When Ichika apologizes to Kai for hitting him with a volleyball, they bond over a book related to her favorite anime, and Kai lends it to her; when Ryo meets up with Ichika at a convenience store so he can walk her home, Kai also happens to be there.

Ichika and her friends talk about romance in class as the time for Christmas and their school trip draws near. Ichika is asked what kind of guy she likes and tries to describe someone exactly the opposite of Ryo. However, Satsuki then points out someone who actually fits that description. Meanwhile, one of Ryo's coworkers hears him talking to Ichika over the phone and hears that he addresses her as "Ichika-san" as well as him telling her that he loves her...

Ryo's coworker, Arie, has been working as long as he has and is a secret anime nerd; they get closer after discussing anime; Arie starts to realize that she has feelings for Ryo and invites him out to dinner with some other coworkers.