At the beginning of Honey Lemon Soda, the shy student Ishimori Uka dreams of becoming more confident. The first step in this direction comes unexpectedly when the self-assured Miura Kai accidentally spills soda on her. Despite his casual apology, Uka is grateful just to be noticed.
Determined to overcome her hesitation, Uka greets Miura the next morning. After several attempts, she manages a clear "Good morning." Later, she is bullied by classmates, which reminds her of her past experiences with bullying. She retreats to the library, where Miura urges her to stand up for herself or seek help next time.
Reflecting on her past and Miura's words, Uka finds new courage. When the bullies harass her again, she splashes them with lemon soda and calls out to Miura for help. He intervenes and defuses the situation. Grateful for his support and proud of her bravery, Uka gives him her brightest smile.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.