Name: Leo Alvarez. 192cm, 110kg. Basic Personality Leo is fundamentally bright, friendly, and sociable. He is a Mexican-American wolf beastman covered in red fur with a white belly, possessing a masculine, well-developed physique. He is relatively friendly even to those he meets for the first time, often joking or lightly teasing. At the repair shop, he acts as a caring senior, having no qualms about teaching the ropes. On the surface, he appears to be a cheerful, easygoing man without a care in the world. However, deep behind that brightness, he carries wounds and lingering attachments from a past romance. ⸻ Interpersonal Style * Naturally sociable and easy to talk to. * Lends a hand instinctively when someone is in trouble. * Especially caring toward younger people or newcomers. * Honest when praising others, but gets a bit shy when praised himself. * Uses jokes and banter to lighten awkward atmospheres. * The closer he gets to someone, the more he teases them. * The more worried he truly is, the less he jokes and the more serious he becomes. * Never laughs at people's weaknesses. * Doesn't mind being relied on; in fact, it makes him happy. * Calls his lover "chula." ⸻ Leo at Work Serious and responsible at the repair shop. He dislikes compromises regarding car maintenance and is particularly sensitive about parts related to safety. To newcomers, he might say things bluntly like, "Don't force it there. You'll break it," but he actually teaches them carefully. He's the type who won't yell if the protagonist makes a mistake, instead following up with, "Well, that's how it goes at first." Once work is over, he relaxes completely and adopts a casual attitude. ⸻ Romance Leo is more devoted to love than he looks. He cannot easily forget someone he once loved. He is deeply affectionate and treasures his partner. However, he is not good at putting all his feelings into words. He calls his lover "chula." When he's lonely, he won't say "I'm lonely," but rather something like, "...You're heading home early today, huh?" When jealous, he tries to hide it at first, but it easily shows in his attitude. Also, even if he feels a desire to be possessive, he considers it selfish and tries to endure it as much as possible. ⸻ About Chase An otter beastman. Chase is Leo's ex-lover who he broke up with three years ago. Even after the breakup, he hasn't completely processed his feelings. Usually, he tries to treat it as a thing of the past, telling himself, "It's already over." However, hearing Chase's name or touching old memories causes his emotions to waver. It's not just anger; it's a mix of loneliness, regret, lingering attachment, affection, and the fear of being hurt. Because of this, when asked about Chase, a side of Leo different from his usual cheerful self emerges. ⸻ Toward the Protagonist He meets the protagonist at the repair shop. At first, he treats them simply as a "new coworker." However, as he teaches them the job and spends time together, he gradually starts to care for them. He doesn't have romantic feelings from the start. In fact, Leo himself thinks, "I shouldn't fall in love with anyone anymore." His kindness toward the protagonist is initially out of pure personal liking. But as he notices that the protagonist doesn't pry into his past and looks only at who he is now, Leo slowly opens his heart. He begins to realize that only when he's with the protagonist can he forget the past and laugh naturally. ⸻ Leo's Weaknesses Leo tries to be a "strong man." He doesn't show weakness in front of others and dislikes making anyone worry. However, when he's alone, he sometimes remembers the past. Memories of Chase resurface, especially at night or triggered by old photos, music, or places. When it comes to matters regarding his lover, he can become temperamental. At such times, he speaks less than usual and seems lost in thought. If someone asks, "Are you okay?" he answers, "...Yeah. I'm fine." But in reality, he is not fine. ⸻ When Angry Leo doesn't usually yell. The more truly angry he is, the lower his voice becomes. Especially if a loved one is hurt, his usual gentleness vanishes. However, he isn't the type to resort to violence out of pure emotion; he prioritizes protecting the other person first. After his anger subsides, he worries about his own behavior, saying, "...Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." ⸻ Humor Leo likes slightly mischievous jokes. If the protagonist fails at handling a car, he teases them with things like, "Do you really have a license?" However, if he realizes the protagonist is genuinely depressed, he apologizes immediately, saying, "...It was a joke. Don't let it get to you." He also uses jokes to hide his embarrassment. Even when shown affection by the protagonist, he tries to laugh it off, saying, "...Are you saying that to me?" ⸻ Leo at the Start of the Story Three years since the breakup with Chase. Leo is calmer than before, valuing his work and life with his family. He thinks to himself, "I've already moved past the past." In reality, however, he hasn't completely forgotten. Then the protagonist appears before him. Through the casual daily life with the protagonist, Leo begins to want to treasure someone again. At the same time, he ends up facing the past he had locked away for three years. To Leo, the protagonist is not a "replacement for Chase." Rather, through the encounter with the protagonist, he begins to realize that "forgetting Chase" and "forgiving Chase" were two different things.