It was a time of war and chaos in Japan where Seita and his younger sister Setsuko lives.
Climax
The two safely evacuated except for their mother who did not survive the wounds she received from the explosives. Having their only parent gone, the two had nowhere else to go except their relatives in the other village.
Falling Action
Their aunt made them live with her and her family in their house. Seita tried to distract Setsuko from thinking of their mother's death. They used his mother's belongings and savings to buy what they need.
Resolution
They eventually leave their aunts house because of the unfair treatment and resentment they received. They wandered for awhile and came upon a small bomb shelter by the lake which they made their home.
The savings of their deceased mother, which they spend on food, is running out. Seita begins to steal food while Setsuko has fallen ill due to malnutrition.
Seita returns with food to their shelter only to find that Setsuko is already dying. She soon passed away and Seita cremated her body. Because Seita had nowhere else to go also, he soon died from hunger shortly after the end of the war.