Ep. 4: The World You See
Soon after Eagle arrived at Komatsu, she barges in on a date between Kei and Minghua (much to the latter's chagrin). After he learns from her that Gripen is going to be scrapped on this very day, he frantically rushed back to the air base and seeks her out, assuring her that he cares for her. Just before he can spirit her away from her impending fate, a massive Xi attack force approaches Japan, and with Eagle outnumbered on her own, defeat seems assured. Despite Yashirodōri's willingness to allow Gripen and Kei to defect, Gripen and Kei decide to go up together. Gripen's initial failure to interface with her fighter forces Kei to take the controls, and after he manages to shoot down a Xi fighter, Gripen's confidence is boosted, allowing her to enter the fight by herself. The hostile force is defeated, but in the process Kei somehow manages to interface with the plane's controls just like an Anima can. (Source: Wikipedia)