Place of Refuge

Meet Kamura Naozumi, Sana's newest co-star, and currently one of Japan's most popular bishounen around (consider him a Kodocha version of Jesse McCartney xD). Naozumi reveals to us that he's a big fan of Sana-chan, and has been following her work since she was five (heck, he keeps a scrapbook of Sana pictures and articles!). Although she assumes Naozumi as just another fan of hers', it's pretty obvious from his actions that Naozumi's feelings trascend more than just fandom, or even friendship. He has quite the crush on Sana, and like Hayama, will try hard to eliminate any rivals who might get in his way.

At Sana's latest dance recital, things tense up a bit between Hayama and Naozumi. He asks Sana's classmates (all girls, of course :P), who had all received invites to the show, if Sana was good friends with any boys in her class. The girls mention Hayama, of course, and recalls the kiss he had stolen from her before. "Eh?" Naozumi asks, shocked. It's clear from the battle aura (xD) surrounding him that Naozumi already considers Hayama an enemy from that point. The two boys exchange rather cumbersome greetings and they watch as Sana's recital begins. As it goes on, Hayama for once seemed at awe watching Sana's acting skills; "She's pretty amazing," he comments as the crowd stood up to cheer. Naozumi turns to him and asks the question that marked the beginning of their rivalry:

Hayama replies that he doesn't. With a slight smirk, Naozumi tells him that if it's so, he doesn't belong with someone with as much talent as Sana. At this Hayama frowns, and his dislike deepens as he watches Naozumi and Sana together at the end of the show. Akito, who took Naozumi's words straight to the heart, decides to prove his newfound rival wrong. Hayama agrees to takes up his principal's offer - starting then, he would take up karate, and through that, he would make himself a person both Naozumi and Sana would acknowledge.

A few days stroll by, and before you know it, the publishing of Misako (Sana's mama)'s book is only twenty-four hours away. As Sana tells Hayama this, he in turn tells her that Naozumi will comfort her if anything happens; obviously his last encounter with the young actor was still fresh in mind. Sana, confused by his actions, was left with nothing else but her own doubtful feelings the next day. She only watches quietly as media discusses the shocking news; apparently, Sana was found abandoned on a park bench eleven years ago. Misako was not her biological mother. And as Hayama read each word, his worry for Sana grew. He recalls how Sana had taught him about a mother's love for her child; "I wonder how she felt... when she said that." he says solemnly.

Hayama makes his way to the Kurata house, riding his bike at top speed and crashing through its gates rather forcefully. He arrives into a melancholy room and finds Sana crying. Taken aback by her tears, he "kidnaps" her and grants her a seat on the bycicle, riding back to his house with the same speed as when he arrived, if not more. As they arrive, Sana begins to laugh, commenting loudly on how much fun it was. Hayama asks her if she's alright. Her smile fades at the question and tears begin to fall. Hayama looks at her, eyes full of both pity and understanding. Sana embraces him; he returns her embrace.

Sana chooses to sleep over at the Hayama residence, and learns quite a few things about Akito as she rummages through the family photo album with Natsumi. The evening was full of jokes, particularly on birthmarks (what with Sana revealing she has three birthmarks on a very... peculiar spot) and it was clear that a warm atmosphere was around during her visit. Despite that, as nightfall came the anxiety returned, and both Hayama and Sana found themselves unable to sleep. As both opened their room doors, the two decide to lounge on Akito's sofa. Sana asks him if he noticed anything while reading the book's contents. The book apparently contains a hidden message, using the first letters of each chapter: "Please reveal yourself if you are the mother." She tells Hayama that the book was published in order to find Sana's biological mother. Not only that, she finally asks the question that was forever lingering in her mind.

Hayama tells her if she doesn't want to leave Misako, she should tell her so. Sana begins to cry and tells him that she can't. Then comes a very unexpected reaction from Hayama: "If you can't, I will!" he shouts. Surprised, and yet grateful for his words, she thanks him, and the two fall asleep.

But hey, this is shoujo manga, so of course it doesn't end there! Not long after, Sana receives a phone call from Rei, giving her the news she expected least; her real mother had been found. Immediately, she goes to Hayama and asks him frantically if they could hide somewhere. Hayama tells her firmly that she could not run away from this - like Sana had told him before, mothers are important to anyone and everyone, and she needed to face this - but not necessarily alone. "Be strong", he tells her, and Sana asks him if he would go with her. The two eventually reach the Kurata house and meet Sakai Keiko; Sana's biological mother. It was revealed that Keiko gave birth to Sana when she was fourteen, and Sana's biological father was Keiko's uncle (now deceased). In the midst of it all, Hayama kept Sana's mood up the whole time (believe it or not), and when she promised Keiko another meeting on Sunday, Hayama of course went along.

In the end, everything was all solved - Misako told Sana that she was just as worried as she was. Afraid that one day, Sana's real mother would come and take her away. The only reason Misako had ever wanted to meet Keiko was to make it clear to her that Sana was her daughter, even if they were not related by blood. As Hayama quietly takes his leave, Rei thanks him. "You stayed with Sana-chan all that time, didn't you? Thank you." After all that hardship, it was truly Hayama who supported Sana from beginning to end; it was he who comforted her when she was lost in doubt, and he who never left her side once. At the end of this chapter, we can see that their relationship is starting to beautifully blossom.