The narrator wakes up and finds a note from Natsuo saying that he'll be away from home for a few days. He's sorry, he says, but he doesn't want to be a burden to his father, who's been fighting so hard for his marriage. Natuo asks if he thinks he's forced himself to go along with the marriage, and the narrator replies that he has made him endure "so much until now" . The narrator tells him that he can go home early if he wants, and he can bring him some of his family's "special health juice" if he needs it. He also says that he wants to take some time off from school so he can get to know his son better. He asks if anyone has tried to contact him, and Natuo says that they've all sent him texts. He says that school sent him a message asking him what happened the night before, and that it's probably his fault for telling him that. He then says that if he finally gives up on his teacher, she'll turn to him and tell him that she's so kind that he should be the one to take care of her. The boys taunt Nats him, saying that his "body's stiff" from sitting in his room all day. He tells them that if they still have the "energy to fight" , then they should just be fine. He goes on to say that a child has "no place setting foot" in a "adult's world" and that he wishes he could write a novel.