Ep. 9: Friends react to Masahiro and Kousuke's kiss while Mitsuru struggles with jealousy and confusion.

9

While the group visits a supermarket, Mitsuru suspects Masahiro favors Kousuke, causing tension that Kensuke attempts to resolve. At school, Masahiro kisses Kousuke after the latter expresses missing him, an act witnessed by Jirou. Upon returning, Jirou reports the incident, prompting Mitsuru to call the act disgusting. Kensuke defends his friends, threatening to expel Mitsuru for disrespecting them as family. Masahiro overhears this confrontation, and Hasekura criticizes him for being discovered, though the others remain accepting. Mitsuru feels isolated from his new peers and struggles with confusion regarding the relationship dynamics and Masahiro’s age. He eventually seeks to understand Masahiro’s perspective. During a barbecue, Mitsuru is seated outside. Kousuke reveals he saw Jirou watching but stayed silent to help his friends connect, resulting in Kousuke also being moved outside with Mitsuru.