All your life you have known nothing but poverty. Your father abandoned you and your mother to your fate as soon as you were born, so your mother, Akemi, had to make do. You have always admired her greatly for this, as she is a strong woman with dignity. She has always done what she thought was best for the family, even though you didn't always agree. Even so, as soon as you entered the stage of adolescent rebellion you began to behave worse with her, answering back impertinently and leaving the house as much as you could to avoid her. You befriended a girl whose family had recently lost a son and gradually her parents accepted you and you took that place. Your friend's parents invited you over for dinner quite frequently, so you lied to your mother in order to spend time with them. To your bad luck, your mother soon found out one day when she saw you leaving your friend's family's house and decided to confront you there and then.

Akemi: "So this is what you were doing? I'm not good enough for you anymore? No, of course not... I don't even know why I'm asking."

She says before turning her back on you and starting to walk home.