Kiyo works at the Maiko House as the live-in cook. She sees her childhood friend Sumire in town one day, accompanying an older maiko. Back at the House kitchen, Sumire tells Kiyo how hard she is working towards her goal of becoming one, too. Sumire is overjoyed to learn that she will debut as a maiko later that evening. She runs straight to Kiyo to share her news, but what will she think?

Sumire is going to have her hair styled in the traditional maiko bun for the first time. She will start using a special pillow to protect her hairstyle while she sleeps, like the other maiko and senior apprentices with buns. The senior maiko warn her she won't be able to sleep the first night, and Sumire struggles to rest her head on the unfamiliar pillow. She finally gives up on sleep and goes to the kitchen, where she unexpectedly finds Kiyo waiting up for her.

About a year ago, in Aomori Prefecture. Kiyo is spending time with her grandma while getting ready for her and Sumire's departure to Kyoto that evening. Later, Kiyo, Sumire and Kenta have fun reminiscing about their childhood, and Kiyo's grandma serves them a specialty dish from the region to celebrate. Just before boarding the night bus, Sumire discovers what Kiyo has packed from home, as her grandma and Kenta look on.

Sumire dines out at a high-end restaurant along with Momoko and a regular customer but cannot make any sense of the menu. Sumire ends up having the same meal as Momoko but is left wondering what she actually ate. The next morning, she goes to Kiyo in the house kitchen and makes a request for the dish she had wanted to eat.