Two Japanese students strive to "do their utmost" within the confines of their society. Yuichi attends a cramming college, where he hopes to gain exam success and entry to a university course of his choice. Once there, he is almost guaranteed a degree and a good job but, in the meantime, the price is loneliness and rigorous lectures in classes of up to 500 students. Fumiko is a 19 year old studying to become a pop star, against her parents' wishes. Even if she does make it, her managers will reap more financials rewards than she will ever receive. Her breakthrough comes when she is hired to sing for a TV commercial.