Ep 8. Wash It All Away on a Stormy Night

Sakuta and Mai enjoy a romantic evening together at the beach, watching the stars and talking about their feelings for each other. However, their peaceful moment is interrupted by a sudden rainstorm that forces them to take shelter in a nearby hotel. While waiting for the storm to pass, Sakuta notices that Mai is feeling anxious and tells her a story about a girl who was struggling with her own identity. The girl eventually discovered that she was loved for who she was, and that she didn't need to change herself to fit in with others.

As the storm rages outside, Sakuta and Mai take a bath together to warm up. While they are in the bath, Sakuta notices that Mai has a small cut on her finger. She tells him that she accidentally cut it while preparing dinner for him earlier, but he can't help feeling suspicious. He later discovers that there is more to the story than Mai is letting on, but he decides not to confront her about it.

The next day, Sakuta has a disturbing dream in which he is drowning in a sea of white feathers. He wakes up feeling disoriented and confused. He goes to school and encounters Tomoe, who is still struggling with her own identity and feeling left out by her classmates. Sakuta encourages her to be true to herself and tells her that she doesn't need to conform to other people's expectations of her.

Later, Sakuta and Mai go to the beach again and discuss their future together. Sakuta tells Mai that he wants to protect her from any harm that comes her way, and that he will always be there for her no matter what. Mai reciprocates his feelings and tells him that she loves him.

The episode ends with a mysterious figure watching Sakuta and Mai from a distance. It is unclear what their intentions are, but it is clear that they are keeping a close eye on the couple.

Overall, "Wash It All Away on a Stormy Night" is a deeply emotional and introspective episode that explores themes of self-identity, love, and personal growth. The relationship between Sakuta and Mai is beautifully developed, and their conversations are heartfelt and genuine. The dream sequences add an air of mystery and intrigue to the story, and the episode does an excellent job of setting up future conflicts and plot points.