Chapters 3-12 of the light novel detail the protagonist, Tomotaka Makimura (nicknamed Makki), a shy and introverted second-year university student, becoming more involved with the university's cultural festival executive committee (Bunji-tsu). His initial motivation for joining Bunji-tsu was a passive desire to make friends and potentially find a girlfriend without having to actively pursue them.
The narrative begins with Makki being surprised by a junior, Misono Kimika, who offers to cook for him as an apology for a past incident and suggests staying over. Makki, flustered, initially misunderstands her intentions. This interaction highlights Misono's forwardness and Makki's own social awkwardness.
The story then delves into Makki's past, explaining his lack of assertiveness and how his structured high school life allowed him to get by without actively making friends. University, however, presented a stark contrast, where his passive nature led to isolation during orientation. He joined Bunji-tsu as a way to combat this fear of being left behind, hoping it would foster friendships and relationships. While he successfully made friends within the committee, a romantic relationship remained elusive.
As the second-year students take on more responsibility in Bunji-tsu, Makki and his close friends, Kazunari Minamitsu (Sane) and Takuji Wataguchi (Doku), are involved in recruiting first-year students. During a recruitment event, Makki first notices Misono Kimika, a strikingly cute girl with dark brown hair. He is captivated by her refined demeanor.
Later, at the first general meeting with the new first-year members, Makki's group is surrounded by male first-years, much to his disappointment. However, during the department introductions, Misono's name appears on the list for the "Exhibition Planning Department," the same department Makki belongs to.
The following week, at the second general meeting, Makki encounters Misono again. She is clearly attracted to him, and after some encouragement from her friend Shiho Miyajima, Misono asks Makki for his contact information. Makki hesitates, concerned that exchanging contact details might make it harder for her to quit Bunji-tsu later if she loses interest. Misono reassures him that she is committed to the committee, having been inspired by the dedication of the executive members she witnessed at the previous year's festival. This earnest declaration makes Makki feel ashamed of his assumptions and he agrees to exchange contact information.
The narrative then shifts to Shiho's perspective, revealing that she met Misono at a pre-university event. Shiho, already having a boyfriend, noticed Misono's distress when she couldn't find a senior she was looking for. Shiho intervened, and they discovered they were both in the Humanities department and intended to join Bunji-tsu. Shiho, through her boyfriend, confirms that a senior named Makimura is indeed in the current second-year Bunji-tsu members.
The chapters culminate with a welcome party for the new members. Makki, despite his initial reservations, finds himself spending time with Misono and Shiho. Shiho, noticing Misono's discomfort with a group of male first-years, orchestrates a situation where Misono can join their group, placing her next to Makki. Makki, though flustered by Misono's proximity, is pleased when she asks to be called "Misono" instead of "Kimika-san." Later, Makki walks Misono home after the party, and she expresses her gratitude and asks for his contact information again, which he finally provides. The chapters end with Makki reflecting on Misono's message and the prospect of their continued interaction.
