In post-war Japan, Sayo, a 27-year-old woman, leads a quiet life in Tokyo alongside her widowed father, Shukichi, an elderly university professor. Although Sayo is an independent woman who finds pleasure in her daily routine, societal pressure and the intervention of friends and relatives create a growing internal conflict: her family considers her an old maid. The relationship between father and daughter is intimate and close, but Sayo's life takes an unexpected turn when her father begins to consider the possibility of a new life, seeking to match his daughter with a suitor.
When a childhood friend returns to Tokyo and presents herself as the ideal wife, doubts about Sayo's future begin to surface. The thought of leaving her father alone torments her, but the human need to form her own family clashes with the strong bond they have built. Striking a balance between personal freedom and family ties, Sayo delves into a world of complex emotions as she faces the reality of aging alone. This delicate story, subtly crafted, examines the tension between societal expectations and individual desires, portraying the search for identity and the meaning of happiness in a Japan seeking its place in the post-war world. With a poetic and profound approach, the narrative unfolds a rich exploration of loneliness, love, and the sacrifices that life entails.