Episode 42

"New Year" is episode 42 of the anime adaptation of Sangatsu No Lion.

Synopsis
Though she can easily think up new ideas for desserts, Hinata can't seem to focus on her studies. Rei invites her to his school for a summer treat.

Chapter 85: Summer Vacation (Part 2)
Hinata bemoans the amount of homework to catch up on while Rei is over at the Kawamoto house, and asks Rei when in his life he decided to become a professional shōgi player. Rei answers that he never had a choice, since it was all he knew how to do. Hinata wishes to help out with the dessert shop and that her ideas are right in front of her, but she cannot due to her studies. When she wonders aloud if maybe she just wants a distraction from her studies, Rei invites her to come to his high school over the weekend.

Rei, Hinata, and Momo arrive at the high school to see the Burners Club had set up bamboo flumes with running water for flume noodles (nagashi-sōmen). Akari arrives late with additional food, and the sisters all mistakenly identify Noguchi as Rei's homeroom teacher over Hayashida. While seeing Rei enjoying himself at school, Akari and Hinata simultaneously consider Hinata to join Rei's high school.

Chapter 86: New Year
As the new year arrives, Rei has started tutoring Hinata in her studies in preparation for her high school entrance exams since she has decided to test to enter Rei's high school. As she studies, she recounts Rei's happiness at hearing her decide on wanting to enter his high school. Akari and Someji also both support Hinata fully despite the few reservations she has.