Summary

In Chapter 27, Hanako spends her evenings doing homework. Baachan insists that everyone stay out of the room while she studies. Hanako realizes the entire family is doing what she wants, and that they would rush to bring her a drink, if she asked. She never does, but likes the fact that it could happen. Akira is constantly fussy because he craves food such as meat, peanut butter, and apples. Hanako begins challenging herself to walk farther from the house alone, both in the daylight and at night.

In Chapter 28, Hanako soon walks to and from school by herself. She realizes that part of becoming more mature is that she spends more time alone. She loves spending time among the pine trees, feeling their positive energy. One day, she arrives home and discovers no one else is there. Kiyoshi arrives and, for the first...