The chapter opens with the narrator lamenting that the festival has come to a halt. He wonders if the festival organizers have finally decided to "freeze out" with the preparations for the festival. The narrator criticizes the festival for being a "silly festival" and says that he does not care what anyone else thinks of it. He also criticizes his family for mocking him behind his back. He says that inabas mother is gone and that everyone should apologize to her. He is glad that she will not leave them alone. He feels that fate has brought her and Aoki together and wonders if they will forgive each other.