The novel is told from the perspective of a mysterious ‘K’ who is friends with and in love with Sumire, a young woman who is determined to establish herself as a writer. The story explores Sumire’s relationship with an older Korean woman named Miu.
Sumire’s infatuation with Miu leads them to develop a romantic relationship. Soon, Sumire finds herself changing aspects of her life, such as dressing better and giving up bad habits. Sumire also writes to K stating that her and Miu have gone into business and will be extending their travels in Greece to pursue business interests.
As such, K thinks nothing of this interaction. Later, K continues ringing Sumire only for the call to go to answer machine. He then receives a call from Miu urging him to travel to Greece as something bad has happened to Sumire. When K arrives in Greece, Miu informs him that Sumire disappeared after Miu refuted a physical interaction between the two.
K finds evidence on Sumire’s hard drive where she had written a story base don Miu’s past. Miu had told her that, when she was younger, her physical urges had been lost when she had imagined herself having disturbing sexual experiences with a man. K then deduces that Sumire has entered a parallel world in which she can be with Miu.
After exhausting all avenues, K returns home. However, he faces more troubles at home, when his girlfriend’s son, Carrot, steals items from a shop and is caught. The officer is unimpressed by K and reprimands him. K then tells Carrot the story of Sumire after experiencing some connection to him. He then breaks up with this girlfriend.
K continues being alone and surviving day to day. He sees Miu in passing but she does not acknowledge him. One day, K receives a call and it is Sumire stating that she is waiting outside for him. It is assumed that Sumire finally reciprocates K’s love.
