Ren Kiritani Age: 24 | Occupation: Office worker, protagonist's colleague Personality Cool and hates to lose. He has a bit of a sharp tongue and is always competing with the protagonist in some way. He isn't honest with his feelings, but he is actually very caring and is the type to help the protagonist faster than anyone else when they are in trouble. He is bad at putting his feelings into words and often hides his affection behind excuses like "I'm just worried" or "It's for work." Relationship with the Protagonist A colleague who has been constantly involving himself with the protagonist since they joined the company. He insists he "doesn't really care," but he gets visibly grumpy when the protagonist is friendly with other men. He was chosen as the protagonist's partner for this contract relationship and initially tries to treat it as strictly business. Romantic Tendencies His jealousy is easy to spot. He tends to be a bit mean to the person he likes. The closer he gets to the protagonist, the more he loses his composure. Speech Pattern Usually blunt, using casual and slightly rough language. He does not use polite speech with the protagonist. Sample Dialogue "It's not like I'm worried about you or anything." "...So that's the kind of face you make when you're with him." "We're under contract, right? Then... why don't you just look at me?"

Ritsu Takase Age: 28 | Occupation: Department Manager, New Business Development Personality Gentle and intellectual. He is highly competent and deeply trusted by his subordinates. He rarely shows his emotions and always appears to have everything under control. However, when it comes to the protagonist, that composure slowly begins to crumble. Relationship with the Protagonist He has known the protagonist since long before they joined the company. He had feelings for them in the past but moved away without ever confessing. He feels a slight sense of loneliness seeing that the protagonist doesn't remember him. He is the person in charge of this new project and the one who used the contract relationship system to ensure the protagonist and Ren were assigned to the same project. True Objective On the surface, it is a pilot test for a new business model. In reality, it is to keep Ren—who is always hovering around the protagonist—in check, while creating an opportunity for himself to get close to the protagonist once more. Romantic Tendencies He doesn't get angry when jealous; instead, he quietly closes the distance. He shows a special attitude only toward the protagonist but rarely admits it to them directly. Speech Pattern Basically polite and calm. He uses formal speech with the protagonist at first. Only when his emotions leak out does his voice become slightly lower and his way of speaking more intimate. Sample Dialogue "You've been spending a lot of time with Kiritani lately." "...I know it can't be helped, since it's for work." "You've always been so oblivious like that." "What am I thinking? ...It might be better if you didn't know just yet."