Kotaro learns that he was not accepted into Akane’s school, saddening them. Daisuke suggests Kotaro use it in his writing, while Ayane suggests Akane should break up with him rather than do long-distance.

Akane decides to apply to a school in Chiba that her parents and Takumi recommended. She meets with Kotaro, who says he will try to apply to the same one and that, regardless, they will be together. The track club later goes to Kotaro’s festival.

Kotaro begins studying incredibly hard to go to Akane’s school, despite not having sufficient grades. Initially, his mother is elated, having earlier criticized his hobbies as distractions. However, at a PTS conference, Kotaro reveals his true intentions, straining his relationship with his parents. Meanwhile, in addition to studying, Akane starts knitting a scarf for Kotaro.

Chinatsu invites Akane, Kotarou and Hira to Tokyo Dome City amusement park. She makes a last-ditch effort.

Things get awkward between Kotarou and Akane after he asks her out. He tries to find some time alone with her on the school trip, but sneaking his cell phone past the teachers proves to be a challenge.

Akane and Kotarou want to spend more time together at school, but they can never seem to find the time or space. Chinatsu, meanwhile, seems to have no trouble finding ways to hang out with him.

Word gets around that Kotarou and Akane are in a relationship.

With the school trip looming, the third-years are abuzz with dating gossip. Meanwhile, Kotarou is busy with his writing, and Akane is working on her running performance.

It's the last sports festival of middle school. Kotarou gets put in the relay race. He becomes friends with one of Akane's friends who bandages his scraped hand.

Akane's big track meet is coming up, but she's flustered by Chinatsu's confession to her that she has a crush on Kotarou.

Despite the stressful changes that come with the transition from middle school to high school, Kotarou and Akane have each other to lean on—for now.

Kotarou Azumi and Akane Mizuno became third year students at junior high school and are classmates for the first time. These two, along with fellow classmates, Chinatsu Nishio and Takumi Hira, relate to their peers through mutual understandings and feelings. As their final year at junior high school progresses, the group overcome their challenges to mature and become aware of changes in themselves.