It’s Not Easy Being Cute

College student Himesaki Nozomi has taken her beauty into her own hands through plastic surgery, determined to control how the world sees her. Her life takes an unexpected turn when Tennoji Ruka—a girl blessed with natural beauty—asks Nozomi to teach her how to be "cute." At first, Nozomi is irritated by what she sees as Ruka's naivety. How could Ruka ask for such a thing when she has never known the pain of being ugly? But as the two grow closer, Nozomi discovers that Ruka is not as free as she appears. Ruka is trapped by a "princely" image that keeps her from becoming the girl she truly wants to be. Brought together by their contrasting struggles, Nozomi and Ruka confront the pressures of modern lookism. Each must navigate society's expectations about appearance and identity while trying to forge her own path. Their unlikely bond becomes a way to challenge the narrow standards that shape their lives—and to discover what it means to be true to oneself.