In this chapter, Kate marks the six-month anniversary of Asahi's departure from Japan. She and her companion Hiroshi visit him at a hospital in the city of Cologne, Germany, where he is being treated for his wounds. As they wait for him to arrive, Kate notices that he is pale and complains that he has not yet finished his work. She urges him to go back to his hotel, but he refuses, saying he is not finished with his work and will not be able to return to Japan for the New Year's holiday.