Tenji answers, but instead of Yuuichi, its someone from the other group, who tells him that Yuuichi plans to abandon him. He also tells Tenji that Yuuichi hasn’t been searching for anyone and has been spending time with the girl, eating and relaxing. Yuuichi had also said that Tenji had screwed them in the second game and he wouldn’t forgive Tenji. The man suggests to give the phone to Yuuichi, but thinking, Tenji states that isn't necessary, as if Yuuichi wants to contact him, he will and he will keep trusting him and waiting. The man then tells him when he gives up to press the button or he will die. As Tenji hangs them phone, Hyakutarou asks Kei in what conditions is Tenji. Kei explains he tried to bluff, but he sounds like a mess. They feel sorry for him as there is no way they can win, since Juuzou came up with a perfect strategy.

Right before the third game, Juuzou explains he came with a strategy to win the game. Juuzou explains that this isn't a game of luck, but a test of friendship. Juuzou points out that Manabu stated they will play in this vast forest, making him wonder how big the forest is. The group realizes that the forest is indeed big and being two or four, it will still be nearly impossible to find someone. Juuzou then reminds them that the important point is that they need to bring food to the hiders. Everyone in the group except Hyakutarou figures what that means. Kei wonders if they need to put someone right into the food station and as Juuzou confirms, Kei explains he isn't a fast runner. Juuzou tells Hyakutarou and Chisato to run to the food station, while Kei and Banri find him a place to hide. Reiko notes that her group's leader is the genius and they have perfect unity. Tsukino confirms they have unity, but instead of typical friends, they are more like a team. Reiko confirms that they indeed are members of a basketball team. Reiko states that the game will end in three days with her Group K being the victors.

On day three of the game, Tsukino asks Reiko if she is sure that today the game will end, and Reiko confirms. She looks at Tenji's face and states they just need to follow the searcher when they bring food to the hider, since normally, finding someone in the forest would be nearly impossible. Since Group K has four searches, two can always stay close to one of the enemy searchers. And since they are all athletes, it won't be easy to escape them. However, if the searcher decides not to move, the hider will eventually decide to give up due to hunger and thirst. Additionally, even if three people of Group K decide to deliver the food, the two members from Group C can't follow them all. Tenji is also under massive handicap as he hasn’t eaten for three days before the game. Thus, Reiko believes that its just a matter of time for Group C to lose.

At the end of the third day, Tenji sees Yuuichi coming and bringing him food. Reiko is surprised to who he talks and Tsukino guesses that he is hallucinating due to the stress and hunger. Reiko finds it strange that Yuuichi doesn't even try to bring food or even call to cheer up Tenji. Instead, he spends all the time at the food station and even revealed a lot of info about his team. Reiko also wonders if Maria will just continue to observe, as even though she is an observer, she acts a member of Group C right now. Tsukino states that Maria sent her one report, that Yuuichi is even more crazy than she thought. At the same time, Yuuichi makes a move and states he wants to join Group K.

## Characters

* Tenji Mikasa
* Yuuichi Katagiri
* Maria Mizuse
* Manabu
* Kei Shinomiya
* Chisato Hashiratani
* Banri Niwa
* Hyakutarou Onigawara
* Juuzou Kadokura
* Tsukino
* Reiko Tamai