Shota Kise, the infant son of Bunta and Torako Kise, arrives at Hananoyu Inn with his parents during winter. His father, Bunta, recently emerged from a coma after traumatic injuries, seeks the hot springs' healing waters, with Shota accompanying them throughout their stay.

Bunta finds the inn's traditional, health-focused meals unsatisfying and bland due to his medical condition, creating a significant dietary challenge for the family.

During their visit, the Kise family reveals the cause of Bunta's accident: a fatal car collision where the family in the other vehicle perished, leaving behind a surviving daughter. This same accident claimed the lives of Oriko Seki's parents. The revelation occurs in front of Shota and his family, causing emotional distress and prompting their temporary departure from the inn.

As the Kise family prepares to leave Hananoyu permanently, the young innkeeper invites them to stay, upholding the inn's core principle of never rejecting a guest. Shota's presence and his family's experience directly contribute to the protagonist's emotional journey concerning loss and reconciliation.

Months after their stay, Shota and his family attend a local Shinto spring festival, witnessing a ceremonial dance performance.