Hijiri accompanies Akira on his journey to find his father. As they spend more time together, Akira’s feelings toward Hijiri are reignited.

Moved by Nogami's kindness, Hijiri tries to move on. She confronts a mother about her parenting, but the mother threatens to reveal Hijiri's secret.

Upon returning to Tokyo, Hijiri is met by her mother, who tears her away from Akira. The next day, Hijiri and her mother visit Aiko to apologize.

Three years later, Hijiri is teaching at the elementary school where Chizuru works. One day, she is shaken when she sees Akira at a local bazaar.

Hijiri brushes off Akira's confession of love. She begins avoiding him, but he takes a bold action during the school's sports festival.

After their kiss on the beach, Akira and Hijiri run into Akira’s mother and Shotaro outside Hijiri's place. Shioya summons Hijiri to the school.

Hijiri Suenaga begins teaching at a rural middle school, but her enthusiasm goes to waste. One of her students, Akira, gets involved in an incident.

A night of turmoil begins at a local fireworks festival, where Hijiri sees Akira and Runa together. Shotaro and Haraguchi visit as well.

After being apprehended by the police, Hijiri loses everything. With her feelings toward Akira growing in her heart, she must make a crucial decision.

While Hijiri and Nogami prepare for the upcoming school recital, the parents learn about Hijiri's incident with Akira from three years prior.

The Koboshi students and faculty embark on a four-day study camp, but Akira gets into a fight with a classmate. Hijiri asks him what happened.