Shiori meets with mixed results when she tries to get additional assistant work with local manga artists. In an effort to encourage her, Ichiro takes a leaf from her book and decides to put his thoughts down on paper.

It's time for the Christmas party, an annual tradition at Hiiragi Apartments. Shiori continues to grow closer to Ichiro, but she also spends time with some of the other friends she's made since her arrival.

Some amazing New Year's luck sees Shiori and the Kugas take a trip to a hot spring resort. But Shiori's mother Miyako is growing impatient, and she begins taking steps to get her daughter to return to the island.