Kotoko finally confesses her crush on Irie and he rejects her; after an earthquake hits Tokyo, Kotoko's house is damaged; a friend of her father's opens up his house to their family.

Using an embarrassing childhood picture, Kotoko blackmails Irie into tutoring her on the next exam; the two become closer while studying.

Kotoko and Irie end up competing against each other in the relay race; Kin boasts of his passion for Kotoko.

Kotoko, Irie and friends visit Waterland; Kotoko sneaks into Irie's room to get answers for the homework and he catches her and teases her.

Kotoko gets Naoki to tutor the whole of Class F so they can pass their finals; Kotoko works really hard as a waitress to buy Irie's Christmas present.

Irie abandons the entrance exam for Tokyo University in order to bring Kotoko to the hospital; after this incident, Kotoko tries to leave the Irie household blaming herself for ruining Irie's chance.