At the dawn of Episode 9 in *The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity*, Rintarou is portrayed as the epitome of awkwardness, his demeanor more unsettling than usual. This transformation stems from his inability to expel thoughts of Kaoruko from his mind since their memorable date. No matter how hard he tries to reel in his emotions, they surge forth, overwhelming him.
Noticing his peculiar behavior, his friends extend an invitation to hang out. However, their suggestion to congregate at his house catches him off guard. Memories of childhood taunts resurface, where he was mocked for his family's cake shop, deemed an unsuitable background for him. Yet, deep down, he harbors the conviction that his true friends would never pass such harsh judgment.
Despite their offer to relocate the gathering, Rintarou acquiesces. As Saturday arrives, his home becomes the meeting point, and the revelation of the cake shop's existence sparks a reaction entirely contrary to Rintarou's apprehensions. His friends are abuzz with excitement, even contemplating taking some confections home as souvenirs.
Enter his mother, radiating joy at the sight of her son's friends gracing their home for the first time. She ushers them upstairs, encouraging them to make themselves at home. Just then, two unexpected guests make their entrance, adding to the day's surprises.
While Rintarou is giving his friends a tour of the house, their eyes land on a photograph featuring him and his elder brother, who currently resides elsewhere. Moments later, his mother summons him, revealing the presence of Subaru and Kaoruko ascending the stairs.
Subaru appears nearly petrified at the thought of being in a boy's domain, while Kaoruko frets over not appearing sufficiently charming. Meanwhile, Rintarou is left speechless, his surprise at Kaoruko's presence in his home rendering him momentarily paralyzed with indecision.
As the delectable aroma of the prepared meal fills the air, everyone gathers around the table and begins to indulge in the feast, their laughter and chatter creating a warm, convivial atmosphere. Amidst the lively conversation, Usami, curiosity sparking in his eyes, inquires of Rintarou when he first took the plunge to pierce his ears and transform his hair into a sun-kissed blonde.
With a wry smile, Rintarou confesses that he embarked on this journey of self-expression back in the seventh grade, driven by a rather trivial motive—he simply thought it looked incredibly cool. Life as a child had been tough for him; he had few friends, and school was a daily struggle. Then, one fateful day, his parents whisked him away to an opulent cake shop, where the tantalizing aromas of sweet treats mingled with the allure of exquisite decorations.
Yet, amidst all the splendor, it was the chef who captivated his imagination the most—a foreign man with golden locks and piercings, who seemed to exude pure joy as he danced around the kitchen, lost in the magic of creation. Rintarou was envious, yearning to experience that same blissful abandon, even if just for a day. And so, he began to idolize everything about the man, from his culinary skills to his distinctive appearance.
After leaving the cake shop, he mustered the courage to ask his parents if he could emulate the chef's style. Despite their own professional backgrounds in customer service, they embraced his request with open arms, eager to support their son's newfound enthusiasm.
As he shares this heartfelt tale, Rintarou notices the silence that has befallen the room and apologizes for dampening the mood. But Usami, quick to break the tension, reassures him that the kids at his old school must have been blind, for he would have jumped at the chance to befriend someone as remarkable as Rintarou.
Kaoruko, chiming in as she rises to fetch more food, wholeheartedly agrees with Usami. She beams with happiness at the thought of being friends with someone as kind and genuine as Rintarou.
Unbeknownst to them all, Rintarou's mother is listening intently from the shadows, her heart swelling with emotion. She remembers the struggles her son faced, how he had once given up on making friends and trying his best. So, when he expressed a desire to dye his hair, she was overjoyed that he was finally finding his voice again. In solidarity, she even dyed her own hair and got piercings, determined to stand by his side in every way possible.
Gathering her courage, she steps into the room and offers them a few slices of cake to enjoy later. As she descends the stairs, Rintarou expresses his heartfelt gratitude for her unwavering support, causing his mother's eyes to well up with tears once more.
In the post-credits scene, the group is deep in discussion, trying to decide how they'll spend their summer break. But just as they're getting excited, Subaru drops a bombshell, reminding them of the looming exams that still stand in their way. Kaoruko, ever the optimist, invites them all to join her for a study session, ensuring that their summer plans won't be derailed by academic obligations.
