In this chapter, the reader is introduced to the protagonist, Meru, who is learning to communicate with other children in a Japanese school. The protagonist is introduced as a "passive child" , a term that refers to a person who does not speak or act in a formal manner. He explains that Meru has a severe problem communicating with strangers, and that he likes children like her because they do not need to express themselves. He tells her that he has had a bad experience speaking with a stranger, and he hopes that this experience will be good for her. He says that he had a similar experience many years ago, when he did not speak to anyone for a week. He decides that he will try to communicate to Meru in a more formal manner, and says that if she has something to say, he will say it. He then tells her to stop fidgeting, and to stop using the word "puppet" to refer to dead bats. He also says that the teacher has banned the use of "atmo sphere" in the classroom, which means that the two of them can no longer exchange seats. The teacher tells the protagonist that he should get back to his seat before Meru wakes up, because she has banned him from communicating with her. She tells him that the spring comes every fourteen years, and the insects are gathering in the fields to meet.