Neighborhood Story

Doki! Master again... (1x31)

: 21, 1996

While ecstatic that she sold her rucksack, Mikako is still reeling from Sensei Hamada's counsel to always think of the customer when synthesizing clothes but has enough perspective to avoid angrily lashing out when inquired about the subject. Tsutomu empathizes with Mikako's plight but does not realize how acute Mikako's affliction really is while synthesizing a robot to help lift her spirits. It seems that Mikako was prowling around the shopping district and wandered into a subsequent encounter with Shishou doing her job; after Mikako explains the whole fiasco of the flea market, Shishou enjoins her company when she is working; ignoring Mariko's vendetta with Ayumi, the other Akindo members are excited for Mikako and encourage efficiency of her. Mikako quickly finds that the field trip with Shishou is not the exhibition of clothing synthesis and appraisal that she expects; the first store has a problem with the merchandise while the second has an illumination problem. It is not long after Mikako cries foul that Shishou demonstrates that she is no one-trick pony -- the deus ex machina being an intercession for an actual store customer whose dimensions are too great for a pair of pants she wants that ultimately ignites Mikako's empathetic frustration and illuminates Sensei Hamada's earlier counsel to her. Even with the insight gained during the outing, Mikako is oblivious to Tsutomu's altruistic volition for his newly-completed robot.