Shuuji Hanamoto has to be away for a year for a job assignment and he worries about whether he should bring his niece, Hagumi, along with him.

The group visits a rather eerie zoo. Shuuji reveals to Mayamoto his history with Rika and her husband.

Hagumi and Ayama hold a dinner party and invite the guys over but it soon turns out that it's a special day for one of them.

Takemoto, Morita and Mayama are invited over to the Hanamoto's for a dinner party after Hagumi brings back some soba from her summer vacation in Nagano.

Ayumi questions Shuuji's love for Hagu. Takumi is happy for Shuuji for admitting his love for Hagu. Ayumi regrets telling Shinobu about Hagu's accident. Takumi explains to Ayumi that Hagu had art as a part of her life, so her love for Shinobu was uncertain in the past.

Takemoto reluctantly returns home for the New Year and meets Kazuo, his step-father.

It's the sakura season and the gang are absorbed in the array of activities celebrating the sakura festival. Hagumi catches one of her wisdom fevers. And Takemoto meets Morita's brother, Kaoru, and learns of news regarding Morita.

Everyone is working late preparing their exhibits for the school festival including Hagumi, who has trouble with her wax work.

After spending the night with Shinobu, Hagu wakes up and sees her right hand swollen, frightening her. Shinobu takes her back to the hospital, meeting up with Shuuji.

Mayama's love life still remains difficult. Hagumi feels the stress of being different from everyone. And Morita organises a Christmas party for the Christmas Eve.

Shuuji returns unexpectedly from Mongolia. And Hagumi goes on a shopping trip with Morita.

Takemoto reminisces about his life when he first went to art school. He recalls about rooming with Morita and Takemoto, and about meeting Hagu for the first time.

Miwako discusses about Ayumi's work in pottery, complimenting on her work. They go to a spa and resort to celebrate her accomplishment.

Hagu starts hiccuping and Shūji helps her stop, using a technique, but fails. However, Morita shows up, causing her to repeatedly and rapidly hiccup a lot.

Shinobu reminisces about his father when he was younger. Some students are preparing to submit their projects to Shinobu's father, however he decides to leave home early. He shows Shinobu and Kaoru one of his inventions, then they all eat curry for dinner.

Nomiya calls Yamazaki and Miwako to the office early in the morning to assist a drunken Yamada to her father's house.

Yuta begins to travel by bike again. The bike, map and traveling gear he's borrowed from Shin are very reliable. The people he meets along the way, scenery he sees for the first time in his life, new experiences and even the many difficulties he encounters make him think differently about his life.

The firm Mayama was about to be apart. For some intentional purpose, his boss put him into the group of people who have to leave Tokyo to another place. At the same time, Rika-san's assistant was is hospital and she hasn't been able to find a replacement.

Kaoru thinks about his father again. In a laboratory, his father shows one of his employees an invention, only to be disappointed at his reaction. Kaoru then thinks back to when Shinobu made a remote-controlled airplane, and their father was very proud of Shinobu.

The art exhibition has begun again. Shuuji thinks back to when Hagu decided not to submit her paintings in the previous art exhibition.

Mayama arrives at the Fujiwara Design Office, only to found out that Yamada is there. After she leaves abruptly, Mayama mistakes Nomiya's business interest with Yamada for his love interest.

Hagu views Ayumi's snow globe collection, given to her as souvenirs. Tamazaki discusses about Nomiya's feelings for Ayumi. At the Harada Design Office, Rika receives a fax that she will participate in a design competition in Spain for an art museum, which then agitates Takumi. Rika explains that Takumi will also participate as well.