Nestled at the bottom of a five-storey apartment block is the children's playground of Hinode Park. At the edge of the park, standing on stubby legs, is a hippo.
Its upturned eyes give it a teary look, and its drab paint is peeling, and yet for decades its quiet power has sustained the hearts of the community.
Meet the neighbours who will reach out to Kabahiko:
Kanato presses his head to the hippo's check, hoping for the top marks he used to score, though he will gain something else instead.
Sawa, a lonely new mother, wants to connect as she used to when she was an award-winning retail assistant.
Chiharu, a wedding-planner, wants to listen out for the happiness of others.
Yuya avoids sports day by faking injury, only to find he really is in pain.
Kazuhiko, weary from his editorial work, will learn to see life's everyday wonders.