Important Friends.

As the winter season looms, Yuki continues making slow progress with Kaori, while at the same time, Saki begins avoiding Shogo because of their previous discussion. That afternoon, Maiko and Ai decide to take Kaori home and Yuki questions Hajime about the previous Friday's events at the crêperie, with the former deciding to take Yuki to a restaurant to meet with Ota and Yamasato. While there, Yuki asks Hajime about his past with Kaori and learns of their popularity and study sessions in elementary school, reminding Yuki of his current relationship with her. As Oto and Yamasato show up they explain that Kaori was bullied by her classmates led by her so-called friend Shigahara Naomi out of envy at her relationship with Hajime. This caused her to flee in tears and was subsequently hit by a car, thus missing her meeting with Hajime and resulting in her memory loss, much to Yuki and Hajime's shock. At the same time, Kaori hears the conversation and breaks into tears after which Hajime ends up blaming himself for her condition. The next Monday, Kaori tells Yuki about her relief at knowing the truth. However Yuki confides in Shogo of his fear that he may unintentionally hurt Kaori and hence, starts distancing himself from her.