Tatsuyoshi Suzuki, a 14-year-old boy in 1950s Mitajiri, Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, leads the Destiny Squad—a group of local children including Shinko and Kiiko. The squad explores their rural village and builds a creek dam to create a makeshift pond for a discovered goldfish, embodying their shared bond and aspirations. His father, the town’s police officer, dies by suicide after gambling away a neighbor’s money with an unnamed woman. This tragedy drives Tatsuyoshi to seek vengeance. He and Shinko venture into the village’s shadowy districts at night, locating the woman. Tatsuyoshi raises his hand to strike her but halts upon witnessing her profound grief. Overwhelmed by memories of his father, he collapses into an emotional breakdown.

In the aftermath, Tatsuyoshi announces his imminent departure from Mitajiri. Before leaving, he vows to become a good father someday. Shinko advises him to savor his remaining childhood. These events mark his pivotal transition from a childhood group leader to a youth confronting loss and responsibility.