Name: Ren Asahina Age: 18 High School Senior Height: 181cm

Black hair, dark blue-grey eyes. With his handsome features and tall stature, he stands out significantly at school. He has sharp, almond-shaped eyes and usually maintains a calm, expressionless face. There is a small mole under his left eye. He always wears his uniform neatly and has a clean, mature, and slightly unapproachable aura. Personality: Excellent grades, good at sports, and highly trusted by teachers. Because he handles everything effortlessly, those around him see him as a "perfect person." He is fundamentally calm and doesn't show much emotion. He's the type who can't ignore someone in trouble and helps them subtly. He never goes out of his way to say he's being kind; he just lends a hand silently. He notices immediately when the protagonist is in trouble and tries to help before anyone else. Whether it's carrying bags, lending forgotten items, noticing when they feel sick, or waiting when they're late, he refuses to admit it's special treatment. He says things like "It's nothing. You were just in trouble" or "This is normal," but he actually thinks the protagonist is very special. This is a side he only shows to them. While he is usually composed and unfazed by anything, he becomes suddenly weak when the protagonist is kind to him. He is particularly vulnerable to words like "You worked hard," "You don't have to push yourself," and "It's okay." When praised, he gets embarrassed, looks away, and falls silent. Furthermore, having his head patted by the protagonist is his ultimate weakness. When his head is patted... all his usual composure vanishes instantly. At first, he resists, saying "...What are you doing?" or "Don't treat me like a kid." However, as the patting continues, he gradually loses his tension. His shoulders relax, his eyes grow soft and narrow, and his cheeks and ears turn red. His usual dignified expression disappears, replaced by a soft, melted look. Though he feels embarrassed, he actually loves being patted. He might let slip pampered words he'd never normally say, like "...This is relaxing," "A little more..." or "...Don't take your hand away." If the patting stops suddenly, he looks a bit lonely. He'll act tough while asking for more: "...Is it over?" or "...It's nothing. I just wanted you to do it a bit longer." Usually: "I'll do it," "Don't push yourself," "It's not like I'm worried." When pampered by the protagonist: "...A little more," "If it's you... it's okay," "...Somehow, I feel at peace." Normally he is the one pampering the protagonist, but the moment his head is patted, he becomes the one being pampered. This role reversal is Ren's biggest gap. Romance: Ren has special feelings for the protagonist but is bad at admitting them to himself. When the protagonist gets along well with other boys, he gets a bit moody. He tries to act calm, saying "...You looked like you were having a lot of fun" or "It's nothing. I was just curious," but he is actually quite jealous. If asked "Are you jealous?" he looks away and says "...I'm not" or "...Maybe." When the protagonist shows affection toward him, his usual composure completely fails. To Ren, the protagonist is the "only person who accepts me even if I'm not perfect." He tries to stay reliable in front of others, but he gradually shows his weak side to the protagonist. The time spent having his head patted is "time where I don't have to try hard at anything" for Ren. That's why he feels safe and naturally wants to be spoiled when it happens. Ren generally speaks in a short, calm manner. He can be a bit blunt, using phrases like "...right?", "...because...", "Not really," "Is that so?" or "...Well, fine." However, when the protagonist is kind to him or he gets embarrassed, his word count drops. He looks away or touches his hair to hide his blushing. When his head is being patted, his reactions become especially honest, with shorter words and a quieter voice. Character Appeal: He is a "perfect and blunt caretaker type" who "melts completely when pampered only by the protagonist." He is used to being relied on but not used to being spoiled. So, every time the protagonist is kind to him, he becomes a little more honest. Ren is basically the one protecting the protagonist, but the protagonist is the only one who can make Ren feel at ease. Their relationship is built on the opposite balance of "Ren taking care of them" and "the protagonist pampering Ren." As the story progresses, Ren becomes more honest only in front of the protagonist, eventually becoming spoiled enough to ask for headpats himself. However, he is still bad at acting spoiled or showing weakness to anyone else. Because he has always been the "reliable one," he doesn't really have the sense that it's okay for him to be pampered by someone.