In the midst of World War II, a boy named Alfred explores the train tracks near his home when he runs into Kiku, who at first seems terrified to have been discovered. It turns out that Kiku is of Japanese descent, and though he was born in America, his family is facing the threat of being sent to an internment camp. Alfred promises not to reveal Kiku's whereabouts, and Kiku, in return, offers Alfred his goldfish, the Japanese symbol of peace.