An American named Lieutenant Merriam drives past the rice paddies and the primary school where he had begun his education in Japan. He recalls his Japanese teacher’s surprise at his being the only white boy in the class. A girl in a geisha dress steps outside and building, and he almost runs her over.  He parks his Jeep in front of his friend, Sotaro’s home which is next to the Merriams' old house. The maid brings his friend’s father, Fujino San, to the door, and they greet each other with slight caution, as they have not seen each other in a while.  Lieutenant Merriam asks about how Sotaro is doing, but he learns that no one has heard from Sotaro since he left to fight in the war. Lieutenant Merriam then asks Fujino San about how he has been maintaining the Merriams’ house. He tells Sotaro’s father that he plans on moving in the home again after he gets discharged from war in a few months. Although Fujino San insists that he stay for dinner, Lieutenant Merriam politely declines and tells Fujino San that he must get back to Tokyo soon. Fujino San tells him to visit once again and hopefully Sotaro will be there to join them in the future.