In the years since she has last seen the Chairman, Sayuri has read about his attempts to keep his company afloat. She also reminds herself that Nobu did not promise to bring the Chairman to the teahouse, and that she can only hope to see him. When she next visits the teahouse, the Chairman is present and she feels renewed desperation. He starts talking about adversity and how the only way to bear hardship is by imagining one’s dreams coming true. However, the conversation is interrupted when Mameha and Pumpkin enter the room. Nobu and Minister Sato join them shortly afterwards, and they start playing games.

During this part of the evening, Sayuri begins telling a story about her childhood. She refers to a time when she was upset and cried beside the bank of a stream, and, as she says this, she looks at the Chairman. She hopes that this story will touch upon a unique connection between them, but he does not seem to be paying attention. She therefore abandons this story.

As a result of their drinking games, Pumpkin has become extremely inebriated and has to be helped home. Minister Sato, meanwhile, mutters that the evening has been very enjoyable.