A convict, newly released from prison for murder, joins two strangers on a road trip through Hokkaido to visit his ex-wife, whom he hasn’t seen in four years, knowing that if she puts a yellow handkerchief on the flagpole, it would mean that she wants him back at home.

The story begins when young and naive Kinya and a runaway girl named Akemi meet while traveling through Hokkaido. They soon cross paths with Yusaku, a hardened but reserved middle-aged man who joins their road trip.  As they travel, Yusaku gradually opens up to the younger pair. He reveals that he was just released from prison after serving time for manslaughter, having killed a man in a fight he didn’t start.  Yusaku shares bittersweet memories of his past with his ex-wife, Mitsue. Fearing that he was ruining her life, he divorced her from prison so she could move on.  Before leaving prison, Yusaku sent a letter to Mitsue telling her he was giving her her freedom. However, he also told her that if she was still single and waiting for him, she should tie a yellow handkerchief to a flagpole outside their home.  Overcoming his profound anxiety and deep fear of rejection, the two young companions encourage and escort Yusaku to his old house.  When they finally approach the house, Yusaku spots a towering flagpole covered entirely in yellow handkerchiefs fluttering in the wind. The deeply emotional reveal confirms that she has remained devoted and is waiting for his return.