Hiroto Ikuta is the 29-year-old protagonist of the story, a freelance worker living in the Asagaya neighborhood of Tokyo. Originally from Yamagata prefecture, Hiroto moved to the capital with aspirations of becoming an actor, but he abandoned this dream after repeatedly failing auditions. Despite the societal pressure to secure a full-time job, a romantic partner, and a detailed plan for the future, Hiroto is genuinely happy with his life as it is, working a part-time job at a local fishing pond. His defining characteristic is his exceptionally carefree, breezy, and laid-back demeanor, which stands in stark contrast to the anxiety and ambition that drive many of the people around him. He has a kind and gentle personality that makes it easy for him to connect with elderly people, though he becomes nervous and unsure of himself when talking to women his own age that he finds attractive.

Hiroto is not driven by grand ambitions or material goals. His motivation is simply to live a peaceful life, appreciating the small, ordinary pleasures that each day brings. This philosophy of slowing down and finding value in the mundane is a core aspect of his character, and he often serves as an unintentional model for others on how to relieve tension and accept life's uncertainties. His role in the story is largely as a calming, stabilizing presence. The narrative is set in motion when his elderly friend, a grumpy yet kind retired school cook named Hanae Wada, suddenly dies of a heart attack. Hanae had no family of her own, and in a surprising turn of events, Hiroto inherits her house as a result of paperwork she had prearranged. Shortly after moving into the inherited home, he becomes the guardian of his 18-year-old cousin, Natsumi Kobayashi, who moves to Tokyo to attend art school. This cohabitation with his more anxious and ambitious cousin forms the central dynamic of the story, as his relaxed lifestyle is put to the test by her struggles to adapt to the big city.

Hiroto’s most significant relationship is with Hanae Wada, whose friendship and subsequent death lead to his new living situation and force him to process some difficult emotions regarding loss and gratitude. His relationship with his cousin Natsumi is another key pillar of the story, as he provides her with a home and an example of an alternative, less stressful way to navigate life. He also has a best friend named Hideki Noguchi, who serves as a narrative foil to Hiroto. Unlike the single, carefree Hiroto, Hideki is a married, hard-working manager who is about to become a father, and he often worries about the pressures of his more conventional adult life. Throughout the series, Hiroto experiences subtle development, primarily in how he navigates his responsibilities as a guardian to Natsumi and how he copes with the grief and unexpected gift left to him by Hanae. While he remains largely true to his easygoing nature, he learns to engage more deeply with the complex emotions that come with his new home and relationships. His notable ability is not a physical skill or a professional talent, but his innate capacity for mindfulness and his talent for putting others at ease. His positive and non-judgmental outlook allows him to accept people as they are, and his presence often helps friends like Hideki and Yomogi relieve the stress of their own busy lives. He possesses a wisdom about the beauty of ordinary life, which he lives out daily without preaching, simply by enjoying a walk, a meal, or the fresh air.