Since she was very young, due to her height, Koyuki has struggled to fit in with her classmates.
One prank led to another—each one crueler than the last—and for years, Koyuki held it all inside; yet, instead of confronting her tormentors, she learned to simply maintain a serious demeanor.
Now in high school, she is told she looks as cold as ice, and generally, the other students keep their distance, observing her from afar. She is nearing the end of her freshman year, and Koyuki feels she hasn’t made any progress.
At one point, she wonders if she should try smiling more; while she is studying her reflection in a mirror, Minato catches her by surprise. She doesn’t recognize him, though he has actually been watching her for some time.
Minato attempts to strike up a conversation with her, while his friend Youta apologizes in case he has caused her any offense. By the end of the encounter, Koyuki is left feeling somewhat bewildered.
Later that day, Miki—her childhood friend—asks if she can come over to her house. Although they are in different classes, they remain in constant contact.
Miki is feeling troubled because, in her class, she has been pigeonholed as a “model student”—when, in reality, she is a very cheerful and spontaneous person.
The following morning, Koyuki heads to Miki’s classroom to drop off a notebook; however, as she opens the door, she is nearly bowled over by Youta—a rather tall boy who happens to be quite nearsighted.
Later, the girls make plans to study together, and Miki asks Koyuki to go on ahead. On her way there, a group of men start making comments at Koyuki, and painful memories from her past begin to resurface.
Across the street, Koyuki spots Youta and tries to catch his attention to ask for help—though she still doesn’t know his name. Finally, she decides to stand up for herself, but before she can make a move, Youta suddenly appears right by her side.
(氷の城壁)
