Starting his second year of high school, Ren Tabata is determined to break free from his lonely past and make real friends. The first person he dares to speak to is the girl sitting next to him, Touko Sasaki, whose dark appearance, long bangs, and quiet, brooding aura make her seem intimidating and unapproachable. To his surprise, Touko is not hostile but simply profoundly shy and socially inexperienced, just like him. Their tentative first conversations lead to them being chosen as class representatives, a role that forces them to interact regularly and slowly build a fragile friendship.

The story follows Ren and Touko as they navigate school life together, each struggling with their own insecurities and the perceptions of their classmates. Through small, everyday interactions—sharing lunch, studying for exams, working on class committees—they gradually open up to one another. The narrative arcs include the summer break with its extracurricular activities, the cultural festival where Touko’s older brother misunderstands their relationship, the introduction of Touko’s family and later Ren’s mother returning from a work assignment, and the shifting dynamics when a new classmate, Machida, openly confesses her feelings for Ren, stirring jealousy and confusion in Touko. The series emphasizes a slow and deliberate pace, focusing on the characters’ emotional growth and their shared struggle to move beyond isolation. The central conflict lies in the gap between what Ren and Touko want for themselves—simply to grow as people—and how the world around them keeps pushing them toward romance, a step they are not yet ready to take.