No-No Boy - Chapters 7 to 9

Summary of chapters 7 to 9

Ichiro is in Portland looking for work. He finds a kind engineer, Mr. Carrick, who offers him a job. Mr. Carrick is sympathetic to Ichiro's past and doesn't mind that he spent time in jail for refusing the draft. However, Ichiro declines the job as he feels a need to return to Seattle and his family. He believes that if he is to rebuild his life, it must be where it began to crumble. Ichiro also meets his friend Kenji in a hospital, who advises him to return to Seattle until people stop fussing over his "no-no boy" status. Kenji, who is dying, also suggests that Ichiro should marry someone of a different race. Ichiro then visits Emi, tells her about the job offer he declined, and says this might be the last time they see each other.

Mr. Yamada returns home drunk and falls, hurting himself. Meanwhile, Mrs. Yamada is in shock after learning that Japan lost the war. She hasn't eaten for days and is behaving erratically. Mr. Yamada tells her she will die if she doesn't eat, which prompts her to start packing suitcases. She then locks herself in the bathroom and begins filling the bathtub.

At the same time, Ichiro is outside the grocery store in Kenji's car. He decides to return the car to Kenji's father. Mr. Kanno reveals that Kenji has passed away. Ichiro then goes home and senses something is wrong. He finds water flowing from under the bathroom door and discovers his mother has drowned herself in the bathtub. He reflects on her life and feels sorrow for her. He then finds his father passed out drunk on the floor. Ichiro takes on the responsibility of dealing with the situation and searches for the coroner's phone number.

On the day of Mrs. Yamada's funeral. Ichiro feels uneasy among the mourners. His father, Mr. Yamada, is surprisingly cheerful and social. During the church service, Ichiro feels overwhelmed and leaves in Freddie Akimoto's car. Freddie is agitated and reveals he is hiding from Eto Minato and his friends after a violent altercation.

Ichiro reflects on his mother and acknowledges that she did a lot for him. He regrets the time lost and feels hopeful for the future. Freddie and Ichiro go to a drive-in restaurant and talk about their lives. Freddie suggests Ichiro could get a job at a Christian Rehabilitation Center.

Later, Ichiro goes dancing with Emi at a roadhouse. He realizes that his unhappiness is a matter of attitude and decides he needs to love the world as he used to. A patron at the roadhouse offers to buy them a drink, which they accept.

When Ichiro returns home, he finds his father packing care packages for family in Japan. Mr. Yamada is not upset that Ichiro missed the funeral and tells him that he supports him in whatever he decides to do. Ichiro realizes that his happiness lies within himself and that he has the power to choose to live and be happy.

Discussion questions for chapters 7 to 9

1. Why do you think Ichiro turned down the job offer in Portland? Was it a wise choice?

2. How does Mr. Yamada's behaviour change after Mrs. Yamada's death? What might be the reasons for this change?

3. Freddie and Ichiro have different views on their heritage. How do their attitudes affect their choices and lives?

4. Ichiro starts to feel hopeful. What events or realisations do you think helped him change his outlook on life?