Episode 17

A nightmare of Tsutomu walking away with a very clingy and sentimental Mariko oblivious to her protests pollutes Mikako's computations as she departs with Tsutomu to the upcoming Akindo meeting after school at which time Mariko explains the necessity of returning to her parents in Yokohama and to hold the meeting somewhere else before rushing off. While Mikako fumes at Mariko's conduct, Yuusuke commiserates with Mariko as he reflects on the data of Mariko's prologue and family situation. Mariko's euphoric reminiscence of her betrothed boyfriend Shuuichi quickly turns sour upon her little brother Shintaro walking in during a wardrobe interchange with the volition of familial cohabitation while he attends Yazawa Geijyutsu Gakuen. Concerned about Mariko but pragmatic enough to realize the folly and futility of the venture, Yuusuke reverses course to leave Yokohama only to nearly collide with Shintaro who forces Mariko's hand by pre-empting the arrival of the other Akindo members and propitiating himself before them. Much to Mariko's consternation, Shintaro has ultimately become her roommate and Akindo's newest member.