Shoji Seki, father of Oriko Seki, died alongside his wife Sakiko in a car accident while returning from a Shinto spring festival in Hananoyu. The collision occurred shortly after their arrival at the festival, leaving their daughter Oriko as the sole survivor.

Before his death, Shoji ingrained in Oriko the philosophy that an inn must welcome everyone without exception. This principle anchors Oriko’s role as a junior innkeeper at her grandmother’s ryokan, Hananoyu Inn, guiding her interactions with guests. His teachings directly inspire her to invite disheveled visitors—including a grieving father and son, and later a family tied to the fatal accident.

Shoji surfaces in Oriko’s memories and dreams, reflecting her lingering grief and subconscious processing of loss. These glimpses underscore his supportive presence as a parent and the profound impact of his absence on her emotional path. His legacy endures through Oriko’s dedication to hospitality and her eventual reconciliation with the circumstances of his death.