The chapter opens with a conversation between Hiroshi and Hiroshi's mother. Hiroshi explains that his mother has invited him to visit her at her home for the last time before she dies. He tells her that he is a graduate student and that he and his friend are going for a walk together. He says that his friend's hand is not as good as his own, and that the woman has told him that she will use his hand to print her business cards tomorrow. The conversation continues with Hiroshi explaining that he has not yet fully recovered from his battle with depression. He has told his mother that his family has been "weak" for the past few years, and he wonders if his mother might know what is wrong with his family. He wonders why the average life expectancy for devils in the world is shorter than that of the other devils.