Ao is an academic and athletic genius at the top of his class who openly and innocently showers affection without condition. Midori naturally looks after Ao, yet struggles to be honest with his own feelings. Meeting in high school and drawn to one another, their desire to fit society's idea of "normal" leaves them caught in a mutual, unrequited love well into adulthood. Because they cherish each other so deeply, they carefully layer their words and feelings, moving forward step-by-step over the span of eight years.