Taiki Inomata/Synopsis

## Plot

As Taiki is entering the school's gym, he is accidentally hit in the face by a basketball.  Chinatsu apologizes and asks to look at his injury. He tells her that he is fine and not to worry about it. Before departing, Chinatsu offers him a candy bar and asks if he will forgive, which he accepts. Later, while practicing, he is talking to  Kyo about Chinatsu. Kyo explains how Taiki couldn't date her as they're on two different levels with nothing in common. Taiki says he understands what he is saying, but explains how people have to rise to the challenge. With those words in mind, Kyo tells him to aim to get Chinatsu's number or know his name.

At that moment, he is startled by his friend Hina. She asks if something is bothering, but he tells her no. However, he asks her about what girls like. This causes Hina to blush as she excitedly tells him all the things he needs to do. Taiki and Kyo are overwhelmed by her advice and leave. The next day, as he is walking to the gym, he notices that Chinatsu is there waiting for it to open. When he sees her sniffle, he starts offering his scarf and various things from his bag. Chinatsu laughs as she is amused and asks what else will he take out. She thanks him and wraps his scarf around him after he sneezes. Chinatsu calls him by his name which shocks him. He asks her how does she know his name. She responds that he has a good mom as his name was revealed to be on the scarf.

Later in the gym, Taiki is practicing hard at badminton until he notices Chinatsu outside with the basketball coach. He wonders what they are talking about. At that moment, Hina comes up and asks what he is doing. She notices him watching Chinatsu and teases by saying she saw her walking alone with a guy one time before leaving. Once practice is over, he is washing up and preparing to go home. However, he realizes that he left his towel in the gym and goes back for it. He notices that Chinatsu is still practicing and gets caught staring. He asks why she is still there, and she tells him that she wanted to feel the ball more. She tosses him the ball and asks for a one-on-one game. Taiki gets exhausted after the game, and Chinatsu decides they should take a break. He tries to apologize for the way he is playing, but Chinatsu tells him that he is what she expected. She compliments him on his speed during the game. He decides to tell her about how his mom being a former basketball player and sometimes playing with her. Chinatsu says her and mom are exactly like that as well. She asks if he has ever considered joining the basketball team, but he he tells her he's not cut out for the team aspect.

Taiki explains how he likes being alone on the court playing badminton and baring all responsibility that comes with it. Chinatsu that is masochistic, but she understands why he practices so hard. He says the same about her and tells her of the time he saw her practicing in the gym a year ago after the team barely made it Nationals. He explains how that event was the reason for his motivation. He looks up to see Chinatsu shocked as she tells him that she forgot about that event. A coach comes in to tell that the gym is closing. When Chinatsu drops one of the balls out of the basket, Taiki helps her pick it up and they touch fingers. She thanks him, and they both go home.

   Some time later, at home, Taiki comes downstairs to prepare to go to the gym until he spots Chinatsu in a magazine. His mother asks if he knows her and goes on about she and Chinatsu's mother played on the same team. She tells him how Chinatsu's family is moving overseas, which shocks Taiki. He runs out of the house straight towards the gym to find Chinatsu practicing. He loudly proclaims that she shouldn't give up on going to Nationals. When he brings up her family moving overseas, she interrupts by saying that she is not going with them. She explains how she will miss her family, but she decided that she wanted to go to Nationals because of Taiki. Chinatsu tosses him the basketball and asks to play another game. Taiki agrees and suggest they play badminton as well.

The next day, Taiki wakes up embarrassed about what he said to Chinatsu the previous day. He comes downstairs shocked to find Chinatsu standing in his kitchen. Taiki freaks out when his mother revealed that Chinatsu will be living with them. In the spring, Chinatsu finally moves in which causes Taiki to freak out. She comes into his room to let him know that the bathroom is free. He tries to read his Shonen Jump issue to appear fine. When she expresses interest in the issue and states not having time to read it, he decides to let her borrow it. Chinatsu tells him how she's lucky to have already known him before moving in as it makes her feel at ease with the new living situation. This causes Taiki to realize how he's the one acting like idiot for being bothered by living with Chinatsu.

At practice, he is playing very aggressively against Kyo who notes how energetic he is. Kyo explains that he shouldn't let others find out they're living together as he'll become a target to Chinatsu's admirers. He says they could end up dating, but Taiki disagrees. Taiki doesn't want to ask Chinatsu to be his girlfriend as he deems it selfish after she decided to stay in Japan. He declares how he wants to make it to Nationals. Kyo tells him how only a few first year students have made it Nationals, but Taiki is determined to strive for it. Taiki is working out at home while thinking about his skill levels. He watches a video of himself practicing until Chinatsu comes in. She asks to see the video, but Taiki say it is too embarrassing. She says there's no big deal as she always watches him gym. They watch the video and she compliments him on his reaction speed. However, Taiki says that he is too slow. If he doesn't improve his performance, he might not make it to Nationals, which catches her attention. He tries to backtrack from what he said, but she reminds him of the time he told her to go to Nationals. He declares that he is going while thinking about how lame he sounds. Chinatsu leaves the room and comes back with a wish ribbon. She ties it around his ankle and tells him to achieve his goal. They both wish each other a good night and she leaves. Once she is gone, Taiki thinks about how his feelings have grown even more. He decides to work out every time he gets distracted.

One day during Spring Break, Taiki prepares to go to the gym for more training. He tells Chinatsu that he's the lowest ranking member and needs to train more. She says she will him later, which makes him think they act like a married couple. He is working out extra hard at the gym to get rid of distractions. He explains to Hina how the national qualifiers are coming up, and he wants to be ready. He continues to work out until Hina brings up Chinatsu. Taiki quickly tries to walk away but Hina follows. They bump into Chinatsu trying to give Taiki his wallet. However, Taiki interrupts before she could finish talking and treats her like a complete stranger. Puzzled at first, Chinatsu says he is welcome and walks away. Taiki wonders if he was a jerk to her.

At lunch, he is discussing the earlier ordeal with Kyo. Kyo explains how he should've told Chinatsu about wanting to keep the living situation a secret. He goes on about he wouldn't be surprised if she thinks Taiki doesn't want to associate with her. Taiki doesn't feel that way at all. At that moment, a coach comes in asking for their help along with Chinatsu and Hina. He tries to fix his mistake by talking to her, but she only thanks him and goes to help with the other chairs. Because of this, he believes that she hates him. They continue to help with the chairs until Hina decides to ask Chinatsu about having a boyfriend. He's shock to see her asks a bold question. Chinatsu says that she doesn't have one and is only focusing on basketball for the time being. As they're finishing up, the coach says that Coach Igushi has said positive things about Taiki performance. The coach said he has a chance to make it to the national qualifiers. Taiki is excited over hearing these words. He turns to see if Chinatsu heard, but she has already walked off.

Later on, he is practicing when he sees Chinatsu fall on the court. Kyo reminds him that they can't speak as he wanted them to be complete strangers. Some time afterwards, is going to get some water in the same place as Chinatsu. He asks if she is okay from her fall from earlier. She says is, but wonders why he isn't acting like he doesn't know her. Taiki apologizes for his behavior, and explains how their current situation is embarrassing for him. Chinatsu is shocked as she thought he was behaving that way due to liking Hina. Taiki tells her that he doesn't like Hina in that way. He laughs and called her dummy, which earns him a nudge from Chinatsu. They continue to talk to each other as Hina watches them secretly.