Jinta and the others think that Menma did not pass on because their feelings were selfish. Chiriko tells them she conspired with Menma the day she died in the hopes of getting together with Atsumu, who she secretly had been in love with since childhood. Tetsudō had seen what happened to Menma on that day and felt guilty about it ever since. One by one, each of them reveal feelings of regret over their roles in Menma's death. After everyone cries, Jinta tells everyone about Menma's dream to talk with everyone, so they suggest he bring Menma to the base. However, Menma has started to disappear, because she had made a promise. Jinta's mother had accepted dying, but was concerned that Jintan was bottling up his emotions. Menma promised Jinta's mother to help Jinta learn to cry. Jinta carries Menma to the secret base, but when he gets there, he loses his ability to see her. Menma, distressed with what has happened, calls out that this is "Hide and seek." Jinta can hear this. As the gang try to find her, Menma writes some final messages to everyone. After reading the messages, they are each brought to tears. After shouting out to her, Menma calls "You found me!" and Jinta and the others are able to see and hear her, enabling them to give their final goodbyes before she disappears. Later, Jinta starts going to school with Naruko, while Atsumu and Chiriko grow closer together. As for Tetsudō, he continues working on his part-time job and also tries to study again. Jinta and his friends return to the secret base and read Menma's final message, written on the beam in the secret base, while thinking about the flower that blooms in the summer.