Things kick off with a flashback as an announcer says that Reiwa Gakuin University has toppled the undisputed kings of Hinowa College and are moving on to the next stage. Hinowa's 15-year streak has been broken, and the camera soon trails off on him. Some time after the game, Akashi is understandably upset as he apologizes to his team. His teammates tell him he doesn't need to apologize since it's not all his fault, saying they made their own mistakes and trying to cheer him up saying they'll win next time. Losing is frustrating, sure, but Akashi did his best. Akashi narrates how his team tried to encourage him, only to have the one person he didn't want talking to him the most ask to speak to him. The coach asks him to come over.
The coach admits what they're going to say is really awkward, but they order Akashi to think about looking for work outside of baseball. Akashi is shocked by this, and the coach says he understands how much effort Akashi has put into this already. But between what happened in the game and his pitching, it'd be strange for him to get scouted out for pro or sponsored amateur tournament teams. Akashi says nothing, and the coach feels like there's no more help to be given to Akashi in getting to the big leagues. He'd best start making a decision, because the coach feels there's no way no one can be a pro with stage fright like that.
Akashi narrates about how everything went dark when he heard what his coach said. He had always dreamed of becoming a pro, and he had always put in all the work he could to get there. And today that dream has died, what with him being told to give it up. He sees his team talking to a scout from the sides, and he quietly leaves the dome.
Back to the present, you say you see, say that was harsh, and/or say the coach has a point. Akashi admits knowing that it was going to be tough trying to be a pro the way he is. He still tried in spite of that, practicing and believing he could make it if he could cover for his stage fright. He did his best in his own way to overcome it. He tried. He really did. But as Shouen notes, reality slapping him in the face like that broke his heart.
Akashi talks about how he started to think he was never cut out for being a pro baseball athlete, but he never wanted to accept the idea. Kyoichi is indignant as he denies the suggestion, saying Akashi does have the skills to get into the pro league. He chose to look after Akashi so he could do all he can, and he's angry Akashi would crumble from just a few words from the coach.
Shouen steps in to tell Kyoichi that Akashi was serious, and that he sees there isn't a difference. He figures it's because Akashi was serious that what he was told hit so hard. Kyoichi is unable to come up with a response to this, and Shouen says he understands why Akashi can't transform. It's because he gave up on his dream. You are confused by this and ask why that is important.
Shouen starts with a disclaimer saying he's only passingly familiar about the subject, but he explains that a hero's abilities are deeply connected to the dreams and hopes they hold. Their wishing of "wanting to be like this" or "wanting to become like that" creates a connection to a world where they've accomplished that and makes them into heroes. Kyoichi sums it up by saying a hero is a hero so long as they have their dreams. He talks about wanting to be a hero who protects his students and how Shouen wants to write the writing that once existed. They can stay as heroes since they haven't given up on their dreams. But if you flip the point on its head, you can't be a hero if you give up on your dreams. You start to piece together why Akashi can't transform.
Kyoichi says Akashi had his heart shatter, and he can't become a hero anymore since he gave up. Akashi puts on a stoic face as he takes it to mean that his dream really is over and thinks on the point. He hands his head to himself. Suddenly more screaming arises, surprising everyone.
More Kaibutsu have appeared and are attacking the children, and Shouen notes it's the same group of kids you just saved. He considers for a sec whether telling them to get to someplace safe was a bad move after all, and Kyoichi angrily wonders what the hell is up today for so much to be happening. Mokdai comes up running and telling you things are bad, so you ask him what's wrong.
Mokdai informs you guys that there's a large outbreak of Kaibutsu throughout the entire bay coast area, which shocks Kyoichi. Both Kyoichi's and Shouen's phones ring at this point, and the city puts out an announcement to all heroes. A disaster order has been sent out by city hall, saying the affected area is the entire coast ward and that this is a level 3 emergency. 300 Kaibutsu are estimated to have appeared, and all heroes are asked to help guide citizens to safety and deal with the threat. You either express shock at the number of them, or you can ask what's meant by the emergency orders or the disaster level. B and C have Mokdai explain that the order is put out when there's not just one or two monsters running around. It's an order put out to all hero agencies asking for help, and there are five levels for classification. Level 3 is pretty bad.
Anyways, Mokdai says it looks like all agencies are sending heroes here for a brute force solution. Ryekie and Toshuu are protecting the club house shelter with Huckle as Operator, and since Huckle can handle the camera there Mokdai was asked to come over here to help. You either quickly ask him to come help with the camera or comment that it looks like things will be busy. A and B has Mokdai say he understands, asking you to hang in there since it'll be a while. C has Mokdai agree it'll be hard, but he'll be counting on you and will be taking care of the camera work.
Mokdai quickly gets to setting up the camera and prepping to film. Once he's done he tells you he's ready to start whenever. Shouen says you guys should get going then, and Kyoichi says it's time to punish the Kaibutsu eating his students. Akashi is quiet at the episode battle starts, and more story happens afterwards.
After the battle, the story picks back up with the children waking up after being saved and crying, and Kyoichi briefly cheers that things are good for now. Shouen thinks out loud about the current state of things and mentions again that it might be dangerous to have the children try to evacuate. He suggests the idea of keeping the kids around and protecting them themselves, saying it's also their job.
Kyoichi agrees, then tells the kids to come with them so that they can escort them to safety instead. He also asks Akashi if he can lead the children along since he, Shouen, Mokdai as cameraman, and you as Operator need to take point and clear the way. Akashi is initially too preoccupied with being unable to fight to answer, but once it gets through his head what Kyoichi said he agrees to do so. Kyoichi is still concerned for him, and you either comment that Akashi is depressed but understand why, or you tell him to get focused. C gets an extra line where Akashi apologizes and says he will.
Mokdai says he heard from you earlier when he called, but it's hitting him again to see that Akashi can't transform. He says that Huckle was surprised to hear it, though he thinks that the one most taken aback by this is Justice. After a quick flashback cut to show him reacting to this, Mokdai talks about how Justice was really worried about him. He couldn't leave his position though, and you finish Mokdai's sentence about how he was sent over instead. He nods, saying that Huckle mentioned that having to support two heroes puts a bigger burden on an Operator, so he should at least take over camera duty for you.
Shouen starts talking to Akashi and asking if he's frustrated with his inability to face against what's happening now. Akashi doesn't answer, and Shouen says he understands how he feels. It took him forever worrying over things before he could be firm with his determination, but he points out that it's also true that Akashi being lost for what to do is preventing him from doing anything. That said, whatever Akashi can do to himself will help a lot. Akashi nods at that.
Shouen thinks a little more and decides to ask him a question as someone older than him. Was Akashi's dream really so superficial that being told to stop was enough to convince him to give up on it? And just as Kyoichi said, is Akashi the type to throw in the towel at bring told of the difficulty he'll be up against? Kyoichi starts to protest this line of questioning, but Shouen brings his hand up to stop him. He admits that he doesn't have the standing to tell Akashi what to do with his dream one way or another, but he does suggest that he try remembering how he felt the time he first started to have his dream. Why did he want to be a pro? Why did he need to be a pro? If he does, he's sure to find some sort of clue as to how to clear his worries. You either call Shouen's name or comment that he's talking a lot now. B has Shouen get embarrassed as he says it happens sometimes. He had his worries like that too when he was younger.
Shouen apologizes for lecturing so highhandedly, then suggests heading off now because there are other Kaibutsu around in the park. Kyoichi agrees, then tells everyone it's time to go. Shouen and Kyoichi take the lead in guiding the entire group, and Akashi herds the children together while walking along. The episode ends as Akashi starts considering the point about when he first started to dream.
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