S01E20
Interrupted from reveling at the full moon by his growling stomach, Momotarō decides to seek some sunflower seeds and becomes infatuated with a female squirrel prior to transporting his payload. Unfortunately, Momotarō loses his balance and unwisely tries to save the seeds—the penalty of which is induction into the slipstream of a passing truck and being electrocuted. Several hours later, Kaoru discovers the unconscious Momotarō during the return trip home from school and immediately decides to nurse him back to health at home—a decision that Shiho and Aoi are not entirely thrilled with. During his metempsychotic possession of a bird, Akira spotting an abandoned laboratory in the forest prompts Minamoto to call a recess and investigate. Meanwhile, after Kaoru cautiously attempts to feed Momotarō (who snaps awake to angrily chomp her finger not understanding her intentions), Shiho psychometrically discovers that Momotarō has no memory. Kashiwagi's arrival to keep an eye on the girls complicates things with the prospect of Momotarō's dysphoric discovery. Another psychotic episode of Momotarō acting out prompts Minamoto to explain that residential coexistence with Momotarō is impossible because of the wartime experimentation done on him. As if to prove Minamoto's situational ethics correct, Momotarō recovering himself to again jump to conclusions ignites another battle. After objecting to Minamoto chasing after Momotarō on the grounds that he is what she along with Shiho and Aoi once were—a maltreated creature whose life is of the same priceless value that theirs are, Kaoru leads her teammates after Hatsune and convince her to stand down before confronting Momotarō. Kyōsuke arrives to aid Kaoru with the sentiment that espers can only be truly understood by another esper before departing with Momotarō (who has come to his senses enough to truly understand Kaoru's intentions). In aggregate, it has been demonstrated that Minamoto truly practices what he preaches regarding the ethical challenges of using defensive force and of all life having the same priceless value.
