In this chapter, we learn that Aoi and Shusei have been secretly living together in the same building as their schoolmate, Wataru. Things between them have gotten awkward and tense, and even though Aoi tries to mend the relationship, Shusei remains cold. Wataru declares that, if Aoi hurts him any further, he'll take her into his home. Aoi is up early to pack the leaves for the garden, and she tells him that she doesn't understand why Kugayama is being so curt with her. She tells him she's got a recipe for him, and he asks her to tell him how the landlady told her she wants to hold a cooking class. She invites him to come too, but he declines, saying he's going to be teaching another class. He tells her that he has a great recipe for her, and that she'll be able to do anything with it. He asks her if she still has feelings for him. She says she does, but that even painful love can lead to something more. She asks him to teach her the next step in her relationship with Shusei.