Introducation

Life is always being just a little late
Ryota is the 40 year-old son of the Yokoyama family. He has recently married a widow with a ten year-old son from her previous marriage, who are joining him on a rare visit home. Only his elderly parents now live in the house, which once doubled as a flourishing medical clinic. The annex, a medical examining room still boasting a wall of pharmaceuticals, remains unchanged, though the patriarchal doctor has retired. Despite the unchanged outward appearances, everything has slightly aged.
The family has gathered to remember Junpei, the eldest son, who died in a terrible accident fifteen years ago. Ryota has never lived up to his brilliant brother who was supposed to take over the family clinic and remains uncomfortable with his father. He arrives home, determined to hide the fact that he is currently unemployed. His older sister, Chinami, has already arrived with her family and is cheerfully entertaining the extended family. Toshiko, their deceptively mild-mannered mother emits a string of sarcastic remarks as she bustles around the kitchen preparing the family's favorite foods.