Episode 42

While Ruriko is spellbound by his handiwork, Hirohiko has led Mikako and Tsutomu to his residence which in many ways is a mirror image of Ruriko's; after brewing some tea, Mikako makes small talk as she basks in the ambiance while hydroplaning across the insight she really wants to inquire Hirohiko. The most recent adversarial divergent concourse prosecuted between Yuusuke and Mariko making its advent at school obfuscates the concourse with Hirohiko taking a serious turn when the full scope of Ruriko's deception is illuminated. Anguished that Ruriko has been throwing her under the proverbial motor coach to accomplish her own purposes, Mikako breaks down crying as she demands insight of Hirohiko who acknowledges his human fallibility as he explains that he still loves her regardless of the circumstances between Ruriko and him. The only silver lining in all of this is that the excursion ultimately sets the stage for Ruriko to truly acknowledge the unconscionable fallibility of the family government that she has been practicing with Mikako.