Tear Jerker / Saki Shinohayu -dawn of age-

• The Downer Beginning of Shino's arc, in which her mother disappears, and the effect it has on the entire family. Kousuke in particular, is torn between trying to find his sister and caring for his niece, and can no longer enjoy the game the three of them played together.
• The entire subplot in which Hayari slowly comes to terms with the realization that Mafuka is dying. Mafuka tries her best to not let it show to Hayari, even though it's not always easy. It can essentially be inferred that Mafuka wasn't going to Tokyo for treatment, but knew that she wouldn't get better, and decided to have one last concert before retiring.
  • Thankfully Saki reveals that not only Mafuka is still alive in the present, her condition has improved.