Makoto tries to protest that it isn’t like that but Toyoda asks her that if it is possible, can she help her in asking Watase [about this]. Makoto hesitates about putting her aside as the girlfriend, and she would go ask Watase such an important issue. Toyoda smiles and says that it is all right, as long as it can cheer Watase up again, she would want to do anything that is within the scope of her ability. Then, Makoto starts crying. This surprises Toyoda and asks her what it is. Makoto says that it is nothing. Makoto thinks that this girl would think of Watase as if it depended on her life but she [Makoto] would always selfishly think only of herself. “Since that time, everything hasn’t changed [at all]--” Then, at the streets, Rika calls out to Iriya and asks if he is doing fine. Iriya says that it seems that she is still quite lively as always. Rika tells him that the editor is still telling her to get Iriya to see him and it’s quite annoying for that person hasn’t given up yet. Iriya nervously laughs and says, no way. Then, Rika casually asks if something happened between him and Makoto because lately, Makoto is [acting] a bit strange. Iriya hesitates to tell her that Rika lightly punches him and says that even if she doesn’t [want to] forcefully ask him but in short, because Makoto is her cute younger sister so he better not make her cry, okay? Just when Rika says goodbye, Iriya grabs her arm and says that there is a favor he wants to ask of her. Rika arrives home. She knocks on Makoto’s room and says that she’s coming in. Seeing Makoto hiding under the blanket, Rika sighs and asks how come she didn’t open the light. She also didn’t change her clothes that will make her skirt all wrinkled up. Makoto didn’t reply and just mutter that she wanted it all wrinkled up. Then, Rika gives her a cute gift pouch and says that it is for her. “Iriya-kun asked me to give it to you. A birthday gift.” Makoto opens it and it is a couple of scrunchies. Rika says that she unexpectedly bump into him at the station and even if she told him that he give it himself but he said that he made a mistake on the opportunity to give it to her. “Ah, also a reply. “I’m sorry, just now I’ve lied to you.” Makoto becomes teary-eyed for he was apologizing for saying that she doesn’t need to mind him. Makoto tells Rika that she has someone whom she wanted to apologize to for she did a very mean thing to him and hurt him but she doesn’t know what is the best thing that she should say to him. Rika says that even if she doesn’t clearly know the situation but it is alright even if she wasn’t able to properly say it for she only has to give her utmost strength in conveying what she thinks. Makoto thinks how one can cherish one’s most important thing, when it is perhaps already too late when one has noticed it. “But I won’t run away again. This time around, I will properly not escape the gaze and bravely confront [it]. I don’t want to make a grievous mistake again.” Getting ready for school, Makoto looks serious as she emails Watase that if he has time after school today, can they meet. She is wearing her brand new scrunchie on her wrist. Then, she sends the email. Comment: Apparently, Watase has an excellent girlfriend who really cares for him. I really wonder if he really likes her or not since he seems on the verge of two-timing Toyoda. Is it because he can no longer play soccer? He wishes to go back to the past where everything is okay. Anyway, Makoto has already decided that Iriya is the one for her so she’ll have to do what she has to do with Watase. As always, Rika is a big help to Makoto. Since Rika met up with Iriya, this enabled Makoto to learn his true feelings rather than pretend being a ‘nice guy who wants to give Makoto freedom to choose’. Scans by Scans by all★wink汉化组