At the safe house apartment, Aomame watches the morning news but sees nothing about Leader’s death, which suggests to her that Sakigake disposed of the body in secret. Later that day, Tamaru calls and hands the phone to the dowager, who is surprised when Aomame reveals that Leader knew she was there to kill him. Aomame goes on to explain, “The things he did were deviant and deserving of death, but he was no ordinary human being. Or at least he possessed something special” (512).

That evening, Aomame finds a copy of Air Chrysalis among some books placed in the safe house to help her occupy the time. She begins reading it.

Without explaining how she knows, Fuka-Eri insists that Aomame is there in Koenji within walking distance. However, she also says that Aomame is in hiding and therefore it will be difficult to find her.

Tengo closes his eyes and tries to recreate in his mind the day she held his hand, hoping to remember something he missed. One new detail emerges: Outside the classroom window, the moon was visible even though it was daytime.