How a Penguin Dives
Jousuke Daikuhara is a high school boy with a kind heart, quiet determination, and a smile that makes people feel safe without him even realizing it. He is a skilled and well-known musician in his school. He is also an academic achiever. He likes peaceful days, enjoys small joys, and easily attracts others with his gentle way of noticing small details, even if he pretends not to notice them. Though he doesn’t see himself as special, his ability to care for others and remain genuine makes it impossible for those around him not to fall for him, turning his once simple days into a mess of tangled feelings and unspoken words.
Leah Boutsuki is a shy, soft-spoken girl, but a really smart and artistic girl, finding comfort in quiet moments and small happiness. She and Jousuke first met when they accidentally bumped into each other after lunchtime in front of their classroom. Despite her quiet nature, Leah’s gentle warmth leaves an impression on Jousuke, even if she struggles to find the courage to tell him how she feels.
Kaede Miyazaki, the tsundere, sharp-tongued yet secretly caring student council vice president, is known for her straightforward attitude and fiery determination in everything she does. She is known as the most beautiful girl in Bungaku High School. She and Jousuke met through the student council, where she often scolded him, calling him an idiot while hiding the blush that colors her cheeks whenever he smiles back. Beneath her tough exterior, Miyazaki finds herself drawn to Jousuke’s kindness and reliability, even if it frustrates her to realize she has fallen for someone she claims to find annoying.
Rika Sakurai, determined and soft-spoken, has quietly harbored feelings for Jousuke since middle school. There’s a specific time that left an impression on Rika, who saw in Jousuke a kindness she couldn’t forget, even as she tried to move on while dating others. Despite her attempts to bury her feelings, Rika’s quiet devotion and unshakable loyalty continue to anchor her heart to Jousuke, deepening the quiet chaos that now surrounds him.
And as days pass, the lines between friendship and love blur under the warmth of small moments, leaving the question of who will capture Jousuke’s heart a mystery—because in this gentle harem, the winner remains anonymous, and love is never as simple as it seems.