At Sae's favorite bar, the two enjoy a pleasant time together with the bartender. Just when it seems their emotional distance is slowly shrinking, Akihito blurts out, "Right now, I only have friends with benefits." At that moment, Sae realizes that she had, deep down, been hoping for something more from him.

Since their fight at the hotel, Akihito has been completely rejected by Sae. He tries to reconnect with her, even enlisting the help of a friend, but she runs away from him. "Akihito, you actually want to make up with other people?"—that one comment from his friend makes Akihito realize his own feelings for the first time.