Maria Natsume, a timid 16-year-old in Meiji-era Japan, suffers from feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, burdened by her clumsiness and inadvertent bluntness. She carries herself with shame, always anxious to avoid public humiliation and judgment from her peers and even her mother.
During a visit to the opulent Mayuzumi mansion, where Maria's mother is to work as a servant, she meets Rintarou Mayuzaka, a courteous young man of 15 who playfully needles her. Unbeknownst to Maria, he soon learns of her most guarded secret - the source of her self-hatred and fear of being exposed. Yet, to her surprise, Rintarou accepts her without reservation and remains kind to her.
As she becomes increasingly fascinated with him, Maria wonders if her growing infatuation is a prelude to a promising romance.
