The story begins with Mochizuki Satsuki, a 27-year-old woman, embarking on a solo camping trip in the autumn. She has recently purchased a mountain and quit her job, a decision that surprised her colleagues. Satsuki finds solace in the fresh air and begins setting up her tent, reflecting on the events that led her to this solitary life.
Six months prior, Satsuki's five-year relationship ended abruptly when her boyfriend revealed he was seeing a married senior colleague from his new workplace. Devastated, she packed her camping gear, which she and her ex had prepared for a trip they never took, and drove to a secluded campsite. The drive was emotional, filled with tears and regret, but she eventually pulled over to compose herself. She stopped at a convenience store for supplies and continued her journey, battling morning fog and anxiety about driving in the mountains.
Upon arriving at the campsite, Satsuki is greeted by the manager, who is surprised by her early arrival. The manager notices a transparent window floating above her head, a detail that intrigues him. He confirms her reservation and she purchases firewood and fire starters. Unbeknownst to Satsuki, a powerful entity named Ignus, who possesses her, expresses his desire for her. He instructs his subordinate, Inari, to watch over her, referring to her as a "former saint" and a "candidate for immigration" with Ignus's "blessing (curse)."
Satsuki struggles to set up her used tent, finding it heavy and lacking instructions. After finally erecting it, she realizes she needs bedding and retrieves her sleeping bag and mat from her car. She then prepares a simple meal of convenience store onigiri. Feeling tired, she falls asleep inside her tent.
She then experiences a vivid dream where she finds herself in a forest and encounters a large fox. The fox offers to sell her a mountain for 900,000 yen, proposing that she live there and maintain it in exchange for management fees. Satsuki, though initially confused and skeptical, finds the idea of a slow life appealing, but questions the practicality and cost. The dream ends abruptly as she wakes up.
Upon waking, Satsuki realizes she slept through most of the day. She sets up her camping equipment, including a fire pit, and gathers firewood. She successfully starts a fire and prepares a more substantial meal: rice cooked in a messtin and retort curry, accompanied by a grilled frankfurter and canned chu-hi. Enjoying the solitude and the starry night sky, she reflects on the challenges of mountain living, particularly the lack of amenities like bathrooms and running water, which she experienced during a trip to the washroom.
The next day, Satsuki reflects on her first solo camping trip, acknowledging both its enjoyable and tedious aspects, particularly the unsettling dream. She feels a desire to return and plans to research more thoroughly. Her mother then contacts her, requesting she host her stepsister, whom Satsuki barely knows. Annoyed by the imposition, Satsuki declines and later receives a call from her ex-boyfriend, who wants to discuss his current girlfriend. She brushes him off, but he persists, even calling her at work. Fearing he might show up, Satsuki impulsively books another camping trip to escape him.
Her second camping trip is to a more convenient location with other campers and amenities like a bathhouse. She still struggles with her old tent but feels less lonely due to the presence of others. She enjoys a more comfortable experience and wakes up refreshed, having avoided the strange dreams.
However, her peace is short-lived. Her stepsister, unable to stay with her, ends up at a net cafe, and her mother continues to call. Then, her ex-boyfriend contacts her again, this time in person outside her workplace. Feeling harassed, Satsuki again decides to escape by booking a third camping trip, this time to a more remote location, and immediately begins packing.
