Chapter 8 Summary

The story moves back in time again, this time to the summer of 1941. Ishmael and Hatsue have been spending a lot of time together, but Ishmael never feels like he knows Hatsue at all. What Ishmael does know is that he really likes Hatsue and, one day, they finally kiss while they are sitting on the beach. However, when the kiss ends, Hatsue quickly runs away from Ishmael, leaving him utterly dismayed and confused.

No longer able to spend his days with Hatsue, Ishmael works odd jobs around the island during the day, but secretly spies on Hatsue's house at night. Hiding in the plants around the Imadas', he steadily moves closer and closer to the house every night until he is just a few yards away from the house. However, Ishmael stops going when he is almost caught by Hatsue's father during...