Harue forces Hayato to help Naru find her bicycle. Naru is the sister of Kakeru, revealed as the crazy leader of the Yanagihara Flame Birds and referred to as "Phoenix". Meanwhile, Yū Yoneda gives Shūsuke an assignment to write an article review on a novel due within a month. With persuasion from Kakeru, Shūsuke talks to Hiyoko, the pseudonymous author of the novel. Shūsuke takes the risk of asking Hiyoko the color of her underwear, yet she calmly comments that her underwear is beige and encourages him to write whatever he can to promote her novel. However, he later finds her undressing in the dressing room of the bar, which creates a rift between them. During the singles/farewell party, Shūsuke tries to make Hiyoko laugh and win her love, but Eriko and Kinako are unimpressed with Shūsuke's attempt at being funny and romantic. Shūsuke runs out the back door, content that he had fun.