Kōya Madoka is a financially strained freelance photographer carrying profound trauma from witnessing a major earthquake and tsunami in northern Japan years prior. During that disaster, he captured a critically acclaimed but controversial photograph of a young girl, Momo, moments before she was swept away. The backlash accusing him of moral failure for taking the picture instead of helping, combined with the horror of Momo's death, rendered him unable to photograph people for twelve years; each attempt triggered crippling flashbacks. Seeking work during a professional slump, Madoka accepted an assignment covering a Super GT race at Fuji International Speedway. Unfamiliar with motorsports, he required explanations of racing basics. There, he witnessed high school Formula 4 driver Haruka Asahina, competing for the underfunded Komaki Motors team, suffer a dramatic spinout due to tire failure. Observing Haruka's raw talent and determination, Madoka found himself unexpectedly able to photograph the young driver—marking his first successful photograph of a person in twelve years without traumatic recall. Inspired by this breakthrough and Haruka's potential, Madoka impulsively pledged sponsorship support to Komaki Motors. He soon confronted the harsh financial reality: the team required approximately 11 million yen annually for competitive operation, a sum far beyond his means as a photographer still paying off equipment. This prompted him to actively seek sponsorships from local businesses, though initial efforts yielded little success. His involvement deepened as he documented Haruka's races and the team's struggles, using his photography to capture pivotal moments highlighting their perseverance against technical and financial constraints. Madoka's commitment to Komaki Motors became intertwined with confronting his past trauma. He realized documenting Haruka's journey helped him process his guilt over Momo's death. Persistent sponsorship efforts eventually succeeded when local business owners, previously approached and later moved by Haruka's performance in a near-victory race, collectively provided financial support. This enabled critical car upgrades contributing to Haruka's eventual success. Madoka's intense focus on practicing photography techniques led to small behavioral changes, like forgetting to lock his apartment door. Through his relationship with Haruka and Komaki Motors, Madoka gradually reconciled with his past. His ability to photograph people returned as he shifted from passive observer to active participant in the team's journey, symbolizing the resolution of his long-standing emotional burden. His actions directly facilitated the team's ability to compete at higher levels, demonstrating his transition from trauma-defined isolation to purposeful engagement.