Summary

As Chapter 3, "Hikari" (Light) opens, Nori remains wrapped up in thoughts about her brother. Her desire to see him again leads her to consider breaking the rules for the first time. She waits six days after meeting Akira to ask Akiko about him and discovers where his room is. Armed with this knowledge, she waits until the middle of the night, prays, and then sneaks downstairs. Her visit surprises Akira, but he allows her into his room. Nori asks him to ask Yuko to allow them to talk, a request that Akira finds confounding. Nori further shocks him by revealing not been let out of her room for years, prompting him to ask, "'You're telling me that old crone hasn't let you out of this house in nearly three years?'" (57). Even so, Akira says goodnight without making any promises.

Two days later...