Honey and Clover

Yūta Takemoto, a second-year student at an art school, desperately tries to wake up sixth-year student, Shinobu Morita, for school, in order to prevent Morita from repeating yet another school year. Later on, Takemoto and Takumi Mayama, a fourth-year student, are introduced to Hagumi "Hagu" Hanamoto by Shūji Hanamoto, her father's cousin.

Takemoto and Mayama soon discover Hagu's artistic talents. They, as well as Hagu, discover Morita's website which contains a collection of pictures featuring Hagu. Hagu gets upset and throws random objects at Morita, which included her wish list.

It is late summer. Takemoto, Mayama, and Morita are coming back from an evening bath when Takemoto receives a phone call from Hagu inviting them all over for dinner the next evening. Mayama and Morita decide not to go, leaving Takemoto to have dinner with Hagu and Professor Hanamoto.

rtgMayama continues to battle over his feelings for Rika and his feelings for Yamada. Meanwhile, Hagu is overwhelmed by other people's expectations of her artistic ability. The next day, Morita invites Takemoto, Mayama, Hagu, Professor Hanamoto, and Yamada to a Christmas party.

Takemoto goes home to visit Mitsuko Aida, his mother, for the first time in a while. Takemoto's father died years before, and Takemoto does not like Kazuo Aida, his mother's love interest. While visiting, Takemoto realizes that Kazuo is not a replacement for his father, but someone to care for Mitsuko. He finds a respect for Kazuo.

Takemoto, Hagu, Morita, Mayama, Yamada, and Professor Hanamoto go to the zoo. Professor Hanamoto talks to Mayama and tells him about Rika's husband. Professor Hanamoto lived with Rika her husband, and was very close to both of them. When Rika's husband died in an accident, Professor Hanamoto took care of Rika, as she suffered major injuries in the accident.

Professor Hanamoto is offered to travel with his old teacher for one year to gather research and survey material for a new book, and offers to bring Hagu along for the trip. Hagu refuses, stating she won't be lonely because she now has friends, which is a stark contrast to Professor Hanamoto's recollection of Hagu's life prior to coming to the art school.

Yamada has moved in with Hagu, and the two invite Takemoto, Morita, and Mayama over for a strange dinner. It's shown to humorous effect that Hagu and Professor Hanamoto greatly miss each other. After dinner, Mayama asks why they are gathered together, and no one seems to know. Takemoto replies that it's his birthday, and everyone is very embarrassed. They all attempt to make up for it.

Morita makes and discreetly gives Hagu a brooch she wanted, while Takemoto fights feelings of jealousy and whether or not to tell Hagu who gave the brooch to her. Yamada also thanks Morita for bailing her out of a situation where she awkwardly tried to casually say that she loves Mayama. Christmas arrives, and Hagu begins her first part-time job by helping Yamada in the local shopping district.

After the school festival and Christmas passes by, the entire group goes on an outing by going on a water taxi ride along the Sumida River. On there, Mayama reveals to Takemoto he knows about Takemoto's feelings toward Hagu and tells him to not give up.

Takemoto and Yamada talk about Mayama's future and how Hagu has grown before they are interrupted by Professor Hanamoto's sudden and early return from his trip to Mongolia. Everyone then gathers at night to hear about Professor Hanamoto and his teacher's trip.

It is spring again. The whole group attend the annual school festival. Some of them tell stories about what happened recently to them, while others think of their loved ones. Later on the next day, Hagu is still in an uncomfortable mood. She went out to buy tobacco for Professor Hanamoto and took a look of cherry blossoms for a while.

Takemoto, Morita, Mayama, and Professor Hanamoto all reminisce about Lohmeyer, a friend of theirs. In a flashback, it is revealed that he is a large, bulky guy, and known for his generosity and his kindness. He brings tons of meat to them, as the four happily ask for more. Until one day, Lohmeyer disappears, leaving the four in major depression and sorrow.

Takemoto later announced the news about Morita leaving to Los Angeles to Hagu and the rest. Later, they all went to Morita's room, since the door was destroyed by Kaoru. Takemoto asked Hagu whether or not she wants Morita to return, but her stern and straightforward answer before was really hurting him.

Mayama dreams of Rika. One of his co-workers, Miwako Teshigawara, says that when one dreams of another, it is because the person in the dream wants them to meet so much that the soul escapes the body and comes to the dream.

Mayama's work is going well with his co-workers. Miwako noticed how well Mayama and Nomiya potted bowls. But this leads to Mayama discussing to his co-workers about his feelings toward Yamada. Yet he still misses Rika. Mayama and Nomiya head over to Yamada's room, after they had finished their work for the day.

Nomiya tells Miwako that the firm will split into two locations. One will stay in Tokyo, while the other will move to Tottori. Nomiya intentionally wants Mayama to go to the firm in Tottori. At the same time, Asai is still in the hospital and Rika hasn't been able to find a replacement for him.

Having lost Mayama from the Fujiwara Design Office, Miwako expresses her depression by buying a massage chair for their new office. Yamada, who was brooding over the proposal of her childhood friends, confronts them and turns them down properly, later wishing for their own happiness while selling cakes with Hagu.

Morita, airing on television in a startling appearance, is given an Academy Award. After making a ruckus on the hospital ward, they were shocked to see Morita on the bed right beside Takemoto. The next day, they return to the hospital, only to see Morita well.

Before Mayama starting working at the Fujiwara Design Office, Miwako becomes upset to see Yamazaki in a fashion magazine. It is explained that Miwako bought a shirt for Yamazaki as a practical joke device.

Mayama arrives at the Fujiwara Design Office, only to found out that Yamada is there. After she leaves abruptly, Mayama mistakes Nomiya's business interest with Yamada for his love interest. Mayama then goes to the apartment to meet up with Takemoto and Morita.

Nomiya calls Yamazaki and Miwako to the office early in the morning to assist a drunken Yamada to her father's house. Later on, Morita meets up with Mayama, and Morita tells Mayama that he wants to visit the office again sometime.

Takemoto meets with Professor Hanamoto and a businessman. The businessman offers Takemoto a job, and Takemoto quickly accepts the job. Takemoto celebrates this occasion with Morita, Mayama, Hagu, Professor Hanamoto, and Yamada. However, the businessman had declared bankruptcy.

Takemoto travels to many houses to get water to drink. Miwako text messages for Yamada to Nomiya, as she wonders how he is doing. Hagu believes that she is selfish for not displaying her paintings. Takemoto is uncertain to return to the apartment.

Takemoto cooks for the carpenter, and they seem to like the food he prepares. Takemoto calculates that he will work for ten days until he is able to buy a new bicycle. Meanwhile at the Fujiwara Design Office, Rika ask if Yamada could work with her, since she takes an interest in Yamada's pottery.