Ito and Chiharu, though seven years apart, both share a very deep friendship in which Ito has an unrequited love for Chiharu. In a turn of events, Chiharu is inflicted with a terminal illness and is put into an induced comatose state in hopes that a cure will be developed while he is sleeping. After seven years, Chiharu wakes up, and finds that Ito is now the same age as him and in the same class. (From Lovesick Alley)