While Shinkurō is at school, Murasaki meets the other inhabitants of the apartment building. In the evening, Shinkurō takes Murasaki to the public bathhouse, and then buys her a new futon. After Murasaki is asleep, Shinkurō goes out on another assignment as a negotiator and finds himself in a violent confrontation with thugs who are threatening the owner of a local restaurant. Shinkurō realizes there is more than meets the eye.

All four apartment tenants are practicing for a musical, which will be held during a community festival. Yūno is recruited but it turns out that she's tone deaf and has Shinkurō practice with her. Yamie gets Yayoi to help her with her singing.