In this chapter, the narrator tells us that she has always wanted to protect the family home from harm, even though she has never met her brother. She tells us, "I said that because I met mao and I want to protect my home." The narrator then goes on to say that she is going back home for Christmas, and that her aunt and uncle are going to be worried about her and her brother's relationship. She says that she won't be able to stop crying, though, because she knows that she and hiro will live together again. She also says that hiro wants them to come back to his house, but that she doesn't think hina is thinking that way. The narrator says that if she didn't buy a sparkler for about $130, hiro would be a total jerk. He says that he is 19 years old, and he is in college. He asks her if she is a ringer at the group date she's going to, and she says she is. He tells her that people make big changes in people's lives when they meet new people. She asks if this is true, and says that nothing has changed because of her meeting with hiro. She then asks her brother to stop talking about her relationship with him, and tells him that she came home because she wanted to see him. She apologizes for making him worry, but she says that, though she loves him, she is the one who needs to be sorry. She thanks him for his kindness, and then goes to talk to her uncle and aunt.