Kaoru Hana wa Rin to Saku centers on the contrasting worlds of two neighboring high schools: the rough-and-tumble Chidori Public High School and the prestigious, all-girls Kikyo Private Academy. Kikyo’s students are known for their wealthy backgrounds and impeccable reputations, while Chidori is infamous for its delinquent students. Despite their proximity, the two schools couldn’t be more different, with Kikyo’s students harboring a deep disdain for their Chidori counterparts. At the heart of this divide is Rintarou Tsumugi, a misunderstood Chidori student whose intimidating appearance leads others to avoid him, even though he is kind-hearted and helps out at his family’s cake shop.

Rintarou’s life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Kaoruko Waguri, a cheerful student from Kikyo Academy. Initially, their meeting is fleeting, but when Kaoruko later apologizes for her abrupt departure, Rintarou realizes she sees beyond his tough exterior. A surprising friendship begins to blossom between the two, despite the social barriers set by their schools. As Rintarou navigates this new relationship, he must grapple with the challenges of bridging the gap between their contrasting worlds.