In this chapter, we learn more about the relationship between Maekawa and Shimizu. We learn that Maekawa was afraid that she wouldn't be able to get along with a girl because she didn't want to be associated with women. Maekawa's fear was that she'd be rejected, and she wanted to protect her from being rejected. We also learn that the two of them have been friends since the beginning of the novel, and Maekawa has always loved Maekawa, even though she's not attracted to her.