Episode 7 of "Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love" unfolds with Miu departing in the wake of Ren's absence, her footsteps echoing a tale of unrequited hope. The solemnity of Chiaki's funeral shrouds the air, as Ren's mother attempts to soothe his fractured heart, her words falling flat, leaving him to wander off into solitude.
Driven by an unyielding curiosity, Miu trails after him, yearning to know what words of wisdom or confession he might have shared if he had kept their appointment. Ren, steeped in self-doubt, brushes it off as a futile endeavor, a burden solely his to bear. Miu's face falls, her heart heavy with the realization that she had nearly glimpsed the depths of his affection.
A nostalgic flashback transports us to a tender moment between Ren and Miu, nestled in bed. A butterfly flutters past Miu, alighting gracefully on Ren's hand, igniting a spark of belief in her heart that he holds a unique place in the universe. Ren, ever the pragmatist, dismisses it as a fleeting encounter, common among butterflies. She ponders if he harbors a loneliness within, to which he firmly asserts that nothing is eternal. Her heart concurs, and in a poignant instant, their lips meet in a tender kiss.
Elsewhere, Megumi and Saki share a bittersweet farewell meal, marking the end of an era before Saki embarks on a new journey. Megumi, awkward and evasive, fails to reciprocate Saki's lighthearted laughter over her confession. Megumi's soul feels an endless void, a contrast to Saki's vibrant spirit, unappreciated by her employers. Determined not to let Saki's vibrancy fade into her own emptiness, Megumi lavishes her with support. Saki's confession left Megumi fleeing, terrified of her own awakening emotions.
Ren is taken aback to discover that Chiaki had clandestinely organized an art exhibition for him in New York, a gesture their teacher attributes to guilt over her role in bringing him back to Japan. Striving to honor her memory, Ren attempts to create a mural but is overwhelmed by tears, his mind relentlessly replaying the pain he inflicted upon her.
A few days hence, Megumi's journey intertwines with Ren's once again, at the very eve of his departure bound for New York. He offers an apology, tinged with melancholy, for not accompanying her till the end of their school days. His words echo with a profound sense of absence. Similarly unattached, Megumi asserts that they are both hollow vessels, a confession that disrupts the tranquility of his thoughts, stirring a tumult within.
Hikari's heart aches at the sight of Ren's departure, while Osakabe, jesting with faux jealousy, finds amusement in the scene. Hikari cherishes the moment, hoping Ren remains unchanged, her sentiment bringing a genuine smile to his face.
Ren formally submits his resignation to Usami, with Miu inadvertently catching snippets of their conversation through the half-open door. As Ren exits stage left, his encounters with Miu cease abruptly, leaving an eerie void in their mundane routines, akin to a fleeting phantom that has vanished into thin air. Osakabe, too, is deeply affected, noticing the vandalized statue of Ren that has been painstakingly restored, each brushstroke a testament to the loss they all feel.
Meanwhile, Saki embarks on her journey with renewed vigor at the atelier, her heart filled with anticipation and purpose. In stark contrast, Miu is once again swept by a wave of helplessness, her motivation flickering like a dying ember. Seeking solace in the familiar, she reaches out to an acquaintance, inquiring about their latest creative endeavors and offering to lend a helping hand wherever she can, hoping to find a spark of inspiration in their passion.
One fateful day, Usami visits Miu and witnesses her incorporating metal into her clay sculpture, a testament to her unrelenting thoughts of Ren. Acknowledging Miu's incessant contemplation, Usami shares that even fleeting moments can etch permanent scars. She encourages Miu not to detach herself but to use the same reflective lens she employed on Ren to discover her own essence, despite the potential pain. Miu ponders whether she, too, has left an indelible mark on Ren's heart. The narrative shifts to Ren, now in Japan, struggling to sculpt a butterfly from clay, ultimately failing in his endeavor.
That evening, Miu encounters Megumi in the studio, and they share a meal together, the ambiance charged with nostalgia. Miu confesses her hollow feelings, surprising Megumi with her candor. Miu finds Megumi's reaction amusing, reminiscent of Saki's reprimand for pondering the norms of life. As they reminisce about their university days with Saki, Megumi abruptly questions Miu's feelings for Ren, to which Miu dismisses it as a chapter closed.
Megumi then reveals her burgeoning affection for Saki, much to Miu's nonchalant acceptance. Miu reminds Megumi that there's no blueprint for normalcy, a sentiment Megumi concurs with. Megumi admits that it was only when she envisioned crafting something for Saki that inspiration finally struck, lifting her creative block. This revelation sparks a realization in Miu—she has been approaching her artwork incorrectly. Ren has left a profound impact on her, and she resolves to encapsulate his essence in her sculpture.
Elsewhere, Hikari visits Osakabe, whose Buddha statue nears completion. Megumi finally finishes her piece, earning Miu's heartfelt congratulations. With a sense of purpose, Megumi presents her creation to Saki at the atelier, catching her by surprise. The piece, a small wooden frame depicting two girls holding hands in a cozy home, serves as Megumi's confession of her feelings for Saki. They both tear up, amused by Megumi's ability to convey so much in such a minute detail, before sharing a heartfelt embrace.
As "Nevertheless: The Shapes of Love Episode 7" draws to a close, Miu heads home, determined to articulate her feelings to Ren, even if it means confronting pain. He greets her arrival with a dour demeanor, ready to turn her away. Miu, however, confesses that while she longed for his attention for the longest time, she now desires no further contact with him. His expression shifts to shock, the room thick with unspoken emotions.
