Misakilivesinaruraltownsituatedamonglush,greenmountainsbeneathaclearblueskyDespitegraduatingfromauniversityinTokyo,shewasunabletofindthejobshehopedforduetothelackofemploymentopportunitiesthatbefellhergenerationJustabouteverythinghasgonebadlyforherandnowsheisonthevergeofturning40However,shehasdreamsofmarryingheraging,handicappedmotherMitsuko'scareworker,Naoki,whopaysvisitstotheirhomeHerclandestinemeetingswithNaokiareoneofMisaki'soasesfromMitsuko'sharshdaytodayverbalabuseTheotheristhebeefarmrunbyherchildhoodfriendKaoriThehoneyKaoridiligentlyworkstomakeissweet,mild,andsoothingButthenMisakiiscruellybetrayedbyNaokiAndKaoriabruptlydiesTheseeventsdriveMisaki'shearttothebrinkofbursting"Whydidshehavetodie"