I wouldn't take that bet. Of course he wants to be reunited with his friends. Even now, there isn't really anyone who he hangs out with. Just the older guy at his karuta society, and the neighbor girl who seems to be sweet on him. He was friendly to them, but Arata doesn't seem to have any friends other than those two. When he isolated himself after his grandfather's death, the problem only got worse.

I guess the bigger question then, is what Shinobu will do if he does. That flash of memory she had was simply too ambiguous. Does she like him, or think of him as her favorite rival? I fear the more and more we learn about her, the more I can't help but see her as the melancholic version of Chihaya.

Taichi getting hit by five towels at once made me laugh aloud. Damn his popularity! This is why he doesn't need Chihaya. He's got so many alternatives, one of them is even a cougar!