Tohru, Yuki, and Kyou have started their second year at school along with the new students, Momoji and Hatsuhara! A creepy surprise encounter with the infamous Akito leaves Tohru and Yuki shaken and Yuki's painful past with Akito is further revealed to the reader. The Sohma members worry about how this reappearance of Akito in Yuki's life will mean, though their main concern lies in how Akito will deal with Tohru. A few days following the incident, Ayame, the Snake zodiac Sohma member, (and Yuki's older brother!) shows up with the vow to rekindle the brothers' lost friendship. Easier said than done as Yuki's stubbornly disapproving of his wacky older brother high school past and unorthodox costume shop. Hatori interrupts Ayame's story-telling time - involving his experiences in High School - to bring him back to the Sohma Main House. Momiji reveals to Tohru his tear-jerking past of his mother who was unable to handle the Sohma 'curse.' Traumatized upon finding a baby rabbit in her arms instead of a boy after the birth, she has her memory erased to keep from losing her mind. Now, the only time they ever see each other is as strangers in Momo's father's company building. It's the anniversary of Tohru's mother's death so the group (Yuki, Tohru, Kyou, Hanajima and Arisa) goes to visit her grave. After a bit of the usual grieving traditions, Yuki and Kyou are shocked when the girls pull out the lunch and have a picnic right at the grave! The day ends in peace as Yuki and Kyou feel moved with this girl whose optimism knows no end.