Despite their battered and bruised states, Anzai and his classmates have already regrouped, engaging in joyful chatter and play. When they notice Sakura's absence, Nirei attempts to reach him only to find out he's under the weather. After class, he and Suou, armed with gifts meant to cheer him up, head to the boy's house.
However, upon arriving, their resolve wavers as Sakura's abode resembles more of a haunted house than a home. The doorbell fails to ring, the door stands ajar, and an eerie darkness shrouds everything, akin to a scene from a horror flick. When Nirei lets out a scream, Sakura emerges, scolding him. Clearly unwell, the boy leans heavily against the wall to stay upright, his nose running as he shuffles around. He steadfastly refuses any assistance. Suou and Nirei press gifts upon him from themselves and their classmates, but his defenses remain unbroken. He insists he's always managed fine on his own, and Suou suggests they retreat for now.
As they exit, Suou advises Nirei they can return later and shouldn't overwhelm Sakura. He's never had friends and has lived alone for some time, unfamiliar with relying on others. Yet, Nirei finds this unacceptable. Sakura matters to him, and he yearns to lend even a small helping hand. Fortunately, they bump into someone who might hold the key to their dilemma.
Meanwhile, Sakura ponders Umemiya's words that he froze up because he likes his classmates. The notion puzzles him. Suddenly, Kotoha bursts in at an opportune moment, startling him. She offers him food to alleviate his flu symptoms and inquires if Umemiya's speech confuses him. When he confirms it's his quandary, she snatches the meal away and challenges him to prepare it without a stove or ingredients. He's left with no choice but to depend on others; no one is an island. The following day, he attends school and confidently seeks out Kaji for a chat.
Kaji frequently relies on his vice-representatives, whether in fights or patrols. Now, recognizing his error, Sakura aspires to emulate him. So, Kaji, somewhat awkwardly, hands him a coffee and leads him to the roof for a heart-to-heart. When Kaji abruptly admits he seeks their help because he can't do it all alone, Sakura remains unsatisfied. To him, such an admission equates to weakness.
Yet, reality often diverges from our wishes. When confronted with a task beyond one's reach, mere self-persuasion falls short; no amount of conviction can bridge an insurmountable gap. Sakura should refrain from concealing his fear, for it's patently obvious to all who glance his way. Nevertheless, his anxieties remain confined within his own mind. He dreads rejection, oblivious to the fact that the entire school has already embraced him. In such moments, he must anchor his trust in his friends' actions and his own observations, rather than in the imagined judgments of others.
Just then, Umemiya strides in, applauding with a sense of pride in Kaji's eloquent words. Hiiragi, already present alongside him, had inadvertently overheard the entire exchange. Realizing this, the blonde youth panics, lashes out at Umemiya with a punch, and darts away. Umemiya, chuckling, then seeks Sakura's thoughts on the matter. Fortunately, Sakura can now look ahead with renewed optimism and pride.
Elsewhere, Hiiragi's mind drifts back to a parallel experience he shared with Kaji. On a previous occasion, he had treated Kaji to a coffee and led him to the rooftop, a sanctuary for open and candid conversations. Unlike the tense climax of the previous episode, this one concludes on a heartwarming and uplifting note.
