Writer Tsutomu lives alone at a mountain cabin in Nagano. He collects fruits and mushrooms from the mountain. He also raises vegetables in a field. Everyday, he cooks his meals with these natural ingredients. Doing that, he can feel the flow of the seasons and he writes his book. Sometimes, his editor/girlfriend Machiko visits him. They cook with seasonal ingredients and eat together. They have a good time together. Tsutomu seems to be enjoying an easygoing life, but he is still unable to bury his dead wife’s ashes in a grave. His wife died 13 years ago.
Adapted from the essay "Tsuchi wo Kurau Hibi " by Mizukami Tsutomu.
The Mobile Investigative Unit (known as "MIU") of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department attempts to solve cases within 24 hours.
Detective Shima Kazumi is selected as a new member of MIU. He is intelligent, with excellent observation and communication skills. Yet, he does not trust other people. He is unable to find a partner in MIU and is ordered to partner with Police Officer Ibuki Ai, who works at a police substation. Ibuki applied for MIU, but he failed. He is in excellent physical condition, but he lacks knowledge and experience as a detective. Shima learns about Ibuki's background and he becomes more nervous. Finally, Shima has his first meeting with Ibuki.
In 1994, a human skeleton is found in the mountain of Saitama. A shogi game piece is found with the skeleton. The shogi piece was made by a master craftsman. Veteran detective Takeshi and rookie detective Naoya begin to investigate the owner of the shogi piece.
Keisuke is a genius professional shogi player. While doing an interview with a shogi magazine, Keisuke recalls his childhood. In 1972, Keisuke was an elementary school student and he lived with his father. His father was violent and did not even give Keisuke a proper meal. Keisuke happened to meet Koichiro, who was a retired teacher. Koichiro was nice to Keisuke and, because of him, Keisuke became fascinated with the game of shogi.
Detective Takeshi and Detective Naoya go to see Keisuke. Is Keisuke the killer? Who is the dead person?
