The chapter opens with Hiroyuki's description of the way he looks. He's worried that no one will notice that he's running away from the woman he loves. He tells Hiroyuki that he can't figure out what's wrong with him. He doesn't know how to play nogiku, he says, so he'll leave Hiroyuki before he can figure it out. Hiroyuki tells him that they're going to meet up with the man who found out the secret of the lipstick. He says that Hiroyuki has some documents that should be in his possession, so they'll be able to figure out a way to exchange secrets. He shows Hiroyuki his father's study of ancient red pigments, which he found in his dad's room.