The Tunnel to Summer, the Exit of Goodbyes

In a downpour at Kasaki Station, shy high school student Kaoru Touno meets Anzu Hanashiro, a transfer student from Tokyo. As Kaoru shares his umbrella with her, Anzu opens up about her life lacking parental presence, hinting at deeper emotional complexities ahead.

The next day, Anzu arrives at Kaoru's school, where her presence is met with mixed reactions. Despite attempts from her classmates to welcome her, she struggles to fit in, particularly after being targeted by the mean girl Koharu Kawasaki.

Koharu mocks Anzu by stealing her manga, provoking a swift and aggressive response. Anzu retaliates by punching Koharu, establishing her resistance but also isolating herself further from her peers.

At home, Kaoru endures his father's wrath, who unjustly blames him for the family's unraveling after the loss of Kaoru's sister, Karen. This emotional turmoil drives Kaoru to seek refuge outside, leading him to the legendary Urashima Tunnel.

Once inside the Urashima Tunnel, Kaoru discovers its peculiar property: time passes differently. A mere hour inside the tunnel equates to a week outside, giving them a unique opportunity to explore their desires and rhythm of time.

Reuniting after his tunnel adventure, Kaoru and Anzu establish a pact to pursue their innermost desires. Each visit to the tunnel serves to deepen their bond, revealing Anzu's fears and Kaoru's wish to resurrect his sister.

During their exploration, Kaoru and Anzu find mysterious papers that reveal Anzu’s abandoned manga, highlighting her forgotten potential. This discovery ignites Kaoru's determination to help Anzu reclaim her lost dreams of becoming a manga artist.

After enjoying a wonderful date at a summer festival, Kaoru returns home only to discover his father has remarried and introduced a new stepmother. This shocking news creates unease, prompting Kaoru to ask Anzu to postpone their final journey to the tunnel.

Worried about Kaoru’s abrupt disappearance, Anzu rushes back to the tunnel. There, she finds a poignant message from Kaoru, revealing the tunnel's true nature and encouraging her to follow her dreams while accepting his own path.

Inside the tunnel, Kaoru experiences a surreal reunion with his sister Karen following her tragic passing. Their bittersweet encounter emphasizes the themes of love and unresolved grief, leading him to a significant realization about his feelings for Anzu.

Eight years later, Anzu stands at Kasaki Station, feeling bittersweet about her past and her dreams of being a manga artist. Nostalgically thinking of Kaoru, she realizes her aspirations have dimmed due to life's challenges, further complicating her emotional state.

Just as sorrow envelops Anzu, she receives a hopeful message from Kaoru, hinting at a new beginning. This prompts her to embark on a journey, filled with determination to reunite with him and revive her dreams together.

In a twist of fate, Kaoru accidentally falls back into the tunnel, leading to a moment where time seems to come to a stop. Within the darkness, he feels Anzu’s warm presence reignite his consciousness, reminding him of their bond.

In a beautifully poetic moment, Kaoru and Anzu share a kiss inside the tunnel, symbolizing the intertwining of their fates. This transcendent encounter transforms both of them, marking the culmination of their journeys and struggles.

Emerging from the tunnel, Kaoru steps into the light after 13 years and 102 days since their initial meeting. Forever changed by their experiences, he and Anzu are ready to face the future together, forever altered by the serendipitous encounter that began their journey.