Shinta Arakawa wants nothing more than to pass his shin'uchi exam--the test that would make him a top-rank headliner and master storyteller in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo. Akane Osaki, his daughter and biggest fan, spies on him while he practices and learns his routines for herself. When rakugo master Issho Arakawa expels everyone after the exam with no explanation, a fire is lit inside Akane. From that day forth, she has had one goal--to avenge her father and prove his art was worthy of the title of shin'uchi.

Akane begins training with rakugo master Urara in preparation for the upcoming Rokumeikai, an event where each participant must perform a newly learned story. If she doesn't master a new story in the limited time left until the event, she won't be allowed to perform! What sort of hint will help Akane depict a bewitching courtesan in the tale Urara suggests she tell? Then, Kaisei appears, bearing fascinating news for Akane...