Buchio realizes that the source of his fear is loneliness, and learns the importance of living in the here and now. Jiro reveals the sad memories he's kept locked up inside in his efforts to avoid worrying Mutsumi.

A strange shadow appears near the Sugimoto house and nearly swallows Mutsumi. Jiro and Tazenbo manage to save her at the last moment. As Mutsumi recovers, they question the shadow about its obsession with her.