Shiori starts to explain to Akio her decision, that when she found out that the judges had shortlisted her, she started to feel that she wanted to be acknowledged by others, even if it is just a bit.
She knows that her decision is making Akio troubled. And to Shiori's surprise, Akio says he understands. He tells to remember one thing- she might have things that are difficult for her to say, or things she might not want to say, but he, no matter when, no matter what, will listen to her. He wants to become a pillar of strength for Shiori. "DOOOOOOOOONT EVER FORGET THAT OKAY" Akio tells her while grabbing Shiori's hands, looking quite comical, hence eliciting laughs from Shiori, who thinks Akio is exaggerating things.
[Acchan, Acchan, Acchan. I really do want to depend on Acchan more. I have a lot of things to complain about. I want to say a lot of selfish things. I hope to always be with you. I want you to think about my stuff all the time. I hope that you will hug me, no matter where or when, until I feel assured. If I thought of you as my brother, I probably could say this out. I wonder when will that day come.]
Akio lets go of her when he realises she is tearing, to which she says she is fine. She thanks Akio for his support and that she will work hard.
The photographing session is on and Shiori looks shocked as she watches the other contestants pose for the camera. She is like, what is this, were there such cute girls at the interview? And how come everyone looks like they are experienced at this? She looks at Haduki, the model we were introduced to in the last chapter and thinks she looks like an elementary student, surprised that she is in. Haduki's manager on the other hand is surprised that Shiori passed the second round. Shiori is getting nervous as she sees everyone performing well in front of the camera, and is unsure if she can do it too. She seems not to respond even when a crew member call out her name when it is her turn.
Akio is over at Mizuki's house and they chat about Shiori's audition. When Mizuki shouts from her door to reply her mother, Akio spots the travel magazine that Mizuki has in her room. Mizuki sits down next to Akio and starts to continue the conversation where they left it off. Suddenly Akio apologises to Mizuki. Though he has promised her, he still doesn’t feel that is appropriate for him to go traveling with her now, when Shiori is still not stable and Maho is still young. He calls himself a big idiot and earnestly apologise to her, with his head bowed down and everything. Mizuki looks possessed and about to attack him anytime, with her leaning over him, looking at him straight in the eye.
Shiori starts to take her pictures. The photographer asks her to relax and pose as if she is taking neoprints with her friends. Shiori thinks that she probably has done that before, but she can’t remember. And it seems like it is hard for her to smile widely. Her expression is deadpanned. She finds the situation similar and is reminded of school. It was when she first returned to school after losing her memory, how everyone gave her weird looks, it was so scary. Even though she is shaking all over, she desperately must put up a calm face, for this is nothing compared to then.
Mizuki is lying on top of Akio, still staring at him. She asks him if he is surprised by her action. He agrees that he is and wonders what she will do if she were rejected. She complains he thinks too lowly of her. It isn’t hard to shake his resolve about no going on the trip. She has always liked Akio since young. She says she is rash and constantly in high spirits, but she asks that they reflect about themselves together. Akio switches his position with Mizuki, with him on top of her now. He thanks her and also apologises to her, then kisses her. She asks him how many times have they kissed up to now. 5 times, he says. Mizuki hints that she wants more kisses by telling him that he has a lot to apologise for.
Shiori finishes the final pose for her photography session.
Shiori is by the sea with Kai and Yuusuke, who asked her how her camera test went. She tells them vehemently that she totally failed it. She was embarrassed by it, and states she is definitely not cut out for modelling. But at least she can think about it in future, that it was cool and interesting. She concludes that Shiori 1 was probably suited for this line of work. And she walks off to buy an ice cream cone. Yuusuke comments that the current Shiori is really cool. Shiori thinks how half their summer holidays have already passed, and that school is starting soon, which depresses her. A guy approaches Shiori, but Kai quickly comes and chases him away. Shiori thought the guy just wanted to enquire something, but Kai knows the guy was trying to get Shiori's number. When Shiori replies " Oh is that so?", Kai snatches the ice cream cone out of her hands and holds it a height so that Shiori cant reach it. This scene is watched by Maho, who is swimming in the waters with her friend.
The guys ask Shiori if she is going to buy the cotton candy machine she said she was going to buy the last time. She asks what is that, and Kai thinks she is kidding them by acting blur. The other guy reminds her that was what she was planning to do with her earnings from her part time jobs. Shiori says it doesn’t really matter; she doesn’t want anything in particular, and probably will just save the money. Kai tells her that his sister bought their parents something with her first pay and made them cry. Shiori's eyes light up and she exclaims that is a good idea very loudly, scaring the two guys a bit.
Shiori plans at home to buy some clothes for Akio and stationary for Maho. She thinks that no matter what she buys for Akio he will be happy for sure, but Maho is a difficult one to buy things for.
Maho thinks of when Shiori 1 told her she was pitiful for looking so plain. Then she recalls Mizuki saying that the Shiori now doesnt dislike Maho, so maybe Shiori honestly didnt not like her. Then she thinks of images of Kai (which makes me think she might have a crush for him?)
Shiori is sitting on a bench at the park, exhausted from a day of shopping. She decided what to buy for Akio within 10 minutes, but for Maho, even after a day walking, she couldn’t choose what to buy for her. She saw too many varieties, and she doesn’t know which one will make Maho happy. As it is a surprise, she cant ask Akio, and while Mizuki would probably also know, she cant bring herself to give what Mizuki will ask her to buy for Maho. She imagines the scene of her giving Maho the present and Maho unwrapping the present, pleasantly surprised that Shiori bought something she liked. The thought of seeing Maho having such a face gives Shiori more determination to go back to the shops for a second look. But if someone could give her a hint it would be much easier. Then a great idea pops into her head.
The manager guy meets up with the female judge. He asks about his own model Haduki, to which the judge of course wouldn’t tell him anything about. Then he asks about Shiori. She smiles and notes that Shiori has attracted his attention. Manager guy asks her opinion on Shiori. She agrees her appearance is passable, but she lacks expression. He asks her for a favour to drop Shiori.