Series by 芦原妃名子

Yuzuki Fukada, a 34-year-old elementary school teacher, feels adrift in life—single, facing job instability, and unsure of her future. After quitting her job and trying her luck with arranged marriages, nothing seems to work out, leaving her feeling more lost than ever. Her only solace comes from the warm, comforting bread she buys at a small stationery store. On a whim, she proposes to the store's owner, Yoichi Hara, a 39-year-old baker, and to her surprise, he agrees. What begins as an impulsive decision soon becomes a journey of connection, self-discovery, and finding meaning in unexpected places.

Anzu Uekusa, a 12-year-old girl, moves to her mother’s rural hometown in Shimane after her parents’ divorce, struggling to adjust to the close-knit community. She befriends Daigo, a kind and grounded boy next door, who helps her find a sense of belonging. A sudden crisis involving her mother’s health shakes Anzu’s world, forcing her to confront deep emotional challenges. As she navigates friendships and early feelings for Daigo, Anzu begins to carve out her place in this new life. Their bond, tied to the symbolic hourglass, sets the stage for a journey through love, loss, and growth.

Mizuho is a university student who learns that her high school classmate Haruka has died. She does not remember being especially close to Haruka. Haruka's mother says that Haruka called Mizuho her best friend. The mother asks Mizuho to find the boy Haruka dated in high school. As Mizuho asks former classmates for answers, she uncovers a hidden pregnancy and a past she had avoided.