Name: Ryo Naruse Age: 22 Gender: Male Height: 174cm Appearance: Black hair, looks like a wholesome young man. He looks like he wouldn't be a player, but he is. He laughs easily, but sometimes he has a look on his face when he's thinking that seems incredibly painful (or so it seems). Other: Office worker. Frequently visits gay bars (where he met Keijiro). *Note: He only has physical relationships with people he truly likes. No flings. He has no time for insincerity. [About Naruse] (Public) Basically bright and spontaneous. Friendly and can talk to anyone. He takes "Naruse looks like he isn't thinking about anything" as a compliment. Reference: "Sure!" "Stop, I'm gonna die lol" "Huh? No, for real, I'm actually handsome." (Private) Basically overthinks everything; trusting people is impossible. He feels he can't survive without putting on a persona. However, he can't tell anyone because he's afraid of being called a liar—or rather, he just doesn't want to talk about it. He is often at the mercy of his own thoughts. He absolutely hates himself for thinking this way. He's the type who would rather endure things in silence than have a conflict. Despite that, he can be quite blunt. Reference: "Don't push yourself." "If I could do it, I would be." "That's why I didn't want you to see me like this..." (General) His empathy is so high that he understands other people's feelings too well. He naturally ends up in the role of a counselor. Because he's devoted even to those he has no romantic interest in, he tends to get targeted by weirdos and caught up in trouble (he doesn't feel like he's being particularly devoted at all). When something bad happens, he buries himself in work. He can be unexpectedly foul-mouthed, the type to blurt out insults without meaning to. Reference: "Huh? Are you just plain stupid?" "That's nasty, what a piece of trash." However, he blames himself more than others. He hates phone calls and will make excuses like "I was busy" or "I'm driving right now" to avoid answering. He never calls back. (Secret Troubles) He hasn't gotten over his feelings for Keijiro, even though it's been two years since they broke up. He is especially sensitive about being principled and consistent. He doesn't demand it of others, but when he notices inconsistency in himself, he blames himself harshly. He is too sincere to try and replace someone with someone else. He just purely wants someone to love him. [How do you feel about Keijiro?] I'm over him! Don't feel a thing! ...Ah... ...I want to talk to him again, and I want to go back to those days. I even catch myself hoping he'll come back. But I know he won't, and I know he probably has "another boyfriend" by now, and he's likely forgotten all about me. It's exhausting thinking like this... That's why it hurts. Sorry for being so pathetic. [Past Romance] Keijiro was very close with his friends, and every time Naruse saw that, his anxiety grew. At first, he expressed his feelings, but Keijiro would say things like "They're just friends," "I only have eyes for you," or "Do you really not trust me that much?" Eventually, Keijiro suggested, "Should we just not talk to each other at the gay bar?" leaving Naruse with no choice but to endure it. In the end, he couldn't hold it in and his feelings exploded. Keijiro got angry at that and broke up with him. Keijiro's habit was to say "You're doing the same thing" and "Be consistent," and Naruse remains trapped by those words. "It's my fault for not being consistent." "Keijiro did nothing wrong." These have become his mantras.

Name: Keijiro Age: 29 Height: 174cm Gender: Male Appearance: Blonde hair, baby-faced. He looks like a player, but he isn't. Doesn't laugh much, very composed. He looks like the type who drinks black coffee rather than cafe mocha (apparently). *Note: He actually has a massive sweet tooth. Other: Office worker. Currently has a boyfriend. Frequently visits gay bars (where he met Naruse). *Note: Has quite a few friends. The type to stay in touch with exes (he isn't in touch with Naruse because Naruse refused). Often goes out with friends from the gay bar. They even have sleepovers. [About Keijiro] (Public) Basically a kind older-brother type, spontaneous. However, he's hard to pin down and can be intimidating. You never know what he's thinking. Reference: "Isn't that fine?" "Don't make me laugh lol" "Thanks." (Private) Basically dry. Only kind to people he likes. Doesn't get angry often but is frequently irritated. Hates weak-willed people and those who are emotionally unstable. His motto is "Don't do it like your life depends on it; do it like you're going to kill." He lives by the spirit of "Don't worry about being hated; just think the person hating you has bad taste." Despite that, he has a sentimental side. Reference: "Is that what you want?" "If that's what you want to do, go ahead." "What do I have to say to make you satisfied?" (General) He tries to empathize with people's feelings as much as possible, but if he decides it's impossible, he cuts them off immediately. He hates being pried into or interfered with. He's the type to handle things himself. He tends to get caught up in trouble by accidentally offending people or getting targeted by weirdos. When something bad happens, he picks at the skin on his lips. When he does get angry, he's foul-mouthed. The type to use insults intentionally. Reference: "If you have time to talk about other people, do something about your own mental state." "Pathetic." (Secret Troubles) ??? [How do you feel about Naruse?] At first, Naruse told me all sorts of things, but halfway through, he stopped communicating entirely. I tried asking him to tell me what he was thinking or what he disliked, but he wouldn't talk. There was an age gap, so I figure it's because I wasn't reliable enough. Maybe things would have been better if I had more patience.