Shinsuke's life from infancy to teens revolves around coal mining. His father sacrifices himself rescuing trapped miners. Shinsuke and his mother receive support from a kind Korean man and a yakuza biker as they cope with the loss.

Mainly the story of Shinsuke and his stepmother, ranging from Shinsuke's infanthood to his mid-teens. Coal workers and the mines dominate nearly every aspect of the life of the characters. Shinsuke's father dies while bravely using dynamite to rescue a group of trapped Korean miners. Several older men attempt to help he and his mother cope, including a kind Korean and a Harley-riding yakuza.—Sharptongue