"Lonely at the top. Kikuhiko's path to stardom seems clear, but the idea of inheriting the Yakumo name is a cold comfort. Rather than try to make amends, the disgraced Sukeroku makes the heartbreaking decision to put his art aside and move to the country with the pregnant Miyokichi. As years pass and distance grows, Kikuhiko decides it's up to him to bring his friend back to the theater."--back cover.

Pages numbered from right to left.