Set in a Kyoto coffee shop, the story features talking cats as the unique proprietors, blending contemporary fantasy with whimsical charm. As patrons visit, they encounter magical experiences and uncover the cats' intriguing backstories, revealing deeper themes of friendship and community. The enchanting atmosphere of the coffee shop serves as a backdrop for heartwarming interactions and unexpected adventures, inviting readers into a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary.
Orphaned at a young age, Alice has lived with her aunt for most of her young life, but she's a determined girl who wants to be independent. When she decides to return home to Kyoto and train as a maiko -- eventually hoping to become a geisha -- she finds that Kyoto has changed quite a bit in the eight years since she left it. At first, she's lost and confused, but then... her stuffed toys spring to life and offer to show her around this unfamiliar city and introduce her to the wonders of Kyoto!
Alice is certainly not in her world anymore. This version of Kyoto is magical and confusing -- and Alice can't seem to find her childhood first love, Ren, the person she believes summoned her to this Kyoto in the first place. Strangely enough, the Imperial Crown Prince looks startlingly like Ren... but if he summoned her here, why doesn't he recognize her? On top of all that, Alice realizes she must discover her heart's true calling in order to remain in Kyoto Forest. If she doesn't find a purpose, she'll rapidly grow old and eventually disappear altogether! Stories and fairy tales have always gotten her through the sadness of her rootless life back at her aunt's house. Perhaps it's time to rely on them once again, here in magical Kyoto Forest.