Aya, now 20 years old, has been writing a diary while staying in a hospital attached to Jounan University Hospital. At the same time, Aya continued to contribute to the newsletter of the "Fureai no Kai," a group she started at the request of Kiichi, a volunteer who took care of her when she was at school for the handicapped.
Aya has a progressive dysarthria that makes it difficult for her to pronounce words smoothly. Mizuno, the doctor in charge of Aya, tells Shioka and Mizuo that it will be difficult for Aya to go on to higher education or find a job after graduation from the school for the disabled, and advises them to work on her rehabilitation at home.
Aya goes to cheer on the basketball team's rookie tournament and congratulates Mari and Saki for making it through to the first round. Then, Shioka and her friends come out of the school building, having just finished the parents' meeting. Aya notices Shioka's gloomy expression and for some reason feels uneasy.
Aya continues her rehabilitation under the guidance of rehabilitation specialist Tanabe. However, Aya's behavior is different from usual, and she is unable to put any effort into her rehabilitation, and finally sits down as if she has given up everything. Mizuno, the doctor in charge of Aya, is concerned about his condition.
Dr. Mizuno, a neurologist at the Jounan University Hospital who examined Aya, told Aya's mother, Shioka, that her disease was thought to be spinocerebellar degeneration. This disease causes the cerebellum to atrophy for some reason and the nerve cells in the cerebellum break down, making it increasingly difficult for her to move her body.