Episode 7

## Maybe, Destiny Could Change?

**Maybe, Destiny Could Change?** (運命、変わっちゃうのかな？, *Unmei Kawatchau no ka na?*?) is the seventh episode of the A Couple of Cuckoos anime series.

## Plot

Nagi's class is going on a field trip, and Erika convinces him to go after pointing out a way to allow him to bond with Hiro more. The plan backfires as Nagi becomes invested in Erika as she has pictures taken of her around various places in their field trip destination.

## Summary

In his room, Nagi recalls what Hiro told him about the truth of her engagement, which leaves him in a flustered and euphoric state. He then thinks that he'd take on the burden of running the temple with Hiro and resolving himself to get to know Hiro better while not letting her make all of the "moves". Just then, Erika enters Nagi's room, which shocks him. Later downstairs, Erika gives Nagi the paper about the upcoming field trip, which was passed around the class, and informs him of what he'll have to do with it. She also tells Nagi that she won't be attending the field trip because of her prestigious background, which would pose a security risk to her life. Although Nagi mentions that he's uninterested in going, Erika convinces him to go after pointing out that he can become a group leader, which gives Nagi an epiphany.

The following day in the school library, Nagi asks Hiro to be a part of his group for the upcoming field trip, and she happily accepts. Erika overhears this from outside the library, unbeknownst to her, as does someone else. Later in the classroom, Nagi filled out the paper with his name on it as the leader and added Hiro as a follower. Next, Nagi reads about the itinerary during the trip and daydreams about all of the fun things they'll do together. Hiro then joins him and suggests that since they're going to Kamakura, they should hold a contest on who can collect more stamps, and he agrees.

Afterward, Hiro and Nagi walk to the station together as it rains and talks about how Erika won't be joining them for the trip. They then talk more about Hiro's "engagement" which she reveals was decided by her parents. In her own words, she's been bound to a predetermined fate and that her previous statement about being beaten by Nagi ten more times wouldn't matter. She confesses that no one has ever won against her in anything before and that it'd be miraculous if someone were to change her fate for her and asks that Nagi do it for her.

Back at home, Nagi assiduously studies, and Erika barges into his room to complain about the noise. She also informs him that another student who's a fan of hers forced his way into their morning study group and field trip group. To help prevent the student from intervening in Nagi's time with Hiro, Erika announces she'll join the field trip as well. Although Erika is super excited about the trip, she's unable to sleep at all that night.

The next day at the Kamakura Station, Nagi names off everyone in his group, including the one who forced his way into their group, Shion Asuma. Once that was settled with, Shion pulled Nagi aside to tell Nagi about his thoughts and emotions about Erika and then asks him if it was alright if he courts Erika, which Nagi allowed. Later, Shion takes some pictures of Erika for her social media account, allowing Nagi to spend time alone with Hiro. However, how much Shion bonds with Erika starts to grate on Nagi's nerves and eventually insists they stick together rather than apart.

At a restaurant, Nagi attentively watches as Erika reviews Shion's pictures of her. Hiro notes this, and Nagi denies that it's nothing more than him following his duties as group leader. This does make Nagi wonder if he's really just worried about Erika and nothing more. By dusk, Erika, alone with Nagi, writes in the sand, "Friend" and then claims that Nagi ruined her plans to stay with Shion so that he could spend time with Hiro. Erika then asks Nagi to take a picture with her sand art, but he takes a photo of her. This upsets Erika that it's only her, leading to a struggle between them on who gets the phone, and again Nagi accidentally takes a photo of them. Despite the mishap, Erika claims she'll keep it and considers posting the friend photo instead thinking it'd go viral. Nagi then asks Erika the person she wanted to connect with that made her want to come on the trip, and she a bit bashfully says that it may change his fate.

## Characters

* Nagi Umino
* Hiro Segawa
* Erika Amano
* Shion Asuma