Returning to Japan after spending five years overseas, Noriko visits her parents in Kanazawa, where both the familiar and the new await her. The city stirs memories of her youth and brings to light secrets she once believed were long buried.
Feeling stuck in a marriage that brings her no fulfillment, Mimi discovers a new spark through her encounters with the local garbage collector, Kou. Now living with Kou while still legally wed to another man, she wrestles with the choices that brought her here and whether to keep up appearances or chase genuine happiness.
Hatoko Nikawa, now 39, looks back on her "best ten" moments, all of which happened before she turned 18. Excitement builds as her middle school reunion draws near, and she looks forward to seeing her first love again, though she is uncertain how much he has changed over the years.
Maho Katou struggles with overwhelming difficulties: a son who stays in bed all day, a daughter who is seldom at home, and a husband without a job. Working night shifts at a local store to support her family leaves her almost no time for rest or enjoyment. As Maho pushes herself to her limits, the toll on her health becomes increasingly apparent.