人口約1300人の小さな集落、外場村。外部とは国道１本でしかつながっておらず、隔絶されたようなこの地には、まだ土葬の習慣が残っている。ある日、山入地区で３人の死体が発見され、村医者の尾崎はその死に不審を感じる。そしてそれ以降、村人が一人、また一人と死んでいく…。
In a flashback, Nao explains to Mr. and Mrs. Hasegawa about her joy of marrying into the Yasumori family. After mentioning her son Susumu, Nao asks the couple if they have any children; Mr. Hasegawa tells her that they lost their children* in an accident. Afterward, Mr. Hasegawa reminds his wife that they are not the only people who have suffered losses; and that he is glad that they moved to Sotoba.
The date rewinds back to July 18, with Motoko Maeda telling her children, Shihori Maeda and Shigeki Maei.