Synopsis

In Nakano City, Nagano Prefecture, Saito Mifuyu (portrayed by Shida Mirai), an 18-year-old girl, sits beside her mother Saito Yukie (Yoshimoto Miyoko) in a hospital room. Yukie is terminally ill and approaching her final days. Mifuyu only learned of her mother’s illness during her final year of high school. She spent the entire year caring for her mother and managing household duties, leaving no time to plan for her future.

While Yukie reassures her daughter that “living honestly will surely bring help,” Mifuyu harbors doubts and subtle resistance. Her mother remains unaware that after her death, Mifuyu’s father Saito Koji (Haruta Junichi) will move his mistress Haruka (Hyunri) into their home, ultimately leading to Mifuyu’s eviction.

Eight months later, Mifuyu arrives at a luxurious residence in Tokyo, home to her mother’s cousin Kashimada Naoko (Otsuka Nene). Facing an imposing two-family house, Mifuyu rings one of two intercoms and is met with an unfriendly elderly woman’s voice. After convincing them she isn’t a salesperson, Kashimada Hisako (Matsubara Chieko), reveals herself. Mifuyu presents a letter from Naoko stating, “Your mother helped me, so please come stay with us.” However, Hisako firmly responds, “I know nothing about this,” and closes the door.

An hour later, Naoko returns with her friend Ffukumoto Hitomi (Kuninori Sayuri). Finally allowed inside, Mifuyu learns that Hisako is her husband’s mother in this two-family home. While Naoko appears kind and cheerful, she shocks Mifuyu by asking, “So, how long are you planning to stay? A month?”

Realizing that living honestly doesn’t guarantee help, Mifuyu examines her meager belongings and entire savings of 30,000 yen. In this affluent neighborhood, that amount would barely buy enough land to stand on one foot. As she yearns for enough space to stand with both feet, something begins to change within her. The story takes a turn when Mifuyu discovers that Naoko’s husband Kashimada Yutaro (Haba Yuichi) has hidden a gift for his mistress in their room.