Period 3

In this episode, the Blue Scorpions are up against tougher opponents and the coach decided to get rid of 3 players, including Makoto.  Makoto can't believe it and Yamato and Tomo-kun spoke up for Makoto. Surprisingly, when Tomo-kun asked Halu to speak up as captain, Halu said he agreed with the coach's decision.

Meanwhile, Aki is chatting with Yuri and Yuri suggested that Halu could be a man as cold as ice, since he can play a game of love and yet be unable to love. Aki tries to deny it but ponders about Yuki's comments.  At this point of time, Halu does look cold and unfeeling when he didn't even seem to care that his team-mates were getting kicked out of the team.

Halu is in Yamato's apartment and they discuss about Yamato's relationship with Yuri. Yamato was not returning Yuri's calls but Halu knew that Yamato was interested in Yuri but scared that his lack of wealth will be found out.  Halu encourages Yamato.  And it turned out that Yamato is actually Aki's neighbor and Aki finds out the truth about Yamato.

Halu, Yamato and Aki are in the bar talking about Yamato's relationship with Yuri when the whole ice hockey team came in and confronted Halu. Halu calmly told Makoto to give up his place in the team, since he has already reached his limit. Even though Makoto treats Halu like an elder brother and promised to put in more effort and begs to stay in the team, Halu taunts him and humiliates him of everyone in the bar.  Halu leaves the bar as if giving up on Makoto, and Aki goes after him.

The next part is cuter as Halu and Aki are in a family restaurant having dinner.  Aki doesn't understand why he didn't support Makoto and says she is disappointed with him. And she points out the fact that he is a cold person and that she thought that he was a nicer person. He asks her "what do you mean by nice? By carrying your bag for you, buying you things you like?", and agreed that he is an "iceman".  Aki leaves the restaurant in a huff without eating but walks back within 10 seconds because she left her wallet in the house and couldn't hail a cab.  She sits back down and decides to eat since she has to wait for him.  I think this is the cute part about Aki, she doesn't really hold grudges.

Aki bumps into Yamato at the laundry shop and Yamato thanks Aki for going after Halu and tells Aki a story about Halu when they were in high school. And that he believes that Halu is not a cold person and he must have his own reason regarding Makoto's matter. (..this part is a must-watch because while Yamato is telling the story, Halu is training alone at the gym ... and oooh... muscles... sweat .. Oh..) But the story is kinda sad, and it reveals more about Halu ..

Makoto is given another chance to stay in the team by the coach, if he can provide "one assist" during the next match.

Youko mentions to Halu that he's probably very much like Hyoudou coach. And since he didn't like the coach, he probably didn't like himself.  Halu says he's not sure if he's similar to the coach, but he probably does dislike himself since he's a cold person. 

My heart nearly stopped when a voice called out "Aki" at the bridge where she waits for her boyfriend.  And phew, it turned out to be Halu.  Aki looked shocked, then a very subtle moment of relief then confused. (Aki has probably forgotten most about her boyfriend, she is getting herself way too deep in this game with Halu.) 

Meanwhile, with Halu and Aki's encouragement, Yamato gets back together with Yuri.

In Aki's apartment, Aki told Halu she knew what had happened during his high school but Halu still doesn't reveal the real reason why he's letting Makato go. Then at the training ground, Aki went to look for Halu who is going for training alone again.  Halu stops outside the changing room and turns his back. Aki looks in and sees Makoto crying inside and understood why Halu couldn't go in.  She is standing in front of Halu and reaches out and holds his hand, in which he grabs tightly in return.

Before the match, the team members announced that they are changing their captain to Tomo-kun. Halu seems fine with it and leaves the room. Makoto is angry that he wasn't aware of this and reveals emotionally that the reason why Halu did what he did because he knew Makoto had a fear of opponents charging towards him after he was hurt by an opponent and was out of action for half a year. And that they don't understand Halu at all, how he loves hockey will all his heart. The team finally understand and went out to face their opponents. Makoto and Halu teams up perfectly with a last second assist by Makoto and Halu scores and wins the match.

After the match, Aki finds Halu alone by the rink and asked him if "Satonaka Halu still wants to be alone by himself." He says "no, will probably look for the guys." She says disappointedly, "really? .. hm, you can tell what a person really thinks by looking into their eyes right?" Halu says "yeah" and she says, "let's try." They look into each other's eyes deeply for a few seconds and Halu says ," wanna be with each other a while more." Then almost at the same time, Halu says ,"Aki does" and Aki says "Halu does" and then both say "maybe".  

- Surf, Jan 29 2004.