Haruki marries Ayame, the foreman of his mother’s shop, and it proves to be a beneficial arrangement. When his mother becomes ill and dies of cancer, Ayame becomes Daisuke’s caregiver after nursing her ailing mother-in-law during her illness.

When Totoyama-san dies, the couple sells the shop and moves to Yokohama. Ayame offers to stay home and take care of Haruki’s brother while Haruki continues his career. Daisuke, now almost thirty years old, does not go into public often, as he is easily upset by loud noises, bright lights, and crowds.

In the beginning of their marriage, Haruki and Ayame try to conceive a child. When Ayame is diagnosed as infertile, they never make love again. Instead, Ayame begins to consider her brother-in-law as her son; because of their differing sleep patterns, Haruki and Ayame rarely encounter each other in bed. 

One evening after a long bath, Ayame walks by the park behind the cemetery, a place where all sorts of lovers convene for sex. Ayame is approached by a woman who offers to “do things” for her in exchange for money. Ayame walks home, stunned, but continues to think about that woman despite her efforts not to do so.

Months later, Ayame returns to the spot, and the same woman approaches her. She begins engaging Ayame in sexual acts but is furious when Ayame fails to produce money for the favors. Ayame runs back home and finds that her husband has returned. Daisuke has unexpectedly awakened and is upset that he couldn’t find anyone at home. He has begun asking for his mother but is comforted when Ayame offers to read him a picture book about old trains.