Nishimiya Shouko, a girl who has been deaf since childhood, transfers to the class of Ishida Shouya. To satisfy his curiosity, Shouya starts bullying Shouko because of her hearing loss. In one instance of excessive bullying, Shouko's ears bleed, and she has to transfer schools again. Shouya, in Shouko's place, is ostracized and bullied by the whole class. It is not until he enters high school that Shouya, tormented and remorseful for what he did in the past, decides that he must meet Shouko again. Shouya wants to make up for the pain he caused Shouko and sincerely wants to be friends with her.