July passes just as quickly as June and Karin's relationship with her "blind date" continues to grow. On the sweltering first day of August, Karin and Mr. Blind Date return to the Hisakawa mansion from a day at the beach.

"Thanks again for the great day. It was nice to get out and cool off", Karin blushes.

"You're very welcome." He leans in and kisses her good bye.

Karin holds onto his sleeve as he turns to go. He stops and looks back at her. "We've been going out for over a month now and I want to believe that this is going somewhere and we're not just occupying each other's time. I want to know that you really do care about me."

He faces her and caresses her face with his fingertips. "I don't toy with a woman's heart. I'm not the greatest at expressing myself but I want to prove to you just how much you do mean to me."

"No sex."

"What?"

Karin puts her hands on her hips, "You heard me. Prove it by going one month without sex. Not with me or anyone else." She adds the last part even though she knows that he hadn't gone out with another girl since the two of them started really dating.

"Alright," he accepts her challenge. "Then the same rule applies to you."

"Fine," she agrees.

"This is going to be interesting." Ayumi comes in the foyer behind them. She looks at him, "I think you might win this. Once Karin starts sleeping with her boyfriend, she can't go a week without sex." Karin's eyes throw daggers at her sister. Ayumi shrugs her shoulders.

Mr. Blind Date leans in to kiss Karin but stops an inch from her lips. "Good night." He leaves her standing there, waiting and anxious. Only after the door closes behind him does Karin relaxes.

"Two can play at that game." Karin undoes a couple more buttons on her shirt.

"What game?" A man in his late twenties enters the room.

"Ichiro!" Karin runs and hugs her eldest brother. "You're back from your business trip already?"

Ichiro sets his little sister down. "I just got back a few hours ago. So what was that conversation just now?"

"Just a little bet."

Ichiro nods his head but doesn't press her for more information. "While you were out, you had a phone call from Miss. Okawahara confirming the bachelorette party tomorrow night."

"Oh, that's right." Karin laughs and wishes her siblings a good night.

The next night, the five women laugh and cheer as they clink their glasses together in the dance club.

Sakurako assures Tsukushi, "There will be no guy entertainment for the evening, I swear."

"I believe you, I believe you," Tsukushi laughs as she tries not to spill her drink. Just then, her cell phone rings. Tsukushi digs through her purse until she finds it and looks at the number of the person calling. She sighs, "What does Tsukasa want now?" She answers the phone, "Hello?" The others watch as her face changes from cheerful to confused and finally, pained and heartbreaking. "I understand. I'll be right there," she fights the lump in the back of her throat. Her hand is shaking slightly as she hangs up the phone. Every one waits anxiously for Tsukushi to respond. "I need to get to the Doumyoji mansion right now."

A few days later, Tsukasa, Tsukushi, all their friends, and Tsubaki are gathered around a grave. Tsubaki had flown in the previous day. Tsukasa has his arm wrapped around Tsukushi holding her close, giving her all the comfort and support he can.

Tsukushi sobs, "Why did it have to happen? Why did Tama have to die?"

Tsukasa gives her a squeeze, "She was old and lived a long life. It was her time." He hopes he is choosing the right words to say. "She died peacefully the way she wanted."

Tsukushi nods and wipes away the fresh tears. "She's helped both of us out so much over the years. I only wish she could have come to the wedding."

Tsubaki steps closer and puts a hand on Tsukushi's shoulder. "Tama was so happy with the progress the two of you made and I'm sure she'll be watching the wedding from where ever she is." Tsukushi breaks Tsukasa's hold and hugs Tsubaki as she realizes Tsubaki must be mourning just as much as she was. After the reassuring hug, Tsukushi finds her way back into Tsukasa's arms, giving him just as much console. She wipes the remainder of her tears away and takes a deep breath in. "Let's go home."

Tsukushi and everyone else had stayed the night at the Doumyoji mansion. In the morning, the Doumyoji lawyer came. The lawyer also represented Tama and had come to read her will.

"Tama left a written will that I have shared with your parents that state who she believes should take her place," the lawyer addresses Tsubaki and Tsukasa. "She also left this video to be viewed by Master Tsukasa and Miss. Tsukushi." Everyone stays also. The lawyer walks over to the TV in the middle of the room and pop in the tape. The video starts to play.

Tama shows up in the middle of the screen. "Hello, I'm dead. Don't make a big fuss over me, I've been preparing for this moment for years. I wanted to share with you some advice from one generation to the next. One thing I have learned in my life that has left me with some regret is that, until recently, I was never able to share my thoughts properly. Makino, you were the one who showed me how to think with my heart again. I had almost given up hope on the young master before you came. You opened up your heart to him and look at where it has taken you. Always remember what I said to you that day. You're not that foolish girl any more. I will be watching over you to make sure you never make any more foolish mistakes and I expect the same from the young master. If you ever make her cry again, I will come back to haunt you. I wish you both the best. Thank you." The video ends. The silence is deafening as everyone takes Tama's words to heart.

Tsukushi gazes up at Tsukasa. Her eyes looking at some distant future and she smiles.