The following contains spoilers for Episode 4 of Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, "How They Each Feel at the Start of Summer," now streaming on Crunchyroll.

Episode 4 of Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie explores the motivations, personalities and relationships of several cast members, including Shikimori and her energetic female friend, Nekozaki. Thus far, little is known of Nekozaki's backstory and personal life outside her relationship with Shikimori, but Episode 4's events paint her in a favorable light.

Nekozaki made an accurate first impression on Shikimori fans when she started fawning all over the titular heroine from the start, and Episode 4 shows why. She looks up to Shikimori as a role model -- even if the latter doesn't see herself as anything special -- and this paved the way for a friendly and constructive rivalry that flatters Nekozaki more than it does Shikimori herself.

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Nekozaki closeup

In Episode 4 of Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie, the five main friends visit the mall to have fun and buy swimsuits for their upcoming trip to the river. While shopping for swimwear, the three girls meet up and comment on how Shikimori is actually rather competitive and not always a gracious loser. This prompts Nekozaki to think back on when she and Shikimori first crossed paths earlier in their high school career, and she admired Shikimori for being the ideal Japanese young woman. Nekozaki was amazed by her elegant, effortless beauty and poise, and in those days she compared herself unfavorably to Shikimori. Her self-esteem seemed low at this time.

Later in the flashback, Nekozaki and Shikimori face off in basketball during P.E. class, and at first Nekozaki doesn't feel too competitive. Then she watches Shikimori dominate the court with Izumi cheering her on, which fires up her competitive drive. Nekozaki establishes her energetic and aggressive side in this flashback as she fights hard to win, and in the end, her team indeed wins the game.

Shikimori takes it badly at first but Nekozaki then offers her friendship, which she accepts at once. All this led to today's Shikimori-Nekozaki bond, born out of mutual respect and invigorating competitive feelings. It's an intense but wholesome friendship to have.

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Shikimori basketball

Shikimori's Not Just a Cutie's flashback makes it clear that Shikimori and Nekozaki have a lot in common. Both are friendly and energetic people who thrive on competition and having goals to pursue, and they also have a great deal of mutual respect. Nekozaki still admires Shikimori as the embodiment of feminine beauty, seeing her as a model for all the other girls at school.

Nekozaki isn't as shallow as this would suggest, but it does reveal what she looks for in a person. She has fairly straightforward tastes, and anyone who can carry themselves like a dignified princess is a winner in her eyes. She also admires anyone who can keep up with her in sports and other physical contests, boy or girl.

This means Shikimori is the whole package in Nekozaki's eyes -- a popular and beautiful girl who is also good at sports and generous to her friends. That's all Nekozaki needs, and in return, Shikimori admires her great athletic prowess and attitude as a humble and generous winner. Had Nekozaki flaunted her basketball victory, they would never have bonded. But as a humble and selfless winner, she inspired the sore loser Shikimori to become her friend, and that means she's just as graceful and charming as any princess. Nekozaki should give herself more credit.