Peach Girl

Momo Adachi is a former member of the high school swim team who stands out for her tan and bleached hair. She endures rumors and is labeled as an 'easy girl' by ignorant classmates. Her only friend, Sae, secretly fuels the gossip with jealousy.

Sae pretends to be Momo's friend, but she is the architect of the nasty gossip. Her jealousy drives her to spread rumors that ruin Momo's reputation. The dynamic sets the stage for Momo's complicated social life.

Kairi Okayasu is introduced as a witty playboy who reveals he saved Momo from drowning the summer before high school started. The rescue gives him a place in Momo's story and clouds her feelings with new attention. Momo's sense of loyalty—and confusion—grows from this revelation.

A rumor spreads that Momo and Kairi kissed, and it turns out Kairi was the one who initiated it. Momo is stunned by the kiss and unsure what to believe about her feelings. The moment foreshadows the coming love triangle.

Toji is hospitalized, and Sae manipulates him into breaking up with Momo. The social pressure and the fear of scandal threaten Momo's happiness. The breakup seems final, and Momo struggles with the loss.

Kairi learns the truth about Sae's manipulation and shares it with Toji. He helps Momo withstand bullying caused by the rumors, and Toji publicly tells the truth, prompting apologies from classmates and scorn for Sae. After this, Toji and Momo briefly reunite, though the damage to Momo's trust lingers.

Sae escalates her plan by attempting to discredit Momo through mass media. Toji, initially defiant, ultimately breaks up with Momo to shield her from further harm. Momo is heartbroken, not fully realizing this action is part of Sae's scheme.

With Toji out of the picture, Momo begins dating Kairi, whom she once found annoying. She gradually falls in love with him as they grow closer. The love triangle starts to tilt in Kairi's favor.

When Toji's explains why he ended things, Momo is forced to choose between her former lover and the man she is dating now. The triangle intensifies as loyalties shift and old feelings resurface. Sae's influence remains a shadow over their decisions.

In Sae's side story, she repeats a year for skipping classes and remains stubborn about her path. She keeps visiting Momo and Kairi's universities every day. Meanwhile, Toji goes to a good university on his own, pursuing his path.

Sae meets Kanji, a childhood sweetheart who promises to marry her and begins following her around. He also takes care of Sae's dog Sora when her parents won't. The bond between them adds another layer to Sae's complicated social world.

Sora the dog walks with a limp after Sae throws a rock at its paw, injuring it. The incident exposes Sae's carelessness and strains the fragile networks around her. It also deepens the resolve of those who truly care for Sae and Momo.

Sae begins modeling and pretends she goes to college with Momo while she remains in high school. She later meets Honda and works for CC as a model, then encounters Takuma who rejects her and Shinji who never truly likes her. These experiences reveal who genuinely cares for her.

After the ups and downs, Sae realizes that Momo, Kairi, and Kanji are the people who truly care for her. The story closes on a note of personal growth and fragile reconciliation among the characters.