Episode 8 of *The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity* opens with a tearful Usami, shouldering the blame for his team's loss at the sports festival. As a consequence, their teacher, Tsuka, has jokingly (though they're indulging in it at the moment) withheld the promised ice cream treat. Just then, Rintarou's phone buzzes with a message from Subaru and Kaoruko, inviting them to meet up.
The girls have a heartfelt intention: to express their gratitude to Rintarou's friends for rescuing them the other day. Upon meeting, Kaoruko and Usami instantly click, their camaraderie palpable. Yet, there's an underlying tension between Subaru and the rest. However, this frostiness begins to thaw when Kaoruko presents them with a bag of snacks she's purchased as a token of appreciation.
Emboldened, Subaru stands up, mustering the courage to apologize for her earlier, harsh treatment of them at the library. Once again, Usami steps in as the peacemaker, preventing the atmosphere from becoming overly strained. He claims to have no recollection of her words, leaving Subaru taken aback. Saku follows suit, apologizing for his past disparaging remarks about her.
The silver-haired girl then offers them another bag, this one filled with lavish sweets, which sends the boys into a frenzy. In no time, their reunion transforms into a makeshift celebration, with shared sweets, snacks, and lively conversations. As they part ways, Rintarou takes the opportunity to express his desire to reciprocate Kaoruko's help with his studies, offering her a favor in return. Seizing the moment, Kaoruko takes a bold step forward, asking if she could spend time with him somewhere.
Days later, they rendezvous at the subway station, bound for an aquarium adventure. They reminisce about their last visit to a similar venue and excitedly plan their itinerary, including the much-anticipated dolphin show. Seizing every moment before the performance, they explore the aquarium's wonders.
After a satisfying meal, Rintarou excuses himself to the restroom, leaving Kaoruko to wait and peruse the photos they've taken together. She murmurs to herself, cherishing these memories as treasures. Meanwhile, Rintarou, little by little, starts to recognize and acknowledge his burgeoning feelings for her.
As the boy steps out of the bathroom, his eyes catch sight of Kaoruko standing beside a sobbing child. The little girl, lost and unable to locate her parents, tugs at their heartstrings, prompting both of them to readily agree to lend a helping hand. While Kaoruko embarks on a quest to reunite the child with her family, Rintarou stays by her side, offering comforting words and gentle gestures.
Yet, the child's innocent remarks leave Rintarou flustered, his mind momentarily diverging from the task of soothing her. She utters an apology for disrupting what she assumes to be his date, a revelation that catches him off guard. Then, the girl begins to babble on about the boy she harbors a crush on—his talents, his endearing smile that lights up her world. The last sentiment resonates deeply within Rintarou, nudging him ever closer to a profound realization.
Just then, Kaoruko reappears, accompanied by the girl's relieved parents. Before the child scurries off into their embrace, she leans in close to Rintarou, whispering that he and his friend make a perfect pair. A warm blush tints Rintarou's cheeks as he processes her words.
Following this heartwarming interlude, he and Kaoruko proceed to the night show, an experience that proves to be utterly worthwhile. The dolphins' performance unfolds like a mesmerizing ballet, captivating them both with its grace and beauty. Kaoruko's face beams with the widest of smiles as she expresses her gratitude for the enjoyable outing, her joy infectious.
In that moment of shared bliss, Rintarou can no longer deny the truth stirring within his heart. He finally acknowledges to himself that he harbors feelings for Kaoruko, feelings he can no longer ignore or run away from.
