Shimamura's aim in going to the onsen is meeting a young woman, Komako, whom he had a brief encounter with during his previous stay. Although she wasn't employed as a geisha during his first stay, the situation is changed during his second visit. Shimamura falls for the young geisha, although his affection proves to be inconsistent and uncertain over time. For her part, Komako falls in love with Shimamura, which goes against the geisha tradition of meeting the customers demands without any emotional attachment. Throughout their conversations, a number of things about Komako's life is revealed: her becoming a geisha to pay for Yukio's hospital bills, their rumored engagement, Komako and Yuko's strained relationship, how she came to live with Yukio and his mother, and her life as a full time geisha.