Summary

During the night, Yosa told Gilbert that many people believe that those who commit suicide in Aokigahara become vengeful spirits who wreak havoc on the living, and that they are in danger by sleeping there. Gilbert responded with annoyance, then felt guilty and began a speech about beards and their cultural and religious significance throughout history, including the clean-shaven samurai. He noted that philosophers frequently wear beards, and stated that because they were on a pilgrimage, he would grow out his own beard, adding that Yosa's goatee is therefore appropriate. When he finished this speech, Gilbert noticed that Yosa was sobbing.

The narrator explains that Yosa was wearing a false beard because he could not grow facial hair well, and he had been teased for looking too feminine since he was a child. It is further noted that Yosa had no friends and...