The principal confronts Hina over her relationship with Natsuo. Hina announces that she is being transferred to a distant school. Natsuo and Rui are unable to contact Hina; a letter in Hina's empty apartment explains to Natsuo that she requested the transfer in exchange for the school's silence, and to help Natsuo move on. Natsuo falls into a depression, until members of the Literature Club encourage him and he pours his heart into a new novel. On New Year's Day, Natsuo and the club take it to Kiriya. Later, Natsuo is 'abducted' to a ceremony where his novel, entered into a contest by Kiriya, has won first prize...