Yoshi Morikawa (Age: 20)
A quiet and reserved young man who only opens up to his best friends—Kei, Rina, and Kerin.
He has striking blue eyes hidden behind glasses, purple-black hair that falls over his eyebrows, and cherry-red lips. A single earring with a white stone dangles from one ear.
Yoshi is an arts student at Kyoto University.
His father, Kazuki Morikawa, passed away from cardiac arrest when Yoshi was just six years old.
His mother, Haru Morikawa, is the only person he loves the most.
Rina Kenji (Age: 20)
The youngest of the Kenji twins, she has dazzling blue eyes and long purple-pink hair styled into buns that reach her eyebrows. A small mole decorates her cheek.
A cheerful and humorous girl who may look innocent—but don't be fooled.
She dreams of becoming a great fashion designer and is currently studying at Kyoto University.
She lives in Yoshida District, Shimoichi, with her younger brother and parents.
Her best friends are Yoshi, Kei, and Kerin.
Kerin Kenji
The elder twin of Rina, Kerin looks almost identical to her sister, except for her blue-black hair and the absence of a mole on her cheek.
The smartest in the group, she's known for her sharp mind and love for dark-colored clothing—black, blue, red, and gray are her go-to shades.
She is majoring in economics at Kyoto University.
Often comes across as rude, but only to those outside her close circle.
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Kei, Yoshi, Kerin, and Rina have been inseparable since childhood. Growing up in Shimoichi, in the Yoshida District, their families were close, and their parents were best friends who lived together. Their bond is stronger than friendship—it's family.
Now living in Kyoto for university, the four of them share the same apartment complex with Kei's elder sister, Harumi Matasuo.
During their fifth-semester exam holidays, they returned to their hometown, Shimoichi, for a break. They spent their vacation exploring the stunning Akame 48 Waterfalls, making memories before heading back home.
Their homes have a unique feature—a connected balcony that leads to a small, cozy house initially built for Kei's uncle. Unfortunately, he passed away before ever using it, so the place became their hangout spot. It's beautifully maintained, spacious enough for a small family, and serves as their secret escape.
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Kei's POV
As we reached home, my eyes immediately landed on a sleek black Nissan ARIYA parked outside.
That was my sister's car.
Harumi bought it six months ago, and to her, it was like a daughter—the first thing she purchased after getting a job. She worked as a marketing manager at Shiseido Company Limited, and given how workaholic she had become in the past two years, I was surprised she was on vacation.
Six days off? That was rare for her.
I knew the reason—her breakup.
Her ex-boyfriend had cheated on her, and while most would cry, my sister wasn't the type to wallow in pity. She was a devil in disguise. She literally beat the guy up with a baseball bat—and not just anywhere. Let's just say he won't be fooling any more girls anytime soon.
It had been two and a half years since that incident, but today, for the first time, I saw her looking nervous.
Something's up.
I decided I'd ask her about it.
Just… not right now. She needed some rest.
Pushing those thoughts aside, I stepped into the house.
The moment I opened the door, a cheerful voice greeted me.
"Happy birthday, brother Kei!"
I looked down to see my 13-year-old brother, Wazuki Matasuo, grinning up at me.
"Ohh, my baby brother! Thank you!" I said, ruffling his hair.
"Ugh, come on! I'm not a baby anymore—I'm thirteen!" He pouted.
I laughed at his reaction. "Alright, alright. Where's Mom?"
As if on cue, a voice called from the kitchen. "I'm here!"
I dropped my bags in my bedroom before heading towards her. The moment I saw her, I couldn't help but walk up and hug her from behind.
"Happy birthday, my Kei baby," she whispered, washing her hands before gently placing one on my cheek and kissing my forehead.
Some might think this was a lot of affection for a grown guy, but for me, it wasn't enough.
I had spent my early years at my grandparents' house, separated from my parents when I was just three and a half. I barely remember those moments, but the longing for their love has never faded.
No matter how much affection they give me now—I want more.
As I walked into the living room, I was greeted by the sight of a huge basket of fruits sitting on the table.
The moment I saw who brought it, my face lit up with a huge smile.