Summary

In Chapter 2, “To Be More Beautiful” (26), Natsuko explains that three months earlier, Makiko had told her she was thinking about getting breast implants. Natsuko casually approved of Makiko’s plan to get the implants, which resulted in Makiko sharing a deluge of information with her on different types of implant surgery and the associated costs. During these conversations, Natsuko found that she could not remember what her sister’s breasts looked like.

Natsuko reflects on Makiko’s unstable financial situation. Makiko had Midoriko to care for, and the sisters had no relatives who could offer them financial assistance in the case of an emergency. Makiko had refused to consider welfare at Natsuko’s suggestion, as she thought of it as shameful and believed it would invalidate all of the work she had already done.

Makiko showed Natsuko the brochure for the clinic that...