After the two began to make their partnership steady, the team, now known as Negi Ramen encountered a 12 year old girl named Mitsuki Kouyama. Takuto sub-conconciously related his past with Mitsuki’s present and took pity on her, so instead of doing their job, the team was also now “baby-sitting” Mitsuki, and helping her achieve her dream. This does not settle well with Meroko, whom suspects Takuto of having a crush on MItsuki(which she is right about) Meroko’s jealously of Mitsuki caused her to lash out against her with the help of Izumi, but after Mitsuki promises Meroko that she will not take Takuto away, Meroko begins to treat Mitsuki like a daughter.
Mitsuki, being very nosey, starts to poke into Takuto’s past. Meroko realizes that Takuto is in danger and Warns Mitsuki (violently, with a slap in the cheek) She pleads with Mitsuki, and then starts to break down. “Why are you the one that can connect with Takuto..why can’t it be ME?” She starts to realize that their relationship is crumbleing, and she is truly afraid. Mitsuki however,believes Takuto cares for her.
Now, Meroko is very dedicated to Mitsuki. She is precious enough to keep alive to Meroko,so when Mitsuki goes missing, Meroko helps Takuto find her. When they do, Mitsuki passes out. Meroko starts to cry and tells Takuto to keep her alive. She knows that Mitsuki is harmful to Takuto because she is brining his memories back, but she doesn’t want to see either of them leave. She says she wants to believe. She knows that this will make MitTakuto flies for her. So does Meroko. Afterwards, Takuto tells her that Mitsuki wasn’t the only one he was protecting, he cared about Meroko as well! Meroko is once again reassured.
After the incident with Hikari, Takuto is trying to explain to Mitsuki that he only cares about her. Mitsuki mentions to him “You also give mixed messages to Meroko”, Takuto lowers his head and turns down, and tells Mitsuki “She only cares about Izumi, I don’t believe anything she says about me”. Meroko overhears him and becomes hurt once again, which adds on to her pain when she sees the two kissing.