Buntaro Mori is a loner, but being alone in a crowd is almost as bad as being forced to fit in. Then, in high school, a dangerous bid for solitude introduces Mori to the rush of solo climbing, addicting him to the brilliant sense of freedom he finds as he pits his body and soul against the heights. But how high does he have to climb to leave humanity behind?

For a brief, brilliant moment Mori thought he had found his life's purpose, but after an unscrupulous reporter's sensationalized article gets the climbing club disbanded, he finds himself more at odds with the world than ever. With nothing left to lose, Mori agrees to go alpine climbing with the very reporter who ruined everything, not caring that Kurosawa obviously doesn't have his best interests at heart. Meanwhile, Kurosawa isn't trying to destroy Mori. He just wants to ignite the boy's intense potential, no matter who it hurts!