the couple remark on how their children have changed, and they leave for home earlier than planned, intending to see their younger son keizō when the train stops in osaka. though they originally had planned to see him without leaving the train, tomi takes ill during the journey and they decide to disembark, staying until she feels better the next day. when they reach onomichi, tomi falls critically ill. kōichi, shige, and noriko rush to onomichi to see tomi, who dies shortly afterwards. keizō arrives too late, as he has been away on business.