Setsu Sawamura, a 16-year-old Tsugaru shamisen prodigy, is shaped by his late grandfather Matsugoro—a revered yet obscure master who raised him. After Matsugoro’s death, Setsu abandons school and drifts to Tokyo, haunted by grief and his grandfather’s cryptic final wish: to cease playing until forging his own musical identity. His estranged mother, Umeko—a celebrated singer and CEO—forces him into Umezono Academy, where he reluctantly joins the shamisen club led by classmate Shuri Maeda.

Stoic and withdrawn, Setsu clashes with familial pressures. Umeko demands replication of Matsugoro’s style, culminating in public failure when he falters. His father, Ryugen Kamiki, a renowned teacher, mocks his potential, deepening his insecurity. These tensions trap him in emotional limbo, his apathy lifting only during shamisen performances, where buried feelings erupt.

Club interactions slowly reignite his spark. Shuri’s pursuit of "Spring Dawn," a piece tied to her grandmother and Matsugoro’s unfinished work, bridges his past and present. Collaborative rehearsals and competitions disrupt his isolation, pushing him to adapt. His rivalry with Seiryu Kamiki—a technically impeccable player—mirrors his journey from mimicry to an intuitive, visceral style.

Critical junctures define his growth: a third-place finish at the Matsugoro Cup shatters his confidence, spurring introspection that weaves his grandfather’s legacy into his own voice. His bond with Wakana, an older brother offering steady support, contrasts with Umeko’s demands, echoing the struggle between familial duty and selfhood.

His evolution—from drifting to purpose—peaks in performances merging technical precision with raw emotion. Recurring snow motifs mirror his name and transformation, symbolizing renewal. Gradual emotional vulnerability emerges most vividly when his music moves listeners, cementing his identity as an artist distinct from the shadows of lineage.