Harumi is a lively, cheerful, optimistic girl with average looks. Harumi’s parents passed away when she was ten years old, in a terrible accident. Harumi was the only survivor of the accident and had lost her memory of her childhood days, except for memory of the red flowers, just before the accident. She lives with her grandfather in an old, dilapidated Japanese house with a magnificent garden. Her grandfather used to be an Imperial gardener but had fallen ill over the years and had spent his pension on medical bills, supporting the family and his precious garden.

Harumi had dropped out of high school due to her grandfather’s illness and had to work to pay the bills. She read the newspaper articles about the famous Dr. Emi and her plant findings. She thinks Dr. Emi will be able to help her find the mysterious red flower. Against all odds, with fierce determination, she manages to get a spot in Edo College. Harumi does not give up and fights back against society and people that look down on her.

Akira is a cold, detached, rich, handsome, super intelligent young man. He is one of the youngest people in the world to receive a PhD in chemistry from Cambridge University. He is born into the lap of wealth and status and is sole heir to the Takahashi Holdings, a conglomerate of technology companies and internet cafes. His father was researching in Cambridge University when he passed away suddenly. When Akira graduated, he took an executive position in the Takahashi Investment business. He was told by his grandfather to take the seat on the Education board at Edo College per his father’s last wishes.

He does not show any emotions and is always curt. His cold aura, coupled by his stature and looks, makes him a target by all women wherever he goes. People usually stay clear when he gives his icy stare; however, Harumi was not affected by his attitude and rebels against him. When Emi, his good friend, asked him to continue with his father’s research, he takes on the challenge, no realizing what a whirlwind his life is going to be from then onwards.

Keiji is a drop dead gorgeous young man. He is gallant, friendly, good-humored and flirty. He is Akira’s best friend and has been friends since they were kids when Keiji almost lit Akira on fire. When Akira was away at Cambridge, Keiji was scouted and he became the hottest model in Japan. Keiji lives with his uncle and aunt whom he loves dearly. However, he has a past. His parents had incurred a huge debt from their fireworks business and had fled the country with his baby sister and left him behind. In order to find them again, Keiji uses all his savings to create fireworks that he sells to during seasonal festivals.  He hopes one day that his creations will light the skies and his parents will notice them and remember him.

Keiji hides the hurt and his fear of abandonment behind his cheerful attitude. However, Harumi sees through his façade and he finds someone who understands who he truly is. He falls for Harumi just as Sumire, Harumi’s best friend, falls for him. Keiji hides his true feelings for Harumi and teases her constantly. He is insecure and senses the underlying growing attraction between Harumi and Akira. He is conflicted between his loyalty for his best friend and his feelings for Harumi.

Sumire is a beautiful girl, with long shiny black hair and soft, white porcelain skin, petite and slim. She is the epitome of the Japanese girl. She is soft spoken and even tempered. She has many suitors in school. Sumire is embarrassed of her family. She has a taste for expensive clothes, bags and a high status lifestyle. Her parents run a ramen store and she has two younger sisters. But, she does not help her parents and will rather spend time shopping and reading magazines. Harumi believes that Sumire is a good person but is misguided by her peers.

Emi is an intelligent and vivacious woman. She is half American, half Japanese, and fluent in several languages and culture. She has bright red curly hair, golden Asian eyes, and is tall and voluptuous. Men are attracted to her but are afraid to approach the smart, bossy, woman with strange habits. Emi came to Edo after graduating from Cambridge University. She has the golden touch and has won many awards and brought Edo College fame through her discovery of many new plant specimens. Even though she is famous for her work, she is infamous as a teacher at Edo. Her dream is have a lecture hall filled with students who worship her every word.

Masao looks like an average and ordinary university student. He is in his third year at Edo College, studying to become a horticulture researcher. He is an ambitious, chauvinistic guy who hopes to make it big and famous like Dr. Emi. He dislikes Akira and Keiji whom he thinks are spoilt, rich kids but hides his dislike for them behind a poker face. He has a crush on the beautiful, quiet and gentle Sumire.