The Best Episodes Directed By Akinori Fudesaka

With a dash of determination and courage, Lillie vows to rescue her mother and bring back her friend Nebby! But be strong, Lillie—there seems to be a sinister presence on the horizon…

Takase's crush wants to talk to him about something, but she beats around the bush. Minagawa confesses to Furuya-kun -- or does she? Akagi catches Kaji smoking. He could rat her out, but he has different plans. Sasahara wants to confess to her crush before he graduates, but her unfortunate defense mechanism makes that difficult.

Furuya's sister, Hotaru, doesn't want him dating Minagawa -- or anyone, for that matter. Kaga has a hard time caring about anything, and Sasahara has a hard time pitching anything -- especially the astronomy club. Goda is dense as hell. Takano is about to walk home in the rain, when Sugawara offers her an umbrella. She, too, is dense as hell.

Takano's band friend tries to get her to fess up about her crush. Kana and Chiaki try to patch things up, but technology tears them apart even more. Mom to the rescue! Exams suck, but Kaji is inspired and determined to go to college.

It's sports day, and the boys are eager to show the girls what they've got. Summer break is about to start, and Kanda and Takase try to get each other to go to the class trip to the beach. Chiaki meets up with Kana to give closure to their relationship.

Mitsumune regains consciousness in the outside world, but he can't shake off the feeling that he must go back to get the others. Meanwhile, the group left behind in Nanaki Village experience a curious, growing lethargy.

After being kidnapped and forced to work as a servant in the rear palace, former apothecary Maomao inadvertently draws the attention of the higher ranks when she investigates what's causing the emperor's infant heirs to fall mysteriously ill.

The group forms a search party to find the missing members - Yottsun and Masaki - but find what seems to be a large bear. As Mitsumune runs away, he spots a bruised and cowering Masaki. The group tries to interrogate her on Yottsun's whereabouts, but she provides little information as Mitsumune defends her. Later, Dahara tries to calm down the group by organizing sleeping arrangements and dinner. In one of the rooms, Jack gets angry with Hyoketsu when he accuses him of copying his persona, and attacks him with a hoe. The boys restrain him as Lovepon screams for his execution, but Mitsumune and Maimai plead for mercy, and Valkana defuses the situation by throwing Jack in an underground cell he found. Later, Valkana reveals his backstory to Koharun. That night, Mitsumune runs into Maimai while going to see Jack. Lovepon then reappears, hoping they wish to execute him. When Mitsumune refuses, Lovepon tries to kill him instead. Mitsumune manages to throw her off when he spots Yottsun's body floating down the river in front of him.