Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You. Season 2 Episode 12: Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You

The episode opens with Shin proposing marriage to Mizuho by the water, under a warm sunset glow. He reminisces about their shared past, about telling her he was ready for romance and asking her to tell him when she was, too. His declaration of love is earnest, speaking of a life unimaginable without her, a deep desire for shared happiness. The moment hangs, expectant and bright.

Mizuho looks surprised, then burdened, as she tells Shin she cannot marry him. She affirms he is important to her, always has been, always will be, but her feelings for him are not romantic love. Shin closes his eyes, disappointment clear, accepting her words with a sad, knowing "Sou ka." He muses, "I am to be a friend forever, then."

Shin gently tells Mizuho not to apologize, saying he did not propose to make her sad. He looks to the sky, smiling with a sense of release, acknowledging he finally spoke the feelings he had held for a decade. He even playfully taps her head, calling her "ponkotsu," a familiar, tender teasing. The scene ends as they stand together, the sunset fading into dusk, a new understanding settling between them.

Later, in a hospital room, Shin, dressed in a doctor's coat, confides in his father that he proposed to Mizuho and was rejected. His father, seemingly frail but jovial, erupts in comical shock at the news, clutching his chest. After ensuring his father is well, Shin reflects on how Mizuho helped him find his path to becoming a doctor and how grateful he is for his love for her. His father reassures him he has always been admirable, then offers to go drinking once he recovers.

Back in her room, Mizuho reads an email congratulating a fellow artist on a manga serialization, prompting an internal dialogue with her younger, school-uniformed self. Her past self asks if she is envious, reminding her that she couldn't become a manga artist. Mizuho acknowledges her feelings, then asserts that her journey has been continuous, moving forward despite stumbles, and she understands her current emotions. Her past self teases her for being scared, even as an adult, before offering encouragement.

Mizuho, spurred by her resolve, rushes to the swimming pool late at night, where she finds Kizuki over-exerting himself despite a shoulder injury. She confronts him, tears in her eyes, distressed by his self-destructive behavior. She reminds him of his past concern for her and demands to know why he isolated himself, why he left her side. Kizuki, reflected in the water, confesses his despair, explaining that swimming was his entire identity, now threatened.

In a moment of impulsive conviction, Mizuho jumps into the pool with Kizuki. She confronts him about his reckless ambition, stating that his single-mindedness, even as an adult, makes her unable to take her eyes off him. She declares her enduring commitment, wanting to be by his side for decades to come. Kizuki reciprocates, confessing Mizuho has always been his everything, his entire world since childhood. She embraces him tightly, confessing her love. Kizuki asks to be with her forever, telling her he loves her.

Mizuho and Kizuki are seen walking hand-in-hand, a new chapter begun. Kizuki then participates in a swimming race, watched by Mizuho and their friends, Shougo, Shin, Touya, and Ai. He swims with fierce determination, pushing his injured body to its limit. Despite Mizuho's anxious support, Kizuki collapses immediately after touching the wall, in visible pain and then unconscious. He is rushed away in an ambulance, leaving Mizuho distraught and helpless.

Mizuho sits distraught in the hospital hallway, tears streaming down her face, when Shin arrives. He offers her a tissue and a silent, steady presence. He provides comfort, a solid rock in her moment of despair, reassuring her that he will be there for her. His gentle smile and unwavering gaze bring her a glimmer of hope amidst the crisis.

Later, Mizuho returns to her room, visibly determined. She focuses intently on her laptop, working on her manga. The episode transitions through a montage of her dedicated work, showing her progress, her smiles of satisfaction, and her confident resolve. She looks at her finished pages with pride, ready to embark on her artistic journey.

The episode concludes with Mizuho walking happily with her friends. She smiles, looking at them, embracing the shared future. The final images show her walking forward with her friends, a sense of hope and solidarity permeating the scene.