The story begins with Yanagida Tatsumi, a tall, sharp-eyed loner struggling to make friends in his new high school. His homeroom teacher, Azuma-sensei, aware of Tatsumi's solitary life, expresses concern. Tatsumi, feeling isolated, observes the popular class idol, Akise Haruka. One afternoon, he finds Akise being threatened by classmates Makabe, Morita, and Ito, who are attempting to expose her middle school history of bullying and truancy, backed by an old photo. Tatsumi intervenes, using his imposing presence to scare them off.
Overwhelmed, Akise confides in Tatsumi, revealing her traumatic past: she was severely bullied after defending another student, leading to truancy and a desperate effort to reinvent herself as the "perfect Akise Haruka" in high school. Tatsumi, moved by her strength, sincerely tells her he finds her "cool" and "respects" her, bringing Akise to tears of relief and gratitude. Their bond is immediately tested when they are caught by Azuma-sensei, who jokingly assumes they are dating.
The next day, Akise, fearing her secret has spread, hesitates to enter the classroom. Tatsumi reassures her, affirming the authenticity of her efforts and friendships. However, classmates confront them about a dating rumor, fueled by a photo of them holding hands. Akise, surprisingly, laughs and playfully declares their relationship a "secret," further escalating the rumors and causing chaos. During lunch, Akise admits her response was "on a whim" and that she "didn't dislike" the idea of being rumored to be with him. Tatsumi, developing feelings, requests study help as a "thank you," and Akise offers to make him bento, to which Tatsumi requests kinpira gobo, a dish his late mother made.
At a weekend study session at the Nishikawa Community Center, Akise, in cute casual clothes, brings Tatsumi a delicious bento. They make a bet: the midterm winner gets one request. Akise's request is for Tatsumi to call her "Haruka" (first name, no honorifics), even in public, which Tatsumi, though embarrassed, accepts. Later, caught in a sudden downpour, Tatsumi shares his umbrella with Akise, whose white blouse becomes transparent, prompting him to offer his jacket. Seeing her shivering, Tatsumi offers his apartment as shelter. Akise, shy but trusting, accepts. While Tatsumi is changing, Akise accidentally sees his bare chest, reacting with extreme embarrassment, revealing her innocent side. Akise's father calls, and she asks Tatsumi to explain. Tatsumi, nervous, speaks to Akise's father, who, surprisingly, expresses gratitude that Akise has found someone she trusts enough to rely on, given her past difficulties. Tatsumi is left with a mix of relief, responsibility, and a deepening connection to Akise and her family.
The chapter arc sees Tatsumi transform from a passive loner to an active, protective, and emotionally engaged individual. Akise, initially hiding behind a perfect facade, gradually reveals her vulnerable, mischievous, and trusting self to Tatsumi. Their relationship evolves from a chance encounter to a unique bond, challenging social norms and setting the stage for deeper emotional development.
