Episode 8

## "Summer Festival"

**"Summer Festival"** (夏祭り, *Natsumatsuri*) is the eighth episode of the Hige wo Soru. Soshite Joshikousei wo Hirou. Anime.

## Summary

Walking home from work, Sayu thinks now that her brother is there she has to go home. A text message from Yoshida reveals that he's going to be home late from work and this makes Sayu sigh. Eventually, while intending to go on a shopping trip, Sayu bumps into Yuzuha and they talk. Soon, Sayu spots her brother accompanied by his chauffeur and hides behind Yuzuha in a panic. After being told about Sayu's situation, Yuzuha takes Sayu to a Karaoke bar, and they enjoy some drinks together. Sayu then was going to text Yoshida about her situation, but is uncertain what to write. So Yuzuha advises her to simply tell it all to him straight, about her situation. Still though, Sayu is hesitant, so Yuzuha texts Yoshida there location and invites him over if he wants to join them later.

Meanwhile, at the IT Company, Yoshida finally finishes his work and Hashimoto suggests he head home to see Sayu. However, Yoshida is perplexed by the text that he gets from Sayu that she's having a "good time". Back to Sayu and Yuzuha who just finishes a karaoke session. From there, both Sayu and Yuzuha have a heart to heart about the people chasing after Sayu. Yuzuha immediately asks if Sayu is running away from a crime, but she denies that notion. Not wanting to press Sayu for any more specifics, but Yuzuha repeats what Kyouya once stated that she doesn't have much time left. Sayu understands this, however, Yuzuha then asks why she's out shopping and Sayu answers that she's simply fulfilling one of the conditions for living at Yoshida's Apartment. In light of that, Yuzuha claims how the two are psychologically connected with each other and how would Sayu feel is she was torn apart from him? Giving no response to Yuzuha's question, Yuzuha inquires what Sayu's relationship is with Yoshida, whether it be a guy that's helping him or are they in love. Sayu then tries to deny one of the two, but Yuzuha cuts in and states how Sayu had a goal when she ran away and soon after landed herself at Yoshida's apartment. Hence the question is then, did Sayu achieve what she wanted and if her pursuers take her away will she consider it worth it, for her life or the people she's associated with? With Sayu unable to give an answer, Yuzuha backtracks and apologizes for her curt comments. She then advises Sayu that she should seriously consider what she wants to do now. At that moment, Yoshida arrives and decides to take Sayu home, but extends an invitation to Yuzuha to join them, however, she declines. Before leaving, Yoshida promises to take Yuzuha out for a movie and leaves. Once Yoshida is gone, Yuzuha has a tearful meltdown, lamenting over how Yoshida does not look at her the same way as he does Sayu and how he doesn't reciprocate her love for him.

While walking home, Sayu asks if there's anything Yoshida would like to do, but he doesn't have a clue. They then spot a poster for the Summer Festival that's set to start the following day. After talking it over with Sayu, it's decided that they'll go. The following night, the two head to the Summer Festival and before they arrive, Sayu notices that Yoshida is hesitant to look at her because of the yukata she's wearing. Hence, Sayu forces Yoshida to check her yukata out and he simply calls it pretty. This causes a bit of a scene between the two, but when a couple of kids run by, one with cotton candy, and Yoshida buys some for Sayu. While Sayu enjoys the cotton candy, she tells Yoshida about her experience eating her treat and then shares some with him. Just then, a young boy bumps into Sayu and she nearly trips, but Yoshida grabs her arm preventing her from falling. Although hesitant to continue holding Sayu's hand, she insists they continue so they don't get lost. Soon after, they watch the fireworks go off and Yoshida's inner monologue reveals that he'd never gone to the festival had it not been for Sayu. He then reflects on his life at his apartment without Sayu, but when he snaps out of it, he realizes that Sayu is gone. After crying out for her, Sayu appears in back of him claiming she told him that she was going to throw away some trash. They then continue watching the firework and hold hands doing so. Sayu also asks if Yoshida thought that she disappeared and he confesses that was the case, to which, Sayu apologizes. Yoshida then asks if Sayu plans on returning home, but he retracts it when Sayu asks him what he meant by that. Once the fireworks are finished, Sayu claims that out of all of the men she has stayed with he's the only one she gave her real name to. After a heart to heart with each other, Yoshida and Sayu return home together.

The following day, Sayu's older brother Issa makes an appearance at Yoshida's apartment claiming he's there to take Sayu home.

## Characters

List of characters in order of their appearance:

* Issa Ogiwara
* Kyouya Yaguchi
* Sayu Ogiwara
* Asami Yuuki
* Yuzuha Mishima
* Yoshida
* Hashimoto