Three mothers in their 30s, 40s, and 50s cross paths with Torako. One is a working mom who is worried sick about her child’s future. Another became a second wife and entered the upper echelon of society whose net worth is in the top 3%, but feels she doesn’t belong. The third is a despondent divorced mother working at her parents’ restaurant.

Although there is a huge difference in their standard of living, the three women long for the same thing—for their child to get into their dream school.

Meanwhile, the three kids are burdened by their own serious problems, which they can’t tell their parents.

Torako asks them, “So, what do you want to know?”

With their desperate gaze, they ask, “Why do I have to study?”

“Is it wrong to dream?”

“Will bullying ever go away?”

“Let’s begin our lesson,” Torako says each time, but she refrains from giving them sermons or saying difficult things. All she does is show the children the reality that exists in the world.

In time, the children learn how to use money wisely. Better yet, they start getting a glimpse of what they want to pursue. For their part, the parents were full of doubt with Torako’s abilities. Now, seeing their child growing gradually, they’re gaining confidence in themselves and feel inspired to find a new life that’s right for their family.

What Torako teaches is that, besides studying, the other thing that’s important in life is to “spend money wisely.”