Josee, the Tiger and the Fish

Tsuneo, a university student and part-time worker in Osaka, rescues Josee after she accidentally pushes her wheelchair down a steep road. Impressed by his kindness, Josee's grandmother Chizu invites him to stay the night and he becomes Josee's caretaker. This chance act sets the foundation for the evolving relationship between them.

Chizu invites Tsuneo to stay at the house and he begins caring for Josee, who initially acts selfishly. He gradually earns her trust as they share days together, and their bond starts to deepen. The arrangement marks the beginning of a life-changing connection.

The pair spend time at the beach, where their companionship grows and they learn to rely on each other. The seaside outings become a backdrop for their mutual support and budding feelings. Their connection deepens through these shared moments.

Josee is hired at a local library by Kana Kishimoto, giving her new independence and social connection. The job embeds her more in daily life and routines, while Tsuneo continues to support her. The change expands their circle and deepens their evolving relationship.

Tsuneo receives a scholarship and an offer to study in Mexico, but he does not tell Josee about the future. The looming possibility foreshadows a coming distance between them. He wrestles with whether to share the news.

Chizu dies of a heart attack, leaving Josee to cope on her own. Two men inform her that she will leave the house for a few months, signaling a forced break from her routine. Mai Ninomiya later urges Josee to redeem herself and set Tsuneo free, hinting at ongoing pressures between them.

Following the shifts in their lives, Josee moves toward an office job rather than pursuing art, marking a new phase of independence. The change aligns with Mai's push and the evolving situation around Tsuneo's future. This new path reshapes their relationship.

After an argument at the beach, Josee's wheelchair gets stuck in the road and Tsuneo is hit by a car, fracturing his right leg. He spends two months in the hospital recovering. The accident tests their commitment and alters their plans for the future.

The professor informs Tsuneo that another student will replace him for school and travel, prompting him to give up his dream. Mai Ninomiya visits Josee and urges her to support Tsuneo, arguing she deserves him more. Her visit becomes a catalyst for changing expectations between them.

During rehabilitation, Josee resumes her artistry and Tsuneo grows more determined in therapy. Hayato Matsura escorts him from the hospital to the library, where Josee reads a story she drew to the children—the Mermaid and the Radiant Wings—an allegory of their relationship. The tale inspires Tsuneo to persevere and walk again.

Tsuneo is discharged and returns to an empty house, only to find Josee has left. His friends search the city for her as he follows the snow-filled wheelchair tracks from the zoo, recalling how they first met. The moment rekindles their connection and sets up a future reunion.

A stranger knocks the wheelchair into the snowy road, and Josee tumbles again, only to be saved by Tsuneo, echoing their first meeting. They confess their love and share their futures: Josee wants to be a storybook illustrator, and Tsuneo promises to stay with her. They embrace, affirming their commitment.

Tsuneo travels to Mexico to study, and Josee leaves the house for demolition. The next year, Tsuneo returns to Japan and continues spending time with Josee, who keeps pursuing her art. The story closes with their ongoing devotion and a hopeful reunion.