Summary

Kikuko and the protagonist joked about the ghost in the well, and then Kikuko changed the subject and started talking about their mother. Kikuko told the protagonist that their mother “never really blamed” (210) him for his estrangement. They then spoke about their future plans. Kikuko asked if the protagonist would return to California, and she then asked if she “ought to go there” (210) as well.

They then spoke about Watanabe. The protagonist learned that Watanabe killed his entire family along with himself after the firm collapsed. When the protagonist asked Kikuko how their father felt about the firm collapsing, Kikuko said that she was unsure. They then continued talking about the ghost, with more details about where the protagonist used to see her.

After some time spent conversing, they heard their father call them back inside. The father asked Kikuko for help. She...