In this chapter, we are introduced to a new character named Mantaro. He is the protagonist of the story and the main antagonist of the novel. Mantaro is a glutton for punishment, and he is consumed by the desire to eat as much food as he can in a short period of time. He complains that he has been unable to eat for four days, and that he will have to return to work in three days. When Mantaro asks if he has caught a cold, he is told that he does not have a cold and that the reception at work is bad. He tells Mantaro that he must send an e-mail to his employer while he is on his business trip, and Mantaro agrees to do so. He also tells him that he cannot eat anything hard, as his stomach is already contracting. He says that he can fill his stomach with porridge, which is a type of rice that is soaked in water and then cooked in the same way as the rest of his body. He adds that he knows that the tournament will be held one hour late, but he is happy to hear that it will now begin at one o'clock in the afternoon instead of the earlier scheduled time of one hour and ten minutes.