This scene is vital because it deconstructs the "Partner Switch" agreement. Before the trip, Jirou and Akari had a mutual understanding: After the trip, they would switch partners. Jirou would be with Shiori, and Akari would be with Minami.
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Prior to this, Jirou had technically "chosen" Shiori, agreeing to swap partners so they could be with their original crushes. However, the rescue operation complicated everything. Jirou’s desperate drive to save Akari showed everyone—including himself—that his feelings for Akari were far from superficial. fuufu ijou chapter 80