In episode 4, Akane faces the challenge of navigating social situations during the guild’s offline meetup. Her initial misunderstanding about Runa and Rurihime leads to some frustration, but once she realizes that Eita is the player behind the character, the dynamic between the guild members begins to unfold.

Eita’s complex relationship with his Rurihime persona highlights the theme of separation between online and offline personalities, a motif that runs throughout the series. This idea is further explored when Eita misjudges Akane’s character, assuming she is mature when in reality, she is quite childish.

The episode focuses on Akane’s feelings for Yamada, which remain uncertain. Her immature side is revealed in her interactions with Runa, a child who also has feelings for Yamada. Akane’s attempts to appear more adult-like, such as cooking for Yamada, expose an impulsive and self-sacrificing nature that reflects her need for transactional relationships with others.

As the series progresses, it seems likely that Akane’s relationship with Yamada will serve as a catalyst for her growth into a more self-actualized adult. Yamada’s hinted backstory, which includes past trauma that may affect his love life, also promises potential for his character development.