Ame to Umi

Ame Otosaka has just completed his first week of high school, navigating the unfamiliar rhythms of a new environment. While walking down the corridor, his attention is suddenly drawn to a face he recognizes from middle school: Umi Karasaki. Her presence comes as a surprise, as she had been entirely absent without any prior notice since the very first day of their previous term. Now standing in the same hallway years later, her unexpected reappearance immediately raises questions for Ame. Despite finally attending classes, Umi remains an enigma wrapped in silence. She consistently keeps her gaze lowered, shielding herself behind a facade of courteous but hollow smiles that never reach her eyes. The polite exterior she maintains feels like a carefully constructed barrier designed to keep everyone at a distance. Unable to ignore the quiet distress hidden beneath her practiced demeanor, Ame resolves to bridge the gap between them. Driven by genuine concern, he makes the decision to approach and speak with her directly, hoping to uncover the truth behind the mask she so desperately clings to.