Jiro has barely seen Yoichi for the last five weeks and misses him. He knew this day would eventually come, when he would be left behind while his brother’s life went on without him. They used to do everything together. Now, Yoichi visits Izakaya Tanaka three or four times per week to visit Miko, hangs out with new and old friends, and doesn’t invite his little brother along. All Yoichi ever does is talk about Miko and the izakaya, but he never mentions Miko’s friend, Sanaa, so Jiro stops thinking about her. She’s settled into the mist of every flirtation Jiro ever had. Forgotten.
During Yoichi’s absence, Jiro grabs Usagi, and they spend time together. Usagi is just as alone as Jiro is. Usagi’s family pledged their support to Sakai Clan two generations ago, and he grew up with Jiro and Yoichi. He’s twenty-four, almost a year older than Yoichi and has never kept a girlfriend for more than a few months.