In the autumn, Aoyama finds a magenta wild ginseng flower near her cottage. After Chi-chan identifies it, Aoyama decides to leave it undisturbed.

Over a lunch of Yanagawa pot, Aoyama jokes that Chi-chan should move in with her, then frames it as practical preparation for Mainland domestic life before her arranged marriage. When Chi-chan plays along with her suggestion, Aoyama becomes irritated. They settle the matter with dice; Aoyama loses. To placate her, Chi-chan offers to do Aoyama a small favor. Aoyama requests that Chi-chan wear a Western-dress, stay one night together at the Taihoku Railway Hotel, and have a formal dinner there at her expense.

On the train to Taihoku, Aoyama privately weighs the contradictions in Chi-chan’s skills and competencies that do not match her modest origins or school teaching. To probe, she proposes a question-for-a-question game. This does little to resolve Aoyama’s curiosity.

After lunch, Aoyama uses culinary talk to invite Chi-chan to Kyūshū; Chi-chan sees through the invitation and senses a truer second request. Aoyama asks to have a kimono made for Chi-chan. Chi-chan asks for time to consider the offer. They complete their stay in Taihoku and return to Taichū.

On the return train, Chi-chan asks how Aoyama regards her.