Tsumi to Batsu tells the story of Tachi Miroku, an aspiring writer who has become a college dropout and hikikomori (shut-in). He lost his father to suicide, while his mother and older sister have high expectations for his future. Whereas the classic Russian novel revolves around a young man who struggles with himself after killing a pawnbroker, Tsumi to Batsu's protagonist plans to murder a heartless high school girl named Baba Hikaru, who leads an enjo-kousai (compensated dating) group.