Ota, a Japanese war orphan left behind in China, was working at a bento factory in the snowy north, until the dire financial straits of his employer led to his firing. With no other job prospects, Ota goes to manager Nakamura to ask for another chance. This encounter descends into an argument—Ota claims that Nakamura assaulted him, and heads to the police station to make a report. He contacts a lawyer, Satoshi, to consult him about the case, but Satoshi remains cold towards him throughout. Just when it seems an out-of-court settlement might be reached, the case takes a new turn.