The narrative follows Tomoya, an ordinary high school student, whose life is thrown into turmoil after his relationship with the beautiful and popular Reina Shirakawa ends abruptly. Chapters 3-12 detail Tomoya's initial heartbreak, his descent into despair, and his subsequent journey of self-discovery through singing.
The story begins with Tomoya cherishing his time with Reina, feeling incredibly lucky to be by her side. However, his happiness is shattered when he witnesses Reina intimately embracing Tanaka-senpai, a popular senior. Reina cruelly confesses that she found Tomoya boring and only dated him out of mild interest, leaving Tomoya devastated. He returns home in a daze, his world collapsing.
Overwhelmed by heartbreak, anger, and jealousy, Tomoya impulsively records himself singing a favorite song and uploads it online, desperate for someone to acknowledge his existence. To his surprise, the upload garners a single comment: "Good luck." This small encouragement sparks a flicker of hope, and Tomoya decides to continue singing.
The following days are marked by Tomoya's deep sadness and isolation. He avoids school and interactions, feeling like an outcast. His only solace is his singing, though he remains self-conscious about his performance. He is briefly approached by Saki Fujisaki, a classmate, who notices his distress and offers gentle concern, which, while appreciated, doesn't immediately lift his spirits.
Tomoya continues to upload his singing, but the response remains minimal. He grapples with self-doubt and the sting of anonymous negative comments, such as "Sing from your diaphragm, you hack." This fuels his determination to improve, driven by a desire to prove himself and overcome the pain of rejection.
A turning point occurs when Tomoya is unexpectedly invited to karaoke by Nanami, a seemingly confident and observant girl, and Saki. Nanami, having witnessed Tomoya's online activity and his dedication to singing, challenges him. During the karaoke session, Nanami, a skilled singer herself, critiques Tomoya's performance, stating that while he is technically proficient, his singing lacks "heart" and doesn't "reach" the listener. She attributes this to his lack of physical conditioning, specifically his underdeveloped abdominal muscles, and suggests that using his whole body, including his core, is crucial for powerful and resonant singing.
Intrigued and motivated by Nanami's advice and his own lingering desire to improve, Tomoya begins a rigorous training regimen. He starts with basic abdominal exercises, finding them incredibly difficult at first. Despite the pain and initial setbacks, he perseveres, driven by the memory of Reina's rejection and the hope of conveying his emotions through his music. He also begins to refine his song choices, opting for less mainstream songs with meaningful lyrics that resonate with his experiences.
As Tomoya dedicates himself to both vocal practice and physical training, he notices subtle improvements in his singing. His voice gains more stability and depth, and he feels a greater connection to his music. While he hasn't yet achieved widespread recognition, the positive comments on his uploads gradually increase, indicating that his efforts are starting to pay off. The narrative concludes with Tomoya feeling a renewed sense of purpose and a growing belief in his ability to connect with others through his singing, a journey that began with heartbreak but is leading him towards self-acceptance and artistic growth.
