Summary

The narrative shifts back to Philip as an old man where he just finished showing Michiko the poem that he gave to Endo-san. Philip felt the need to show her the book to validate his own memories. Then Philip decided to show Michiko something else. He took her out to the beach and down to an old boathouse on the river inlet. They got on the boat and he steered them towards a spot swarming with beautiful fireflies. Philip caught one for her. This reminded her of Endo-san, and Philip admitted that Endo-san once told him that he liked to watch fireflies with an old friend. He now assumed the old friend was Michiko.

In recalling more memories, Michiko admitted that she was not entirely honest about her relationship with Endo-san. She disobeyed her father’s order to never see Endo-san. Because...