Episode 11

## "Resolve"

**"Resolve"** (覚悟, *Kakugo*) is the eleventh episode of the Hige wo Soru. Soshite Joshikousei wo Hirou. Anime.

## Summary

On the parking area just outside Yoshida's Apartment, Asami hugs Sayu as Issa and Yoshida standby and watch. With that, Asami wishes Sayu good luck and Sayu says she's off!

Enroute to Hokkaido by plane, Yoshida sits next to Sayu who rests in her chair and is covered with a blanket by him. Issa comments how he's surprised that Yoshida is tagging along who claims he wanted to come along because he wants to support her so she could be brave. Furthermore, because she stayed at his house for an extended time, Yoshida feels that its his duty to explain it to her family. Speaking bluntly, Issa mentions that he might have a difficult time explaining the situation to their mother, but notes that it'd greatly help Sayu in her mental state. Sayu then awakens and asks if Yoshida really is coming with her, to which, he answers that the plane has already lifted and is in the air. Issa then mentions that there's a bit of a drive to their destination and if Yoshida wants to back out, he better do it at the airport, but Yoshida flatly rejects that suggestion. The rejection makes Sayu giggle and Yoshida reassures Sayu that he would watch over Sayu until the end. Both Yoshida and Sayu then have a conversation together about how Sayu is enjoying the plane ride and how she never really flies often.

Upon arriving in the airport, the group is driven to Sapporo by a chauffeur. This surprises Yoshida as he figured they lived in Asashikawa, but Issa details that's where a branch of his company is at where he needs to quickly pick something up. Noticing Sayu listlessly staring out the window and suggests the two spend some time together and the suggestion cheers Sayu up a bit. Later, they visit a cafe and Sayu reveals that she's never really been to a cafe before. When the two decide what they want, Yoshida gets the waitress' attention and orders a hot coffee for himself and Sayu orders a green tea au lait. Just then, Sayu notices a couple of girls sitting outside on a bench and notes that her mother didn't like it when she returned home late after school. By doing this, Sayu's Mother would punish her and would never have the time to go into a cafe. However, when ran away from home Sayu and wandered around town, she saw groupes of kids her age hanging out in cafes. Sayu then mentions how happy she was being able to finally enter a cafe for no reason with Yoshida. A bit pleased to hear that, Yoshida then asks if Sayu is afraid to return home and Sayu responds that she is, but notes that's why Yoshida is going with her. Their beverages are then served and they enjoy them.

By evening, Yoshida and Sayu are driven to Asahikawa Dairoku High School by Issa at Sayu's request. At the location, Sayu is notably nervous and accompanied by Yoshida the two sneak into the school avoiding the front gate as it has camera's placed around it. Although Yoshida notes that they're basically trespassing on the school grounds, however, Sayu argues he's done something far worse than that. To that, Yoshida admits that Sayu is right on that point. Inside the school, Sayu although fearful, states that she wants to head up to the rooftop. At the top of the stairway to the rooftop, Sayu tries to open the door, but is unable to unlock the door, therefore, she goes through a nearby window onto the roof. Trembling with fear, Sayu asks Yoshida to come with her and Yoshida acquiesces. Immediately Sayu has flashbacks of her time there with Yuuko. She then slowly moves across the roof and falls on her knees by the bench where Yuuko and her used to sit at. Concerningly, Yoshida asks if Sayu is alright and she reassures Yoshida that she is and details that spot she's in is where it all began. Sayu then rushes over to the fence setup around the rooftop and curses that it wasn't there sooner and blames herself for Yuuko dying. Grabbing a hold of Sayu's hand, Yoshida then notices that it was bleeding due to the fence's condition and states that it wasn't her fault. On the other hand, Sayu argues that it was claiming that she only pretended to care about her and that the bullying that was aimed toward her killed Yuuko. However, Yoshida retorts that if it wasn't for the bullying they'd be fine and that Yuuko sincerely wanted to be her friend. They cared for each other, but Sayu's problem was she cared too much. Sayu confesses that she wanted to say that she wanted Yuuko to live, but if that were said then it would make it sound like Yuuko's fault. From there, Yoshida reasons with Sayu that it wasn't her fault and that she needs to forgive herself or else she'll be mentally stuck on that rooftop forever. Sayu then has a tearful meltdown and Yoshida reaches into his pocket to get a handkerchief to wipe away her tears. Time goes by and both Yoshida and Sayu sit against the bench on the rooftop and Sayu thanks Yoshida for coming with her. Standing up, a blast of wind whips by Sayu's face and Sayu calmly states that she'll see Yuuko again sometime.

While leaving the school grounds, Sayu promises to buy Yoshida a new handkerchief, but Yoshida dismisses that offer and asks if she's okay now. Sayu answers that she isn't, but then stands in front of the school softly stating that she's ready to "face it". The two then return to Issa's car and they drive to the Ogiwara household where once they enter the home, Sayu's Mother slaps Sayu on the face.

## Characters

List of characters in order of their appearance:

* Sayu Ogiwara
* Asami Yuuki
* Yoshida
* Issa Ogiwara
* Yuuko Masaka *(flashback)*
* Sayu's Mother