The Smoke of Love Sickness

Kousuke "Take" Tachikawa is a relentless chain-smoker known throughout school for his effortlessly cool demeanor and deeply unsociable nature. He is the kind of person who would charge a classmate for even the smallest favor, leading most to believe he would never make a suitable boyfriend. Despite this intimidating reputation, Kanami "Kana" Kinuta sees a completely different side of him. Even when Take casually blows cigarette smoke directly in Kana's direction, Kana remains convinced that his peer is genuinely kind and intelligent, always willing to lend a hand with homework and written reports without hesitation. What Kana fails to recognize is that this helpfulness is far from ordinary. Completely oblivious to the shifting dynamics around him, he has yet to realize that Take is offering him special treatment reserved for no one else. The true conflict lies not in their daily interactions, but in Kana’s lingering innocence regarding Take’s underlying intentions. When the haze of smoke finally clears and Kana is forced to confront the reality of Take standing right before him, he must decide how to navigate feelings he never saw coming.