Michelle Topham 
Yuuta and Shiori see a late night movie
This Days with My Stepsister, Episode 5, “A Late Show and the Real Deal” recap begins with Yuuta and Saki’s parents in the kitchen, and Yuuta walking in having slept late.
It turns out, however, Saki is staying in bed longer than Yuuta after staying up late studying.
The scene then switches to the bookstore where Yuuta is working and talking to Shiori about a new book that has just arrived.
The book is based on a movie that is soon ending its run in movie theaters, which leads Shiori to ask Yuuta if he wants to catch a late show with her later that night.
At the movie theater, the pair order Coke and caramel popcorn, then take their seats.
Several scenes of the movie are then shown, which are done in such a brilliant way, the viewer can guess most of the movie’s plot just by watching those few scenes.
I only have six months to live
After the film ends, Yuuta is walking Shiori home when the pair stop at a vending machine to get a drink.
While they are talking about Yuuta being able to open the can easily, Shiori tells him that he is fun to be with, and that he is always kind to her.
At this point, it becomes obvious Shiori likes him as much more than just a friend.
She then tells him there is something she needs to say to him.
That something is that she only has six months to live. The same thing that the anthropomorphic cat girl in the movie says to the cat boy.
Yuuta responds by telling her he knows she is lying, which is the same thing the boy says in the movie to respond to the girl.
Yuuta then adds there is still plenty of time if they leave now, and holds out his hand.
Again, this is the same line and gesture as the boy’s in the film, which leaves Shiori feeling full of overwhelming emotion.
But, as she steps forward to take Yuuta’s hand, she activates the automatic vending machine. It bursts into life, and wishes both of them a “Good evening”, thus thoroughly spoiling the moment.
Shiori falls into a crouch and seems to be almost crying, but as Yuuta is about to ask if there is something wrong, she jumps up, turns away from him and says she thought the view from the park they are now in is similar to the movie.
The pair then continue their walk home, parting close to Shiori’s car with Yuuta thanking her for the music she recommended for Saki (Episode 4).
Shiori responds by telling him to give her regards to his sister. She then gets into her car, closes the door and sighs.
The episode then switches back to the film, with a similar scene to one we have already seen, but this time with the cat girl and the boy meeting in a park and with the girl playing the violin while the boy plays a guitar.
Back to real life, it is now Sunday, and Saki is asking Yuuta if he put a blanket over her in the night. Yuuta admits it was him.
He tells her he did it as he doesn’t want her to get sick before she can retest for the literature test she has already failed (Episode 4).
Saki asks him about the movie he saw the night before — A Rift in the Blue Night.
Yuuta admits he really enjoyed it, and recommends she also see it.
But Saki stresses that can’t happen before the test, and then wonders if it may be more beneficial for her to read the book instead of see the movie anyway, as it may help her with understanding literature better.
Then she suddenly surprises Yuuta by asking him if he is dating his senpai at work (Shiori).
After he has recovered from his shock, Yuuta insists things are not like that with them. They are just friends. (Something Shiori may not like if she hears that!).
He also explains they have a lot in common, which is why they get along so well. Including both loving to read books.
That leaves Saki wondering if she shouldn’t read more books herself.
Later in the day, Yuuta is back at work and working with Shiori, who asks him to help her shelve some books.
But, as the two are out on the bookshop floor, Shiori notices a girl looking at books and rushes over to help her.
It soon turns out the girl is Saki and, as Yuuta calls her name, Shiori also realizes this.
After she has introduced herself, and told Saki she is just as pretty as Yuuta told her she was, Yuuta responds by telling Shiori she sounds like a drunk guy at a bar.
Saki then explains she is looking for a study guide, along with the book the movie Yuuta and Shiori saw is based on.
This leads Shiori to ask if she wants to see a late show of the movie, but she is stopped by Yuuta who insists Saki needs to study instead of watching movies.
The two girls then talk about the study guide Saki wants, with Saki asking Yuuta to recommend some other books as they may also help her study.
As Saki gets ready to leave for another floor of the bookstore, she pays for the movie novel at the cash register, where Shiori wraps it for her.
Later in the bookstore break room, Shiori is exclaiming about just how pretty Saki was, and tells Yuuta she may just be the real deal. (Girlfriend material?)
Yuuta responds that he’s not sure about that. After all, Saki is still his little sister.
The episode ends with Saki herself standing outside the break room hearing their conversation, and then walking away.
Days with My Stepsister, Episode 5, “A Late Show and the Real Deal” really is a lovely piece of anime work.
What with its mellow, relaxing yet quite intense feel, the way several scenes of the movie were beautifully woven into the plot, while also being gorgeously animated, and how you can easily tell from the dialogue and the way they relate to each other just how close Shiori and Yuuta have become without it being spelled out.
Studio Deen has also done a superb job with both the art style and the animation throughout the entire season, with Episode 5 being the standout episode so far.
You can read the recaps of the first episodes of the anime here on Baozi Buns — Episode 1, Episode 3 and Episode 4.
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