Naoki gives a bouquet of flowers to Kotoko, congratulating her on her admission to Todai (University of Tokyo). Kotoko expresses doubt at this but Naoki says that Kotoko deserves her achievement. He even tells Kotoko that they can be together for another 4 years. Kotoko is elated at this. When Naoki bends closer to kiss Kotoko, Kotoko suddenly wakes up from her sleep so what happened is just a dream. Kotoko realises that today is New Year's Day and rushes downstairs to greet Naoki's parents and Shige. In her haste, Kotoko forgets to change out of her pyjamas and Yuki mocks at her. Kotoko tries to defend her sleeping late for the sake of having a New Year's dream but Yuki tells her that a New Year's dream is supposed to be made on New Year's day itself. Kotoko starts telling them that she dreamt of going to Todai with Naoki but Machiko tells Kotoko not to disclose the contents of her dream until noon or it wouldn't come true. When they are going to have their New Year feast, Reiko comes calling on them.
Reiko comes to
the Irie residence clad in a beautiful kimono. They then play a
Japanese card game where the loser has to be given a stroke on
the face by an ink brush. Kotoko and Shige's faces are drawn so
many times that they look comical. Machiko delibrately insults
Reiko but Naoki's father tries to defend Reiko.The third term starts. Kanhara-sensei apologises to the class for failing to help them. The school has decided to reject all university applications from the 'F' class and Kanhara-sensei is unable to change the decision. Kotoko is shocked and at a loss about what to do.
Kotoko goes to tell Kanhara-sensei that she won't go to Saint Tonan's affiliated university. Instead, she will aim for a place in Todai. Kanhara-sensei is happy for Kotoko's aspiration but tells her that with her standard, it is impossible for her to go to Todai. Kotoko then asks if there is any university near Todai which she can go to but Kanhara-sensei answers in a negative way. Izumi-sensei tells Kanhara-sensei to stop giving Kotoko any hopes and he tells her to shut up. Reiko comes over and mocks Kotoko. Kotoko decides to quit school and work in a company near Todai.
Kotoko tells Machiko about her decision to work. Machiko tries to get Naoki to dissuade Kotoko from doing that but Naoki approves of her decision. Kotoko plans to be an air-stewardess but forgets about her fear of heights. She even dreams of becoming a model or fashion designer. However, Kotoko's ultimate aim is to work near Todai and Naoki knows that this spells trouble for him. Kotoko asks Naoki to tutor her but Naoki says that it is of no use since Kotoko is so stupid.
Ki (Naoki's father) tells Kotoko to work in his company since she is looking for a job. However, Shige tells Ki and Machiko that Kotoko should not take up the job. Although Kotoko is disappointed about Shige's decision, she decides to reject Ki's offer and stand on her own.
The Irie family and Shige helps to conduct a mock interview to train Kotoko. Naoki is forced to play along with them. Yuki tells Kotoko that she is speaking too loud. Machiko then asks Kotoko some ridiculous questions like, Do you have a boyfriend?, What is your boyfriend like and Do you plan to work after you get married? which are somehow related to Naoki. Naoki cannot stand it anymore and leaves.
Kotoko goes for an interview at a company opposite Todai. She meets her classmate Kaori and talks very loudly. In the end, they are both told to leave without going through the interview.
Naoki is praised by Izumi-sensei for achieving the top score in the national high school tests. Kotoko overhears it and congratulates Naoki. However, Naoki doesn't seem to be happy about this. Kotoko tells them that she has found a job and they are all surprised by this. Which company in the right mind will hire Kotoko?
Kotoko returns to the classroom finding Kin-chan sharpening a knife. Kin-chan tells Kotoko that he will bring happiness to Kotoko in future but she doesn't get what he means.
The Irie family and Kotoko have dinner in Shige's restaurant to celebrate Naoki's achievement in the national tests. Shige even prepares some snake blood wine for Naoki who drinks it with much reluctance. Everyone is pining high hopes on Naoki to make it to Todai but Naoki doesn't really see the appeal in Todai. Kotoko could see that Naoki is troubled over something.
Kotoko asks Naoki if he is really not interested in going to Todai but Naoki tells her to keep out of his affairs. Kotoko scolds Naoki for being uninterested in everything and this is unfair to others who work hard. Kotoko wants Naoki to promise her that he will put in effort in what he does while she tries to find a job because the company didn't hire her.
Kin-chan gives Kotoko a amulet to wish her good luck in her job search. However, it turns out that the amulet is for pregnant women to have a smooth delivery. Nevertheless, this sparks off Kotoko's mind and she has an idea at work.
Kotoko goes to many shrines and buys different types of amulets for Naoki. She spends a bomb on them.
Naoki sees all the different amulets that Kotoko bought for him and finds that they range from safety on the roads to even smooth delivery (for the birth of babies). Naoki is exasperated by Kotoko's actions and returns all the amulets to her.
The next morning, Kotoko wakes up late and rushes to have her breakfast. Naoki discovers that Kotoko has pinned an amulet to his uniform and the needle pricked him. Kotoko apologises to Naoki and he scolds her fiercely. Kotoko feels sad at this.
Kotoko tries to make some chocolates for Naoki but ends up making a mess of the kitchen. However, she is undaunted and keeps on trying.
On Valentine's Day where guys are supposed to receive chocolates from girls, Kin-chan comes to school early expecting to receive a lot of chocolates. However, he finds none under his table. Later, he sees his friends receiving chocolates but he has none. When Kotoko comes to school, Kin-chan hints to Kotoko for the chocolates but Kotoko doesn't get it. Instead, Kotoko and Satomi accompany Junko to give chocolates to Watanabe. However, he rejects her gift and Junko is disappointed by this.
Reiko gives Naoki a watch which is a pair with hers. Watanabe and Kotoko follow Reiko and Naoki and tries to eavesdrop. Reiko delibrately acts intimate with Naoki to spite Kotoko.
At home, Yuki and Naoki bring home a lot of chocolates received from girls. Kotoko tells Naoki to wait patiently for her gift. Meanwhile, Kin-chan waits in school in vain for Kotoko's chocolates. Kanhara-sensei flaunts the only gift he received and this makes Kin-chan very jealous.
Kotoko gives Naoki the chocolate she made for him but Naoki refuses to eat it. To force Naoki to accept Kotoko's gift, Machiko tells him that there will be no dinner for him if he refuses to eat it. Naoki still refuses to eat it so Kotoko tells him to choose between a rice-roll made by her or the chocolate. When Naoki eats it, he finds a ring belonging to Machiko in the chocolate. The chocolate is also bitter and spicy. Kotoko finds that the chocolate is too hard and worries if she has caused trouble for Naoki again.
During dinner, Naoki remarks that he feels pain in his tooth after eating Kotoko's chocolate. Kotoko asks him if he can do anything for him but Naoki tells her to forget it. He just wants a good night's sleep. Kotoko wants Yuki to sleep with her for fear of disturbing Naoki but Yuki refuses. Machiko assures Kotoko that Yuki will be sleeping with her tonight since tomorrow is Naoki's exam.
Kotoko tries to maintain peace and quiet for Naoki but ends up disturbing his sleep. This irritates Naoki very much. Just when Naoki thinks that he can have some peace, Kotoko is up to her antics again.
Naoki wakes up to fins Kotoko staring at him. Kotoko asks Naoki if he had a good night's sleep but Naoki scolds Kotoko for causing him to lose sleep. Naoki is exasperated by Kotoko's actions.
Kotoko offers to accompany Naoki to the exam venue because she has an interview in the area. Naoki refuses but Kotoko is insistent. Shige gives Naoki an exam amulet even though Kotoko tries to stop him from giving it to Naoki who doesn't believe in amulets.
On the way to the
examination venue, Kotoko feels pain in her stomach but she puts
on a brave front before Naoki. Naoki sees that Kotoko has turned
pale with pain and tells her to go home. However, Kotoko says
that she wants to send Naoki personally into the exam venue and
she also has an interview to attend. Naoki finally accepts
Kotoko's amulet and she stands outside the exam venue to spur
Naoki on. When Naoki hears nothing from Kotoko, he rushes out to
find Kotoko slumped on the floor in pain. Kotoko hurries Naoki to
go for the exam but she cannot hold out anymore and faints. Naoki
then carries Kotoko all the way to the hospital.Naoki stays with Kotoko who keeps mumbling for Naoki to attend the exam. He then leaves the ward. Is he rushing to Todai for the exam?
Shige and Machiko come to see Kotoko who has come down with acute appendicitis. They think that Naoki has gone to Todai for the exam when Naoki comes back into the ward. He had gone out for a drink and didn't return to Todai for the exam. Everyone is shocked especially Kotoko who feels that she has brought trouble to Naoki again...