Daisuke Higashida is a diligent first‑year at Higashizaka High School. He maintains a calm daily routine, though he feels discontent with his family who never laugh and exhaust him. Suddenly, his father"s firm collapses, leaving Daisuke unable to pay allowances, phone charges, or bus fares. When his father insists he find a part‑time job, Daisuke opts to work at a family restaurant in the neighborhood near his home so he can avoid cycling fifteen kilometres to school each day, to support his studies and future goals.
