The chapter opens with Haru thinking that towards someone she just met an hour ago, she feels like she can see what the past ten years were like for Chie since Chie's son is about her age. As Chie bandages Haru's injury, she tells Haru that she needs to take care of her body since she's a girl. Chie parents also told her that many times. She goes on to say that Towa's a boy, so he can take care of himself. Haru replies that she takes care of herself too, while Seiji says that he's a not a good father. Chie laughs and says that she's glad she could be of some help, otherwise she's a just being a noisy woman. Haru blushes as Towa looks on. Chie turns to her son and tells him that he should say something and he shouldn't be nervous around a cute girl. Haru thinks to herself that she's not cute while Seiji laughs. Towa tells Haru, "Nice to meet you." but Haru doesn't think that it feels that way. Towa then looks up and notices a balloon stuck in the tree. He decides to climb up the tree and get it even though they don't know who it belongs to. He climbs up pretty high, grabs the balloon, and jumps down. Seiji and Haru are impressed. He flashes a peace sign when he lands and then gives the balloon to the little girl. Haru says that the little girl shouldn't get lost any more and Seiji agrees. Seiji then talks about the boy that used to live next door to them at the old apartment. He says that the boy was a good kid. Seiji remembers when he was sick in bed with a high fever, he asked the lady next door to take care of Haru. At that time, Haru was so young and Seiji was worried about leaving her alone. When Seiji heard from the lady that the boy, Bonta, continued to hold Haru's hand the whole time, Seiji felt relieved. Ever since that time, Bonta always stayed by Haru's side. Seiji tells Haru that he really liked Bonta, which surprised Haru. He wonders if Bonta is doing well. Seiji tells Haru that she should let Bonta know that they are doing well and Haru tells him that she will later. Then Towa leans toward Haru, asking for her name. She doesn't know why he can't just ask his mom, but she tells him her name anyway. As Seiji and Haru walk back to their area at the flea market, Seiji mentions that it felt like old times. Haru realizes that she forgot to thank Chie and asks Seiji what she should do. Seiji apologizes and says that he didn't get Chie's number. Haru scolds him, asking him what's wrong with him since they're friends. Seiji says that they can ask Kawabata. When they reach their area, Kawabata is waiting there having a cigarette. Everything is gone and Haru can't believe it. As they leave the flea market, Haru asks Kawabata if he has a girlfriend. When he asks her why, she answers back that he seems to have a lot of free time. Kawabata gets irritated at Seiji for laughing and tells her that it's not polite to tell an adult that they seem to have a lot of free time. Haru apologizes.
At the beginning of the new year, Haru and Seiji go and visit Seiji's hometown. It's only the third time that Haru has visited Seiji's home because she isn't good at dealing with Seiji's grandmother. Seiji tells her that they need to pay their respects to his grandfather. He notices that Haru's scabs are finally healed (from her fall at the flea market). She says that they took awhile to heal because she kept scratching at them. She thinks that they kind of look like burns. When they kneel in front of Seiji's grandfather's shrine, Haru notices the paper airplane that she made as an offering hasn't been thrown away. Since there are actually two paper airplanes on the table, she realizes that Seiji must have made the other one when he came to visit by himself. He teases her and says that his airplane will probably reach the grandfather first. Haru replies back that her airplane will probably crash somewhere. Seiji tells her not to worry and that it will reach him. Seiji says that always taking things into consideration and writing down one's feelings is called "shinen*" (*T/N: it's hard to translate "shinen" with one or two words. It's kind of like a deeply held feeling or thought). Seiji goes on to say that if those kinds of words exist, you want to hold on to them, but it somehow feels like an unrequited love. Haru tells him that they are gentle words. Seiji agrees with her but says it's feels a little sad. Haru looks at her knees and says that when she sees her scars, they remind her of Chie. She wonders if this is also "shinen". Seiji seems concerned about the scarring, but Haru says that it's alright because she wasn't being careful. She's still worried about not properly thanking Chie though and Seiji tells her that she should properly convey her feelings. Seiji's grandmother appears and asks them if they've already visited the shrine out back and that it's okay to go there. Haru stares at her in shock as Seiji invites her to go with them but she already went. The grandmother mentions that the first anniversary of the grandfather's death is coming up this summer and to come back again then. She says that they need to remember the family a little as she walks away. Haru and Seiji wach her go and Haru is stunned. She calls out to the grandmother in a familiar tone and tells her to take care. The grandmother turns back in surprise. Haru is embarrassed by her words and Seiji lets go of her shoulders in shock. Haru then pushes him as he laughs. The grandmother has a small smile on her face. When they leave the house, Haru thanks Seiji for bringing her. Seiji then winces in pain because his shoulder is stiff. He tells her that in the past, he wasn't good at dealing with his grandmother but she really is a kind person. Haru agrees as she massages his shoulders. He tells her that they should stop talking about his grandmother, otherwise his grandfather might appear, but Haru says that she is no longer afraid and Seiji is bummed because now it will be boring. At the shrine, Seiji mentions that maybe he should pray for Haru passing her exams. She tells him that she will do that, so he needs to pray for something for himself.
Haru decides to send one last text mail to Bonta at the beginning of the third semester. In her message, she tells him that she's taking the test for Kita High School in February and that he better not be repeating a grade. Bonta was her childhood friend who lived in the apartment next door, a boy one year older than her. They suddenly stopped talking to each other and then he graduated from junior high school. Yet, Haru sometimes wonders if something really did happen and worries about it. The scene changes and Seiji welcomes Haru home. He tells her that she's late and he got tired of waiting. She thinks that he's pretty tense and then notices the shoes in the entryway. She asks if they have guests and Seiji tells her that Chie and Toma are visiting. Kawabata was able to contact them and he's there too. Both Chie and Kawabata say hello to Haru. Haru again wonders how much free time Kawabata has. Chie smiles and says that Seiji and Kawabata have an inseparable relationship. Haru thanks Chie for taking care of her when she got hurt at the flea market. Chie tells her that it's not a big deal and she apologizes for the scars. Haru tells her that it's nothing. Then Towa calls out to Haru. Haru wonders why Toma is making himself at home and tells him that he's reading her manga. He responds that it's interesting and he had a feeling they would meet again. Chie stands up and says that they should be going home. She gives Haru a good-luck charm for the exams. She said that she bought it long ago but didn't get a chance to use it. She was planning to take the state examination after college but quit. She apologizes to Haru, saying that even though it's old, there's still a lot of feeling behind it. Haru wonders why Chie is giving it to her, but Seiji tells her to take it. Then Chie suddenly exclaims that it's already been used. She says that she held on to it when she was giving birth to Towa. Towa asks his mom if she was praying for an easy delivery. Chie happily exclaims that it was a success and it should be full of her power. Haru looks stunned and thinks Chie is really intense, while Towa looks annoyed and wonders if there's anyone who can shut his mom up. Haru asks Chie if she shouldn't be going home soon since her husband will be worried. Chie replies that she's a single mother. Chie leaves the good-luck charm behind and Towa takes the manga with him. Haru wonders why she is reminded of her mom when she looks at Chie, even though Chie doesn't resemble her mom. Her mom is her mom and Chie is different. Seiji tells her that it's not good to compare people but Haru doesn't feel that's what she meant. Plus, Seiji said earlier that Haru resembles her mom a little bit. Then Haru's cell phone rings. She checks it while wondering what Seiji liked about her mother. She thinks if she asks him that, he will be troubled. But she kind of wants to see his troubled face. Then she tells Seiji that the text was from Bonta. His message says that he's not going to repeat a grade, sorry.
The scene changes to the outside of Bonta's apartment. When he opens his door, he sees Haru standing at the gate. He tells her that she can come in but he's heading out for his part-time job soon. He also wonders if he told her where he lived since she found it easily. Haru responds that when his mom left the apartment building, she gave Haru his address. In the apartment, Haru notices that he grew out his hair and mentions that his last name is different on the nameplate. He responds that a lot of stuff happened and it's all mixed up. Haru wonders if maybe stopping by to visit was a bad thing. Bonta asks her why she's making that face and Haru wants to know if she's making a strange face. He tells her that she isn't but that her eyebrows are slanting down (T/N: he describes it as a katakana 'ha' shape) more than usual. Haru thinks that maybe she should have stopped by to visit anytime. She laughs and apologizes, saying that she's nervous because it's been awhile. Bonta looks thoughtful and then grabs Haru's arm and tells her that she needs to go home after all. He also tells her not to come over anymore. But she responds that she's glad they got to talk. She's glad to see him because she's been apart from him, Seiji's grandfather passed away, and the apartment is gone. He then asks her if she likes him and says that he's worried about her. He tells her it's fine to say that she likes him and he will protect her like he did in the past. He asks if she's been lonely and Haru tells him that she's been sad. She thinks back to the conversation she had with Seiji about always taking things into consideration and writing down one's feelings. She starts crying so Bonta sits down next to her and dries her tears. Haru tells him that Seiji said he likes Bonta. Because Seiji said that, she wants to be together with Bonta like they were in the past. Bonta is curious and starts to question what Seiji said but then stops when Haru asks him what does he want to know. Bonta puts his head down but then looks up with a small smile as Haru remembers telling Seiji that those were gentle words.
It's the middle of the night and Haru leaves her room. She recalls Seiji saying that it feels a little sad and she thinks that at that time, Seiji was a little lonely and cried while remembering her mom. Haru feels that her heart is filled with Seiji, the Seiji who loved her mom so much that she always smiling in his memories. Haru goes to Seiji's room and lies down on the futon next to him. As she starts to fall asleep, Haru has a little thought that if her mom were alive right now, she may be like the current Chie and that it's probably better not to say that to Seiji.
At the beginning of the new year, Haru and Seiji go and visit Seiji's hometown. It's only the third time that Haru has visited Seiji's home because she isn't good at dealing with Seiji's grandmother. Seiji tells her that they need to pay their respects to his grandfather. He notices that Haru's scabs are finally healed (from her fall at the flea market). She says that they took awhile to heal because she kept scratching at them. She thinks that they kind of look like burns. When they kneel in front of Seiji's grandfather's shrine, Haru notices the paper airplane that she made as an offering hasn't been thrown away. Since there are actually two paper airplanes on the table, she realizes that Seiji must have made the other one when he came to visit by himself. He teases her and says that his airplane will probably reach the grandfather first. Haru replies back that her airplane will probably crash somewhere. Seiji tells her not to worry and that it will reach him. Seiji says that always taking things into consideration and writing down one's feelings is called "shinen*" (*T/N: it's hard to translate "shinen" with one or two words. It's kind of like a deeply held feeling or thought). Seiji goes on to say that if those kinds of words exist, you want to hold on to them, but it somehow feels like an unrequited love. Haru tells him that they are gentle words. Seiji agrees with her but says it's feels a little sad. Haru looks at her knees and says that when she sees her scars, they remind her of Chie. She wonders if this is also "shinen". Seiji seems concerned about the scarring, but Haru says that it's alright because she wasn't being careful. She's still worried about not properly thanking Chie though and Seiji tells her that she should properly convey her feelings. Seiji's grandmother appears and asks them if they've already visited the shrine out back and that it's okay to go there. Haru stares at her in shock as Seiji invites her to go with them but she already went. The grandmother mentions that the first anniversary of the grandfather's death is coming up this summer and to come back again then. She says that they need to remember the family a little as she walks away. Haru and Seiji wach her go and Haru is stunned. She calls out to the grandmother in a familiar tone and tells her to take care. The grandmother turns back in surprise. Haru is embarrassed by her words and Seiji lets go of her shoulders in shock. Haru then pushes him as he laughs. The grandmother has a small smile on her face. When they leave the house, Haru thanks Seiji for bringing her. Seiji then winces in pain because his shoulder is stiff. He tells her that in the past, he wasn't good at dealing with his grandmother but she really is a kind person. Haru agrees as she massages his shoulders. He tells her that they should stop talking about his grandmother, otherwise his grandfather might appear, but Haru says that she is no longer afraid and Seiji is bummed because now it will be boring. At the shrine, Seiji mentions that maybe he should pray for Haru passing her exams. She tells him that she will do that, so he needs to pray for something for himself.
Haru decides to send one last text mail to Bonta at the beginning of the third semester. In her message, she tells him that she's taking the test for Kita High School in February and that he better not be repeating a grade. Bonta was her childhood friend who lived in the apartment next door, a boy one year older than her. They suddenly stopped talking to each other and then he graduated from junior high school. Yet, Haru sometimes wonders if something really did happen and worries about it. The scene changes and Seiji welcomes Haru home. He tells her that she's late and he got tired of waiting. She thinks that he's pretty tense and then notices the shoes in the entryway. She asks if they have guests and Seiji tells her that Chie and Toma are visiting. Kawabata was able to contact them and he's there too. Both Chie and Kawabata say hello to Haru. Haru again wonders how much free time Kawabata has. Chie smiles and says that Seiji and Kawabata have an inseparable relationship. Haru thanks Chie for taking care of her when she got hurt at the flea market. Chie tells her that it's not a big deal and she apologizes for the scars. Haru tells her that it's nothing. Then Towa calls out to Haru. Haru wonders why Toma is making himself at home and tells him that he's reading her manga. He responds that it's interesting and he had a feeling they would meet again. Chie stands up and says that they should be going home. She gives Haru a good-luck charm for the exams. She said that she bought it long ago but didn't get a chance to use it. She was planning to take the state examination after college but quit. She apologizes to Haru, saying that even though it's old, there's still a lot of feeling behind it. Haru wonders why Chie is giving it to her, but Seiji tells her to take it. Then Chie suddenly exclaims that it's already been used. She says that she held on to it when she was giving birth to Towa. Towa asks his mom if she was praying for an easy delivery. Chie happily exclaims that it was a success and it should be full of her power. Haru looks stunned and thinks Chie is really intense, while Towa looks annoyed and wonders if there's anyone who can shut his mom up. Haru asks Chie if she shouldn't be going home soon since her husband will be worried. Chie replies that she's a single mother. Chie leaves the good-luck charm behind and Towa takes the manga with him. Haru wonders why she is reminded of her mom when she looks at Chie, even though Chie doesn't resemble her mom. Her mom is her mom and Chie is different. Seiji tells her that it's not good to compare people but Haru doesn't feel that's what she meant. Plus, Seiji said earlier that Haru resembles her mom a little bit. Then Haru's cell phone rings. She checks it while wondering what Seiji liked about her mother. She thinks if she asks him that, he will be troubled. But she kind of wants to see his troubled face. Then she tells Seiji that the text was from Bonta. His message says that he's not going to repeat a grade, sorry.
The scene changes to the outside of Bonta's apartment. When he opens his door, he sees Haru standing at the gate. He tells her that she can come in but he's heading out for his part-time job soon. He also wonders if he told her where he lived since she found it easily. Haru responds that when his mom left the apartment building, she gave Haru his address. In the apartment, Haru notices that he grew out his hair and mentions that his last name is different on the nameplate. He responds that a lot of stuff happened and it's all mixed up. Haru wonders if maybe stopping by to visit was a bad thing. Bonta asks her why she's making that face and Haru wants to know if she's making a strange face. He tells her that she isn't but that her eyebrows are slanting down (T/N: he describes it as a katakana 'ha' shape) more than usual. Haru thinks that maybe she should have stopped by to visit anytime. She laughs and apologizes, saying that she's nervous because it's been awhile. Bonta looks thoughtful and then grabs Haru's arm and tells her that she needs to go home after all. He also tells her not to come over anymore. But she responds that she's glad they got to talk. She's glad to see him because she's been apart from him, Seiji's grandfather passed away, and the apartment is gone. He then asks her if she likes him and says that he's worried about her. He tells her it's fine to say that she likes him and he will protect her like he did in the past. He asks if she's been lonely and Haru tells him that she's been sad. She thinks back to the conversation she had with Seiji about always taking things into consideration and writing down one's feelings. She starts crying so Bonta sits down next to her and dries her tears. Haru tells him that Seiji said he likes Bonta. Because Seiji said that, she wants to be together with Bonta like they were in the past. Bonta is curious and starts to question what Seiji said but then stops when Haru asks him what does he want to know. Bonta puts his head down but then looks up with a small smile as Haru remembers telling Seiji that those were gentle words.
It's the middle of the night and Haru leaves her room. She recalls Seiji saying that it feels a little sad and she thinks that at that time, Seiji was a little lonely and cried while remembering her mom. Haru feels that her heart is filled with Seiji, the Seiji who loved her mom so much that she always smiling in his memories. Haru goes to Seiji's room and lies down on the futon next to him. As she starts to fall asleep, Haru has a little thought that if her mom were alive right now, she may be like the current Chie and that it's probably better not to say that to Seiji.