The story centers on Yuzu, a shy and somewhat awkward first-year high school student who struggles to make friends. His only real connection is with Ayaka, a beautiful but stoic girl who sits in front of him. Their unlikely friendship began after they both failed to make friends during the school's self-introduction day.
Chapter 3 begins with Ayaka offering Yuzu lunch from her bento, which she claims she made two of by mistake. Yuzu, despite his initial awkwardness, finds the bento delicious. He suspects Ayaka might like him, but she immediately reads his thoughts and dismisses the idea, stating that "I made two by mistake" is a common tsundere trope. Despite her bluntness, Ayaka's smile and gentle demeanor soften Yuzu's heart, and he finds himself increasingly drawn to her.
It is revealed that Ayaka possesses a form of psychic ability, described as being "very spiritual," which allows her to read minds. This ability makes Yuzu self-conscious, as his thoughts are an open book to her, preventing him from even thinking impure thoughts during class. Ayaka, however, seems to enjoy this connection, finding Yuzu's reactions endearing. During math class, Ayaka asks Yuzu for help, and he patiently explains the lesson. Ayaka expresses her gratitude by writing "I like it too" on his back with her finger, though Yuzu misinterprets it, leading to a brief moment of confusion.
The narrative progresses through their daily interactions. During physical education, Ayaka, dressed in her gym uniform, walks with Yuzu to the gymnasium. Yuzu finds himself staring, and Ayaka, sensing his thoughts, allows him to observe her briefly before warning him not to look at her in a "perverted way." She then uses her psychic abilities to cause Yuzu sharp chest pain, which he deduces is a form of superpower. Ayaka confirms this, stating she used it because Yuzu is "special" to her, implying that she wouldn't have done so for anyone else. This revelation deeply affects Yuzu, making him realize how much he would miss her if she stopped talking to him.
During a dodgeball game, Ayaka uses her powers to manipulate the ball's trajectory, targeting Yuzu. When Yuzu asks why, she playfully replies, "Because it's interesting." She then asks if she can use "internal psychic abilities" like illusions, which Yuzu vehemently rejects as a rule violation. Ayaka eventually hits Yuzu with the ball, admitting that playing alone is "boring." Yuzu, touched by her sentiment, chooses to stay on the sidelines with her, enjoying their conversation more than the game.
Ayaka's possessiveness and desire for Yuzu's company become more apparent. When Yuzu needs to go to the restroom, Ayaka sets a two-minute timer, indicating her impatience with being separated from him. Later, during a pairing activity in home economics, Yuzu worries about being left alone. He sees Ayaka talking to another girl and assumes she will pair with her. However, Ayaka confronts him, declaring that his place is only in front of, beside, or behind her and that she would never let him disappear from her sight. She then sits next to him, solidifying their pairing.
The story continues with Yuzu receiving another bento from Ayaka. When he directly asks if she likes him, she confirms it, explaining that she likes seeing him eat happily. She also playfully suggests making him food that will make him cry with deliciousness. Yuzu, though flustered, is happy to have this connection. Ayaka reveals that she makes the bentos because her mother is busy, and she also handles laundry and cleaning.
Yuzu offers to lend Ayaka books, and she expresses interest in light novels, a genre Yuzu enjoys. As they walk home together, Ayaka insists on sitting next to Yuzu on the train, stating that his place is only beside her. During Golden Week, Yuzu plans a trip to Cambodia. He offers to buy Ayaka a souvenir, and she agrees, asking him to eat in front of her so she can see his happy expression. Yuzu, feeling indebted, offers to lend her books instead, and she accepts, revealing her interest in light novels.
Later, Yuzu recounts a humorous incident where he mistook a glove for a sock. Ayaka, though initially dismissive, comforts him. The narrative then shifts to Ayaka's perspective. She reveals that her psychic abilities have resurfaced, but only when Yuzu is near, suggesting it's because he is special to her. She uses her powers to measure his hand while he sleeps, feeling a sense of conquest and possession. She whispers to him that his place is in front of her and he shouldn't go anywhere alone.
Back in Ayaka's room, she admires a drawing Yuzu made of her. Her older sister, Akane, discovers the drawing and deduces that Ayaka likes the artist, a "gentle, first-person 'boku' type of guy" who is also a psychic. Akane, a former psychic herself, reveals that she knows about Ayaka's revived powers and blesses her potential romance, inadvertently revealing Ayaka's secret to their other sister, Akina. Ayaka blames Yuzu for this turn of events.
Finally, Yuzu is working on a home economics assignment to design a knitted item. He sketches a girl resembling Ayaka, who then takes the drawing and offers to buy it with her allowance. Yuzu, initially hesitant, is touched by her sincerity. Ayaka then rushes out to get a new assignment sheet for him, leaving Yuzu to ponder her actions.
