Her relationship with her stepson began forcefully. Reiko realized she was interfering with her daughter and son-in-law's efforts to conceive, so she proposed to end their cohabitation. But immediately afterward, an unexpected event shook her emotionally. Her daughter opposed ending the arrangement, not wanting to leave Reiko feeling lonely. Yet Reiko knew she couldn't resist her stepson while starved for male affection. Still, she couldn't ignore her daughter's kindness. Thus, Reiko is torn—drawn into a physical bond with her stepson as a woman, while simultaneously wishing for her daughter's happiness as a mother. This inner conflict and emotional complexity deepen the story's intensity.