Sawako Kuronuma, a shy and deeply kind first-year high school student, has never been able to shake the unfortunate nickname Sadako. Her long black hair, pale skin, and quiet demeanor make her an unwitting target of school-wide rumors that she can see ghosts and cast curses, leaving her isolated from her classmates. Her lonely world begins to change when she crosses paths with Shota Kazehaya, a cheerful, popular, and effortlessly friendly boy who treats her with the same warmth he shows everyone. Unlike the others, Kazehaya calls her by her real name, an act of simple decency that sparks in Sawako a deep admiration for him.

As Sawako struggles to navigate this unfamiliar social territory, she unexpectedly befriends two outspoken girls from her class, the fashion-conscious Ayane Yano and the energetic former delinquent Chizuru Yoshida. Ayane and Chizuru are drawn to Sawako’s genuine, if awkward, nature and quickly become her protectors and guides in the world of friendship. With her new friends by her side and Kazehaya’s continued encouragement, Sawako slowly begins to open up and experience the vibrant high school life she had only dreamed of, discovering that the rumors about her begin to fade as her true personality shines through.

However, their burgeoning relationship is not without its challenges. Ume Kurumizawa, a beautiful and popular girl who has harbored a secret crush on Kazehaya since middle school, sees Sawako as a rival and plots to drive them apart. Her schemes, which include spreading malicious rumors, force Sawako to confront her own insecurities and stand up for her friendships. The first year of high school unfolds through seasons of cherry blossoms, summer vacations, and a memorable New Year's Eve, marking the beginning of a slow-burn romance as Sawako and Kazehaya navigate their feelings, each unaware that the other feels the same way.

The live-action television adaptation, which premiered on Netflix in 2023, condenses the sprawling, 30-volume manga into a 12-episode series. The narrative focuses on Sawako’s emotional journey from total isolation to finding a close-knit circle of friends and her first love. Key arcs include the formation of the friendship trio with Ayane and Chizuru, the jealousy-fueled machinations of Kurumi, and the heart-fluttering, often frustratingly slow progression of Sawako and Kazehaya’s relationship as they finally move from classmates to something more.