 Tsugumi is a sickly but feisty and somewhat unpleasant young girl living in a small Japanese seaside town at the family inn with her parents, sister Yoko, aunt Masako, and cousin Maria (the protagonist).Following the divorce of Maria's father, Maria and Masako move to Tokyo to be with him, where Maria attends university.Shortly after the move, Maria receives a call from Tsugumi to say that the family are selling the inn.