Hand Shakers

Tazuna meets a girl in a locked lab and must battle in the Ziggurat

Tazuna is a young boy who loves to fix things. His life changes when he meets a girl lying on a hospital bed in an electronically locked lab. Upon taking her hand, he discovers he can never let go, or she will die. He must also battle a man and his partner in an event called the Ziggurat, despite lacking a power of his own. The story explores whether he can unlock the might of the Hand Shakers to survive these challenges and save the girl.

Tazuna must keep holding Koyori's hand to save her life while navigating domestic challenges.

Tazuna faces a critical dilemma involving his new companion, Koyori. If he releases her hand, she will die. He must figure out how to bring her home and explain to his parents that he will now be living with a girl. The situation also presents immediate practical difficulties, such as how he is going to take a bath with her while maintaining physical contact. The narrative focuses on Tazuna's struggle to manage this life-or-death situation alongside the awkward social and logistical implications of cohabiting with Koyori under these strict conditions.

Tazuna dines with Chizuru and Hayate, who reveal their true identities as Hand Shakers.

Tazuna encounters Chizuru and Hayate, the individuals whose vehicle he repaired on the day he first met Koyori. These two are employees of a prominent local food corporation. As a gesture of gratitude for his assistance, they invite Tazuna and Koyori to join them for a meal. During the dinner, the atmosphere shifts when they disclose a shocking secret: they are actually Hand Shakers. This revelation introduces a new layer of complexity to Tazuna's situation, as he interacts with individuals who possess the same dangerous abilities that define his own life, blurring the lines between ordinary citizens and those involved in the hidden conflict.

Chizuru and Hayate help Tazuna and Koyori adopt the name Single Gear after the Ziggurat battle.

Following the conflict within the Ziggurat, Chizuru and Hayate discover that their triumph resulted in Koyori’s death. Despite being removed from combat, they resolve to support Tazuna and Koyori. The group determines that to avoid detection in the real world, the pair must utilize a specific alias while engaging in battles inside the Ziggurat. After considering their options, Tazuna and Koyori decide to adopt the name Single Gear for their future operations. This arrangement allows them to continue their activities while maintaining secrecy regarding their identities outside the digital arena, ensuring they remain hidden from external threats.

Koyori meets President Lily and Masaru after losing contact with Tazuna

Koyori becomes separated from Tazuna and lacks a cellphone to contact him. President Lily and her younger brother Masaru find her and invite her to play the new game, Precious Memories. Koyori demonstrates exceptional skill during the game. However, the situation changes abruptly when Lily and Masaru are revealed to be Hand Shakers. This disclosure alters the dynamic of their interaction and introduces a new layer of conflict regarding their abilities and the nature of the game they are playing together.

Lily and Masaru battle Single Gear using Tarots and memories despite Tazuna's protests.

Lily and Masaru insist on fighting Single Gear, despite Tazuna's fervent protests. The two of them use cards: Lily, her Tarots, and Masaru, his precious memories deck. But because Masaru is using the same strategy he does in the game, Koyori knows how to beat him. Can she share this with Tazuna when she isn't able to speak?

Tazuna's class faces crisis during the school festival with broken equipment and injured staff.

The school festival arrives, leaving Tazuna's class in a difficult situation due to multiple setbacks. The necessary machinery has malfunctioned, and the designated cooks have suffered arm injuries, preventing them from preparing food. Additionally, the group lacks the means to acquire the inexpensive ingredients required for their food stall operations. Tazuna must determine if the connections he has established thus far can resolve these issues and save the project. Meanwhile, Koyori attempts to learn cooking skills quickly enough to contribute to the stall's success before the event concludes. The narrative focuses on whether these combined efforts can overcome the logistical and physical obstacles facing the class during the festival preparations.

Tazuna and Koyori face Kodama, a powerful idol Hand Shaker who overwhelms Single Gear.

Tazuna and Koyori encounter their next adversary, Kodama, an accomplished idol singer who has defeated numerous other Hand Shakers. Accompanied by her producer, she proves to be their most formidable challenge so far. The duo successfully overwhelms Single Gear, forcing Tazuna to barely escape into the water beneath a nearby bridge. This encounter highlights the significant strength of Kodama and her team, marking a difficult moment for the protagonists as they struggle against such a powerful opponent in their ongoing conflict.

Tazuna and Koyori face Awaza Kodama again, relying on Koyori's hidden power to survive the rematch.

Tazuna and Koyori engage in a second battle against Awaza Kodama, who proves to be just as formidable as she was in their previous encounter. Neither Tazuna nor his Single Gear form possesses the strength necessary to defeat her. With conventional attacks failing to make a dent in her defenses, the duo realizes they have no other viable options. Their only hope for survival lies in trusting in Koyori's unseen strength, which remains their sole chance to overcome this powerful opponent.

Koyori and Tazuna work part-time at Cocktail Corn after defeating their enemies

With their enemies defeated and Koyori able to speak, she and Tazuna begin part-time employment at Cocktail Corn. This period allows them to reflect on past events, reunite with former acquaintances, and prepare for the future ahead. The narrative focuses on their new routine and interactions within this setting, marking a transition from conflict to daily life as they settle into their roles at the establishment.

Cocoon Cocoon

The narrative centers on the act of shaking hands