Makoto Katagiri, an 18-year-old factory worker, left school after middle school to sustain himself and his younger sister, Maaya, amid their parents’ absence. When Maaya fails her high school entrance exams, the siblings enroll in a correspondence high school tailored for those with non-traditional educational paths, including adult learners and societal dropouts.

Driven to challenge societal biases against his middle-school dropout status, Makoto struggles to balance factory shifts with academic pursuits. His determination faces trials through encounters with a diverse student body confronting trauma, alienation, or socioeconomic hardship. A pivotal encounter with Rio Aisawa, a student from an affluent background, during the entrance ceremony sparks a dynamic that shapes his interpersonal growth.

As he progresses academically, Makoto demonstrates gradual growth while facing insecurities and seeking to reconcile his identity as a laborer with ambitions for personal advancement. His journey highlights evolving bonds with peers, forged through collective efforts to overcome shared obstacles rooted in societal marginalization. His commitment to caring for Maaya underscores themes of familial duty and reciprocal support.

The specialized school setting illustrates his adjustment to collaborative learning and immersion in diverse life experiences, broadening his awareness of societal frameworks. Though interwoven with romantic and comedic threads, Makoto’s arc centers on introspective reflections exploring self-worth, resilience, and the nuanced realities of adulthood.