As the 15th anniversary of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake approaches, Takayoshi Kagi, the former principal of Okawa Elementary School in Ishinomaki City, is faced with the emotional weight of remembering his wife, Chieko, and his father, Takashi, who were both lost in the disaster. On that tragic day, his school served as an evacuation center, where he helped distribute emergency food to those affected. However, returning to his home four days later brought a heart-wrenching reunion with his son, while the absence of his wife and father loomed heavily in his heart, marking a daily struggle with grief.

The loss during the disaster was not just personal for Kagi; it reflected the collective trauma experienced by many families in the region. The phone call from the police after the funeral signified the harsh reality of the situation, a moment that forever changed the trajectory of his life. The memories of that day and its aftermath haunt him, exacerbated as he approaches the date of the earthquake which remains burned in his memory as the day everything changed.

As he contemplates his life now, Kagi embodies the resilience of those who have faced such tragedy, yet his journey is also one of ongoing conflict between remembrance and moving forward. His story, while deeply personal, resonates with a broader narrative of recovery and remembrance in a community that is still healing from the scars of the past. The anniversary serves not only as a reminder of the catastrophic event but also as a time to reflect on personal losses and the ongoing support needed for those left behind.