after kyōko leaves for school, noriko informs her father-in-law that she must return to tokyo that afternoon. shūkichi tells her that she has treated them better than their own children despite not being related by blood. noriko protests that she is selfish, and shūkichi credits her self-assessment to humility. he gives her a watch from the late tomi as a memento. noriko breaks down in tears and confesses her loneliness. shūkichi encourages her to remarry as soon as possible, stating that he wants her to be happy. at the end, noriko travels from onomichi back to tokyo, contemplating the watch, as symbol of the passing of time and uncertainty of her future, while shūkichi remains behind, resigned to the solitude he must endure in his home in the harbor town of onomichi.