Kotoko and Shige apologise to the Irie family for causing Naoki to miss the Todai entrance exam. Machiko reassures them that it is alright and remarks that Naoki did it for the sake of the woman he loves (Kotoko). However, Naoki tries to defend himself. Although Ki is rather disappointed that Naoki did not go to Todai, he tells Naoki to make a comeback next year. Naoki walks away as if troubled by something.
The next day at school, Kin-chan's friends bring Kotoko to the notice board. There is a poster put up there talking about Naoki's absence from the Todai entrance exam and that the reason is because of Kotoko. Reiko comes to confront Kotoko and drags her to the 'A' classroom. The whole 'A' class start to bully Kotoko when Kin-chan and the rest of the 'F' class barge in to help Kotoko. Kin-chan hits Watanabe and Reiko start to slap Kotoko. Kotoko retalliates and the situation gets out of control. The two classes start to fight it out. Naoki sees what happens and is shocked.
The students from both the 'A' and 'F' class are covered in bruises and look a dismal sight. Kanhara-sensei and Izumi-sensei then get into a debate about who initiated the fight.
Kotoko comes to look for Naoki and tells him not to worry about her injuries. Naoki says that he doesn't care and says that he did not go for the Todai entrance because it was his decision. It has nothing to do with Kotoko. Naoki tells Kotoko that he plans to be a doctor and Kotoko is happy that Naoki has found his aspiration. Kotoko starts to imagine her being a nurse and Naoki being a doctor. Junko and Satomi tell Kotoko that even if Naoki has decided to be a doctor, there is no way that Kotoko can get close to him. Kotoko smiles slyly, having something up her sleeve.
Naoki informs his family about his going to Saint Tonan University to study medicine. Ki is disappointed that Naoki isn't going to take over the family business but Yuki promises his dad that he will take over in future. Kotoko tells them that she has decided to be a nurse and Naoki is rather uneasy upon hearing that.
Kotoko starts to work very hard for the exams. Naoki asks her if she is serious about being a nurse because he is worried about the patients if Kotoko really becomes a nurse. Kotoko says that she is confident of doing everything as long as Naoki is by her side. Naoki tells her to work hard and Kotoko is elated by Naoki's encouragement.
Kanhara-sensei shows Kotoko a brochure on Akita's First Hospital Affliated Nursing School. Since only that school will allow Kotoko to study nursing, this would mean that Kotoko would have to go to Akita and leave Naoki. Kotoko is saddened by this when the headmaster comes to thank her for causing Naoki and Reiko to go to Saint Tonan's University to study medicine together. This is a double blow for Kotoko who is looking forward to studying in the same university as Naoki.
Kotoko ponders
over whether to go to Akita since this means that she has to
leave Naoki. However, at the thought of Naoki's encouragement and
the fact that she will be able to assist Naoki in his future
career, Kotoko decides to buck up and work hard for the entrance
exams.Kotoko finally makes it to the nursing school in Akita. Machiko doesn't want Naoki to be separated from Kotoko and wants him to make Kotoko stay behind. However, Naoki refuses to do so and congratulates Kotoko. Kotoko thinks that Naoki is really happy for her but in actual fact, he is feeling relieved about Kotoko's impending departure from the Irie family. This makes Kotoko extremely sad.
Junko and Satomi are not optimistic about Kotoko's relationship with Naoki since she is going to Akita. Moreover, Reiko who is much better than Kotoko in various areas will be attending the same university as Naoki. Kotoko is confident that she will be together with Naoki one day. Junko and Satomi can't help feeling that Kotoko is so great. Kin-chan rushes into the class and pleads with Kotoko to go on a date with him.
Kotoko and Kin-chan go on a date at the amusement park. Kin-chan is so grateful to Kotoko for going out with him but she thinks that he is exaggerating things. When they ride on the roller-coaster, Kin-chan proposes to Kotoko but she doesn't hear it. As a result of the ride, Kin-chan throws up so Kotoko goes to get some water for him. A gay then approaches Kin-chan and kisses him forcefully, After that ordeal, Kin-chan asks to kiss Kotoko but she pushes him away. Kin-chan tells Kotoko that if he is Naoki, Kotoko will let him kiss her. Kotoko apologises to Kin-chan because she will only love Naoki in this lifetime. Even though Kin-chan loves her very much, Kotoko will still love Naoki. Kin-chan is very upset with Kotoko's decision.
On the graduation day, Naoki is again the representative making the speech for the Year 3s. Kotoko remembers all the fond memories with Naoki while looking at Naoki onstage. Kotoko is still daydreaming when she is called onstage to receive the graduation certificates on behalf of her class from the headmaster. When she sees Naoki sitting in the front row, Kotoko loses her balance and falls off the stage. The certificates are thrown all over and Naoki helps Kotoko to pick them up. The whole hall erupts into laughter at this. Kin-chan rushes over and stops Naoki from helping Kotoko. He tells Kotoko that he will wait patiently for the day when Kotoko is willing to give up Naoki. Kotoko is exasperated by this.
During the 'F' class farewell party, Kotoko, Junko and Satomi pledge to remain friends forever. They can't bear to part with Kotoko who is going to Akita. Kotoko tells them that her love for Naoki will never change even if she is going to Akita.
Naoki is mobbed by girls who try to get hold of the buttons on his uniform. Even Reiko and Kotoko fight over Naoki's buttons. At long last, Kotoko manages to get hold of Naoki's button but the result is unbearable to be seen. Reiko mocks Kotoko for not being able to stay with Naoki. Seeing the both of them together, Kotoko's heart is aching.
On the eve of Kotoko's departure, Shige gives her some sour plums and preserved vegetables to bring to Akita. Kotoko is very touched and promises to work hard.
Machiko cannot bear to part with Kotoko and is on the verge of tears. Yuki tells Kotoko not to come back anymore. Nevertheless, Kotoko tells Yuki that she will feel uneasy without hearing Yuki's sarcastic remarks. Kotoko feels like crying when she says goodbye to Naoki.
Machiko forces Naoki to send Kotoko to the train station. On the way, Kotoko tells Naoki that she will not lose to him and become a good nurse. Kotoko also wants Naoki to grant her a request that is to smile at her. When Kotoko crosses the train junction, she turns back waiting to see Naoki's smile. However, Naoki walks away without granting her request. Kotoko is crying as she watches Naoki walking away...
Two years later, winter.
Naoki is now studying medicine in Saint Tonan University. One day while in school, he feels that there is something weird around him but he can't place his finger on what it is. Reiko comes along and they walk away. Actually, Kotoko is back for her internship as a nurse. She also goes to visit Shige and Kin-chan.
Kotoko comes to the university again to look for Naoki. To her surprise, she finds that Kanhara-sensei and Izumi-sensei who used to be loggerheads are now married. They are also behaving very intimately. When they find that Kotoko is hiding behind them, they get the shock out of their lives.
Kotoko is working in Saint Tonan University Hospital during her internship. She is carrying urine samples but accidentally bumps into Naoki, spilling everything on him. Naoki is surprised and exasperated at Kotoko's actions.
Kotoko goes to have dinner with the Irie family and Reiko is also present. When Kotoko tries to pour wine for Ki, Reiko stops her, saying that Ki only drinks two glasses for the sake of his health. Kotoko wants to make tea for Ki but discovers that the arrangement of things in the kitchen has changed and Reiko knows everything at her fingertips. In Kotoko's haste, she breaks a few plates. They fight over picking up the broken pieces and end up cutting themselves. Naoki immediately tends to Reiko's injury, leaving Kotoko alone. Kotoko has an even bigger cut than Reiko but Naoki doesn't care about her. Kotoko tries to conceal her sadness when Reiko means more to Naoki than her.
Kotoko is happy that Naoki has become more cheerful than before and wants to go back to Akita to complete her studies. Shige notices that Kotoko has matured and asks her to work hard.
