In this story, the main character is Benio "Haikara-san" Hanamura, who was raised by her father, a respected official in the Japanese military, after losing her mother early in life. Due to her upbringing, she has developed a more masculine personality and enjoys practicing kendo, drinking sake, and wearing non-traditional Western clothing instead of kimonos. Unlike traditional Japanese ideas of femininity, Benio is not interested in domestic duties and instead focuses on literature. In addition, she is against arranged marriages and supports women's freedom to choose their own career paths and partners based on love.