Tatsumi Azuma, a sociable third-year high school student, accidentally collides with Shunpei Eguchi, a stone-faced underclassman, and fractures his hand. Shunpei is rumored to be dangerously intimidating, with gossip suggesting he will harm anyone who meets his gaze. Fearing retaliation, Tatsumi quickly offers to do anything to make amends for his blunder. Shunpei accepts this proposition and forces Tatsumi to work at his familys traditional public bathhouse, Sakura-no-yu, until his hand heals.

The story unfolds within the nostalgic atmosphere of the Keyaki Shopping District, centering on the daily operations of the Sakura Bathhouse. This setting becomes a more intimate workplace where the two boys are compelled to interact outside of their school environment. As Tatsumi helps with the bathhouses chores, he begins to see past Shunpeis fearsome reputation, discovering the guarded individual beneath the rugged exterior. The narrative focuses on the shift from fear to familiarity, exploring themes of reputation versus reality as the two develop a relationship through shared labor and quiet conversations. The manga is a boys love story created by writer Yuzu Tsubaki and artist Waka Kakitsubata, and it features a warm, character-driven plot about an intimidating junior and a sociable senior.