The novel moves forward in time several more years. Mary studies medicine at a nearby university. Taro is proud of Mary’s ambition; however, Hana suspects that Mary will not have the persistence to finish medical school. Because Taro is more fluent in English, Mary speaks with him more than she does Hana. Taro’s closer relationship with Mary, Hana thinks, gives him an idealistic idea of his daughter.

Mary begins going on dates with Nisei boys from her college. One night, she is taken out by a white American boy named Joseph Cantelli. Joseph is a teacher’s assistant for one of Mary’s professors. Hana is stunned by the idea of her daughter dating someone outside of her race. Both Kenji, now the church’s reverend, and Taro approve of the partnership, but Hana remains worried that Mary’s decision-making will lead her down the wrong path.

One winter morning, Hana and Taro awake to find that Mary has run away to Reno, Nevada, with Joseph to get married. Joseph has a teaching job in Reno, and Mary plans to live as a housewife. Hana and Taro are distraught. They seek guidance from Kenji and Dr. Kaneda. Hana resents Taro and Kenji for tolerating Mary’s independence.