in kōchi, two years prior, taku receives a call from his friend, yutaka matsuno, asking to meet at their high school. he finds yutaka at a window, watching an attractive female transfer student whom yutaka was asked to show around. the boys discuss their upcoming school trip to hawaii. at the school gates, taku is introduced to the new girl, rikako muto. she thanks yutaka for providing directions to a bookstore. taku teases yutaka about his infatuation.