Ep 8. These Foolish Things

Kaoru and Sentaro's friendship has been slowly deteriorating as Sentaro grows increasingly distant from Kaoru and more involved with his newly reunited mother. Meanwhile, Kaoru becomes more and more aware of his feelings for Ritsuko, but struggles to express them due to his fear of rejection. As the school festival approaches, tensions rise between the three friends and a series of misunderstandings threaten to drive them further apart.

The episode opens with Kaoru and Ritsuko practicing a song together for the school festival, but their rehearsal is interrupted by Sentaro, who seems to be in a sour mood. When he snaps at Ritsuko for suggesting a change to the music, Kaoru starts to wonder if something is wrong with his friend. Later, at a jazz club, Sentaro reveals that his mother has returned to town and wants to see him. Although he is hesitant at first, Sentaro eventually agrees to meet with her.

Meanwhile, Kaoru begins to feel increasingly isolated as Sentaro spends more and more time with his mother. He tries to deepen his friendship with Ritsuko, but finds himself struggling to connect with her on a deeper level. His disappointment and frustration reach a boiling point when he overhears Ritsuko speaking to another girl about her crush on someone else, and he storms out of the cafe in a huff.

The school festival finally arrives, but tensions are running high between the three friends. Sentaro is preoccupied with his mother, while Kaoru and Ritsuko are both nursing their own emotional wounds. When Kaoru and Sentaro finally have a moment alone together, they get into a heated argument that leads to a physical fight. Ritsuko witnesses the altercation and rushes to break it up, but the damage has already been done.

As the festival draws to a close, the three friends find themselves drifting apart. Kaoru, still hurt and confused, decides to leave town without saying goodbye. He boards a train bound for Tokyo, but as the train pulls out of the station, he realizes that he cannot leave his friends and the music behind. In a moment of clarity, he disembarks the train and runs back to the festival, where he reunites with Sentaro and Ritsuko.

The episode ends with a beautiful musical performance from the trio, as they put aside their differences and come together to create something truly special. Although their friendship may have been tested, it is clear that the bond between these three young musicians is unbreakable.