Report 41

Plot
Expecting Chizuru to misinterpret his words no matter what he says about why Rena had her bag, Arata tells her that he thinks Rena took the bag for safekeeping from its unsafe placement on the hallway. However, seeing Chizuru relieved by his lie but ashamed of herself for having assumed the worst, and remembering Ryo telling him that solving other people's problems for them may not be in their best interest, Arata decides to tell her the truth.

Arata explains that Rena wanted to cause Chizuru some trouble as she was jealous of the silver pin, which Chizuru does not understand at all. Reminded of being criticized in the past for her insensitivity despite her high intelligence, Chizuru tells Arata she wants to improve herself and tries to research things on the internet but asks him what is the correct answer. However, his response that there is no single best answer when dealing with people confuses her even more. She decides to wait for Rena and ask her directly, telling Arata that she wants to become friends with Rena and that she does not think she will learn anything if she does not do something about the situation herself.

Before sending Arata home Chizuru considers asking him about her discomfort at seeing him holding Rena when she found them after their fall, but decides against it as she thinks dealing with more than one problem at once is inefficient. Arata walks away leaving Chizuru to wait for Rena alone, but as soon as he reaches a safe distance he hides behind a wall. Unnerved by Chizuru's direct approach to such a sensitive matter, Arata is anxious about the outcome of their discussion as he influenced her decision to deal with the situation herself.