Third Tragedy.Seishin works on a novel called Shiki, which describes the undead. Natsuno goes to school and meets his best friend, Mutou Toru, along with Ritsuko. He hitches a ride with them to Mizobe, where they later meet up with a classmate, Masao Murasako, who intensely dislikes Natsuno. Masao has an estranged relationship with his family. Natsuno remembers how he did not want anything to do with the villagers since he moved here, until he met Toru. Meanwhile, Toshio still cannot find a source to the anemia-afflicted victims. His childhood friend, Mikiyasu Yasumori, brings his wife Nao, who is worsening from anemia. Toshio questions Mikiyasu if his workers or clients have been behaving strangely, and Mikiyasu tells him that his family met the Kirishiki couple a few nights ago. Seishin meets Kirishiki Sunako, who claims to be a fan of his essays. She hints at knowing his attempted suicide in the past. Nao passes away the next day from her illness. Masao arrives at Toru's house to announce her death and discovers Natsuno staying over. He almost gets into a fight with Natsuno before Toru breaks them up. Toru goes outside to get a soft drink and meets Tatsumi, who is the Kirishiki's steward. He ominously tells Toru that he will be meeting him again very soon.