In this chapter, we are introduced to a new character, who is introduced as a "substitute girl" . This girl is a friend of the protagonist's, and the protagonist is envious of the girl's "strong willed and willed" nature. The protagonist, however, is not jealous of the other girl, because the girl is "strong" and "willed" in her own way. He is also envious of her beauty and of her "dreamy smile" , but he does not want to be like her because he is not strong enough to be her equal. The other girl asks the protagonist if he has chosen to join a club yet, and he replies that he has, but that she has already chosen one. She tells the protagonist that she is from the same college as the protagonist, and that they are going to meet up for free food at a welcome party. The two girls are interrupted by the arrival of another girl, who introduces herself as "my little cousin." The protagonist is surprised to learn that the girl has given him a "tiny thorn," a symbol of friendship, in her hair, and asks the girl if it is safe to wear it at home. The girl says that she gave it to the protagonist because she thought it would be too cute, but the protagonist thinks it might be better to keep the symbol safe at home, since it might get in the way of her social life at school. The narrator tells the girl that the lecture is in high demand at school, and she does not talk about boys with him because she is "super" and because she thinks she is bad with boys. He says that