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They start the game, and Satsuko chooses a cute instructor from the options available. Yukio explains the game modes, and recommends choosing race mode so they don’t have to crash into civilian cars. Satsuko chooses to race in the streets of Paris. Yukio wonders if it’s like a date.

The race begins and Yukio finds himself in fourth place. Satsuko complains as the other cars start swerving into her to drive her off the road. Yukio finds himself improving, and gets to third place. Satsuko starts getting more into the game, and catches up to him, passing him when he spins out in a fast corner. She takes fourth place, just ahead of Yukio, who demands a rematch.

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Yukio chooses the Paris track again, but with faster cars this time. Satsuko starts well but has difficulty controlling her car; she falls back into last place, while Yukio is in fifth. A couple of gossipy girls from their class notice Satsuko and Yukio playing the game together. Satsuko notices them and her behaviour becomes more mannered.

Yukio finishes in third place, while Satsuko comes in seventh place. She thanks Yukio for the game, politely, and Yukio is surprised by her change of attitude. He wonders if he did something wrong. Satsuko nods to the two gossips and tells Yukio that she has to go home. She asks if he needs a lift home.

Yukio is wondering why she doesn’t want to spend the rest of the money on her card. Did he make her angry? Satsuko’s phone rings, and she takes a call from her mother. Her parents are busy and can’t make their planned dinner at Cinquième. Satsuko asks Yukio if he would like to come along instead.

Yukio is startled at the invitation, but thinks that Satsuko is asking him because she’s disappointed and doesn’t want to go alone. He says that he doesn’t think he’s dressed for such a venue, and Satsuko has to agree. She says she’ll cancel the reservation and they can go eat somewhere else instead.

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Feeling confident, Yukio suggests that Satsuko is asking him to dinner because she doesn’t want to be alone. He doesn’t want to be just a time-filler for her. Satsuko says that she was merely changing the arrangements for his convenience, in order to be polite. Yukio feels disappointed, because he was hoping that she might have feelings for him. Why else would she be asking him on what amounts to a date?

Satsuko says that she thought the experience would be helpful to Yukio in writing the class article. Yukio doesn’t like the idea that she’s just doing this to educate him. He claims that he’s introducing her to his ‘lower’ level of social activity, and she agrees, saying that it would be hypocritical of her not to be open to new experiences as well.

Yukio begins to feel that Satsuko is divorced from her emotions, but then remembers that she is playing a role that she feels is expected of her. He suggests calling it a day, and Satsuko asks if he would like a lift home. He asks if she’s offering because it suits her image or because she sees him as a friend. Satsuko is taken aback by the question.

Yukio is feeling more excited. He asks if Satsuko would show him her persocon one day. He suspects that Satsuko might be modelling her behaviour on that of her persocon. Satsuko asks if Yukio is inviting himself to her house. Yukio says that he meant that Satsuko could bring her persocon out one day.

Satsuko explains that Bunko generally stays at home, because she is too valuable to allow to venture out on her own. Satsuko suggests that Tetsuo might be able to bring Bunko to school one day, and wonders if Nanoka might bring Shiro along as well.

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Satsuko asks if Yukio could convince Nanoka to bring her persocon to school on the same day. Yukio is taken aback, wondering why she’s making this request of him. Satsuko points out that he is on the article team with Nanoka.

Nanoka arrives home. Makie and Shiro are in the kitchen. Shiro is making dinner. Tired, Nanoka walks into the kitchen. Makie feels ignored.

The girls continue to observe Satsuko and Yukio. Masayuki shows up. Yukio notices them and suggests that he and Satsuko go outside. Satsuko agrees.

Shiro calls Nanoka by her name, but Nanoka is too tired to take notice. She asks him what he’s cooking. Makie asks how Nanoka’s research went, and Nanoka says it was fine.

Yukio brings up the question of bringing Bunko to school again. Satsuko asks why he’s so interested in meeting Bunko. Yukio says he’s just curious, while wondering why Satsuko can’t just agree to something. Why does she always have to ask questions?

Shiro serves dinner – spaghetti with clams. Makie comments that clams are an aphrodisiac, and Shiro corrects her, saying that oysters are an aphrodisiac, not clams. Nanoka agrees. Makie wonders how Nanoka knows, and Nanoka explains that she’s heard about it on TV. The conversation turns to champagne, which Makie doesn’t like because it tastes sour. Nanoka says it mustn’t taste like sake, then. Makie says that sake contains less alcohol than champagne.

Satsuko offers Yukio a ride home again, and he accepts. They head to the car, where Tetsuo is waiting.

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Yukio gives Tetsuo directions to his home. When they arrive there, Satsuko thanks Yukio for showing her the arcade.

Nanoka and Shiro make some tea, and Makie comments that they make a cute team. She tells Nanoka to let her know if Sato-sensei acts weird again. Nanoka gets discouraged, realising that she has another PE class on Monday. But she remembers that Omura-sensei said he would talk to Sato-sensei.

Yukio tells Satsuko that she can ask him if she has any further questions. She thanks him and asks for his cell phone number.

Makie is sceptical that Omura will say anything to Sato. Nanoka believes that he will do as he said. Makie reiterates that Sato is interested in Nanoka’s body, not her gymnastic aptitude. Taking video of Nanoka is the same thing as taking peeping photographs of her, to Makie’s mind. Nanoka continues to stick up for Omura-sensei, frustrating Makie.

Yukio gives Satsuko his cell phone number.

Makie wonders if Nanoka is in a phase where she develops crushes on everyone. Nanoka protests that she doesn’t have a ‘crush’ on anyone. She asks Makie how she would have felt if other people had tried to control and influence her early relationship with Zenzo.

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Makie says that the important issue is not ‘telling Nanoka how to be in love’ but ‘preventing bad things from happening to her’. She tells Nanoka about all the things she had to go through when she got pregnant to Zenzo. Nanoka is distraught that she caused Makie so much trouble, and runs from the room.

Makie pours herself a drink, and suggests that Shiro go look in on Nanoka. Shiro says that Nanoka seems to be approaching her relationship with him realistically. He has discouraged his owners from viewing him as more than a persocon, and Nanoka seems to realise that he is not a valid substitute for a lover.

Nanoka runs upstairs and throws herself on her bed, sobbing.

Shiro suggests that Makie should be the one to go look after Nanoka. He points out that she cares – that she felt strongly about the possibility of Nanoka being harassed at school. Makie wonders why all these memories are coming back now. She wonders if Nanoka is stronger than Makie herself was at that age. Shiro makes a cup of tea and takes it upstairs to Nanoka.

Nanoka notices that Shiro is calling her by name, but immediately ascribes it to Makie’s interference again. She starts to doubt that he cares about her either. She tells him to go away, then gazes at her cell phone, remembering Omura’s invitation to call him whenever she feels the need. She cradles her phone to her chest, comforted by the thought, and drifts off to sleep.

Makie prepares for her night out with Kuri, inadvertently dressing up almost like a cheerleader. She drives to Kuri’s apartment building, and Kuri comes down with a blanket and a backpack. Makie greets her, and they depart. Kuri admires the car and asks which beach they’re going to. Makie says that Shiro cost more than five new cars would have, and says that they should stay away from the city.

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Kuri notices lights out at sea, and suggests that they stop here. She says that there is a tea house (only open in summer) and an outdoor dining area up ahead. She has brought some food. Makie pulls off the highway into the parking lot, and they sit there in darkness for a moment. Kuri says that she brought candles. Makie has also had Shiro prepare some food, but keeps quiet, wanting to see what Kuri has brought.

Makie looks out to sea at the ships, and Kuri joins her. Kuri suggests that they go for a walk. Makie agrees and locks her car. Kuri debates whether or not to bring her backpack, unsure what their plans should be. Makie jokingly asks if Kuri intends for them to commit lovers’ suicide together. Kuri responds that they’re not lovers yet. They lock her bag in Makie’s car.

Makie asks why Kuri is anxious about the future. Kuri responds that she’s not ‘anxious’, but believes in being open to the opportunities that life presents to her.

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Makie rebukes Kuri for being naïve. They continue walking. Makie falls over, nearly pulling Kuri over as well. Makie sees that she stumbled on a sandcastle. Kuri is enchanted by the idea and suggests that they could make a sandcastle of their own next time. Makie makes fun of Kuri’s childishness again. Kuri asks why, and Makie says that Kuri has to take the next step forward, leaving her childhood behind.

Kuri thinks that she’s grown-up enough – she doesn’t watch cartoons or play video games. The only thing missing in her life is someone to share it with. Makie remembers sharing with Nanoka and Zenzo, then says that there’s nothing wrong with playing video games. Kuri said that her parents discouraged her from playing video games, so she prefers to watch television or read a book, even now.

Makie points out that you can play video games with other people – even with people in other countries now, though she tries to discourage Nanoka from doing that. Kuri is impressed by what the Internet can do. She has an email address but doesn’t use it much. Makie says that she would rather deal with real people. She looks up at the sky and asks Kuri where Kuri’s starsign is.

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Kuri says that she doesn’t know, but that she’s an Aries. Makie says she’s a Gemini, then admits she doesn’t know the constellations either. Kuri rests her head on Makie’s shoulder, making Makie uncomfortable for a moment, but she eventually relaxes. Her mind is still busy thinking about her problems with Nanoka and work, though.

Kuri says that she’s happy to be here like this. She feels like she can stop worrying about things. Makie says that her life has always been a battle to accomplish things, and that she’s having anxieties. Kuri kisses Makie’s cheek and asks what Makie is worried about. Makie is embarrassed by the kiss. She tells Kuri that she’s worried about Nanoka, Shiro and the parlour.

Makie says that she needs Shiro to do what she tells him to do, not what Nanoka asks of him. She needs to be able to trust him to do that. She wants to rely on him, but at the same time she knows that he has limits. She pauses, remembering sleeping in his lap the other night. Her sexual life seems quite strange at the moment.

Kuri asks what it is that Makie wants Shiro to do. Makie says that he shouldn’t act like a real man. Kuri points out that Ikuko likes Shiro because he seems human. Makie changes the subject, asking if Kuri has heard anything about suspicious teachers. Kuri asks if Makie wants Omura to stalk her. Makie is startled at the suggestion and pulls away from Kuri. She gets up and begins to pace back and forth, denying Kuri’s suggestion. Kuri says that Makie always seems to be talking about Omura, and that it must mean something. Otherwise, his opinion wouldn’t matter to Makie.

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Kuri notes that Makie gets very animated when talking about Omura. Makie ventures closer to the water and takes her shoes off, letting the water wash over her feet. She tells Kuri that she was more worried about Sato. She suggests going back to the car to get something to drink.

They head back to the car. Makie realises she is having difficulty letting go and just enjoying herself. Kuri sets the food up on one of the picnic tables. She has brought a thermos of tea and an assortment of sandwiches, as well as two candles in frosted glasses. Makie lights the candles while Kuri unpacks the food.

Kuri apologises for not having made a larger selection of sandwiches. Makie remarks that Shiro worries enough about providing a balanced diet for his owners, as evidenced by the food he prepared for them. Kuri asks what Shiro made.

Makie says she wishes this moment could last forever, and Kuri contentedly agrees. Makie reaches out and puts her hand on Kuri’s.

Kuri asks if Makie wants some tea, and pours a cup for her. Makie doesn’t remember much about the previous night, and asks Kuri if there’s anything on her mind.

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Kuri asks if Makie thought of Kuri today, and what happened between them last night. Makie tries to change the subject. Makie wants a friend, not a lover. Kuri says that she couldn’t stop thinking about Makie all day, and Makie says that’s unprofessional. She asks if Kuri has anything else on her mind besides Makie.

Kuri says she tried to keep busy with other things, but her mind keeps coming back to Makie. Makie attempts to move the conversation on by asking how long Kuri has lived at her apartment. Kuri explains that she’s lived there for a couple of years, roughly the same time she’s been working at the parlour. Makie was her first employer, the first one to trust her as an employee.

Makie goes to the car and gets the bento that Shiro packed, but decides not to bring out the alcohol. Kuri has brought some umeshu, but puts it away after Makie declines, realising that she already had enough to drink at home. Kuri says that she feels she must be very uninteresting to Makie, irritating Makie, who doesn’t like that sort of self-deprecating talk. She reprimands Kuri, who takes it to mean that Makie does find her interesting and cheers up a bit. Kuri tries one of the rice balls and remarks that it’s delicious.

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Makie asks Kuri to stop repeating herself and stop acting like a child. Upset, Kuri stops talking. After a few moments, Makie offers to take Kuri to visit the town centre and amusement park. Kuri apologises and says that she’s too tired. They pack up and put everything away in the car.

Kuri asks if Makie has ever been to the love hotel district. Makie asks what business she could possibly ever have had there. They get in the car and head back towards the city.

Kuri says that she was a little concerned about Makie’s bank dealings with Sawada-san. Kuri was worried that Sawada would try to take advantage of the situation. Makie mentions that Nanoka was recently in the love hotel district, meeting Omura-sensei there. Kuri is suspicious of Omura’s motives for inviting Nanoka to play games in the foyer of one of the hotels, and Makie agrees.

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Kuri asks if Nanoka might already have been meeting Omura in the love hotel district. Makie says that Shiro is usually there to walk her home, and Nanoka hasn’t been spending more than her allowance. She asks if Kuri would like to be ‘courted’, and Kuri says she wouldn’t mind. She says that she doesn’t like the idea of being pursued by a man, merely for sex.

Makie says that she feels that Omura-sensei is hiding something, and says that it had better not be a hidden obsession with Nanoka. They arrive at Kuri’s apartment building.

Having been asleep for about an hour, Nanoka wakes up and goes downstairs.

Kuri thanks Makie for asking her out, and gets out of the car, bidding Makie good night.

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Shiro is charging in the living room. Nanoka comes in, greets him and lays her head in his lap. She asks him why life is so hard. Why do she and Makie fight all the time? Shiro suggests that Nanoka may be selectively remembering only the bad things. To him, it seems that Makie worries about Nanoka and doesn’t want to worry about her, which is why Makie is irritable at times.

Shiro asks why Nanoka wants to oppose Makie now, after Makie has made so many changes in her own life in order to accommodate Nanoka. Nanoka says that respect needs to be mutual; after it’s earned, it needs to be maintained.

Nanoka dwells on the fact that Makie’s life was disrupted by her pregnancy with Nanoka. She feels that it’s unfair that Makie blames her for the disruption she caused to Makie’s life, but she also feels upset at the idea that she was an unwanted mistake.

Nanoka wants to be allowed to make her own decisions in life, but at the same time she wonders if she deserves that freedom, considering the negative impact she had on Makie’s life. The complicated variables confuse her. Shiro attempts to reassure Nanoka that Makie doesn’t hate her.

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Shiro says that Makie is likely trying to protect Nanoka from the possible repercussions of her decisions. Nanoka says that she’s not likely to get pregnant any time soon. She changes the subject and asks Shiro to play a puzzle game with her.

Nanoka doesn’t understand Makie’s behaviour. If Shiro is a ‘safe’ option for Nanoka, then why does Makie keep interfering? Nanoka thinks she can trust Omura. She comes to the conclusion that Makie is just a control freak. Shiro says that Makie may be acting on an intuitive feeling that Nanoka may be in danger.

Nanoka asks Shiro if it’s irrational to worry about something with such a low likelihood of ever happening. The persocon reiterates that Makie is concerned about something similar to what happened to her happening to Nanoka. Makie arrives home.