Rika is admitted into the intensive care unit, and Yuuichi is only able to see her for one minute in secret. Dazed and depressed, Yuuichi encounters Akiko's friend, Misako, who immediately seduces him. Fortunately, Akiko quickly figures out her doings and angrily beats up Yuuichi and punches Misako. She notifies him that he must never tell Rika about this event or else Rika's condition will falter more. The next day, Dr. Natsume comforts Yuuichi on the hospital roof, understanding his situation seeing as he was put into a similar one when his wife was dying of cardiomyopathy. Dr. Natsume is practicing for the operation and tells Yuuichi that out of all the years he had known Rika, this was the first time Rika had been earnest about receiving the operation. Before Rika's operation, she tells him that Yuuichi is able to read Les Thibault. While patiently waiting for her operation to be over, Akiko tells Yuuichi that the reason why Rika brought up the idea of photos was because Akiko had showed her a photo of Yuuichi. Rika had it taped to her leg as a luck charm. Eventually, Yuuichi reads Les Thibault, and ultimately discovers a parallel from the ending of the book—it is Rika's confession of love to him. She says that she would risk her life through operation for a chance to be with him. (Source: Wikipedia)

Aired on: 2/16/2006