Episode 3 of "Land of Tanabata" unfolds with a dramatic twist as the men cloaked in pristine white ceremonial attire reemerge, their sudden attack on Tagaya jolting the air. These mysterious figures are revealed to be none other than the villagers who had previously crossed paths with Nanmaru and his companions. Their interrogation of Emi, followed by a reassuring assessment that she had witnessed no incriminating details, ultimately paves the way for her and Tagaya's release.
Elsewhere, Nanmaru and Tomoko stumble upon whispers of the Marukami villagers' vehement protests against the golf course. This newfound knowledge fuels a sense of urgency within Emi, who resolutely decides that their group must vacate the treacherous town the very next dawn.
Dawn breaks, and with it, a hasty exodus. All but Emi board their journey back to Tokyo, leaving behind echoes of their fleeting presence. Before his departure, Nanmaru secures a vital exchange of contact information with Sachiko, ensuring a thread of connection amidst the chaos.
Meanwhile, Takashi's relentless pursuit of Nanmaru finds him arriving at the latter's university, seeking answers. Their eventual reunion morphs into a tutorial, where Takashi imparts wisdom on harnessing one's powers with precision. He instructs Nanmaru to channel his abilities into the ether, focusing not on a tangible target but on the void itself.
In a display of mesmerizing prowess, Takashi summons forth a formidable black sphere, hovering majestically between them, its emergence akin to the brightest star piercing the veil of night, yet brimming with an ineffable power that transfixes all who behold it. "Confronted with any matter, be it the unyielding solid or the fluid embrace of liquids, this sphere reacts in the blink of an eye, devouring roughly an equivalent volume to its own," he narrates, his words harmoniously punctuated by the transmutation of a plastic bottle into mere shards, its former integrity shattered by the enigmatic orb's merest touch.
The spectacle, etched into the hearts of those present with awestruck reverence, stands as a living testament to the latent potential within each individual soul – a power that, if wisely harnessed, could reshape the very fabric of reality.
Takashi elaborates profoundly, "To Be Within Reach is a journey that transcends the boundaries of the Window. It entails stretching forth your hand, plucking something intangible from Beyond the Window's veil, and bringing it into your realm." Guided by Takashi's wisdom, Nanmaru envisions twelve fingers pressing upon a single point, and miraculously, he crafts a colossal sphere. Afterwards, he confides in Sachiko about his encounter with her enigmatic brother, Takashi, only to receive a stark warning from her to steer clear.
As if ominous portents were not enough, the tranquility of Marukami Village is disrupted by the influx of outsiders, stirring anxiety among the villagers. Amidst this turmoil, Emi receives a hushed call from Professor Masami, assuring her of his safety yet conveying his irrevocable decision to remain afar from Tokyo. His last words echo a plea for Emi's return before bidding her a sorrowful farewell.
Meanwhile, a masked figure, disturbingly adorned with a dozen fingers, accompanies another into a councillor's address. A colossal, levitating sphere descends upon the unsuspecting councillor, terminating his life as the horrified crowd scrambles for escape.
Emi's return to the university's hallowed halls coincides with Nanmaru's revelation of his newly acquired prowess, garnered from the realms Beyond the Window. His initial elation at mastering this ability soon gives way to foreboding as he learns of murders eerily resembling the means by which his own creation had been forged. Emi's mind races with suspicions, alighting upon Takashi as the potential perpetrator. The night deepens with intrigue as Takashi solicits Nanmaru's aid.
Back in the village, Sachiko treads the path to her beloved great-uncle's bedside, her heart heavy with news of sinister strangers infiltrating their sanctuary. The elder, a peculiar gemstone embedded in his brow and palms, prophesies, "Takashi, Professor Marukami... and yourself. They are all in pursuit of those who possess the power to Reach Beyond." His words resonate with a gravity that echoes through the chamber.
