第3話

あらすじ

日本語の要約がないため、Englishで表示しています。

出典に基づく · バージョン: v1 · オリジナル

Satoru tries to determine the exact day Kayo vanished, knowing only that it happened before their March 2 birthday. During a school skating race, he deliberately avoids surpassing a talented classmate because he fears changing unrelated events, but his hesitation disappoints Kayo and creates friction with the other boy. After repairing the misunderstanding, Satoru confirms Kayo's birthday with their teacher, Gaku Yashiro, and concludes that March 1 is the critical date. He visits Jun Shiratori, the friendly delivery worker later blamed for the kidnappings, and remains convinced that Jun is innocent. Satoru then goes to Kayo's home and discovers her locked in a freezing storage shed with visible injuries. The encounter confirms that her mother, Akemi, is abusing her. Yashiro explains that school staff and child welfare officials have suspected abuse but lack decisive evidence and have been unable to remove Kayo. When classmates accuse Kayo of stealing lunch money, Satoru publicly defends her. Later, he takes her up a snowy hill to see trees glittering with frost, giving her a rare peaceful memory. The episode ends with Satoru more determined to protect her before March 1 arrives.