after the funeral, kōichi, shige, and keizō leave immediately; only noriko remains. after they leave, kyōko expresses to noriko her anger about her siblings by deriding them over their selfishness toward their parents. she believes that kōichi, shige, and keizō do not care how hard it will be for their father now that he has lost their mother. kyōko believes that strangers would have been more respectful. noriko responds that while she understands kyoko's disappointment, she explains that everyone has their own life to lead and that the growing chasm between parents and children is inevitable. she convinces kyoko not to be too hard on her siblings because one day she will come to understand how hard it is to take time away from one's own life.