Mariko's father asks her why she's all dressed up--is she going out? She says yes. He tells her not to stay out too late, then asks who she's going out with--if it's a boy. She tells him she's going out with some friends from class, and leaves. Her father, apparently still worried, says that he believes her.
Mariko's going to her first ever mixer.
One of the new girls tells them that the guys are paying for everything, so they can drink all they want. The other new girl says she's not going to drink today. The other girls do expect Akiko to drink, though--apparently she seems the type. Akiko denies it, of course.
Mariko thinks to herself that while she did lie to her father, the mixer wasn't the reason she got dressed up.
Akiko notices that Mariko's wearing the dress they bought the other day, and says that it looks good on her and that she looks cute in it. She adds that dresses in general look good on Mariko. Mariko thanks her.
And that is why Mariko dressed up--because she wanted Akiko to compliment her like that. She thinks it's childish to want that, though.
The short-haired girl (when will we ever learn these girls' names? -_-;) comments that they haven't had a mixer in a while, and the long-haired girl says that it's because they've been having trouble finding enough girls ever since their usual crowd got boyfriends.

Akiko thinks she understands why--it's harder to invite people to things when you're worried that they might already have plans with their boyfriends. The other girl agrees, but adds that girls often start ditching their friends when they get a boyfriend. Akiko seems doubtful, but the girl insists that the boyfriends become the girls' first priority. The short-haired girl adds that when a guy invites a girl to do something, she'll cancel on her friends at the last minute. Akiko thinks that's just awful, but it turns out the long-haired girl actually does that to her friends...
Mariko wonders if Akiko finds a boyfriend at the mixer today, will he become her top priority? And Akiko seems like the sort of girl who's popular, so Mariko's sure she'll be able to get a boyfriend.
Sugi and Tamamin, who were so close before, drifted apart when they ended up in separate classes. If Mariko were to end up in a separate class from Akiko... no, if Akiko were to get a boyfriend...

The other girls see that Mariko's crying, and ask her what's wrong. Mariko apologizes, and says that nothing's wrong. The new girls think she must be having problems with contact lenses or have gotten something in her eye, but Akiko seems to be more perceptive.
Akiko quickly makes up a story for the others about how Mariko has stomach problems and forced herself to come today because she didn't want to cancel on them at the last minute. Mariko, confused, protests a bit, but the others talk right over her. Akiko says she'll take Mariko home. The others are worried that they're now two girls short for the party, but Akiko has a solution (I'm sure we can all guess what it is).
On the subway, Mariko brings up the fact that she isn't sick. Akiko says that that's okay and that Mariko shouldn't force herself to go. Akiko wasn't keen on going, either--she knew that Mariko hated the idea of going enough to cry and yet felt like she couldn't turn down the invitation because it was from their new friends.
While Akiko is roughly correct, that wasn't the reason Mariko was crying. She doesn't tell Akiko that, though, of course.
Akiko goes on to say that Mariko doesn't seem the type to enjoy mixers, bars, etc., and that she should just say no if she doesn't want to go somewhere. While doing things with friends is important, people who are really interested in being your friends won't mind if you say no. For example, Akiko wouldn't have given up on making Mariko her friend if Mariko had said she wouldn't go get her hair cut with her. Taguchi and that other girl don't seem the type to be put out over something like this, plus Akiko got two other really cute girls to take their place.

And those two girls are, naturally, Tamamin (whose real name is Tamami) and Sugi (Whose real name is Satoko... wtf? I guess Sugi is her family name, then.). Who else saw that coming a mile away?
The group is doing karaoke together. The long-haired girl thanks Satoko for coming, and Satoko says she's always up for mixers--she's still looking for a top boyfriend (Ah, so she's one of those girls that dates a bunch of guys at once...).
Tamami wants to sing songs from anime, of course. The short-haired girl is afraid that Tamami and Satoko are going to take all the guys (though she isn't really keen on any of the guys at the party anyway, so whatever).
Mariko feels bad that they called Tamami and Satoko at the last minute. Akiko agrees, but thinks things worked out for the best.
Tamami and Satoko are in different classes now, but Akiko wants them to stay friends. Mariko agrees, thinking to herself, "So, Akko knew." (Meanwhile, we get a shot of Tamami and Satoko singing a song from Cutey Honey.)
Akiko does feel bad about one thing, though--Satoko drinks like a fish and Tamami eats a lot, so the guys are going to be stuck with a huge bill. Oh, dear.
Mariko never knew that alcohol was expensive. Akiko, surprised, asks Mariko if she's never drunk before. "Of course not!" Mariko replies, "I'm a minor." Akiko asks her if she's ever wanted to try it. Mariko says she has wanted to, a little. Akiko then suggests that the two of them hit the Kinshichou neighborhood of Tokyo (located in the Sumida ward).
It turns out they've decided to go to Akiko's place.
Akiko's mom likes to drink, so she's got lots of good stuff. Mariko isn't sure this is a good idea--won't Akiko get yelled at when her mom comes home? Akiko tells her that her mom's away on business and won't be back until the day after tomorrow. (Won't that just delay the inevitable, though? -_-;) Mariko asks if Akiko's father is away on business too, but Akiko replies that it's a single-parent household.
Akiko pulls out the Kahlua--my, someone's got good taste--and tells Mariko that it's really yummy when you mix it with milk (Too true. I like it with chocolate soymilk. Mmm. :D~~~).

Mariko realizes she doesn't really know Akiko at all--she never knew she didn't have a boyfriend or a father.
Mariko, her heart racing, is hesitant about drinking, but Akiko encourages her. (Trying to get her drunk so you can have your way with her? You naughty girl, Akiko!)
Akiko confides in Mariko that she doesn't really like mixers or drinking at all, even though she seems like the type who would--she has a really low tolerance for alcohol. She can handle Kahlua and milk, though, since it tastes like coffee-flavored milk.
Mariko wants to see what it tastes like since Akiko likes it.
Mariko agrees that it tastes like coffee-flavored milk, and that it's good.
Mariko's learned a lot of new things about Akiko today: that she has a low tolerance for alcohol and yet likes Kahlua with milk, that she doesn't really like mixers, etc.
Mariko comments that Akiko must get lonely with her mother away on business trips so often. Akiko says she's fine with it--she's used to it since it's been happening since she was a little kid. Though she feels like they don't talk much, since they're always just using their phones to message each other.

Mariko is surprised that Akiko's mom texts her, but Akiko seems to think that's the normal course of events--she's surprised Mariko's mother doesn't text her. Mariko says that her mother is awful with machines, so much so that she doesn't even like cell phones. Akiko thinks that's cute.
Just then, Akiko gets a message from Tamami. It says that they're going on to the second party of the night, and that Satoko's been taking her (Satoko's) clothes off as she drinks more, resulting in the guys buying them lots [of alcohol?]. It also asks if Mariko is feeling better. Tamami also thanks Akiko for inviting the two of them together.
Mariko is reminded once more of how nice Akiko is, and what a thoughtful friend she is.
Akiko has fallen asleep. Mariko calls out to her, trying to wake her up, but to no avail.
Mariko needs to leave soon--it's almost 9--but she feels bad about trying to wake Akiko up.

Mariko reflects again on how long Akiko's eyelashes are and how smooth her cheeks are. She pokes her cheek.
Mariko thinks about how Akiko's always alone in this room. She must've been lonely as a kid. If only Mariko could stay here with her.

Then Akiko wouldn't be lonely. Mariko wishes she could be with Akiko forever.
Mariko then notices Akiko's soft, pink lips, and touches them. Then she leans over and kisses her.

Mariko gasps, freaking out. "Wh-... what... did I... just do...?! I. Kissed. Her!!!"

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