Hikaru & Michi spend the night in the library. It's morning & the both of them are lying on the floor in between the shelves, covered with the drapes from the window. Hikaru awakes, sees the shelves & remembers what happened the night before. He turns & sees Michi lying beside him still asleep. Reaching out to touch her face, she stirs & Hikaru quickly pulls his hand back & pretends to be asleep. Michi wakes, sees Hikaru, asks him "Pretending to be asleep?". He doesn't answer & with a smile Michi reaches across him to get her clothes. As she sits up & dresses, she turns around to see Hikaru watching her "Good morning." Hikaru looks a tad uncomfortable as he answers "Good morning." Michi tells him "Hurry up, the guards will be coming soon." Hikaru sits up & Michi all dressed says "Have to keep this a secret...can't let the school know about this... " Hikaru gets up, goes behind Michi & puts his arms around her "If only time could stand still...if only it could be like this forever..."

Hikaru climbs over the school wall, looks around & then motions Michi to come over...

At home, Kyoko is asleep at the table. She suddenly wakes up & says "Hikaru" but then realizes he's not there. The phone rings & she hobbles over to answer it. "It's me" says Hikaru. Kyoko asks "Where are you now?"  Hikaru is in a phone booth, Michi standing outside. Hikaru assures his mother "Don't worry, from now on I'll go to school. Yesterday, stayed over at friend's house...will come home tonight." Kyoko asks "Hikaru? Had breakfast?" Hikaru replies "Um, ah, have to go to school now..." & hangs up. Outside Michi says "OK?" & Hikaru nods.

At Michi's home, both her parents are having breakfast in silence when the phone rings. As Michi's mother gets up to answer it, Michi's father says "If it's Michi, I'll take it!" & continues eating. Michi's mom answers the phone "Hello, this is Hirose..." "Mom? It's me." Michi's mom pretends it's someone else & says "Thank you for always taking care of Michi..." "Is Dad beside you?" "That's right..." "Sorry mom. I'll explain everything when I get home." "Thank you very much." "Bye." & hangs up with her sigh. Outside Hikaru writes on the glass with his finger "OK?" & Michi nods.

At a park, Hikaru washes up. Michi looks at Hikaru's sketch where he's drawn the creation of man of himself & Michi. As he walks to her, Michi says "I look strange" Hikaru says "Quit nagging" & tries to grab the book back. Michi hangs on to it "Stop it!" "Why?" "Wait!" "Give it to me!" & the drawing rips. Michi goes "ah!" & takes the ripped piece from Hikaru & tries to put it back. "What are you trying to do?" Hikaru says "It's your fault!" "Yours!" Michi says. Suddenly they hear & see students walking by behind the bushes & they duck. As Hikaru puts the book back into his bag, Michi holds out her finger. Hikaru turns around to see, holds out his finger & touches hers. Michi smiles & then goes off, Hikaru behind...

In class, Michi says "Right! Hurry up & return to your seats!" A couple of the boys ignore her & she goes up to them & firmly tells them "Get back to your seats!" & the boys go back. She says "I'll take attendance!" when one of girls say "Sensei, didn't go home last night?" Michi goes "eh?" "Your outfit is the same as yesterday's..." the girl says & some students murmur "really?" Michi coolly tells the class "That's got nothing to do with you...also has nothing to do with the  lessons." The girls are silenced & Michi continues with attendance "Abe! Egawa!..."

 Later in the library, Hikaru (PC10) starts a chat with Michi (PC4)...

PC10: Just now, really cool...

PC4: Don't make fun of grown ups...

PC10: Everyone would be shocked (-= CJ =- literally 'blown away') if they knew about last night...

Michi smiles...Hikaru continues...

PC10: I'm not dreaming, am I?

PC4: Why?

PC10: Because I still can't quite believe it...

Michi senses Hikaru's lack of confidence & assures him...

PC4: I'm happy!

PC4: Really really happy.

Later, walking along the corridor, Michi & Hikaru walk towards each other. Without saying a word, Hikaru slips her a note as they walk pass each other...

In class, some students are writing on the board & Michi walks towards the window. She looks out & sees Hikaru in an exercise session below. Reaching into her pocket she takes out the note Hikaru  gave her "Sunday 10 o'clock. Where my bike is." Hikaru turns around, looks up, sees Michi at the window & holds up his finger. Michi smiles & does the same...

Kinoshita is reading by herself when Hikaru comes up & offers her a packet "Drink?" Kinoshita looks up "No" Hikaru says "Ah, so..." but sits down beside her & drinks out of a carton. Kinoshita flatly says "You & Hirose are seeing each other..." Hikaru chokes "What are you saying!?" Kinoshita tells him "You're easy to see through." "Didn't I already say I'm not?" Hikaru retorts, taking out a bread roll.  Kinoshita says "In any case, I won't tell anyone, whatever the both of you do has nothing to do with me." Hikaru merely continues eating & doesn't say anything. Kinoshita continues "What are you going to do? If you get found out, it'll be a big problem. Hirose will be fired for sure. You're no longer a kid, you've got to reconsider..." but Hikaru merely ignores her & asks instead "What are you reading?" Kinoshita replies "Nothing to do with you" "Let me see" & Hikaru makes a grab for the book. Kinoshita puts the book against her chest "What are you doing?" Hikaru says "It's alright!" & grabs it, at the same time grabbing her shirt. The book & a button from Kinoshita's shirt fall to the floor & Hikaru looks in shock at the bruises around Kinoshita's neck & chest. Kinoshita picks up her book & runs off, Hikaru staring after her...

After school, Hikaru waits outside a bookstore & Michi comes walking by. However before Hikaru can approach Michi, Michi sees Masaru waiting for her & there's a flashback to the night before when Masaru was being rough with her & Michi yelling "Stop it!"...Masaru says "Sorry, last night...something wrong with me..." Michi tells him "I won't take it to heart..." looks off to the side & sees Hikaru watching them. She says to Masaru "I have something to talk to you about." Masaru "Is that so? I also have a place I want to go with you too." "Where?" "Let's go..." & tells the taxi driver "excuse me..." As Masaru hustles Michi into the taxi, she turns around to look at Hikaru...

Hikaru arrives home to see his mother waiting for him "Welcome back." "I'm home" replies Hikaru. She takes his bag from him & hobbles towards the dinning room, putting his bag on the table. Hikaru says "Sorry about last night." Kyoko replies "Doesn't matter...just promise me one thing? Don't do anything like you're leaving for good..." Hikaru replies "OK, I understand." & when Kyoko looks at him in surprise "What?" "Nothing" she says & he takes his bag & turns to go to his room. He stops suddenly & says "Oh yes, you don't have to worry about what I think." "What?" "Getting married to that doctor...if you're happy with him, then I'll be happy too..." "You're really kind today." "Is that so?" "Something happened at school?" "Nothing..." replies Hikaru, going off to his room.

The taxi pulls up at Michi's house & Michi asks Masaru "What's going on?" "Let's talk inside." "Wait!" "It's ok, come on!" says Masaru, pulling Michi out of the taxi.

In the house, Masaru goes on his knees in front of Michi's father "I'm really sorry!" Michi is shocked "Wait! What are you doing?" Masaru continues "Because I didn't look after Michi properly, there were these strange rumors from the school...also caused both of you to worry..." Michi's mom comes over to him "Even then it's got nothing to do with you, come, get up!" But Masaru is adamant "No, everything is my fault! Michi's been subjected to all those rumors, it's because I didn't wasn't being responsible, this is my fault, I am truly sorry!" Michi's father tells him "That's enough, get up!" Michi's mom says "It's us who should be apologizing…" & they help him up onto the sofa. Michi's father says "You're really a good person!" All this while Michi stares in shock (& what looks to me like disgust!) Michi's father says "Beer please!" "OK" says Michi's mom.

Hikaru is soaking in the tub…without Hikaru knowing, Kyoko goes into Hikaru's room & sits on his bed. She opens his bag, takes out his sketch book & flips thru it. She sees the sketches of Hikaru & Michi's hands touching & the picture that was ripped earlier…

It's Sunday 9.45am & Michi goes to meet Hikaru. However, she stops from across the road/canal & sees Hikaru waiting outside the garage. He paces up & down waiting for Michi & she smiles, watching. After a while he goes into the garage & takes up the spare helmet, it's got Michi's initials M.H. on the side. He goes outside to look again & Michi comes up behind him "Sorry, wait long?" "Ah no, I also just got here." "Really?" "Why?" "umm" Michi shakes her head. Hikaru goes into the garage & throws her the helmet "What are you doing? Let's go!"

They ride off & go for a movie. During the movie, Hikaru reaches out to take Michi's hand but then pulls back. Michi instead reaches over & holds his hand. Later on Hikaru looks at a ring along a roadside stall; they go to the arcade; take some photo sticker shots…walking along later, Michi turns & stares at someone walking by. Hikaru asks "What's wrong?" & Michi replies "Looks like a student from school." Hikaru asks "You're that worried?" "Not really but…" & looks up to see a wedding gown in a window display. As they continue walking along without talking, Hikaru's voice can be heard "This is the first time for me, so I don't really understand but we're not normal,aret we...we're not ordinary…we can't do things like ordinary couples, can't say in front of everyone that "I love you"…then Michi's voice comes on "Until you graduate from high school we'll just have to wait. Before that, it's better not to say anything to anyone…" Michi then apologizes to Hikaru "Sorry." "Why are you apologizing?" "Just because…"

Near an amusement park, Michi calls Masaru but gets his answer machine "This is Kitai, sorry can't take your call right now, please leave a message." "It's Michi, I have something that I'd like to tell you as soon as possible. I know you're busy but please call me." Michi hangs up & then looks for Hikaru. He comes running up. Michi asks "Where did you go?" "Put your hand out!" "What?" "It's ok." Michi puts her right hand out but Hikaru says "Not your right, left!" Michi puts out her left but Hikaru says again "Ah, I guess right is ok." Michi says "Which?" putting her right hand out again, palm facing up. "Not like this, like this" says Hikaru putting out his hand palm facing down. "ah, forget it!" & just puts a ring into her hand. It's a silver ring. Michi exclaims "Thank you!" Hikaru tells her "Not quite an engagement ring, just a cheap thing" but Michi says "nope, very happy." Hikaru asks "Have you heard of PURATON's story about rings? I heard from Kinoshita…once you wear the ring, you become invisible." Michi says "You're kidding!" Hikaru continues "If that were possible, we wouldn't have to worry about other people looking at us, we could meet anytime. Even when we can't meet, you can feel the other person next to you, praying for you." Michi puts on the ring & says "So how?" Hikaru turns around. Michi asks "Can you see me?" Hikaru pretends not to see her, walking around "Where did you go? Sensei! Where did you go? Can't see you! Sensei! Really can't see…sensei! Where did you go?" Michi gets pensive all of a sudden, goes up to him & hugs him from behind. He turns around & hugs her back...

(-= CJ =- Thanks to Giampiero Caprino for the enlightenment :-) PURATON = Plato & the story Hikaru's referring to is from Plato's The Republic -  Book Two: The Individual, the State, and Education)

Godai drives up in a car with a girl next to him. He stops & as he leans over to kiss her, he sees Hikaru & Michi hugging...the girl asks "What's wrong?" Godai replies "I was just thinking how glad I am, being with you today." "Really?" asks the girl & Godai kisses her looking at Hikaru & Michi at the same time.

In her office, Kyoko is admiring the painting & Godai enters suddenly "I have something important to talk to you about. "What?" "Doctor Inoue is saying a lot of things in the hospital, that I could benefit using your powers…" Kyoko says "That's just a rumor, not a big deal" "But it's a big deal to me. That person wants to get me out of this hospital." Replies Godai, sitting down. Kyoko says "Doctor Inoue has helped us from the beginning, he's a good doctor." "I understand." Says Godai, & then continues "Unfortunately, I heard something interesting about Hikaru…" "What about?" "Nothing really, only like the problem with Doctor Inoue." says Godai as he gets up & walks towards the door. Kyoko says "Wait!"

Michi is teaching class… "…Ax + By + C =0 & when D = A + D… can find out the value of C. &…" All of a sudden, Okajima sensei comes into class "Hirosei sensei, a minute please…" Michi says "I'm in the middle of class…" "It's fine! Hurry up!" he snaps & then tells the class "Everyone, study on your own!"

Michi follows Okajima sensei to the principal's office, Okajima sensei knocks "Excuse me" & enters the office. Michi sees Kyoko sitting together with the principal. He gets up & says "Sorry, disrupted your class…" Michi replies "It's alright, is there anything wrong?" "Where were you last night?" asks the principal. "Why are you asking this?" & Okajima sensei tells her "Someone saw you & Hikaru together." The principal continues "Kurosawa san is really worried, that you don't know how to handle her son." Michi says "I…I…" "Speak up! Where were the both of you last night? What did you do? Tell us!" says Okajima sensei angrily. Michi finally says "I & Hikaru…" when Kyoko interrupts "That's enough!" standing up. "Principal…" & the principal says to Michi "In any case, as of now you're no longer in charge of class 2C." "eh?" "This is so as not to add to further misunderstanding. Of course, you are to have absolutely nothing to do with Hikaru within the school." Continues the principal. Okajima sensei says "You understand, don't you." & Michi merely replies "Yes." & Kyoko looks at her…

In class, the students are cleaning up, Hikaru mopping the floor when a couple of the boys start playacting. "Sensei! I love you" "Not here, Hikaru, others will see!" "What are you afraid of sensei!" "Hold on!" "No, Hikaru!" "We have to keep it a secret! When the school term is over we can take our time…" Hikaru throws the mop on to the floor & walk out. The boys laugh "Just teasing…"

In the faculty room, a couple of the girls come in & ask one of the teachers "Sensei, I don't understand this…" but the teacher replies "This, go ask Hirose sensei" "But…" giggle the girls "If we want to know how to go after boys, maybe she can teach us! Ah sorry, just kidding!"

Hikaru is in the library when Michi walks in. All the other students stare & give her strange looks, making her feel uncomfortable. They whisper "They're seeing each other…seeing each other…" & finally Michi just leaves without saying anything, Hikaru staring at her…

Michi comes into the leaving room "I'm back." "Welcome home" says her mom. Michi looks at her father & then turns to go out. He says "Hand in your resignation to the school!" "Eh?" "Using the reason of getting married will not affect your resume details. Getting another job in the future will not be a problem. If the Kitai family finds out, don't know what will happen! Don't embarrass us again!" Michi says adamantly "I intend to break off the engagement!" "What are you saying!" "Right now there's no way we can marry!" Michi's mom says "Michi, are you serious?" Michi's father says "I won't allow you to do this!" but Michi retorts "My life should be decided by me!" Her father lifts his hand to hit her "That's enough!" but Michi's mom says "Stop it!" & then says to Michi "Michi, are you serious about that student?" Are you?" Michi doesn't say anything & goes to her room…from her bag, she takes out the ring Hikaru gave to her & looks at it...

In his room, Hikaru is looking at his ring when his phone rings "Hello" Michi says "It's me" Hikaru asks "Where are you now?" "At home, & you?" Hikaru replies "In front of you" "eh?" "I'm wearing the ring now" Michi asks "If that's the case, then what am I wearing now?" He answers "What you wore today. Hurry up & get changed!" "Then, what am I doing now?" "hmm, looking at the ring!" Michi is surprised "How did you know?" "Can't be helped! I'm really by your side." Michi smiles & puts on the ring "Right now I'm also with you" "Then guess what I'm wearing" Michi thinks then says "Pajamas! Navy pants" "Right!" & Michi goes silent. Hikaru says "Hello?" & Michi says "If we don't meet, still don't really know! I want to see you. I want to see you right now!"

At school in the faculty room Michi is packing up when Matsuoka sensei tells her "Real headache, have to attend an meeting right now. " Another teacher says "Hirose sensei, please help with the materials…" "Yes" replies Michi.

At the garage, Hikaru looks at his watch & then sees his tutor Sugai's reflection in the mirror. He leaves & she makes a phone call…

Michi comes by the garage but doesn't see Hikaru. She takes out her phone & calls Hikaru. Right then, Kyoko walks up to her & says "You won't get thru anymore. I've cancelled his phone line. What are you doing here? Waiting for someone?" Kyoko looks at the bike & Michi goes & stands in front of her. "I have something to say. I…" but Kyoko cuts her off "I understand your feelings. A long time ago, I had the same feelings as you."

They go to a park & Kyoko continues "When Hikaru was 7, during summer, we went to the beach together. My husband just passed away, I was worrying about what to do, & was in a daze. When I realized, I douldn't see Hikaru. I looked & looked & finally found him. When I scolded him 'where did you go?' hs gave me a flower from his little hand. As I held him I knew, I will never let Hikaru go…If I don't have Hikaru, I can't go on living. I will never allow it, I will never let you have Hikaru

At the Witches restaurant Michi is waiting, the engagement ring in her hand. Masaru comes in "Sorry, sorry, I'm late" Michi sees Kiriko & says to Masaru "But…" & Masaru replies "I just thought that it'd be more fun with the 3 of us." Sitting down. Michi tells him "Didn't I say that I have something important to tell you?" Kiriko says "I can leave, Michi..." but Masaru says "It's ok, there's nothing that Kiroko can't hear." Kiriko says again "I think I should leave" but Masaru says "Don't worry Kiriko, what shall we have?" Michi starts "Masaru…" however Masaru suddenly says "ah, no, I forgot something important, I'm really sorry, I have to go back to the office." He stands up to leave & says to Kiriko "Give me the bill ok? Sorry, I'll call you again Michi" & leaves. Kiroko sits down "Sorry about last time" "What for?" "I said that you didn't understand anything" "No, it's me…" "Don't misunderstand, there's really nothing between Masaru & me…you had something important to tell Masaru today. He feels it, that's why he brought me here as well. What's the reason? Not that student?" Michi finally says "Strange huh! I'm strange huh!" Kiriko says "I'm behind you!" "Eh?" "I'm your ally" "Thanks, Kiriko!" smiles Michi.

Leaving school, Hikaru sees Sugai tailing him. He turns around but Kiriko suddenly comes up to him "Excuse me, how do I get to this place?" & shows him a piece of paper. Written on it are the words "Meet at the place where we put on our rings" Hikaru looks up at Kiriko who says "I was told you'd know looking at this." & Hikaru points "Straight down this road." "Thank you" says Kiriko. As Sugai comes around, Kiriko bumps into her on purpose. Her bag & everything in it scatters all over "What are you doing?" Kiriko says "Sorry" loud enough & Hikaru turns around. Seeing Sugai distracted, he turns & runs. Kiriko drops more things on the floor "Sorry"...

Michi waits for Hikaru & he finally comes by on his bike. "Everything ok?" she asks. When he nods, she goes over & hugs him "I wanted to see you. Just one day not talking to you, really hard…" Hikaru says "Then let's go someplace, then we can be together…" "I want to but…" Michi walks a bit & continues "My father's told me to resign from school. Maybe that's the only way that we can be together." "Will that work?" "I don't know" Hikaru gets upset "Why did this have to happen? We haven't done anything bad!" Michi says "But, if we go on like this, we can't be together, we can't be together…"

Back in his room, Hikaru looks at his ring, & then takes out his math notes, looks at Michi's writing on them…

In her room, Michi's writing some school notes & then looks at her ring…

Going into the faculty room Michi says "Good morning" but everyone just gives her strange looks. Okajima sensei goes up to her "Good morning" & she replies "Good morning". Okajima sensei continues "Hirose sensei, finally made the decision…" "What?" "Your father came by earlier, with this…" he shows her the resignation letter. "A pity, to lose a person of talent as excellent as you. We'll announce this to the students immediately at this morning's assembly. Thank you…" Michi tries to explain "Wait a minute! I didn't…" but Okajima sensei cuts her off "Ah, I'll hand this over to the principal" & goes off…

At the assembly, Okajima sensei announces "It's sudden but Hirose sensei will be resigning as she is getting married. It's unfortunate but it's also a happy occasion, so let us all congratulate her. & now, Hirose sensei!" Michi gets up & slowly walks up to the stage. She says "I…I don't intend to resign." & the whole assembly is surprised. Michi looks at Hikaru & says "I…love Kurosawa Hikaru! Love him!"