Face to Face

Through a flashback, it is shown how Mei was chosen as the student to be ignored. Mei and Kōichi's discussion continue until the arrival of Mei's mother, who is also the one who makes the dolls for the museum. They seem to have a very distant relationship which surprises Kōichi. Later, while Kōichi is on the phone with his father, the latter asks him how it feels to be back in Yomiyama after being gone for a year and a half, to which Kōichi responds he's never been there before. His father appears to think it over then claims it was a mistake and the call is cut off. Some time afterwards, Mei and Kōichi go to the library and discuss the calamity with Chibiki, who reveals he's kept records of the events over the past 26 years and shares his findings with them.