Takemoto starts his travel by bike again; Takemoto finally reaches a certain place when the bottom of his shoe comes off because of his long pedaling.

Needing to buy a replacement bike, Yuta takes a temporary job with a temple repair crew, which he finds almost satisfying enough to make him forget about his journey.

Takemoto travels to many houses to get water to drink; Miwako texts messages for Yamada to Nomiya, as she wonders how he is doing; Hagu believes that she is selfish for not displaying her paintings.

After an especially dramatic up and down in his job search, Yuta heads out on his bike and keeps going.

Takemoto gets disappointed with himself; Morita complains to Professor Hanamoto about Hagumi.

Mayama collaborates with the Fujiwara Design Office; Mayama runs into Yamada at the office.

Morita gets on TV; after making a ruckus in the hospital ward, they were shocked to see Morita; after Professor Hanamoto drags Morita away for his thesis, Yamada asks Mayama about his work.

Takemoto's awkwardness around people causes problems during an interview; Takemoto is taken to the hospital because of a stomach ulcer.

Yuta is now in his senior year and has a lot on his plate: he needs to finish his assignments and graduation work while trying to seek employment. He absentmindedly begins making an odd-looking tower. Hagumi is concerned about Yuta, but Ayumi thoughtfully suggests that they leave him alone...

Despite Takumi's attempts to prevent their meeting, Nomiya approaches Ayumi without hesitation. He slyly takes her for a drive to Nagano prefecture for soba noodles. Takumi is obsessively concerning himself over Nomiya and Ayumi's relationship until he receives news that Mr. Asai has collapsed and is in the hospital...

Mayama dreams of Rika; one of his co-workers, Miwako Teshigawara, says that when one dreams of another, it is because the person in the dream wants them to meet so much that the soul escapes the body and comes to the dream.

Morita leaves unexpectedly; Mayama and Yamada realize Hagumi had feelings for Morita; Hagumi devotes herself to creation.

Now that Shinobu has became a legendary eighth-year college student, he is elated and gives a recital at a cherry blossom viewing party. Hagumi seems disheartened for some reason and Yuta notices that she isn't wearing her brooch. There has been something bothering with her since the day she went shopping with Shinobu. Eventually Hagumi grows ill and is confined to her bed. Shortly after, Shinobu departs for Los Angeles out of the blue, not knowing himself when he will return. Yuta rushes to the airport to catch Shinobu before he leaves, but the plane takes off before he arrives. Yuta calls out after the plane in the distance helplessly.

Takumi, who has started his career and Shinobu, who is still a student quarrel again one morning when Shinobu insists on having everything his way. Yuta cries between his two friends. Soon after, one day Professor Hanamoto suddenly comes back from Mongolia without notice. Although he is back in town, he is very busy with his remaining work and can't spare time for Hagumi. When Hagumi needs to go shopping for art supplies, she goes by herself with Shinobu. Yuta sees them off, unable to intervene. Feelings are slowly entangled. 

The entire group goes on an outing by going on a water taxi ride along the Sumida River; Mayama reveals to Takemoto he knows about Takemoto's feelings toward Hagu and tells him to not give up.

Morita gives Hagu the brooch she wants, Takemoto fights feelings of jealousy; Yamada thanks Morita for bailing her out of a situation where she awkwardly tried to casually say that she loves Mayama.

Yamada moves in with Hagu, and the two invite Takemoto, Morita and Mayama over for a strange dinner; Hagu and Professor Hanamoto miss each other; Mayama asks why they are gathered together; Takemoto replies that it's his birthday.

Professor Hanamoto receives an offer to travel with his teacher for one year to gather research and survey material for a new book and offers to bring Hagu along for the trip; Hagu refuses, stating she won't be lonely because she now has friends.

Takemoto, Hagu, Morita, Mayama, Yamada and Professor Hanamoto go to the zoo; Professor Hanamoto talks to Mayama and tells him about Rika's husband; Professor Hanamoto lived with Rika and her husband and was very close to both of them.

Takemoto goes home to visit Mitsuko Aida, his mother, for the first time in a while; Takemoto does not like Kazuo Aida, his mother's lover; Professor Hanamoto takes Takemoto, Hagu, Morita, and Yamada on a trip.

Mayama continues to battle over his feelings for Rika and his feelings for Yamada; Hagu is overwhelmed by other people's expectations of her artistic ability.

It is late summer; Takemoto, Mayama and Morita are coming back from an evening bath when Takemoto receives a phone call from Hagu inviting them all over for dinner the next evening; Mayama and Morita decide not to go.

Takemoto and Mayama soon discover Hagu's artistic talents; they, as well as Hagu, discover Morita's website which contains a collection of pictures featuring Hagu; Hagu gets upset and throws random objects at Morita, which includes her wish list.

Yuta Takemoto, a student at an art college, is introduced to a lovely new student, Hagumi Hanamoto.