On a cold winter day, a man visits Inose Azuma and his sick mother. Matsuoka Sueji, a lender who used to work for the Inose family, offers them much-needed help. At first, Azuma is suspicious of Matsuoka, but he starts to appreciate his kindness once he realizes his true intentions. As they spend more time together, Azuma develops feelings for Matsuoka. However, their different social backgrounds make them wonder how far they can take their relationship. Over the course of four seasons, these two people navigate their separate life paths.