Haruko brings Aki breakfast the next morning. Aki is hungry but does not want to admit it, and refuses the food. She gets caught by her mom getting the food anyway. "I said I don't need it!" There are only two days left before the event. News has spread that Aki is sick and will not take part anymore. The person they got to replace Aki is just some Toshi-chan*-look alike. Backlash has started. One-third of the guests are cancelling their tickets or wants a refund. Even those in the waiting list are backing out. Daikichi says even if the event is pushing through, "it's just no good without Aki-chan." Hiroshi and Yui try to talk to Haruko to help out in persuading Aki to sing. But Haruko says rather than that, it would be better if Yui try to reconcile with Aki so the two will sing happily. Yui visits Aki at her home to tell her to do the parlor train. "It's time we have a heart-to-heart talk." But Aki keeps running away, unable to face her. Outside, Natsu tells Haruko not to interfere and to just wait. Inside, Yui finally gets to talk to Aki, saying she feels frustrated. "Until I met you, I never wanted to lose to a girl my age. But then, you're so interesting and it was fun being with you. But... people all around are just going "Aki-chan, Aki-chan", kinda gave me an inferiority complex... Sorry, I'm so narrow-minded. Same about Taneichi-senpai. Just thinking of you having a boyfriend made me sick to my stomach..."