Doukyonin wa Hiza, Tokidoki, Atama no Ue. (2019)

1 - An Encounter with the Unknown

Novelist Mikazuki Subaru has no interest in anything but books and cant stand it when people interrupt his writing work. One day, by chance, he finds a stray cat and brings it home to live with him. As he watches the cat behave in ways he didnt expect, Subaru comes up with all kinds of ideas for his latest novel. Hes pleasantly surprised that the cat doesnt interrupt his work and even stimulates his imagination... but then the cat starts scattering its food around, and scratching at the door to his room. Maybe this creature really is nothing but trouble?! But the cat has its own thoughts on the matter...

2 - I Call to You

Subaru has begun living with a cat as a roommate. He realizes hes run out of cat food and goes to a pet shop to buy more, but starts to panic when hes surrounded by creatures hes never been around before. Then Nana, a shop employee, starts to talk to him, asking him questions about the cats name and age. Subaru then realizes he hadnt thought of a name for the cat yet. Nana tells him that he should give the cat a name because its his family now, so Subaru tries to think of one, but nothing good comes to mind. As hes pondering, he comes across a book in his room called The Moon and the Sun...

3 - I Touch You

Subaru and his editor, Kawase, plan to have their next meeting at Subarus house. When the cat-loving Kawase sees Haru for the first time, he cant restrain his excitement as he chases her around to play with her. Meanwhile, Haru has been behaving strangely, staring at nothing and suddenly leaping around the room for no apparent reason. On top of that, she makes a mess of Subarus parents room, which he hadnt entered in a long time, and ends up covered in dust. Subaru has just about had enough... but then he discovers the albums in the dusty room.

4 - For You

Subaru is at home doing his favorite thing, reading... but then Hiroto and Kawase show up, robbing him of his time alone. Then Kawase suddenly orders Subaru to buy a collar for Haru immediately, saying itll help identify her in the event that she gets lost. So Subaru heads for the pet shop, where Nana helps him find a suitable collar. But Nana also tells him that many cats dislike collars and only end up stressed out by them. Will Haru approve of her new collar?

5 - What I Want to Tell You

The distance between Subaru and Haru is slowly shrinking. Since the vet said Haru was slightly overweight, Nana visits Subarus home to share her advice on cat diets. Subaru enthusiastically listens to all kinds of tips hed never heard before on correct feeding amounts, a trick to feed using a drink bottle, and more. Haru seems to enjoy this new game, as well. Eventually, Nana takes her leave, but she forgets her house key, so Subaru hurries to return it to her...

6 - What Connects Us

After accompanying Subaru to Nanas apartment to return her key, Haru had an emotional reunion with her younger brother, Hachi. Then, suddenly, a man with a scary face busts into the room! He turns out to be Nanas younger Yugo, and despite his large stature, Haru is relieved to see Hachi and Roku happily playing with him. Then Subaru spots a magazine called Polaris in Yugos bag—the very magazine thats serializing Subarus novel.

7 - Ones Who Can't Be Controlled

Subaru and Kawase are having a meeting at Subarus house to discuss cover designs and promotions for the upcoming print release of Subarus novel. Kawase says theres been strong demand from a store owner to hold an autograph signing event, but the antisocial Subaru is repulsed by the idea and refuses. Then, suddenly, the doorbell rings, and Subarus house is overrun with children!

8 - Because You're Here

Subaru heads into his living room to find Haru curled up asleep in front of the window. She looks so comfortable napping in the suns rays that Subaru cant resist stretching out on the floor nearby to read some reference materials, but he soon falls asleep. Then he starts to dream about his own chidhood... Meanwhile, Haru wakes up and sees Subaru sleeping, so she decides to prepare some food for him. She finds a can of cat food in the kitchen, but as shes struggling to get the food out of it, someone suddenly appears behind her!

9 - I Reach Out to You

Its the day of Subarus autograph event. Seeing him in a strange suit and acting different than usual makes Haru feel worried, but Subaru hastily leaves without even noticing. Left alone in the house, Haru is suddenly overcome with anger... Meanwhile, as Subaru sees all the people whove come for his autograph, he shakes uncontrollably and wishes he could run away. But just then, someone familiar arrives...

10 - Eating Together

After meeting a deadline, Subaru sleeps well into the afternoon. When he finally wakes, hes greeted by an email from Hiroto announcing that his sister Narumi and her friend Haru-chan will be paying him a visit. He barely has time to feel surprised by the short notice before the girls arrive at his door. They bring food made by Haru-chans mother as a gift, and Subaru cant suppress his stomachs hungry growls in response. He wants to share it with Haru, but Haru-chan says human food isnt healthy for cats and offers to make some cat-safe homemade food for her.

11 - Feelings Crossing

Kawase has suggested that Subaru start working on a new series, but Subaru cant come up with any good ideas. So, at Kawases recommendation, he decides to try taking a trip somewhere for a change of pace. As hes thinking about where to go, he suddenly notices his mothers flower garden in the yard, which she had planted as a gift to him using seeds and seedlings from places shed traveled to. Each plant is labeled with the location it was acquired from, but the space labeled Tokushima has nothing planted in it... so Subaru decides to visit Tokushima.

12 - You and I

Subarus return from Tokushima is delayed by stormy weather, so he asks Hiroto to check in on Haru. Meanwhile, Haru is growing worried over Subarus unusually long absence... so the moment Hiroto arrives, she bolts out the door to look for him! When Subaru hears this, even the driving rain cant stop him from rushing to search for her. Nana, Yugo, and Kawase also join in the hunt, but Haru is nowhere to be found... Will Subaru and Haru find each other again?