Study of Love through Film

After a hasty flight to solitude, Mikako tries to wrap her mind around having it explained that Tsutomu thinks of her as his sweetheart rather than simply his childhood friend and decides to act normal to obfuscate her disrupted homeostasis only to find that Tsutomu is not fooled by the attempt as he immediately gives chase and eventually catches her. While Mikako computes an alternate strategy, Tsutomu leads her to the other Akindo members as they prosecute analytical concourse about how to conduct better commerce at the flea market. While everybody groans at the idea of Mariko exhibiting herself for publicity, Shintaro surprises everybody by volunteering to sell the new series of haniwa art he has been developing. The Akindo members detect Mikako's disrupted homeostasis during their reconnaissance around the flea market that ends with a visit to Chishou who demonstrates what an excellent merchant she is. Chishou is grateful for the extra commerce converging upon her but also detects Mikako's disrupted homeostasis regarding Tsutomu; upon seeing that the refreshment run did not work so well, Chishou admonishes Mikako against being so hostile to Tsutomu before he decides to permanently vote with his feet as did her boyfriend. Mikako ultimately realizes that it is far better to lose a little of her pride than it is to drive Tsutomu away forever, especially when he has purchased the hairbands that she had her eye on.