As winter drew to a close and the first signs of spring emerged, Takeo returned home wearing a heavy coat, only to be shocked by his mother Sumika's lightly dressed figure. Despite feeling the chill, she insisted, "It's warm enough," and completely ignored Takeo's urging to change into warmer clothes. The next day, she continued doing housework in even less clothing, drawing disdainful glances from him. Yet Sumika remained unfazed and prepared to head out shopping as usual. Her strange behavior carried some hidden meaning, and gradually, an unsettling emotion began to stir within Takeo.