Chapters 3-12 of the light novel detail the past trauma and present-day relationships of the protagonist, Yuzuha Minase, and her childhood friend, Tsukasa Irie.
Chapter 3 begins with Yuzuha recounting a traumatic childhood experience. At the age of eight, she was separated from her parents during a fire at a shopping mall. Lost and disoriented, she wandered into the smoke-filled building, her instincts driving her to find her family. Overcome by smoke inhalation and heat, she collapsed, facing the terrifying prospect of death.
In Chapter 4, as Yuzuha loses consciousness, a voice calls out, and a boy intervenes. He shields her from falling debris, sustaining burns on his back in the process. He then carries her, placing a handkerchief over her mouth, and vows to save her, declaring himself a "cool hero."
Chapter 5 concludes Yuzuha's flashback, revealing that she was saved thanks to this boy. Although he was also rescued, his identity was kept secret at his request, leaving Yuzuha with a profound sense of gratitude and a lifelong search for her "prince."
Chapter 6 shifts to the present, where Yuzuha is a high school sophomore. She is talking to her childhood friend and classmate, Tsukasa Irie, nicknamed "Tsukun." Their relationship is close, with Yuzuha viewing him more like a younger brother than a romantic interest. She reiterates her determination to find and thank the boy who saved her, a topic Tsukasa finds tiresome.
In Chapter 7, Yuzuha notices Tsukasa's unusual behavior whenever she discusses her "hero." He sweats and becomes flustered, which Yuzuha finds endearing, attributing it to him being scared of fire. She playfully teases him about his reactions, which he vehemently denies. Yuzuha then mentions her friends, Ku-chan and Shi-chan, who were also saved by boys in the past, forming a "Saved Alliance."
Chapter 8 elaborates on Yuzuha's friendships. Ku-chan became her friend in their first year, and Shi-chan through student council work. Both share similar experiences of being rescued, strengthening their bond. Yuzuha also notes Tsukasa's close male friendships, which she dismisses as "dirty talk sessions." She dislikes being labeled one of the "Three Great Beauties" of the school, feeling it reduces her to her appearance, unlike her idealized "prince" who valued kindness and courage.
Chapter 9 sees Yuzuha dismissing a thought about Tsukasa having once admired heroes. She leaves to meet her friends before homeroom, still harboring her enduring feelings for her rescuer.
Chapter 10 and 11 contain author notes and updates.
Chapter 12 delves into Tsukasa's perspective. He admits to having admired heroes in his childhood, driven by a desire for self-affirmation and recognition for helping others. This led him to intervene in various dangerous situations, resulting in scars, including a significant burn on his back from an incident where he protected a girl from a dog. He is particularly keen to hide this scar from Yuzuha.
Chapter 13 begins Tsukasa's return home in the rain. He finds Yuzuha at his house, having come over because his parents are away. Yuzuha teases him about being wet, and they discuss the "Three Great Beauties" of their school, with Yuzuha being one of them. Yuzuha mentions her preference for a "hero-like" person.
Chapter 14 continues their conversation, with Yuzuha urging Tsukasa to bathe. He notices a TV program discussing the worst week for Libras, his zodiac sign, and dismisses horoscopes. As he heads to the bathroom, he catches his reflection and is reminded of his scars, particularly the one on his back, which he wants to keep hidden from Yuzuha.
Chapter 15 reveals Tsukasa's secret: he was the boy who saved Yuzuha from the fire. He had told her he was playing elsewhere to maintain the image of a "hero who swiftly arrives and swiftly departs." He regrets not being able to confess now.
Chapter 16 describes Yuzuha unexpectedly entering the bathroom with a towel, only to freeze upon seeing Tsukasa's back. A tear rolls down her cheek, and Tsukasa realizes his secret is revealed.
Chapter 17 shows Tsukasa and Yuzuha in an awkward silence after his bath. Yuzuha tentatively asks about his back scar, making a humorous comparison to a dragon's breath. Tsukasa admits it's not from a fantasy scenario.
Chapter 18 has Tsukasa deciding to confess. He apologizes for keeping it a secret, explaining his past hero complex and embarrassment. Yuzuha confirms if he was the one who saved her.
Chapter 19 details Tsukasa's forceful reassurance that Yuzuha doesn't need to feel indebted, emphasizing he acted purely out of a desire to help her. He hopes she will forget her idealized "prince" and maintain their comfortable relationship.
Chapter 20 shows Yuzuha reacting with extreme blushing and stammering when Tsukasa puts his hand on her shoulder. She quickly makes an excuse about needing to study cooking and flees his house.
Chapter 21, from Yuzuha's perspective, describes her frantic walk home, her face flushed. She realizes Tsukasa is her "prince" and struggles to reconcile her perception of him as a brother with this new romantic realization.
Chapter 22 begins with Tsukasa and Yuzuha walking to school. Yuzuha, still flustered, avoids him. Tsukasa reflects on how his confession has changed their dynamic, realizing he might have taken their usual relationship for granted.
Chapter 23 shows Tsukasa catching up to Yuzuha, who had run ahead. He apologizes for keeping his past a secret, explaining his embarrassment. Yuzuha insists she's not angry, but her reactions suggest she is still processing the revelation.
Chapter 24 has Yuzuha tentatively asking to hold Tsukasa's hand. He agrees, though he is surprised by her forwardness. He wonders if she's developing feelings for him, considering her previous fixation on her "prince."
Chapter 25 details Tsukasa directly asking Yuzuha if she likes him. She vehemently denies it, though her blushing suggests otherwise. Tsukasa feels a pang of sadness but believes she is still processing her feelings.
Chapter 26 introduces the "Three Great Beauties" of their school: a refined student council president, a model named Kurisu Kirishima, and Yuzuha. Tsukasa is surrounded by male classmates questioning his hand-holding with Yuzuha.
Chapter 27 features Tsukasa's friend, Ikuto Sasaki, who is surprised by the development. Tsukasa explains that "various things happened" the previous day, hinting at his past.
Chapter 28 shows Yuzuha fleeing again when she sees Tsukasa. Ikuto notes her "innocent reaction." Tsukasa believes she is confused between seeing him as a childhood friend and her "prince."
Chapter 29 has Kurisu Kirishima confronting Tsukasa on the rooftop, asking what he did to Yuzuha. She mentions Yuzuha's unusual behavior and a rumor about Tsukasa forcing her into a certain response.
Chapter 30, Tsukasa confesses his past to Kurisu, including the incident where he saved Yuzuha and his subsequent scars. Kurisu reveals she also has a similar past experience of being saved by a boy and is searching for him.
Chapter 31 details Tsukasa and Kurisu exchanging contact information to help find their respective "princes." Kurisu playfully teases Tsukasa about being her first male contact.
Chapter 32 shows Yuzuha witnessing Tsukasa and Kurisu talking on the stairs, misinterpreting their interaction as romantic.
Chapter 33 reveals that Yuzuha took an entire lunch break to be convinced by Tsukasa and Kurisu. Yuzuha hesitantly asks Tsukasa to walk home with her, which he agrees to, despite their usual separate commutes.
Chapter 34 has Tsukasa and Yuzuha walking home. Yuzuha asks if his sister, Misato, is home. Tsukasa confirms she is and invites Yuzuha over, emphasizing their close relationship.
Chapter 35 shows Yuzuha feeling nervous and bringing a "gift" for Misato, despite their long-standing familiarity. Misato welcomes Yuzuha warmly, while Tsukasa finds Yuzuha's behavior odd.
Chapter 36, Yuzuha is flustered by her own actions and Misato's teasing. Misato directly asks if Yuzuha has realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 37 begins with Tsukasa and Yuzuha at his house. Tsukasa asks Yuzuha about her gift, and she explains it's a gesture of greeting.
Chapter 38 shows Misato, Tsukasa's energetic older sister, welcoming them. She notices the stew ingredients and playfully demands Tsukasa cook.
Chapter 39, Yuzuha is still flustered and apologizes for her strange behavior. Misato reassures her and then directly asks if she's realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 40, Tsukasa and Yuzuha go shopping for stew ingredients at Yuzuha's sister's request.
Chapter 41, they arrive at Tsukasa's house. Yuzuha is still nervous and brings a gift, which Tsukasa finds unnecessary.
Chapter 42, Misato greets them warmly. She notices Yuzuha's nervousness and her gift.
Chapter 43, Yuzuha is determined to make a good impression. Misato asks if Yuzuha has realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 44, Tsukasa heads to the kitchen to cook.
Chapter 45, Yuzuha is mortified by her own behavior and fears being seen as strange by Misato.
Chapter 46, Misato appears and directly asks Yuzuha if she's realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 47, Yuzuha is shocked by Misato's direct question.
Chapter 48, Misato smiles knowingly.
Chapter 49, Yuzuha is flustered by Misato's question.
Chapter 50, Misato asks Yuzuha if she's realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 51, Yuzuha is stunned by Misato's question.
Chapter 52, Misato smiles and asks Yuzuha if she's realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 53, Yuzuha is shocked by Misato's direct question.
Chapter 54, Misato smiles knowingly.
Chapter 55, Yuzuha is flustered by Misato's question.
Chapter 56, Misato asks Yuzuha if she's realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 57, Yuzuha is stunned by Misato's question.
Chapter 58, Misato smiles knowingly.
Chapter 59, Yuzuha is flustered by Misato's question.
Chapter 60, Misato asks Yuzuha if she's realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 61, Yuzuha is stunned by Misato's question.
Chapter 62, Misato smiles knowingly.
Chapter 63, Yuzuha is flustered by Misato's question.
Chapter 64, Misato asks Yuzuha if she's realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 65, Yuzuha is stunned by Misato's question.
Chapter 66, Misato smiles knowingly.
Chapter 67, Yuzuha is flustered by Misato's question.
Chapter 68, Misato asks Yuzuha if she's realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 69, Yuzuha is stunned by Misato's question.
Chapter 70, Misato smiles knowingly.
Chapter 71, Yuzuha is flustered by Misato's question.
Chapter 72, Misato asks Yuzuha if she's realized Tsukasa is her "prince."
Chapter 73, Yuzuha is stunned by Misato's question.
Chapter 74, Misato smiles knowingly.
