Keiko Kuromura, older sister to Shusaku Hojo, originated from Kure and married into a watchmaking family, epitomizing Japan's 1920s "modern girl" style. After her husband's poor health caused his death, she endured severe hardship: her in-laws compelled her to surrender custody of her son Hisao as family heir, permitting her only to retain her daughter Harumi. This separation inflicted enduring emotional wounds.

Returning with Harumi to the Hojo household in Kure, Keiko displayed icy criticism toward her brother’s wife Suzu. Her resentment arose from traumatic widowhood—treated as a servant by in-laws—and likely from perceiving Suzu as a traditional pushover. Their friction erupted in repeated conflicts over household duties and Suzu’s perceived ineptitude.

Amid escalating World War II, Keiko endured wartime privations with the family, including rationing and U.S. air raids on Kure. Her cheerful, warship-enthusiast daughter Harumi perished instantly in a bombing that also cost Suzu her right hand. Consumed by grief, Keiko openly blamed Suzu for Harumi’s death, fracturing their relationship utterly.

Gradually, Keiko transformed, admitting her misdirected fury and apologizing to Suzu. This reconciliation forged mutual support: post-injury, Keiko actively aided Suzu with chores, acknowledging her limitations. Shared trauma from Harumi’s death—layered atop Keiko’s existing sorrow over Hisao and her husband—deepened their familial bond. Post-war, Keiko and Suzu stood together in food-aid queues, embodying their adapted solidarity through ongoing struggles.

Keiko’s journey from embittered critic to empathetic pillar underscores her resilience, mirroring traditional family structures frayed by adversity and the potential for healing through collective anguish.