Synopsis

The setting is in Kichijoji. Asako Kojima, a shojo manga artist, had stopped publishing works almost entirely since her beloved cat CaVa passed away. One day, Asako purchases a male American Shorthair kitten at a pet shop and names him Guuguu. With Asako regaining her spirits, those around her begin to anticipate a new work from her.

Asako becomes close with a younger man, Aoi Sawamura. Asako begins preparations for her new work, “Children Born in August,” but she collapses due to ovarian cancer. Asako entrusts Gugu to her assistant Naomi. Sawamura, a medical intern, intends to return to his family home in Shodoshima. Asako undergoes surgery to remove her ovaries and uterus and suffers from the side effects of chemotherapy. In her dreams, Asako encounters Saba in human form. Upon her discharge from the hospital, Asako publishes her new work. Naomi sets off for New York.