Otome Tsubaki Never Laughs

At twenty-five years old, Tsubaki Kanno harbors a deeply rooted insecurity that prevents her from expressing joy in the presence of others. This emotional barrier stems from a painful childhood memory when a boy she deeply admired cruelly remarked that her smile was unsettling. Since that defining moment, Tsubaki has locked away her laughter, choosing to navigate the world with a guarded and impassive demeanor to protect herself from further judgment. Her solitary routine is suddenly disrupted with the unexpected arrival of a mysterious man who enters her life with a very specific and unusual agenda. Tasked with a peculiar mission, this enigmatic newcomer aims to break through Tsubaki's emotional defenses and coax a genuine laugh from her once again. As their paths become intertwined, the narrative explores her journey toward overcoming past trauma and confronting the vulnerability she has avoided for years.