Report 43

Plot
Rena asks Chizuru to smile to her like Arata advised her to do, and while Chizuru does not understand Rena's request she does as she asks. Struck by seeing Chizuru show the smile she has been taking for a mocking smirk, Rena begins to understand what Arata had in mind when he told her that Chizuru does not mean harm with her smiles. After asking Chizuru to smile a couple more times just to be sure, Rena berates Chizuru for being bad at smiling and tells her she thought Chizuru was making fun of her.

Chizuru is initially shocked by Rena's criticism but responds in an absolutely serious tone that she has been smiling because she wants them to become friends, and Rena completely cracks up at her clumsiness. Chizuru explains that while her strong point is her intelligence and that she always tries to find an answer to the problems she faces, her weak point is that she has no interest in her surroundings but she understands she has caused trouble to others because of it and wants to change.

Extending her hand, Chizuru asks if Rena would become friends with her, and Rena realizes that she was not intentionally ignoring the handshake she offered when she introduced herself earlier in gym class. Rena shakes Chizuru's hand and agrees on the condition that she acknowledges her as her rival for the silver pin, and when Chizuru offers to concede it to her she threatens to end their friendship if she does that. Having said that, Rena gives a deep bow and apologizes to Chizuru for taking her bag. Chizuru tells Rena she forgives her with a genuine smile, and Rena is surprised to see that she can smile properly after all.