Episode 11: But the Path Curves Ahead

Introduction

Hajime is eating a lot of his mom's breakfast. He is content with life and remembers that it was Jiyu who saved him. However, he's worried that Shiro has not come home yet. The Ruffians then call for him. They have a pull cart and convince Hajime that giving them rides is part of the Ruffian initiation ceremony. Hajime is more than happy to do so.

We then jump to Koinosuke's (dog) house. He's also happy with how things turned out but wonders why Yagyu Jubei put the power of healing people in the eye-patch. He concludes though that he has to start a new life, as Jiyu had said. Inside, Sai is thinking while he's eating breakfast and is not doing a good job of eating. When Jiyu leaves for school, he isn't out there waving goodbye, which worries Jiyu a bit. In addition, Koinosuke has left to go somewhere too.

Sai goes out for a walk. Maro sighs as she walks by him. Hajime and the Ruffians catch up to Jiyu. Hajime starts small talk with Jiyu, but the Ruffians say that being a "rushee," he has no right to talk to her. As the Ruffians are prepared to offer their official greeting, the cart goes over a stone and they get thrown off. Jiyu is happy that Hajime is enjoying his new life. Hajime then tells Jiyu that he understands why Shiro likes her so much and that he also likes her. This gets Jiyu off-guard.

Song.

At school, Maro is preoccupied and doesn't respond when Jiyu wants to greet her. When Bantaro and the other Ruffians catch up to Hajime, Hajime tells them honestly what he told Jiyu. He also tells Bantaro that if he likes her, he should tell her as soon as possible.

It turns out that the old teacher is gone and the schoolmaster is going to substitute until they can get a new one. There's some grumbling among the classmates saying why they can't get a female teacher. Maro looks angrily at Jiyu. She then tells Jiyu that Sai is head over heels for Mikage and then shies away.

Intermission

The song that Hajime had sung before is presented again, but this time is sung by the New Student Lovelies.

Then it cuts to Sai conversing with Mikage about his job. However, it turns out to just be his imagination. He berates himself over his infatuation. He doesn't even know her and he thinks it's foolish that he wants to fall in love again. But deep down, he wants to see here again. He walks back home, but gets lost in the woods.

The well-dressed ninja, Mikage jumps over a wall to the Ryujoji hut. As she approaches a backlit wall, a sword comes out and slightly pierces her in the chest before she catches it. It's the possessed Shiro. He scolds her on her treachery and they fight. She loses though and is seriously wounded.

Koinosuke has taken leave to go to Yagyu Jubei's grave. He compliments Yagyu Jubei's choice of his successor and admits that he loves the Nanohana family. He wants to live with them forever. Meanwhile, Sai is still in the woods when Mikage stumbles out and collapses in front of Sai. She is covered in blood and mentions that she has a message for Jiyu. Sai then carries her away.

Jiyu comes out of class to find Hajime and the Ruffians there waiting. Hajime tells her that Shiro never came home after thanking her ex-teacher. They go look for Shiro, except for Bantaro who is more interested in writing a love song. As Maro and Sachi are going home, Maro admits she was inconsiderate in class and that she loves Sai.

Sai brings Mikage home, strips her, and proceeds to apply first aid. He explains his loathing of doctors. He then hugs her and explains that he won't let it happen again and that he loves her. Then, Mikage sees Jiyu in the back. Jiyu, who saw everything, tells his dad that that's not her mother. Mikage tells him to protect Jiyu and that the Ryujoji grudge lives on.

We see Otome walking with her girlfriends lamenting over the disappearance of Shiro. Then, the possessed Shiro shows up and the two girls push Otome into him. She freaks out and runs away. They exit the show.

Jiyu runs outside and stands in front of the door in tears. Sai tries to explain himself and then mentions the Ryujoji grudge issue. Just then, she sees the possessed Shiro. The possessed Shiro pushes her through the door and Jiyu whips out the eye-patch like a cross to a vampire. At the grave, Koinosuke senses something is wrong. Sai is now dumbfounded.