The story depicts the brilliance of adolescence over the four years of university, from entrance exams to graduation, as the shy and curious girl, Haruka, engages in club activities, becomes independent from her parents, searches for a job, and falls in love.

Karin has lived alone in a secluded mountain village with her consumptive mother since her father died. Her worried grandfather advises her to send her mother to a sanatorium and be adopted by him, although she refuses to accept. On the Buddhist All Soul’s Day Festival in August, a messenger from her grandfather pays a sudden visit to her house.

The Girls' Division of Okinawa Normal School and the First Okinawa Prefectural High School for Girls were also known as "Himeyuri no Gakuen". In July 1944, the students, who were supposed to spend their summer vacations at home, were called back to school to prepare for the coming war and to fulfill their duties as subjects of the Imperial State. The fate of the girls and teachers awaited them as the American army attacked.

A father returns from a single assignment for the first time in five years and struggles to revive a family that has collapsed.