Soar High!

Mai lives in Higashi Osaka with her father, mother, and older brother. Prone to unexplained fevers, she often misses school, but she returns on the eighth day of the new semester. Encouraged by her childhood friend Takashi, she becomes caretaker of the class rabbit, Sumi-chan, along with Kurumi, who later becomes her lifelong friend.

When the class rabbit escapes, Mai runs around searching for it and comes down with a fever. At the hospital, the doctor recommends a change of environment. Takashi brings her a letter from Kurumi, folded into a paper plane. Megumi hesitates when Kota suggests taking Mai to her estranged mother, Shoko.

Encouraged by her grandmother, Mai tells her mother she wants to join the school’s seaside outing. Megumi agrees but remains anxious. During the trip, a student steps on a stonefish, causing panic. As Mai tries to get out of the water, she falls and gets hurt. While delivering jam by car, Megumi and Shoko come upon the scene. Megumi jumps out and rushes to Mai.

With Megumi back in Higashi Osaka, Mai begins living alone with Shoko, who teaches her to be independent and try new things. But Mai struggles—she breaks a dish, oversleeps, and arrives late to school. Still, Shoko encourages her, saying mistakes aren’t bad: “If you can’t do something, learn it. If not, find what you can do.”