At a park in Japan, Makiko watches her seven-year-old son Toshi play dodgeball with older boys. She thinks of the ways that American culture has become more present in Japan since the end of World War II, from dodgeball to a new lunch program at Toshi’s school. Makiko reflects on how her husband left to fight in the war four years earlier, and thinks of how Toshi came home yesterday with chocolates from American soldiers. She had gotten upset and exclaimed that those soldiers killed Toshi's father. When they return home from the park, Makiko lets Toshi light the incense near their family altar and tells him to talk to his father in his mind and update him about his life. Toshi is more interested by the matches, and doesn’t pray for as long as Makiko would like. During dinner, Toshi asks if he will eventually forget her, like he has forgotten many memories of his father. Makiko tells him that he will remember everything from now on. That night, Makiko jolts awake from a dream in which her husband hit her with a fly swatter. She remembers old memories of him acting somewhat violently toward her. The mother and son are soon joined by Makiko’s younger brother Noboru, and the three of them attend a festival for Tanabata Day. Noboru mentions how Japanese people must change to fit the new world. Toshi enjoys himself; he eats corn and plays with sparklers. Makiko hopes he will remember this time.