Episode Title:
Episode 8.
Episode Description:
The rakugo tour goes well, and Kikuhiko proves very popular, and may soon rise to the level of shin'uchi (真打ち, star performer). Kikuhiko is also keen to reach that level, but Yakumo reminds him of Shin’s situation and his disfavour with the elders because of his irreverent behaviour despite his popularity with audiences. Shin and Miyokichi both miss Kikuhiko, but in different ways, and just as Shin consoles her, Kikuhiko arrives back and misinterprets their embrace. He is cold toward her, and Miyokichi runs off heartbroken. Kikuhiko is not jealous however, and even though he tells Shin that he loves her, he wants to break it off anyway, preferring to pursue a respectable career and be alone. Kikuhiko and Shin agree to part ways and Shin tells him of the first Sukeroku who taught him and gave him his fan which he passes to Kikuhiko. Yakumo successfully argues for both Kikuhiko and Shin to become shin'uchi.
