Episode 43

"Passing Time" is episode 43 of the anime adaptation of Sangatsu No Lion.

Synopsis
Hinata is shocked to learn that a favorite classmate will go to high school in another town. The day before her entrance exams, she gets sick.

Chapter 87: Passing Time
Someji visits his doctor for a checkup and prescription refills. His doctor remarks that Someji's attitude has changed and is receptive of health advice and taking care of himself compared to the past. Someji responds that after his wife and daughter died, he is all his grandchildren have as family, and he is determined to live to see them married off. The doctor and Someji then both lament it may be a hard goal to fulfill since Momo is still a preschooler.

With five days until her high school entrance exams, Hinata continues to study and fret. Rei reassures he will help study and review with her, and offhandedly mentions that Takahashi has been accepted to a high school of his choice far away. The fact comes as a surprise to Hinata, and Rei quickly realizes he dropped the information on Hinata insensitively due to her feelings about Takahashi. Rei spends the next days feeling guilty, while Hinata walks in the snow to sort her feelings. Two days before the exams, Hinata catches a fever.

Rei is asked to stay over at the Kawamoto house to take care of a sick Hinata while Akari has to attend a work party. Rei consoles a worried Hinata about her studies and being able to recover before the exams. Hinata's fever wears off by the next day, and when the day of the entrance exams arrives, Rei comes by to walk Hinata to his high school where the exams take place. Hinata thinks back to when she was bedridden and could only think of all the people in her life she has lost, but also realizes that Rei is always there for her.

Chapter 88: Spring Comes
Rei and the Kawamoto house throw a celebration dinner for Hinata to congratulate her on passing her high school entrance exams and being accepted to Rei's high school. Rei also meets the sisters' aunt Misaki for the first time, and flashbacks show Misaki worrying about the family being so casual about leaving Rei home alone with Hinata when Hinata was sick. Akari and Someji both confidently tell Misaki there is nothing to worry about with Rei, showing they trust him. During the remainder of the celebration, Rei thinks about how he has changed recently. He remembers that he used to lack conviction, believing that what is right and wrong with his actions are for others to decide. However, upon seeing Hinata being resolute in what she believes is right in her heart despite all the bullying she endured, Rei feels she helped him discover a new part of himself, and takes his new confidence into the way he plays shōgi.

As Rei continues to play professional matches, he runs into his adoptive father Masachika one evening. He fondly greets Rei, and mentions that he has managed to avoid a demotion in shōgi rank, meaning that he will be in the same rank as Rei in B-2 if Rei is able to make his promotion for the next period. As the two walk home together, Masachika hopes they can pick up playing shōgi with each other from the last time they met.