As the Moon, So Beautiful

Kotarou Azumi and Akane Mizuno, now third-year junior high students, find themselves in the same class for the first time. Alongside their classmates Chinatsu Nishio and Takumi Hira, they navigate the complexities of growing up, forming bonds, and developing a deeper understanding of themselves and each other. As their final year unfolds, the group faces personal and social challenges that lead to emotional growth and self-discovery.

The final middle school sports festival approaches, and Kotarou finds himself participating in the relay race. During the event, he befriends one of Akane's friends, who helps him with a scraped hand.

As the school trip approaches, the third-year students are caught up in romantic speculation. Kotarou focuses on his writing, while Akane dedicates herself to improving her running.

Kotarou and Akane experience growing tension after he asks her out, leading him to seek a moment alone with her during a school trip. However, he struggles with the challenge of secretly using his phone without being noticed by the teachers.

Akane and Kotarou struggle to find opportunities to spend time together at school, while Chinatsu consistently manages to be around him.

Akane prepares for an important track meet, but her focus is disrupted when Chinatsu reveals she has a crush on Kotarou, causing her emotional turmoil.

Chinatsu takes Akane, Kotarou, and Hira to Tokyo Dome City for a day at the amusement park, hoping to achieve a personal goal before a significant deadline.

Rumors begin to spread among their peers that Kotarou and Akane are dating, causing tension and curiosity within their social circle.

Kotarou and Akane navigate the challenges of starting high school together, relying on their friendship to cope with the pressures of this new chapter in their lives.

Akane decides to apply to a school in Chiba suggested by her parents and Takumi, and Kotaro assures her he will apply there as well, vowing to stay together. Later, the track club attends a festival at Kotaro's school.

Kotaro intensifies his studies with the goal of transferring to Akane's school, despite initially lacking the required academic performance. While his mother initially supports his sudden dedication, a revelation at a parent-teacher conference causes tension in his family. At the same time, Akane begins knitting a scarf as a gift for Kotaro.

Kotaro is disappointed to learn he was not accepted into Akane's school, causing tension between them. Daisuke encourages Kotaro to channel his emotions into his writing, while Ayane suggests that Akane consider ending the relationship to avoid the challenges of a long-distance romance.