Ep 8. The Wind that Vanishes into Dusk

Tomoya Okazaki is a high school student who has been running errands for the drama club after school. One day, while he's on his way to do so, he comes across a girl who's staring up at the sky and talking to herself. Tomoya knows her as Nagisa Furukawa, a girl in his class who's been absent from school due to illness. Nagisa tells Tomoya that she's been watching the clouds, waiting for the wind to blow them away.

Tomoya is initially hesitant to talk to her, as he usually keeps to himself and doesn't socialize much, but there's something about Nagisa that draws him in. As they talk, he learns about the various clubs at their school, including the drama club, which Nagisa is interested in joining. Tomoya decides to take her to the club room and introduce her to the members.

At the club room, they are introduced to the president of the drama club, Yusuke Yoshino, who shows them around and explains what the club is all about. Tomoya is surprised to learn that Nagisa used to be in the drama club, but had to leave due to her illness and lack of confidence. Yusuke convinces her to try out for the upcoming play, and she agrees, much to Tomoya's surprise.

Tomoya accompanies Nagisa to the first practice, where they meet the other members of the club. There's Kyou Fujibayashi and her twin sister Ryou, who are always arguing; Kotomi Ichinose, a quiet bookworm who's always buried in a book; and Tomoyo Sakagami, a tough girl who's an excellent fighter and the club's unofficial bodyguard.

As the play rehearsals progress, Nagisa begins to gain confidence and comes out of her shell. Tomoya is happy to see her making friends and pursuing something she loves. However, there are still challenges to overcome. Kotomi, for example, is difficult to work with due to her shyness and reluctance to participate.

Tomoya tries to help Kotomi by encouraging her and giving her a book to read that might give her inspiration. However, when Tomoya returns to the club room the next day, he finds that Kotomi has disappeared.

As the search for Kotomi continues, Tomoya and Nagisa grow closer and learn more about each other's past. Tomoya shares that he's had a difficult relationship with his father, who he hasn't spoken to in months. Nagisa tells him about her parents, who run a small bakery in town, and her own struggles with her illness.

In the end, the episode ends with a sense of foreboding as an ominous wind blows through town. The title, "The Wind that Vanishes into Dusk," takes on a new meaning as the episode comes to a close, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats wondering what will happen next in Clannad season 1 episode 8.