Minowada, a young teacher at a National People's School, has his own theory of education and the daughter of his linguistics teacher becomes drawn to him. Kayo, a strong-willed doctor, is also attracted to him. A mediator tries to arrange a marriage but just at that point Minowada receives military call-up papers.

As Noriko becomes widowed, her parents-in-law take her daughter Mitsuko, and Noriko moves to Shanghai to earn money to repay the debt that piled up due to her husband's illness.

An orphan Mihato Mari works as a secretary at a spinning factory.