In the year 1996, Haruo Yaguchi, Akira Oono, and Koharu Hidaka, all second-year high school students, remain deeply passionate about video games just as they were five years ago. Initially connected through arcade gaming, their relationship evolves from a spirited competition and camaraderie to something deeper. As they grapple with newfound emotions, they lean on their friends for support, navigate the complexities of high school life, and discover solace in the familiar realm of gaming amidst life's trials and tribulations.