The story begins with Yuusaki Sou, a high school student living alone, who has long admired his next-door neighbor, Saionji Reina. Reina is the school's "Madonna," renowned for her beauty, kindness, and role as student council vice president. Despite Sou's initial admiration, he had given up on any meaningful interaction due to his shyness. This changes one humid night when Reina, in pajamas and distressed, urgently seeks Sou's help with a cockroach in her apartment. Sou, surprised by her vulnerability, agrees.
After Sou successfully removes the insect, Reina invites him for tea, revealing a more childish, relaxed, and clumsy private personality, far from her public image. She explains that their landlord had encouraged her to rely on Sou and that she trusted him because he hadn't tried to approach her despite their proximity. To deepen their connection, Reina proposes a weekend "get-together" at her apartment to cook and eat together. Sou accepts, and they exchange contact information. Sou is deeply impressed by Reina's homemade curry, which she gives him as a thank-you.
At school, Sou's perceptive friend, Mochinushi Yuutarou, notices Reina looking at Sou, though Sou denies any connection. Later, Sou encounters Reina after school when she dramatically trips. He helps her, and she, embarrassed, asks him to accompany her to the supermarket. Sou carries her heavy bags, learning Reina's "perfect" image stems from her grandmother's praise, and she wishes to be more approachable, disliking the "Madonna" moniker. Sou feels a strange pang when she mentions wanting to talk to more boys.
The weekend get-together at Reina's apartment solidifies their bond. Reina impresses Sou with her exceptional cooking, from carbonara for lunch to a feast of sea bream dishes for dinner, revealing she learned from her grandmother, a former chef. They play a video game, where Reina, initially terrible, improves under Sou's patient guidance, culminating in an accidental hand-holding moment. Sou helps prepare dinner, making miso soup from Reina's detailed recipe. Sou leaves, taking leftovers, but forgets his game console. Returning, he finds Reina secretly playing it, amused by her hidden enjoyment.
The following school day, Yuutarou correctly deduces Sou's bento came from "Saionji-senpai." Yuutarou then reveals he has a girlfriend and offers to "polish" Sou's appearance to help him find one, which Sou reluctantly accepts, worried about Reina's reaction. The chapter concludes as Sou finds Reina waiting outside her apartment in the rain, having lost her key. Sou brings the distressed Reina into his apartment, offers comfort, and bravely goes out into the downpour to search for her key. Reina, reflecting on Sou's unwavering kindness, prepares his apartment for his return, revealing her growing trust and affection for him, even contemplating going out to search for him herself if he doesn't return soon. Sou eventually finds the key, rushing back to reassure her.
