In this chapter, the narrator reflects on the importance of the books that he has read. He feels that they are "really precious to me" . He decides to meet up with Kim Jung-heung, who lives next door to him. Kim says that he got out early because he wanted to see Kim. He tells the narrator that he had planned to go to his friend Lee Eun-seok's place, but he had to go back to his own place because he was late. He asks Kim if he has an invitation for a meeting with his friend, but Kim says he already has one. Kim asks if he can have a drink with him tonight, but the narrator says he can't because he has to keep his promise to Kim.