Atri: My Dear Moments Episode 9 kicks off with a heated confrontation. Natsuki confronts Atri, accusing her of deceit. Atri confirms his suspicions, leading Natsuki to demand that she stop acting as though she has a heart. In response, Atri starts behaving more like a Humanoid, admitting her dislike for Natsuki. Natsuki, frustrated, leaves his home, instructing Atri not to follow him.
As Natsuki takes a solitary walk to process his emotions, he collapses and breaks down in tears. Ryuuji, Ririka, and Minamo find him and carry him to Minamo’s house. Natsuki opens up about his disappointment over the recent revelations about Atri. Minamo shares her perspective, suggesting that while Atri may have a heart, she is confused about how to act on it. Natsuki heads to bed with these thoughts weighing on him.
The next morning, Minamo informs Natsuki that Atri is back to her usual self and has gone to school. When Natsuki and Minamo arrive at the school, they discover that Atri isn’t there. Hanako approaches them, handing Natsuki an envelope from an unknown sender. Inside, Natsuki finds data about the recalled Yamasaki Factory’s 4th-generation models.
The information reveals that one of these models went rogue, causing harm at a school and disobeying its master’s orders. Though Hanako suggests that this model might not be Atri, she points out that one out of 58 units like Atri went missing. The factory had concealed this information, and the company eventually dissolved. Hanako also mentions that she had to refuse Atri entry into the school. Natsuki leaves, contemplating Hanako’s revelations.
Soon, Natsuki encounters Yasuda, a man who claims to have worked in the factory’s development department. Yasuda invites Natsuki into his vehicle, and they drive to a secluded location. Yasuda presents an old log from a Humanoid, explaining that he had units like Atri learn to read and write to develop human-like memorization and learning skills.
Yasuda reveals that Atri had a master who instructed her to befriend a girl named Shiina. He delves into the background of the professor who created these units, his own connection to the professor, and the circumstances surrounding the professor’s death. Yasuda expresses his desire to recover and dispose of the unit that wrote the log, believing this action will help him make amends with society and the professor.
Yasuda shows Natsuki a recovery consent form and reveals that Atri is the only remaining unit. He urges Natsuki to hand Atri over for disposal, emphasizing that it would be in Natsuki’s best interest to comply. Natsuki returns home and asks Atri to speak to him as she used to.
Atri reverts to her old self, promising to cook a meal for Natsuki. Natsuki, however, insists that she stop pretending to have a heart. Atri complies and serves Natsuki the dish. When Natsuki questions her about her happiness, Atri replies that she is happy, but Natsuki accuses her of lying and yells at her.
Natsuki, overwhelmed, heads to his submarine to clear his mind. He finds himself washed ashore but manages to return home, only to find that Atri is missing. He discovers a note from Atri next to the unit’s log, indicating that she has gone to the school with Ririka. Natsuki examines the log and sees the phrase “Shiina, I Love You” written inside, connecting it to Atri. Determined to find her, Natsuki rushes to the school.
Meanwhile, Yasuda and his associate have taken several children hostage at the school. Hanako, Minamo, and others confront Yasuda and his accomplice. Yasuda promises to release the hostages if they bring Atri to him. Ririka arrives with Atri, prompting Yasuda’s comrade to free the children.
Atri approaches Yasuda, who begins to abuse her in front of everyone, blaming her for the professor’s death. As Yasuda’s mentor was the professor, his anger is deeply personal. Natsuki, despite his injured leg, strives to reach the school, convinced of Atri’s big heart. Hanako pleads with Yasuda to stop, but he refuses.
Episode 9 of Atri: My Dear Moments ends with Natsuki arriving just in time to hear Atri calling out to him, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
