Pachinko

Haruki marries Ayame, his mother’s long-time employee. Ayame helps to care for his mother, who eventually dies from stomach cancer. She also helps to care for Haruki’s brother, Daisuke, who is now almost 30 but cognitively around 6 years old. They move to Yokohama, where Haruki is able to get a job.

Haruki and Ayame try to have a child for two years before the doctors determine that Ayame is infertile. After this news, they no longer make love. Ayame blames herself; she feels she is too plain and believes being five years older than Haruki has affected the outcome of her being able to bear children. Ayame discovers a secluded area of a park where men and women have sex. She is interested in learning more because she wants to be able to please her husband. She meets a woman who promises that she “can do things for [her],” if she can bring money (366). Ayame is enticed by the girl, but when she returns to the park, she sees Haruki having sex with a man. Ayame hides from him, and the girl finds her. She opens her blouse for Ayame, but Ayame grows disgusted when the girl again brings up money and pushes her away.