As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.
The TBS Shorts
- The TBS Valentine's Day episode where Retsuko tries to give Resasuke a heart box that is filled with chocolates only for her to be too late to give it to him since he's already on the train. Retsuko is then seen eating the chocolates from the box alone in her house.
- The Christmas episode where she celebrates Christmas alone in her house.
The Netflix Series
"You did the right thing, Retsuko."
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Season 1
- "Walking Down the Aisle" has Retsuko giving the traditional 30,000 yen - which she can barely afford - as a wedding gift and is reduced to eating cheap carbs instead of full lunches. She's so embarrassed by this she hides in the Archive Room to eat lunch, musing that she doesn't want Haida and Fenneko to see her like that.
- The Season One finale has multiple instances of this. One being Retsuko becoming heartbroken at Boss Ton's words on how (through the metaphor of accounting) one can't keep giving and giving if the other doesn't give in return, a parallel between her and Resasuke. It hits her hard and even begs Ton to allow her to do something after the company's ledgers began dropping.
- As an extension of this, how badly everyone around Retsuko notices something is wrong with her relationship with Resasuke. While her friends try to be supportive of her, Washimi and Gori try and fail to convince Retsuko that Resasuke's not treating her well and even Tsubone asks her if she's alright when her work starts slipping. Even when Retsuko briefly has a moment of anger during a date (after several scenes of her ankles being worn down), she represses her anger to the point of going to a Heroic BSoD in the bathroom while she convinces herself that she'll be a happy girlfriend. The fact it's Ton saying something finally gets across how bad things are to Retsuko.
- The worst one has to be where Retsuko takes Resasuke to her karaoke room to let out her rage at his plainness through Death Metal screams...only for Resasuke to not realize what she said and simply approving of her singing. The expression Retsuko gives is hard to see, especially when she quietly says "It's over".
- It's actually more painful afterwards where Resasuke goes back to his plant-filled house and he lets out a quiet, and surprisingly somber "I'm home" when it hits him that his relationship with Retsuko's over.
- Resasuke's relation to Retsuko as a whole is this. He is a Nice Guy and can hold conversations with someone, but the problem is that he has No Social Skills and thus when he's told that Retsuko likes him, he's confused and only asks her out because his colleague told him to, was only doing what he was told to do, and has no idea how to treat Retsuko properly. He's just as clueless to romance as Retsuko is.
- This is actually prevalent if you see his interactions with Retsuko in his introduction episode: Resasuke literally has a decent and calm chat with her (granted on their phones, but still!) and even goes to check on her after she went to the bathroom during the Single's Night trip. It's even implied he took her to her apartment since she was too drunk to go home herself. Which makes this Oblivious to Love relationship with Retsuko saddening.
- Haida's predicament in the second half of Season 1 can hit a lot of people hard: He genuinely loves Retsuko and struggles to ask her out because he Can't Spit It Out. There's even a scene from Episode 6 where Fenneko offhandedly mentions hearing him rant about her not being with them and drinking himself into oblivion because of it. When he learns about Retsuko is dating Resasuke, he's devastated and even goes as far as to walk in the rain in his sad state and catches pneumonia as a result!Haida: *laying in the sidewalk, the rain hitting him* Could I be more pathetic...?
- Fenneko also gets this as well, as when she confronts Haida about it, all she can do is give out a sad "I'm sorry" to him.
- "We Wish You a Metal Christmas" reveals that Retsuko turned Haida down, though they're back to being friends by the end of it.
- A rather poignant moment regarding this comes up. Haida tries to invite Retsuko to a Christmas party - really just a date with him and maybe Fenneko as mediator - and encounters her in the tea room. When he actually tries to spit it out, however, he stumbles, hesitates, and the mere memory of Retsuko gently letting him down is enough for him to switch subject. More heartbreaking when Retsuko might have accepted it, considering half the special is Retsuko trying to find someone to spend Christmas with.
- Tsunoda, who spent all the episode helping Retsuko becoming more successful on social media, is shown at the end of the episode in a fancy restaurant with her date, who is babbling endlessly while she scrolls on her phone, bored. She only perks up when she sees Retsuko's post about eating ramen with Washimi and Gori. Being popular online doesn't seem all that's cracked up to be.
- Despite how much of a Jerkass Ton was to Retsuko early in season 1, hearing about his own office conditions might hit a certain spot to an older audience. An unhappy work environment with no way to improve your own conditions aside from gritting your teeth, working hard, and outdoing those above you every way you could, even in their worse behaviors. And by the time you've come to a position of comfort, you look around and realize you've become the kind of person you once hated and are now hated yourself by those around you, but know no other way to act in your work environment.
Season 2
- While it is mostly Played for Laughs, Retsuko's relationship with her mom can seriously hit home for a lot of people who deal with similar circumstances. In the first two episodes of Season 2 alone, Retsuko's mom breaks into her house without permission, bugs her endlessly on the phone, and forcedly sets her up with someone whose picture she Photoshopped. One can't help but feel bad for Retsuko in these moments.
- Seeing Retsuko suffer much worse in the beginning episodes of Season at the hands of Anai is both this and Nightmare Fuel, since it comes off as someone bullying another co-worker just because they can't handle people saying they're wrong.
- In “Unavoidable Impact” Kabae’s quiet “I guess I’ll go home now” when Retsuko walks away from her while she’s talking. It’s a minor one but it’s clear how disappointed Kabae is.
- Retsuko learning Shirota found a partner is...heartbreaking, especially for anybody who waits for a special someone...only to learn they're with someone else.Retsuko: What's going on? Why is that such a shock? I mean, it's not like I was head over heels for the guy, right?... So why does my chest hurt?
- Perhaps the most heartwrenching thing about Retsuko's life is that for all rights and merits, Retsuko's mom was correct about what was best for Retsuko, as she in the end does want to be married and was upset when Shirota, the first person her mom set her up with, had moved on.
- The focus of Retsuko lamenting how while it's good she wants to drive.. she doesn't know what she'll do after that. A very fitting feeling anybody can relate to.
- Gori and Washimi have a big argument after the latter says the former isn't suited for marriage.
- The Season Two finale: "Wonderful Life", all of it: Retsuko reveals her desires to Tadano about wanting to be married ala Metal Music, in comparison to him feeling that marriage is pointless...and the next scene has him walking out of the karaoke bar with a look of heartbreak and then a shot of a crying Retsuko being comforted by Washimi and Gori.
- The scene with Tadano and Haida after he leaves the karaoke bar. Haida asks if he's alright, but Tadano just looks him, gives a small fake smile to hide the pain he has and walks away and activates his AI once more.
- The scene before it is even worse: After she confirms her feelings through metal music, Retsuko, while tearing up, tells Tadano that she knows he'll change the world and she'll always support his choices, even saying "Go and change the world, Tadano". Tadano's expression? The same emotional eyes he gets when he's in deep thought...except here it's close to tears because he knows that despite loving Retsuko, he can't give her what she truly desires. And it hurts them both.
Season 3
- Retsuko's situation in the beginning of the season. She's broke as hell, deep in debt, and lives off day old bread crusts for her meals to the point her co-workers worry for her.
- When Retsuko is sent by Hyodo to get money from someone who refuses to pay, she's forced to literally beg for it before she gets the money.Retsuko: Every one of us is in debt. The moment you're born you start racking it up. It's the price of getting to live in this world. So you work nonstop, wasting your life to pay the debt for living. But you're too busy working to live.
- Tadano, surprisingly, getting introspective and looking back at why his relationship with Retsuko didn't work out, and while he's perfectly happy for her, it's pretty clear from his talks that he truly does miss being with "Retsy".
- Inui clearly looking hurt after confessing her feelings to Haida, when he couldn't give a straight answer.Inui: Haida, do you... like me?
- After the first meeting with her stalker, Retsuko goes to the bathroom and washes her hand while looking on the verge of tears, clearly feeling violated.
- Haida, absolutely gripped with fear that his best friend is about to be murdered, having to save Retsuko from being stabbed by her stalker. Worse, he's so preoccupied with preventing her would-be murderer from getting away that he doesn't even notice her lying on the ground, lifeless and with blood on her, a few feet away for several seconds, and when he does, he cries and screams out her name when he truly believes for a moment that she's dead.Haida: (through his tears) But there's blood on her...
- Inui points out that Retsuko isn't actually bleeding. Haida managed to block the stalker's attack with his own hand and was so shaken by everything that was happening that he didn't even notice his hand had been cut open, let alone that his blood had gotten on Retsuko.
- The breakup with Inui as a result of this was also painful to watch, mainly because Haida doesn't realize that he finally became honest not only to her, but to himself. Especially made poignant with the last line he uttered, at least in the English dub.Haida: Honestly, did I? Because I uh... if I thought it through, then I would choose... her.
- Retusko's disturbingly realistic and completely understandable trauma following her attack.
- Not only does Retsuko refuse to go back to work long after she's recovered, she won't even go back to her apartment. Instead, she moves back in with her parents house and holes up in her bedroom. When Haida finally goes there to find her and bring her to karaoke, she's hiding under her blanket aimlessly scrolling through her phone.
- To say nothing of the nightmare she has while in the hospital. When she wakes up from her hospital bed, she finds herself on a stage, the audience all verbally abusing and insulting her. Then her stalker shows up and grabs her hands like he did in his first scene, then tells her that she drains everyone’s money like a parasite. Three spotlights start to go out on Retsuko as the audience's faces are all replaced by that of her stalker. And the final light goes out on her, traumatizes and crying like a frightened child (pictured above). It's undoubtably the darkest scene in the whole show.
- Retsuko venting out to Haida, revealing just how angry she that her already lousy life just became a million times worse.Retsuko: LEAVE ME, LEAVE ME, LEAVE ME, LEAVE ME ALONE! I DIDN'T ASK FOR ANY OF THIS! IT'S ME AGAINST THE WHOLE DAMN WORLD AND THEY PUNCHED FIRST—
- Haida's utter desperation in trying to get Retsuko to accept his feeling for her. While it would have been more mature of him to not ask anything of his friend when she's more vulnerable than ever, he can't, simply because he's incapable of putting aside his own feelings. note
Season 4
- The first half of Season 4 focuses on Haida and Retsuko barely scratching the surface of their relationship, mainly due to Haida's crippling anxiety, with eventually him lying to her so many times that she simply begins to give up.
- When Fenneko calls Retsuko out, Haida finally explains himself as to why: He lacks so much self confidence that he feels he just doesn't compare to Retsuko, whom he feels is more deserving considering everything she went through with being bullied by Ton, dating and breaking up with someone as influential as Tadano, becoming an idol and nearly killed for it. Even Fenneko feels some pity for him.
- The circumstances that lead to Kabae quitting. Her son catches a fever while at school, necessitating her to go get him, but Director Yagyu keeps insisting "alternatives" just so she doesn't have to leave. She only manages to do so when Fenneko, Retsuko, and Haida promise to get her work done for her. However, the next day Kabae's son still has a fever, meaning she can't come into work at all...and Director Yagyu scolds her for her "prorities." Between this and her previous meeting about resigning, Kabae decides to just quit.
- Anai crying after Kabae gets forced into quitting her job. Kabae's guidance and support was the reason why he managed to calm down and fit into his new job in the first place.Anai: Damn it to hell! I hate this! (through tears) I hate this! Why her?
- Haida breaking down in front of Retsuko after she notices his promotion is getting to him.Retsuko: You were never this tense before.Haida: IT'S CALLED BEING AN ADULT, RETSUKO. LIFE ISN'T ALWAYS THIS FUN, OKAY?! When I tell you I know what I'm doing, believe me.Retsuko: I'm sure it feels that way, but—Haida: Enough. Leave me alone...
- Haida runs into Inui at the record shop, and the two go get drinks to catch up. Inui tells Haida that she lost her job during the restructuring, but he shouldn't be surprised because she was just a temp... except Haida is surprised, as he either didn't know or remember Inui was a temp until then. Inui is visibly hurt by this, as she takes it to mean Haida was really not paying attention to her during the brief time they were together.
- Haida's entire situation in the second half of the season. He got promoted to director of the accounting department because the new CEO saw potential in him. Later on, the new CEO wanted to make the company look good and forced Haida to illegally change the numbers before they could release them. The CEO was able to make Haida do all of this, because he held Retsuko's job on the line, implying he would fire her, and possibly the others, if Haida doesn't do his bidding.
- Haida getting reduced to a sobbing mess after getting slapped by Retsuko during his rant in the karaoke bar showed how broken he was between the stress his job gave him thanks to Himuro's schemes and his own inferiority complex that made him have cold feet from pursuing a relationship with Retsuko weighing heavily on his shoulders. Even worse is when he reveals he did it out for Retsuko, only for her to point out that she didn't want him to risk his job for her.
- Normally, some would have assumed Retsuko was slapping Haida because he was being rude to her...except that's not the reason why. She slapped him because she knows Haida is better than this and knows this is very much out of character for him.
- Haida quit his job at the end of the season, arguably due to guilt of what he did and nearly screwing up his own life with following Himuro's scheme.
- Despite everything, Retsuko isn't truly angry with Haida, and instead voices understanding of why he did what he did. As she notes, Haida had spent years and years as just another face in the crowd, and finally being recognized made him feel worthwhile at long last.
- Ton's spiral into depression, with heavy implications that he almost considered suicide by jumping in front of a moving train.
- The overall Trauma Conga Line that Ton goes through is pretty depressing: When told by Himuro that their department is causing money issues, he lays it down to Ton that he must cut off certain workers. Ton instead doesn't fire anybody since he feels they all are good qualified workers, so Himuro instead demotes him to a lesser position where he basically does nothing. Suffice to say, Ton's reaction at his "new office" says otherwise.
Ton:...Heh, so that's how it is.- Ton tries to keep his new employment at a convenience store a secret from his family, but his twin daughters eventually find out. They break down in tears in front of Retsuko and beg her to help their father.
Season 5
- Haida's assessment of Shikabane's situation.Haida: It's like she's already given up. How do I say this? She has everything she wants. She's turned her back on the world. There's nothing left to want. She's settled on the crumbs.
- When they see each other again after an entire month, Haida notices that Shikabane is in a really bad shape, covered with dirt, showing Exhausted Eye Bags, and clearly starving. He understandably tries to encourage her to leave her Internet cafe refugee’s life behind, and finding a new job and a real apartment, but she (at first) rejects his offer out of believe that it won’t improve her life anyway.
- Haida’s situation after he quit his job out of guilt after the events of Season 4 is not a funny ride. Even when he did it to himself, he becomes a videogame addict to cope with his unemployment (which is eerily similar to Retsuko’s addiction to a VR game after her breakup with Tadano), he lost most of his money due to microtransactions, he’s kicked out from his apartment by his wealthy father and his girlfriend decides to put her foot down and to distance herself from him if he doesn’t find a job soon. He then takes refuge in a Internet cafe while struggling to find a new job. Worst still, everytime he does get a job interview, they all reject him and “wishing him a bright future” despite his years of experience. This can strike a huge sensitive nerve to those who were or still are unemployed or are payed with the bare minimum wage for an extensive period of time.
- Even much later in the season, long after he’s out of that situation, he continues to be traumatized by it and mentally flash back to the rows and rows of net cafe walls.
