Museru Kurai no Ai wo Ageru 16 *SPOILERS*

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Third (and last) day of the Cultural Festival

Kyouhei and Momo are checking social media.

They see lots of comments gushing over Gaku (from people who don't know him), describing him - an insanely good-looking university student, looks like a genius(?), is in a band and moreover on the guitar, asking which university is he in??, once-in-a-century talent, in the oil painting department, and that he can do anything with that face of his.

A picture of Gaku during their live performance yesterday gets 200,000 reposts and 235,000 likes. 👀😂

Kyouhei is happy and excited that their band (Gaku mostly, tbh) is generating a buzz online. Momo also remarks how it's amazing that they've achieved this in just two days. They get hyped up and declare that they should continue riding on this momentum, but Gaku and Jouichirou are fast asleep and snoring.

Rain

Over to Hibari and Airi, they're at school and look out the window to find that it's raining today. Airi suggests that she and Hibari take turns to visit the other departments' exhibits today (she wants to visit the sculpture department).

Hibari thinks to herself that she's glad Airi is back in good spirits compared to yesterday. Airi was extremely apologetic this morning for the trouble she caused to Hibari.

Hibari narrates that the T-shirts that they mass produced aren't selling too well and there weren't a lot of likes on her Insta posts that she created for this festival, but she isn't feeling bitter like last year. She wonders if this is because she was able to progress and improve in her own way.

Gaku and his popularity

Hibari is on a short walk around campus and she notices from the second floor, a group of people gathered on the first floor. Upon taking a closer look, it's Gaku being surrounded by people. He doesn't look happy.

Gaku notices and makes eye contact with Hibari, and immediately calls out to her. He runs towards her and asks for her help to hide him, because everyone's been sticking to him.

Shortly afterwards (it seems they managed to escape everyone by hiding at Hibari's booth), Hibari checks her phone and sees all the social media posts about Gaku. She's shocked. People are not just gushing over the band or his looks. Even his paintings are getting a lot of likes and shares.

Hibari asks him when he made these paintings for the cultural festival. Gaku grumpily answers that he didn't paint them for the cultural festival. These were paintings that he did normally. He says that his professor liked them so much that they put his paintings up for display on their own accord.

When Hibari hears that, she feels triggered.

Kyouhei asks Gaku to use social media more and to use his popularity to promote Pantera Negra. However, Gaku says it's a hassle. Kyouhei and Hibari snap at Gaku comedically at Gaku's apathy, saying that such opportunities shouldn't be wasted and many people would kill to be in his position.

Gaku snaps back, saying that he's not an item for display. Jouichirou takes control of the group and says that they should definitely take advantage of this situation. Momo adds that he will have Gaku appear a lot more for today's fashion show. Gaku complains that he has to be busy even on the last day, but asks Hibari if she will be coming to watch them.

When Hibari says that she will, Gaku responds by giving her a few blow kisses. Hibari blushes but grabs the flying kisses and tosses them away (tsundere style, lol). Gaku laughs and remarks, "Hibari really likes me, man- (How cute ❤). Momo and Kyouhei think to themselves, 'Huh? Which part?'

Hibari thinks to herself after the guys leave that she did something uncute towards Gaku again.

Hibari and Airi

Just then, Airi returns to the booth. She is blushing and asks if Jouichirou and the other guys were just here. When Hibari confirms so, Airi says that her heart still pounds from seeing him.

Airi whips out her phone and shows her pictures of Jouichirou's sculptures which she saw at the sculpture department. She gushes at how amazing his work is and Hibari agrees.

After a short hesitation, Hibari asks Airi what she would think if Jouichirou suddenly became famous. Airi answers enthusiastically that she would be extremely thrilled and will support him with all her might. When Hibari sees how positive Airi is, she reflects on herself and realizes that her attitude is rather negative.

Hibari narrates that it must be weird that she feels frustrated about Gaku. She thinks that it's because she feels inadequate for being satisfied with what she has now, while Gaku is way ahead of her.

Airi realizes that Hibari is feeling pressure from Gaku's surge in popularity and encourages her not to.

Rihito

Sighing, Hibari looks at her phone again. She notices Rihito's message: "Is it fine if I go to the cultural festival tomorrow?"

She wonders to herself if he really came. Just then, she notices someone viewing her T-shirts on display and taking pictures of them. It seems like a lady - long hair, long coat and a bucket hat.

Hibari approaches the lady to welcome her and invite her to consider buying the T-shirts. That's when the lady turns to look at Hibari and Hibari instantly realizes that it's Rihito! Hibari is surprised, but Rihito puts a finger to his lips to shush her.

Flustered, Hibari asks Rihito what's with the get up and why he came. Rihito answers that he wanted to see Hibari's work no matter what. He also reassures her that with this disguise, he won't get discovered. Hibari thanks him.

Airi pops in and sees them. Hibari introduces Rihito to Airi, saying that he's a childhood friend from elementary school days. Airi is amazed by how beautiful Rihito looks and asks if he's a model. (I'm not sure if Airi knows that Rihito is actually a guy/ whether she could see through the disguise)

Rihito asks Hibari for all of the T-shirt designs. Hibari says that he doesn't need to pay, but he insists on paying. After getting the T-shirts, Rihito hugs them and looks very happy to have them (but Hibari is not looking at him).

Hibari and Rihito

Hibari asks Rihito if he plans to see other things. Rihito answers that he'll be heading back now, so Hibari says that she'll show him where there are fewer people (because it'll be troublesome if he gets recognized).

As they walk together (it's still lightly raining so they're holding umbrellas), Rihito comments that he's glad he came to see Hibari's display. He says that he liked the designs and that Hibari's style is amazing.

Hibari laughs happily but humbly says that she's not amazing. Rihito asks her if something happened, but Hibari says that it was nothing.

Stopping in his tracks, Rihito turns to Hibari to try to get her to talk, saying that he won't leave it as it is. After a small pause, Hibari shares that she's feeling frustrated when she compares herself to others, because she feels small and inadequate.

In response, Rihito tells her that feeling frustrated is not a bad thing. It shows that she's serious about what she does, and that she gives her all. He reminds her to turn that thought into power and not poison.

Hibari narrates that her heart feels a little lighter. If she had not created those T-shirts, she wouldn't have felt the pain and frustration.

Rihito mumbles, "It's good to have a companion who thinks like that, because I feel like I can't stay like this."

Hibari goes, "Eh?", but Rihito asks her to wait a moment. He leaves briefly and comes back with a cotton candy stick in the shape of a bear. He tells her that if anything happens, she can talk to him anytime.

Hibari receives the cotton candy bear happily and thanks Rihito. She narrates that even though she felt like there was a wall separating her and Rihito, it wasn't the case at all. She's glad that she could talk with him.

As Rihito leaves the campus, she waves at him.

Rihito's Decision

After walking a short distance, Rihito sees some ladies excitedly looking at a poster. When he goes to take a closer look, he notices that they are looking at a poster promoting Pantera Negra's live performance. The performance is at 6pm. Rihito checks his phone and sees that it's 5.31pm. We see him turn and walk away.

While Rihito is walking, Gaku and Momo come running from behind him. Momo shouts that if Gaku doesn't change clothes quickly, they won't make it in time. Gaku shouts in response that it was Momo's fault for making him do so many fashion shows.

Gaku runs past Rihito and turns around to glance at him. Recognizing Rihito, Gaku smirks and remarks that a great guest has come.

Pantera Negra's Live

A while later, it's time for the live performance! Hibari and Airi are in the audience while the band sets up on stage. Hibari thinks to herself that she somehow feels nervous.

On stage, Gaku asks Kyouhei if he has a guitar pick. Kyouhei scolds him and asks if he's a dotard. The audience giggle and chatter amongst themselves if something's wrong. Hibari and Airi also wonder if they're alright. Hibari realizes that Gaku needs his guitar pick. She also recalls Rihito's words from earlier: "Turn those thoughts into power, not poison."

She calls out to Gaku, pulls off her necklace (with the guitar pick that has his phone number on it) and throws the necklace to Gaku. Gaku catches it and sees Hibari. From her expression, he can see that she's saying, "Do your best, Gaku!"

Pulling away the necklace chain from the guitar pick, Gaku says that he's received the best assist. However, this stint attracts attention towards Hibari.

The audience look at Hibari and go, "Hold on, who's that girl?" "His girlfriend?" "Necklace? What does it mean?"

Hibari freezes in place and panics while people start pointing their phone cameras at her. However, Rihito is nearby. He immediately rushes towards Hibari and hugs her, protecting her from the cameras. Gaku sees it happen and his expression turns sour.