The following contains spoilers for Episode 9 of Lycoris Recoil, "What's done is done" now streaming on Crunchyroll.

Episode nine of Lycoris Recoil starts off moments after last week's conclusion. Will Chisato survive? What is happening to her? What are Himegama and Yoshimatsu's intentions? And how is all of this related to the Alan Institute? We quickly discover what is at stake, and what will need to happen to keep Chisato alive, among other things.

Lycoris Recoil is an original anime by A-1 Pictures about two girls who were trained from a young age to be government assassins known as Lycorises. One of them is an absolute legend among Lycorises, and the other has been put on probation and is under training of the legend. These two form an unlikely friendship while saving the world from terrorists, government conspiracy, and even their own past. The anime has already received high praise from Hideo Kojima, creator of Metal Gear Solid, Death Stranding, and other storytelling games.

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Chisato's Heart

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The episode opens with Chisato's heart being electrocuted as we saw in the previous episode, interspersed with shots of Inoue running and searching for Chisato. Just as Himegama is finishing what she's doing to Chisato, Inoue arrives and begins shooting at Himegama. Himegama shoots a nearby window and shatters it before jumping out on the street below and escaping. Inoue, having lost her target, turns to Chisato. She cries out her name, but Chisato doesn't answer.

After the theme song, we are presented with a visual of Chisato floating underwater. The light grows brighter and brighter until the scene transitions into Chisato awakening in a hospital room, with Inoue waiting at her side. Also in her room is Mika, Mizuki, and Kurumi. Chisato's doctor explains that by electrocuting her artificial heart, Himegama rendered it unaccessible. Now Chisato's heart is unable to be recharged, and she has two months left before the heart gives out. After Inoue begins to speak out, Chisato's doctor says they do not have the technology to make a new heart for Chisato, and that there is nothing they can do to save her.

Inoue runs out to find Himegama and kill her, but Chisato tells her "it's fine". Chisato further explains that killing Himegama won't change anything. Later the next day, Chisato receives a call at LycoReco asking her to come to the DA, since Kusunoki has been pestering her about something she has for Chisato. When Chisato arrives, Kusunoki has already heard of Chisato's conditions, as well as her recent meetings with Majima. Kusunoki also gives Chisato her camera back before mentioning that there will be a large-scale operation to suppress Majima soon. Kusunoki also asks Chisato to join in on the operation. Chisato calls the proposition a joke and leaves.

Back At LycoReco

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The scene changes to LycoReco, where Sakura and Fuki are arriving. Fuki hands a note to Inoue before telling her she should reply to it by tomorrow. When Inoue asks what it is, Fuki tells her it is most likely an order for her to return since they need more Lycorises to fight against Majima. Then we see Chisato and Inoue after they have seemingly taken down thugs in an alley together. Chisato is on the phone with Miyuki confirming the mission is a success. Inoue is repeatedly stressing about how hard Chisato is working herself with her heart's battery so low.

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Once again returning to LycoReco, Mika is smoking. When Kurumi inquires about it, Mika says that he smokes when he feels guilty. After idle chit-chat, Kurumi says she came in to talk to Mika about the Alan Institute since even her superior hacking skills have turned up no information. Inoue walks in, soaked in rain, just as they are talking in another room. While Inoue is listening in, Mika "tells the tale of ten years ago", and we are greeted with the image of Yoshimatsu.

The Truth About Yoshimatsu and Mika

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However, the scene changes once more and reveals the image we are seeing is from Chisato's camera, before turning into a flashback where Chisato is young. She is in the paintball arena again, this time with the large group of Lycorises ganging up on her. She takes them out flawlessly. Both Yoshimatsu and Mika are watching her through a tablet screen. While Yoshimatsu marvels at her talent, Mika mentions she has a congenital heart disease and will die in six months. Yoshimatsu says he will not let that happen. Yoshimatsu presents Mika with the artificial heart.

Yoshimatsu mentions it most likely won't last until adulthood, and Mika replies saying most Lycorises don't last that long anyway. In another flashback, Mika is coming to meet Yoshimatsu in a hotel room, where Yoshimatsu asks if he is willing to raise a child. Yoshimatsu asks Mika to raise Chisato, and Mika agrees. In yet another flashback, we see wholesome interactions between Chisato and Yoshimatsu, who is attempting to hide his relation to her heart. Chisato insists she knows it's him, and calls him her savior.

Furthermore, Chisato promises to be a savior just like him; this is how we learn where Chisato's life mission comes from. In the next flashback, this time from Chisato's perspective, we see her moments before her heart surgery. Not only is Mika there to reassure her, but Yoshimatsu is also comforting her, and patting her head. When Chisato awakens from surgery, she's given a gift; a pistol and the owl necklace from her savior.

Returning To The Present

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In the present, Inoue reveals that she and Mizuki were listening in the whole time. When Kurumi agrees that capturing Majima could be the best way to get to Yoshimatsu and the Alan Institute, Inoue mentions she had intended on declining the DA's offer to return. Inoue says this is because it is Chisato's last few months of life, and she wanted to stay here for that. But Inoue also says she will return if it means there is a chance to save Chisato.

The scene changes to Robota's office, where Majima has suprised him. Majima threatens Robota and asks who Yoshimatsu is. Once he finds out, Majima says he has a plan. Meanwhile, back at LycoReco, Inoue has asked to take the day off with Chisato. They spend the day out together, shopping, at the arcade, and more. Eventually the day comes to it's end, and Inoue plans to tell Chisato she's returning to the DA. However, Chisato asks Inoue before Inoue can even spill the beans, because Chisato is excited that Inoue finally gets her wish.

Chisato and Inoue continue to talk outside in the cold, mentioning how Inoue thought it was going to snow and Chisato hands down her large and fluffy scarf for Inoue to have as a parting gift. Inoue leaves, but just as she's doing, so snowflakes begin to fall. She turns back to Chisato, who is smiling knowingly. Inoue smiles back before leaving, and the episode ends. This episode was a little softer after its hardcore beginning, but it seems to lend itself well to Chisato's impending doom setting in, so I think the slower episode works in this case.

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