Picture Bride

Hana prepares her home for Kenji’s stay. She converts Mary’s nursery to a cheerful guest room. When Kenji arrives, he is thankful but solemn. Hana shares her dilemma with Mrs. Davis, who sympathizes with Hana’s hospitality and raises her pay.

One day, Kenji offers to take Mary to the park. Hana is cautious but agrees, understanding that trusting Kenji will boost his self-esteem. While she awaits their return, Hana reads a letter from Kiku, who informs Hana that she is pregnant with her first child. Hana writes a response in which she comments that she and Taro have grown increasingly distant.

Anxiety overwhelms her when she realizes that Kenji and Mary have been gone for over an hour. Hana walks to the park herself and is pleasantly surprised to see that Kenji and Mary are eating ice cream. When Taro comes home from the shop, he is obviously despondent.

As Kenji shows improvement in his mind and mood, Hana’s concerns shift to Taro’s well-being. He refuses to discuss the shop. When she presses him for information, he reveals that he is in debt due to higher rent, utility fees, and business expenses. Because much of her time has been directed at Mary, Kenji, and Mrs.