The chapter opens with Hiroshi's soliloquy on his journey to England. He tells us that he is on his way back to Japan, and that tomorrow will be the day of his first overseas trip. He is excited about the trip, but he is worried that he will not be able to make it to the city of Karasuma on time. He worries that the people on the train will think that they are going to see him, and he wonders if they are trying to be "the beatles" . He also worries that they have arrived too early, as it looks like a layover. He wonders if the train has an overland express line, like the one that goes to the United States. He feels sorry for the people who think they will see him at the train station, as they are adults and are old enough to deal with the truth. He asks if they think they would accept him as an explana, as he is, if he were looking forward to his return to Japan. He thinks that they look like ants in the garden, and wonders if there are only fourteen rocks there.