Pita Ten: v. 7

It is a time for mourning in the Higuchi household as last respects are paid to Kotarou's dearly departed Great-Grandfather. As Shia comes to grips with the life that she lost so long ago, Kotarou looks towards the New Year for inspiration as to where his studies and stomach may carry him. Even Misha is her usual, perky self. And yet, a smile is often the only thing that can truly disguise one's own fate. With less than a month to go before their exams, Kotarou and Misha's friendship could not be on better terms - that is, until Sasha makes a surprise house call and sends Kotarou on a spiritual journey into the dreamscape. And yes, the dark secret that Misha has been harboring - the very secret that is her reason for coming to Earth - is finally revealed. Unfortunately, her friendship with Kotarou might not be strong enough to withstand the shocking truth in this, the penultimate volume of Pita-Ten! Pita-Ten Vol. 7 Plot Points: Chapter 38 Picks up right where Vol.6 left off with Great-Grandpa's funnier as Shia and Kotarou say good-bye. Kotarou's father tells him to head back home while he stays at Great-Grandpa's for a while longer.
Winter Break has started and Kotarou has even more review left. Misha teleports back home while Kotarou and Shia will travel back via train. Nya lets Shia choose her fate...to stay in the Mortal Realm. Kotarou and Shia make lots of promises for the New Year. Shia dies when Kotarou is off buying train tickets!!! Nya reappears and takes Shia's body with him as Kotarou lashes out in grief. Chapter 39 Winter Break is over and Kotarou is highly depressed. Kotarou hasn't told anyone, not even Misha, that Shia is dead. Misha tries to cheer Kotarou up with her newly decorated apartment. Kotarou finally tells Misha the whole truth and they both go through some serious grieving. Chapter 40 Kotarou has a dream involving an imprisoned Misha. Misha has taken up the initiative of making Kotarou's lunch just as Shia once did. Sasha returns and tells Misha off for sneaking off and not staying focused on her Angel Examination. Kotarou confronts Sasha and she uses her wand to put him into a dream state so he can finally learn the answers to all his questions. Kotarou awakens in the body of Taro's son Kotaroh! The little angel Misha shows up to keep Kotaroh company.
Chapter 41 Misha notices that Kotaroh isn't calling her "Misha" like he normally does and is instead calling her "Misha-san. "Kotaroh says Misha talks to formally...so she starts using her 'Su-Talk'! Misha tells Kotaroh that his happiness is her happiness. Kotaroh ventures out into town the net day and is treated like an outcast. That night, Kotaroh goes to the pond and overhears Sasha telling Misha that she has to be back in heaven because the Power That Be (PTB) aren't too happy with her resent conduct and dealings with a mortal. Kotaroh is crushed that his only friend is going to leave him. Kotaroh commits suicide by jumping off a cliff!!! Chapter 42 Misha discovers Kotaroh's near-death body submerged in the pond and is powerless to do anything except listen to his dieing words about their promise. Kotaroh dies and crows descend upon his body! Misha is placed into a thorny prison for countless years and is forced to wear black clothing as part of her punishment by the Powers That Be (PTB) in the Heavens. Sasha appears and gives Misha the good news that...Kotaroh has been reincarnated...as Kotarou!!
Misha is given orders to go to Earth and live near Kotarou and her actions on Earth will be taking into consideration at a future time in regards to her failed Angel Exam. Kotarou awakens in the present with memories of his past and Misha is overjoyed that he finally remembers. Kotarou isn't to thrilled. In fact, he feels betrayed that everything Misha has ever done for him has been because she's thought he was Kotaroh. Kotarou breaks off his friendship with Misha and then feels heartbroken over it like he's been dumped. Uematsu offers to be the shoulder that Kotarou cries on and finally gets up the courage to ask Kotarou if he's ever thought about liking her! Special Lesson: A comedic look at the holiday's that where skipped by this volume. 3 dossiers on some of Kotarou's teachers.