Eureka

During a bus hijacking in rural Kyushu, a gunman takes control, but the three survivors escape unharmed. The act is not shown in detail, yet the incident triggers deep psychological wounds for Makoto, Naoki, and Kozue. The event marks the beginning of their long struggle to cope with trauma.

Naoki and Kozue stop speaking and withdraw from school and parental life. They drift in a dissociated state within the family home, their behavior shaped by the trauma they endured. The collapse of normalcy around them deepens their isolation.

Some time after the hijack, the children's mother leaves the family, further destabilizing the household. The split erodes any sense of stability the children once had. The home becomes a fragile shelter rather than a sanctuary.

Later, their father is killed in a car crash, with ambiguity around whether it was suicide. The loss intensifies the children’s sense of abandonment and danger surrounding their lives. The family is left with fewer supports as events spiral.

Makoto cannot face normal life after the hijack and ventures back on the road. He travels away from the family home, seeking a way to cope with his trauma. His absence adds strain to the family as they try to endure without him.

When Makoto returns, he finds his wife has left him, deepening his sense of failure. He cannot return to driving a bus and instead works as a day-laborer for an old school-friend. The household now includes his father and brothers, shifting the family dynamics.

Makoto moves in with Naoki and Kozue, taking over housekeeping and ensuring they eat properly. The trio settles into a fragile, improvised family routine. Naoki remains largely mute while Kozue begins to speak a little again.

The detective who handled the hijacking begins to pressure Makoto about a murder in the neighborhood, seemingly without solid evidence. The relentless questioning heightens tension within the makeshift family. Makoto's nerves fray as suspicion falls around him.

Akihiko, the older cousin, comes to stay and look after Naoki and Kozue. The four form a tense but functional arrangement, trying to keep order while the truth of their trauma lingers. Doubts and unease linger beneath the surface.

Another murder occurs, targeting a friend of Makoto. The suspect is arrested but released, and he shares a longing to return to driving and take everyone away from their troubles. He and Makoto begin to consider leaving their past behind for a fresh start.

They purchase an old bus and convert it into living space, beginning an extended tour around the island. The journey provides escape but also exposes underlying tensions, especially Naoki's growing disturbance. The road offers both freedom and fear.

As the trip continues, Naoki is revealed to be the murderer. Makoto confronts him and convinces Naoki to surrender to the authorities. The confrontation marks a turning point, forcing the group to face consequences and seek some form of accountability.

Makoto loses his temper with Akihiko's cynical outlook and throws him off the bus. The remaining trio continues the journey with fewer voices, tightening their bond in the wake of betrayal. The decision reflects Makoto's desire for a more honest path forward.

Makoto and Kozue reach the peak of Kyushu's highest mountain, where they realize they can face ordinary life again. The moment signals a shift in perception and marks the transition from sepia to color. The journey ends with a fragile sense of hopeful endurance.