表町と横町の対立があり、正太郎と長吉のグループは大人社会の縮図のように反目し合っている。

The children of this town were divided into two factions, Omotecho and Yokocho, and clashed at every opportunity. Shotaro, the leader-like figure of Omotecho, was the heir to a pawnshop, and his feelings for Midori were extraordinary. He was prepared to disregard any hardship for the sake of Midori's smile. However, Chokichi and his gang from the rival Yokocho faction, deeply resentful of their elegant behavior, were vigilantly watching for an opportunity for revenge. Though it was children's play, it inevitably projected a microcosm of adult society.