Chapter 61

Synopsis
On a cold, winter day, Inomata marvels at her contacts list, proud that she has made new friends. She joins the children and her friends to play in the snow, and they all build snowmen together.

Long Summary
Inomata excitedly looks at her contacts list, amazed at the sight of having three contacts who are not her parents. She had exchanged email addresses with Ushimaru, Yamane, and Kawata during their shrine visit. Inomata is puzzled about when to send emails because she is not used to these kinds of things. She suddenly gets a call, causing her to flinch. Inomata picks up the phone, even though she is receiving a call from an unknown number. She hears several voices call out to her to invite her to make snowmen with them. Ryuuichi takes the phone from the children and greets Inomata, asking her if she would like to play with the children right now. Inomata's eyes sparkle with excitement as the children call out to her over the phone. Kimie asks Inomata why she is going out in such snowy weather, saying that it is rather inconvenient since this is the most snow they have seen in seven years. Gorou recalls that Inomata would go to the library to study despite the snow, and accurately remembers that it has been seven years and three days. Kimie hands Inomata a book, instructing her to return it for her, but Inomata stutters that she is going out to play and leaves the house. Kimie is stunned to hear that Inomata is going to play on a snowy day. She glares at Gorou when he asks for lunch. Inomata carefully treks through the snow and remembers going to the library when she was in elementary school. Someone shoveling the snow asks if she is here to play with everyone, but she simply states that she believes playing in the snow is a waste of time and runs away. In the present, Inomata slips, but Yagi catches her just in time. He tells her to walk carefully through the snow and asks if Inomata is out because she has a date. When she informs him that she was invited to play with the children, Yagi's eyes sparkle, and he suggests that they stop by Chuukichi's house to invite Suekichi, Kichi, and Kyouko. The Nezu children, Yagi, and Inomata arrive to find the children, Hayato, and Ryuu playing in the snow. While Chuukichi, Yagi, and the Nezu kids eagerly join in the fun, Inomata stands dumbfounded at the side, unsure of what to do. Ryuu greets her and tells her that he has also invited Ushimaru. Everyone prepares snowballs for a snowball fight, and Hayato tells Yagi to join the other team, much to Suekichi and Kichi's dismay. Hayato throws a snowball at Yagi, but Yagi dodges just in time. Hayato compliments his dodge as he enjoys throwing the snowballs. Then, Ushimaru waves and greets Inomata, who warns her to be careful because Hayato is throwing snowballs. Hayato chucks multiple snowballs at Yagi, who dodges them all, but one goes directly towards Ushimaru. Ryuu shields Ushimaru from the snowball with his hand and scolds Hayato for being careless. Hayato remarks that his pose is suitable for an out-fielder, and Ryuu tells him not to change the subject. He asks Ushimaru if she is alright, but Ushimaru falls down in embarrassment. Meanwhile, Suekichi and Kichi poke Yagi, who is lying on the ground. Ryuu shakes Hayato back and forth, nervously telling him not to throw too hard, but Hayato denies hurting Yagi. Yagi, who has a nosebleed, says that watching the children throw snowballs is incredibly cute. Usaida arrives with Midori, explaining that even a warm room cannot tempt him from going into the cold if the room is full of housewives, as the teachers are in the daycare center. Usaida looks at Inomata and asks if she has ever built a snowman. Inomata exclaims that she has. She recalls secretly building a snowman on her way home from the library in elementary school. Ushimaru tears up and holds Inomata's hands, shouting that they will build a snowman together, and the children excitedly decide to build a snowman with her as well. Inomata, Ushimaru, and the children roll a huge snowball together while Kotaro builds numerous tiny snowmen. Hayato and Taka roll an extremely large pile of snow that plows through Kotaro's creations, alarming Kotaro and Ryuu. Kirin points to red snow, saying that she has found red seeds that they can use for the bunny's eyes, but Yagi says that the red spots are from his nosebleed, stunning Kirin. Usaida asks if they are finished, and Chuukichi presents what he and a few others have created: a giant slide made of snow. Suekichi, Kichi, and Takuma ride the slide while Chuukichi helps Kazuma on. Usaida asks why Hayato has shoved baseball bats and baseballs onto his snowman, which is the largest of them all. Usaida displays his snow statue of Ryuu and Kotaro, and Ryuu is shocked to see how accurate it is. Hayato points out that Kotaro does not like it, and sure enough, Kotaro is not satisfied with the statue, saying that it does not look like Ryuu at all. Inomata starts to laugh, saying that the snowmen that they have made are strange. Kotaro smiles and says that Inomata laughed, and the children all laugh as well. Inomata, flustered, says that she laughs too. Usaida says that Inomata's snowman, which has irregular decor, looks weird as well.

Inomata and Ushimaru send a picture of the snowman to their friends, but Inomata does not understand the internet slang and emojis that they respond with.

Characters In Order of Appearance

 * Inomata Maria
 * Ushimaru Yuki
 * Yamane Saki (mentioned)
 * Kawata Rena (mentioned)
 * Kirin Kumatsuka
 * Kotaro Kashima
 * Takuma Mamizuka
 * Kazuma Mamizuka
 * Taka Kamitani
 * Ryuuichi Kashima
 * Inomata Kimie
 * Inomata Gorou
 * Yagi Tomoya
 * Chuukichi Nezu
 * Suekichi Nezu
 * Kichi Nezu
 * Kyouko Nezu
 * Hayato Kamitani
 * Usaida Yoshihito
 * Midori Sawatari