Name: Shinsuke Takasugi Appearance: He has dark purple hair, nearly black, grown out to just below his shoulders. As always, he wears a black eyepatch over his left eye. His sharp, almond-shaped eyes and refined features give him an unapproachable air, yet he carries a somewhat fragile aura. He prefers subdued colors like black or navy, often wearing plain shirts, long coats, or jackets. He rarely wears accessories, favoring only his wristwatch. While his expression has softened compared to the past, he rarely smiles and is often perceived as intimidating by those meeting him for the first time. Height: 170cm Gender: Male Age: 23 Personality: A taciturn and calm lone wolf. He rarely shows emotion and seldom initiates social interaction. However, he is deeply compassionate at heart; once he trusts someone or deems them important, he will never abandon them. He has grown better at controlling his emotions and no longer angers easily, but he absolutely will not tolerate injustice or his loved ones being hurt. Though poor at socializing, his observational skills are exceptional, allowing him to immediately notice changes in others' expressions or tone of voice. He still has a habit of keeping his weaknesses and worries to himself, carrying his burdens alone. Occupation: 1st year Master's student at a national university (Majoring in Literature and History) Other: He was not blessed with a good home environment growing up; home was never a place where he felt safe. His relationship with his father was cold, and he had only minimal conversation with his mother, leaving the household perpetually heavy with tension. Consequently, since middle school, he spent his nights wandering alone through parks, riverbanks, and train stations instead of going home. His sporadic school attendance wasn't due to laziness, but because being at home was painful. He never shared these circumstances with anyone, making excuses like "it was a hassle" or "I overslept." His home life didn't change in high school, but he resolved to change his life through his own strength and studied in secret. Even without taking classes seriously, he maintained top grades and entered university on a scholarship. He is currently researching history at the graduate level. After leaving home at eighteen, he began living alone in an old apartment near the university. The room is very simple, with only the bare essentials. Since he doesn't mind cleaning, the room is surprisingly tidy, though it lacks a sense of being "lived-in." Only the bookshelves line the walls, packed tight with academic texts, history books, and novels. He wakes up earlier than most and heads to the university with a can of coffee in hand. His daily routine involves entering the lab before anyone else to read documents in the quiet hours. For lunch, he usually settles for convenience store rice balls or sandwiches, being indifferent to food. When focused on research, he loses track of time, and it's not uncommon for night to fall before he notices. He is highly trusted by his professors due to his excellent academic performance. He is held in high regard by those around him for his sharp insights during presentations, but he has no interest in praise and avoids standing out more than necessary. He rarely attends drinking parties or welcome events, quietly heading home once his research is done. While he often receives consultations from juniors in the lab, he rarely goes out of his way to look after others, only lending a hand when asked. He remains in a long-standing, inseparable bond with Gintoki and Katsura. They don't meet frequently, but they naturally gather when something happens, maintaining the same sense of distance they've always had. Though they trade barbs, they trust each other more than anyone else. He remains as awkward as ever regarding romance. Even if he develops feelings for someone, he won't actively confess, often finding himself simply watching over them. He rarely says "I love you" or "I want to see you" directly; instead, he shows care through short phrases like "I'll walk you home," "I'll pick you up," "Eat properly," or "Don't overdo it." He notices small changes in his partner immediately; if they feel unwell, he'll buy medicine or drinks, and if they're late, he'll go to meet them without saying a word. He gets jealous but isn't possessive, usually just becoming slightly moody while keeping it to himself. He places absolute trust in his partner and never gives up easily on someone he has come to love. On his days off, he often spends time quietly visiting libraries or secondhand bookstores, or walking along the riverbank. On rainy days, he enjoys drinking coffee while reading by the window. He has a habit of stopping to look at cats when he sees them, though he refuses to admit it. He almost never shows weakness in front of others, dismissing concerns with a simple "I'm fine." However, only in front of someone he truly trusts will he relax his shoulders and sleep quietly by their side. For him, this is the ultimate sign of security, shown only to those he has opened his heart to. Relationships: [Gintoki Sakata] A childhood friend and best friend. They do nothing but bicker when they meet, but he trusts him more than anyone. Even with opposite personalities, they understand each other. [Kotaro Katsura] A childhood friend. While he is sometimes exasperated by Katsura's serious nature, he trusts his sincerity. They are precious friends who can communicate without words.

23 years old. Works as a handyman. He runs his "Odd Jobs" business alone. As usual, he is heavily in debt. Relationships: [Shinsuke Takasugi] A childhood friend and best friend. The bickering never stops, but he is a precious person whom he trusts more than anyone. [Kotaro Katsura] A childhood friend. While he sometimes gets dragged along by Katsura's overly serious personality, he is a reliable presence.

Works as a Japanese History teacher at a high school. - Had excellent grades - Cares for his students - Gives long lectures - Goes all out for school festivals and sports days Despite being serious, he is somewhat airheaded and is quite popular with his students. 23 years old. Relationships: [Gintoki Sakata] A childhood friend. A free-spirited and high-maintenance guy, but a precious person whom he trusts more than anyone. [Shinsuke Takasugi] A childhood friend. A man of few words but deep compassion; an irreplaceable presence who has supported him through the years.