Heartwarming / Recovery of an MMO Junkie

• Hayashi wanting to level grind so he can do a difficult quest for the sake of getting Lily a game item you can't buy with money for a Christmas present
  • When in the end Hayashi fails to do so, he gets her a different item as a consolation while clearly disappointed that he couldn't do what he wanted. Lily nonetheless expresses gratitude for the sentiment, happy that he even worked that hard for her sake, especially because her own gift for him was something she simply paid for.
  • Himeralda lending an ear to Lily when Lily was feeling upset because Hayashi wasn't spending time with her, not knowing Hayashi was trying to get her a gift.
  • In the manga version of this story point, Himeralda finds out what Hayashi was trying to do and actually tries to help him out with clearing the quest, even though they both were underleveled for it.
• Anytime the guild members offer to listen to each other's problems and give advice. It's very clear they all think of each other as family.
  • Moriko's over-the-top gratitude for all of them is extremely adorable.
• Hayashi and Lily pinky swearing to tell each other more about one another when they become closer.
• Hayashi pointing out to Lily that the time had slipped by to 5:00 am, and then offering to stay up with her when she concludes grimly the only way she'll get to work on time is by staying up all night.
• Sakurai taking Moriko to the hospital after knocking her out, sticking around until she came to, paying for all her medical bills and later asking to treat her to dinner sometime.
• Koiwai's nicknames for Moriko and Sakurai, 'Morimori-chan' and 'Sakura-chan', simultaneously come off as obnoxious and endearing.
• The fact that when Moriko still had a job and was stressed to the point of crying, Koiwai took the time to try comfort her and cheer her up even if they were both on a business call.
• Lily giving Hayashi an expensive coat, explaining some of her history with other players, and asking him to be her partner.
  • Kanbe having in the past helped Lily with her problem of being bombarded with messages by random strangers in-game.
  • When Lily changes her clothes to match Hayashi she's wearing the item Hayashi gave her for Christmas.
  • Moriko's freakout over Lily asking to be Hayashi's partner, admitting to herself that she might be crushing on Lily, and being insanely happy over the new development, is precious.
• Fujimoto reaching out to talk to Moriko about Fruits de Mer at the convenience store. They both initially come off as awkward but quickly find their stride when they realize they're both passionate about the game. It portrays the atmosphere of meeting someone in real life who shares an interest with you really well.
• Pokotaro and Himeralda actually being married in real life.
• After Fujimoto and Moriko end up revealing themselves to be Kanbe and Hayashi in-game, Kanbe sits Hayashi down and helps him not feel so self-conscious about the fact.
• Moriko catching herself overdoing the needless apologies while talking to Sakurai, and correcting herself by telling him 'thank-you' for everything he's done instead.
• Moriko telling Sakurai that if she'd had co-workers like him and Koiwai, she might not have quit her job. It's particularly poignant considering that her previous work environment was what forced her into seclusion in the first place. It's also really nice to see that Sakurai and Koiwai have had that kind of positive impression on her in such a short time.
• Sakurai confiding in Moriko that even though Koiwai is annoying, he also thinks of Koiwai as being a good, supportive friend.
• Koiwai's date with Moriko. He converses with her about topics she's interested in, tries to help build her confidence, and also tells her that not only does she look lovely, he feels relieved that she seems to be feeling better compared to when he'd known her from before. It shows that aside from his interest in shipping her with Sakurai and messing around with both of them, he genuinely cares and is looking out for her.
• Sakurai and Lily's alternating monologue narration of their side of the story of meeting Hayashi in episode 7. It's both bittersweet and heartwarming to hear Sakurai admit that without realizing it he'd gotten emotionally attached to his online relationship with Hayashi, even before he knew Hayashi was Moriko. And that had he not connected the two identities, Sakurai would have been satisfied continuing their relationship in that way forever.
  • The dub script makes the scene more touching and better by having Lily and Sakurai say "Sweet Hayashi" and "Sweet Morioka" respectively. It's pretty obvious that they both love Hayashi and Morioka.
• Hayashi telling Lily about the dates from the two previous nights, not knowing that Sakurai is Lily's player. Sakurai is surprised and overjoyed when his own date with Moriko is what Hayashi talks about most, expressing gratitude towards him for helping Hayashi/Moriko feel more relaxed before the date with Koiwai.
• Moriko calling Sakurai to ask if he was Harth, the player that she'd befriended years ago on another MMORPG, and Sakurai confirming it by calling her by her old game name, Yuki. It's amazing how the tension between them seems to melt away as they reminisce, knowing that they've actually been friends for a long time. Moriko in particular is absolutely beaming and rolling around with giddiness as they talk, a far cry from her usually introverted, nervous self.
  • Moriko is in general a lot more open and forthcoming with Sakurai after she learns he was her old friend. It's pretty profound how easily she tells him that her main game character is a guy, as it was something that she'd been so embarrassed about just a few episodes prior.
• Koiwai sets up Sakurai and Moriko to meet in the park after Sakurai misinterprets Moriko's request to keep playing together as being Just Friends. Even with his own interest in Moriko, and with Sakurai believing he's finally blown any shot he has with her, Koiwai still wants to give his friends a chance at happiness.
• After Moriko and Sakurai are set up by Koiwai to meet again after having no contact online or in real life for almost a week, the two are extremely flustered as usual, but after realizing they were set up they break down laughing and open up to each other once again.
• Moriko and Sakurai spend an entire day together in the OVA, which is set after the end of the show. They fumble with their true feelings like they have for the entire show, and yet they are also shown to be much more comfortable in each other's presence now. The two are making great strides in their relationship even if they are still a tad insecure.

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