The next morning, Fermn arrives at the bookshop euphoric after his night out and erupts into insults about Professor Javier Velzquez when Daniels father mentions an important delivery to him. To avoid Fermn confronting Velzquez, Daniel volunteers to take the parcel himself and leaves while Fermn and Daniels father argue over money, morals, and Velzquezs character.

Daniel walks through an October-bright Barcelona toward the university, reflecting on the city and remembering Fermns cynical predictions about television. At the Literature Faculty, Daniel finds Professor Velzquez flirting with a female student in the corridor and waits, noticing the professors predatory reputation and trying not to interrupt.

Velzquez greets Daniel and mocks Fermn as a dangerous, drunken leftist, then takes the books and places a new order for a Franco memoir with notes by Pemn. As the conversation shifts, the student turns around and reveals herself as Beatriz Aguilar, Tomss sister, shocking Daniel because of his long-standing discomfort and resentment toward her.

Bea teases Daniel about an old insult and points out that Toms believes Daniel really resents Beas father and takes it out on her. Daniel is disarmed by Beas frankness; Bea admits she is vain and explains she is studying literature because her father dismisses science for women. Their conversation turns tense when Bea mentions her boyfriend, Lieutenant Pablo Cascos Buenda, and her planned move to El Ferrol after marriage, and Daniels jealousy makes him needle her until Bea angrily walks away.

Daniel chases Bea, apologizes, and admits the real cause: jealousy and anger at the idea of Bea leaving Barcelona for a life she may not want. He asks for a chance at friendship and promises to show her something in Barcelona she has never seen, insisting she cannot leave without carrying the citys memory. Bea accepts the truce, warns that Toms will punish Daniel if he lies, and agrees to meet Daniel on Friday at five, leaving Daniel stunned by the bold commitment he has just made.