The novel opens with the narrator lamenting that his ideal type is dying. He is afraid that he will not be able to enjoy the beautiful sunshine of the future anymore. He wants to go easy on his brother, who is incontinent, and who is being bullied by his younger brother. He tells the younger brother that he needs to see his relatives first, and then he will deal with the older brother. The older brother tells him to leave quickly, as relatives have already come to see him. He says that he is better than some "shameless scumbag ex-companion" who comes to provoke him. The narrator closes the door, and the two of them continue to sign. They have been delayed by an hour, and they are still two copies of the novel left. The younger brother tells the older one that