Ann's first friend when she comes to Shimane, Daigo is very athletic and is not very articulate. He and Ann eventually fall in love and begin a long distance relationship when she leaves Shimane for Tokyo. He and Ann are the same age. His mother is a down-to-earth woman who was best friends with Ann's mother.

After her parents get divorced, Ann Uekusa and her mother move from Tokyo to rural Shimane. Accustomed to the anonymity of city living, Ann can't get used to the almost overbearing kindness of the people in her mother's hometown. But when personal tragedy strikes, Ann discovers how much she needs that kindness.
 
(Source: Viz Media)
 
Note: Won the 50th Shogakukan Manga Award for shoujo manga in 2005 and was adapted into a movie in 2008. 
Included bonus episodes: Canary, ~Thirty Years Ago~ Summer Vacation, The Present, Time Capsule Part One, Time Capsule Part Two, Sand Chronicles: Bonus Story: Summer, Age 19.

Daigo Kitamura