Peach Girl (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Sae spreads rumors about Momo out of jealousy. While Sae pretends to be Momo's only real friend, she secretly fuels the nasty gossip that labels Momo as an 'easy girl.' Her motivation stems from her own feelings of inadequacy and her desire to have Toji for herself, as she also harbors romantic feelings for him.

Foreshadowing: Early in the story, Sae's jealousy is established the moment she sees Momo drawing Toji's attention.

• sae kashiwagi
• jealousy
• rumors
• bullying
• friend betrayal

Kairi reveals that Momo saved him from drowning the summer before high school started. This life-saving event created a personal connection between them, though Momo doesn't initially remember him the same way. The rescue gives Kairi a reason to pursue Momo and insert himself into her life.

Foreshadowing: The drowning rescue is revealed when Kairi first appears, establishing his deep personal stake in Momo's life.

• kairi okayasu
• drowning
• rescue
• past connection
• childhood

Toji breaks up with Momo while hospitalized because Sae manipulates him during his vulnerable state. Sae spreads false rumors and manipulates events to drive a wedge between them, causing Toji to believe he needs to distance himself from Momo to protect both of them from the social scandal.

Foreshadowing: Sae's manipulation begins the moment Toji is hospitalized, exploiting his weakened condition.

• toji
• hospital
• breakup
• sae manipulation
• rumors

After briefly reconciling, Toji breaks up with Momo again to protect her from Sae's threat to use mass media to discredit her. Even though Toji initially defies Sae's manipulation, he ultimately makes the painful choice to part ways so Momo won't face further harm from Sae's schemes.

Foreshadowing: Sae's threat to use media access looms over the reconciliation, creating inevitable conflict.

• toji breakup
• protection
• sae threat
• media
• second breakup

Kairi takes it upon himself to investigate and uncover the truth about Sae's manipulation. He learns the details of Sae's schemes and shares them with Toji, helping Toji understand that he was manipulated into breaking up with Momo. This revelation leads Toji to publicly defend Momo and tell the truth.

Foreshadowing: Kairi's investigative actions directly follow the breakup, showing his commitment to Momo.

• kairi
• sae lies
• expose truth
• toji
• investigation

After Toji breaks up with her to protect her from Sae's schemes, Momo begins dating Kairi, whom she previously found annoying. As they spend time together, Momo gradually develops genuine feelings for him, and a real connection blossoms. Her feelings evolve from initial annoyance to deep care.

Foreshadowing: Momo's initial annoyance with Kairi transforms as they spend more time together post-breakup.

• momo
• kairi
• dating
• relationship
• feelings evolve

Sae throws a rock at her own dog Sora's paw, causing the dog to walk with a limp. This incident reveals Sae's carelessness and emotional instability during her troubled period. The injury becomes a visible symbol of the fragility of Sae's world and the damage she causes to those around her.

Foreshadowing: The dog's injury occurs during Sae's difficult year when she's repeating high school.

• sae
• sora
• dog
• injury
• animal mistreatment

Sae pretends to be in college with Momo while she actually remains in high school after repeating a year due to chronic class skipping. This deception is part of her ongoing need to maintain a certain image and compete with Momo, even as her own life remains stalled.

Foreshadowing: Sae's pretense begins after she fails to advance with her peers.

• sae
• college
• pretension
• deception
• modeling

Kanji, nicknamed Monkey Boy, is Sae's childhood sweetheart who left for Malaysia when they were young with a promise to return and marry her. He returns and begins following Sae around, caring for her dog Sora and showing lingering feelings for her. His presence adds another layer to Sae's complicated romantic history.

Foreshadowing: Kanji's return is set up by the mention of his childhood promise to Sae.

• kanji
• monkey boy
• childhood sweetheart
• malaysia
• sae love interest

By the end of the story, Sae comes to a painful realization: Momo, Kairi, and Kanji are the people who genuinely care for her, despite all her schemes and manipulations. This marks a moment of personal growth, though her journey remains incomplete and her relationships with others are fragile.

Foreshadowing: Sae's realization comes after experiencing the consequences of her actions throughout the story.

• sae ending
• character growth
• realization
• reconciliation
• personal development

The kiss between Momo and Kairi actually happens, but it was initiated by Kairi without Momo's consent or expectation. Momo is stunned by the kiss and unsure how to process it, especially given her feelings for Toji. Sae twists this moment into a rumor that damages Momo's reputation further.

Foreshadowing: The kiss occurs during a vulnerable moment for Momo, setting the rumor in motion.

• kiss
• kairi
• rumor
• sae manipulation
• truth

Momo is labeled an 'easy girl' by her classmates due to narrow-minded gossip. She stands out because of her tan and bleached hair, and the rumor mill quickly labels her as someone who has had many relationships. In reality, Momo is shy and struggling with loneliness, harboring a secret love for Toji.

Foreshadowing: The rumors begin from the very start of Momo's high school life.

• easy girl
• rumors
• gossip
• momo reputation
• bullying