Anna Sasaki, orphaned in infancy by a Sapporo car accident, entered her grandmother's care only to lose her guardian the next year. Rejected by distant relatives at the funeral, she entered an orphanage clutching her sole mementos: a blue hairclip from her grandmother and an old photograph of her grandmother's childhood home. Adopted at age five by Yoriko Sasaki and her husband, Anna experienced early happiness, learning practical skills like knife usage from Yoriko, though Yoriko often expressed anxiety. Despite this, a generally positive bond formed. Around age twelve, Anna discovered government financial support documents. Misinterpreting these as proof her adoptive parents cared only for money, she emotionally withdrew, calling Yoriko "Aunty" and isolating herself. Classmates perceived her as quiet yet likable, unaware of her deepening retreat, which Yoriko attributed to her husband's frequent absences and their non-biological connection. Anna suffered from asthma and depression, with stress triggering attacks. A pivotal moment occurred when her art teacher briefly showed interest in her sketchbook before abruptly dismissing her for another student. This rejection induced an asthma attack, cementing her self-perception as an outsider undeserving of affection. Seeking respite from urban stress, Anna was sent to rural Kissakibetsu to live with relatives Setsu and Kiyomasa Ōiwa. There, an abandoned mansion across a marsh evoked inexplicable familiarity. Exploring, she met Marnie, a mysterious blonde girl who became her secret companion. They shared confidences: Anna confessed her abandonment feelings and distrust of her adoptive family; Marnie revealed her own neglected upbringing and abuse by caretakers. Their bond culminated in Anna helping Marnie confront her fear of a nearby silo, symbolically intertwining their struggles. Anna's time in Kissakibetsu, marked by fever-induced visions where Marnie sought forgiveness for "leaving," facilitated her emotional unraveling. With help from local painter Hisako and new friend Sayaka, Anna learned Marnie's history: Marnie was her grandmother, Emily (Marnie's estranged daughter) was her biological mother, and the government payments to her adoptive parents were standard subsidies, unrelated to their genuine care. This revelation allowed Anna to reconcile her past. Returning home, she addressed Yoriko as "Mother" for the first time. Anna evolved from a sullen, self-loathing child who viewed herself as a "parasite" into someone capable of trust and openness. She transitioned from suppressing emotions behind an "ordinary face" to forming genuine connections like her friendship with Sayaka. Her resentment over adoption gave way to acceptance of Yoriko's love, symbolized by wearing the blue hairclip—her grandmother's keepsake. Key traits include her artistic talent as a coping mechanism, introspective nature, and difficulty forming social bonds. Her blue eyes and frequent blue attire visually reflect themes of melancholy and isolation, while her initial resistance to festivals and gatherings underscores her discomfort with vulnerability.