In this chapter, the two young men discuss the situation at hand and decide that they must leave the village and return to their families. Hyosuke urges them to do so, but they refuse, saying that they will not be able to fend for themselves if they are forced to flee the village. The two men decide to stay and discuss the matter, but when they return, they find that Mr. Mabrui has been taken to the hospital, and they decide that it is time for them to leave.