Oda Naomi is a capable and driven woman working in the institutional sales division of Aoi Departmental Store. She holds a curator’s license and had joined Aoi in hopes of transferring to its affiliated art museum. However, her aptitude in sales has kept her trapped in her current post, much to her frustration.
Naomi is the younger sister in her family. Her childhood was marred by domestic violence, where her father was physically abusive toward her mother. Though her father is still alive, Naomi has severed ties with him. The emotional scars from that period continue to shape Naomi’s mistrust of love and marriage. While her elder sister manages to build a family, Naomi remains emotionally shut off, carrying resentment and guilt for having escaped to Tokyo for university and leaving her family behind.
Naomi’s closest friend from university, Hattori Kanako, appears to be living a dream life as the housewife of elite banker Tatsuro. However, beneath the surface lies a harrowing reality: Tatsuro is violently abusive, prone to sudden rages and physical assaults. Kanako lives in constant fear, not just for herself but for her loved ones, whom Tatsuro might harm if she attempts to flee. Her silence about the abuse stems from this deeply rooted fear.
Tatsuro's younger sister, Yoko, looks down on Kanako and believes she is lazy and ungrateful. Despite being aware of Tatsuro’s violent past (his ex-girlfriend had tried to report him for domestic violence before he married Kanako), Yoko turns a blind eye. It is only during a family onsen trip that she sees bruises on Kanako’s body, confirming her suspicions. However, she keeps this knowledge to herself.
Naomi learns of Kanako’s suffering and is overwhelmed by a desire to save her, partly due to her unresolved trauma over her mother’s abuse. She proposes divorce, but Kanako refuses, convinced Tatsuro will retaliate violently against her and anyone who helps her.
Naomi’s perspective begins to change after she meets Li Akemi, a commanding Chinese businesswoman. Over lunch, Naomi confides in Li about a “friend” trapped in an abusive marriage. Li bluntly suggests that the only real escape is to kill the abuser. While Naomi initially recoils at the idea, the seed is planted. She meets Lin Ryuki, a Chinese man who looks similar to Tatsuro, and a dangerous plan starts to form.
Together, Naomi and Kanako plot to kill Tatsuro and use Lin as a body double to make it appear that Tatsuro fled the country to avoid prosecution in a fabricated embezzlement case. Lin agrees to impersonate Tatsuro and leave Japan with his passport, helping to create a plausible cover story.
Lin’s motivations remain practical, perhaps financial or tied to loyalty toward Li Akemi, who orchestrates much of the behind-the-scenes logistics. The murder is carried out in Kanako’s home with required care taken in planning and surveillance. Naomi is especially cautious due to her corporate background and suspicions that Yoko may be watching.
Yoko, already suspicious, installs a bug in Kanako’s home. Over time, inconsistencies in the embezzlement narrative and Kanako’s behavior draw attention. Naomi and Kanako face increasing pressure from the police, Yoko, and Tatsuro’s colleagues. Still, they manage to stay a step ahead.
As the net tightens, Naomi and Kanako make plans to leave Japan permanently. Yoko is relentless and continues her amateur investigation, but lacking hard evidence, she cannot immediately stop them.
Li Akemi becomes their last resort. Using her contacts and resources, she arranges for Naomi and Kanako to escape. The novel ends on a subdued but ambiguous note - whether they manage to find true freedom is left unresolved. The final scenes suggest they have a fighting chance, but the weight of their actions and the trauma they carry leaves a question about whether escape from violence truly brings peace.
