Ep. 22: Ryuuji reflects on his future while Taiga returns to his home after a family dispute.
After a ski trip incident, Taiga stays with her mother and misses school. Ryuuji asks Yuusaku to claim he saved Taiga to validate her story. Hisamitsu and Haruta take Ryuuji to a ramen shop where Minori works. At home, Ryuuji worries about affording further education, but Yasuko encourages him to aim high. Ryuuji finds Yasuko has left for work following their talk. He notices a hairpin intended for Minori and stores it away, realizing he cannot give it to her. Taiga appears at his door, locked out of her apartment after lying about being ill to bond with her mother. Seeing the box with the hairpin, she reassures Ryuuji that he will be with her. Taiga mentions dreaming about past events and her "stupid words," while Ryuuji assures her that except for Yuusaku saving her, it was all a dream.
Episodes
- Ep. 18 · Friends assist with Christmas preparations while Taiga finds hope and Minori regrets breaking the tree star.
- Ep. 19 · Taiga and Ryuuji navigate a Christmas Eve party and subsequent emotional misunderstandings.
- Ep. 20 · Taiga advises Ryuuji to pursue Minori before the Okinawa trip changes to a ski excursion.
- Ep. 21 · Ryuuji confronts his feelings for Minori and searches for a fallen Taiga
- Ep. 22 · Ryuuji reflects on his future while Taiga returns to his home after a family dispute.
- Ep. 23 · Ryuuji and Taiga sell chocolate while Minori confronts Taiga about a misunderstanding
- Ep. 24 · Ryuuji and Taiga confront their feelings and family issues before deciding against running away.
- Ep. 25 · Taiga returns after a year, leading to a flustered confession and headbutt from Ryuuji.