Chapter 22 - "Welcome to the Memories!"

'''Welcome to the Memories! '''("Omoide ni yōkoso!", 思い出にようこそ！) is the twenty-second chapter of the Welcome to the N.H.K manga.

Summary
Misaki Nakahara is seen curled up in fetal position outside of Tatsuhiro Satou's old apartment. The last recollection she has of Satou was from before he was admitted into the hospital, and she was not yet aware that he has moved back to Hokkaido. Kaoru Yamazaki leads her into his abandoned room, and she mopes as no trace of him remains. There was a knocking on his door, but unfortunately for her, it was just her mother doing missionary work. They sit on a bench outside and she assures Misaki that she will find new friends soon enough.

There is an uncomfortable auroma in the car as Satou's parents drive him back home. They exchange small talk about how things have changed, but nothing meaningful. As Satou tries to justify his state, his father tells him just to take his time.

Satou uncovers countless books on "How to Cure Hikikomori" on their living room table, and Shizue Satou quickly absconds them from view. Satou quickly enters panic mode, and rushes to bed.

A quick cutscene of Misaki cleaning dishes at work. A coworker tries to strike up a conversation with her about how her father owns all the buildings around, and how he is impressed with her decision to pick up a job. She seems uninterested. She also tries to hide from sight as her high school "friends" pass her by in the store.

Satou sneaks down from bed to eavesdrop on his parents talking about his condition. They feel that he should be admitted to the hospital for early treatment, and that he might take the news a little bit better now that they've built up trust with him for a few days. Satou accidentally slips down the stairs, and before his mother gets a chance to talk, he runs away from home, discontent with it all. Satou biked back to his apartment where Misaki was curled in a ball inside, reminiscing about past memories she had had with him. Unfortunately for him, Misaki returned home before he could get there in time.

Misaki's mother excitedly tells Misaki that she will be able to re-enroll in school without having to repeat a year. Misaki seems apathetic to the notion, preoccupied with other thoughts, and darts out of her home, to return to her sanctuary of moping. Both she and Satou gaze at the stars, separate from each other, and come to the conclusion that they have unsettled business.