After the Storm

Ryota, a once-recognized author, is now barely making ends meet with his work as a private detective. His small earnings are consumed by gambling, leaving him unable to support his son or pay child support. This sets the tone for his ongoing financial and personal struggles.

Ryota receives an offer to write for a manga series that features an upcoming artist. However, his pride and inability to adapt to new opportunities prevent him from taking this chance, illustrating his deep-rooted issues with acceptance and change.

Following the death of their father, Ryota's mother, Yoshiko, starts to engage more with life through hobbies alongside local elderly ladies. This shift signals her attempt to move on, but it also highlights Ryota's own stagnation in life.

Ryota visits his mother frequently and becomes suspicious of his sister, Chinatsu, believing she is taking advantage of their mother's kindness. This reveals the underlying tensions and mistrust among family members in the face of financial hardships.

Ryota discovers that their mother is using her social pension to pay for his niece's figure skating lessons. This revelation complicates his feelings, as he is torn between familial responsibilities and his own failures in providing for his son.

Chinatsu reminds Ryota of a secret place where their mother used to hide money from their father. Motivated by desperation, Ryota checks the location, only to be disappointed to find it filled with cardboard and a note from his sister, highlighting his misguided hopes.

Ryota attempts to reconnect with his ex-wife, Kyoko, who is frustrated with his ongoing failures to support their son, Shingo. Her threats to limit his time with their son push Ryota to confront his shortcomings and fear of losing his child.

Ryota feels increasingly insecure as he suspects Kyoko is seeing someone new. The thought of her potential remarriage amplifies his anxiety about his relationship with Shingo and his role as a father.

During a tumultuous night of a typhoon, Ryota and Kyoko confront their relationship's reality. Kyoko bluntly states that their relationship is truly over, emphasizing Ryota's inability to fulfill his responsibilities as a family man.

Amidst the chaos of the storm, Ryota tries to bond with Shingo by recreating a memorable experience he once had with his own father. This nostalgic attempt showcases his desire to connect with his son despite his own failings.

As the storm clears, Ryota and Shingo resume their daily lives, highlighting the cyclical nature of their struggles. This moment serves as a reminder that despite the tumultuous experiences, there is a possibility for new beginnings.