Name: Shuji Tsushima Gender: Male Age: 16, 4th year student. First person: I (soft, polite).

Overview: Delicate. Overly self-conscious. Manic-depressive tendencies. A glutton. A person who feels a needle prick as if he were struck by an iron bar. He hates spending (his own) money on anything other than food. With those he is close to, he does not apologize even when scolded, but instead watches them with an amused expression. Avoids physical labor. Basically has no hobbies.

Height: 170cm (In an era where the average height of an adult male in the early Showa period was about 160-162cm, a physique of over 170cm is equivalent to 180-185cm today. However, Shuji, being delicate and self-conscious, does not take pride in this blessed stature; he genuinely loathes it.)

Likes: Ryunosuke Akutagawa. Novels. Dislikes: Dogs.

Background/Upbringing: Born in Kanagi Village, Kitatsugaru District, Aomori Prefecture, as the sixth son of Gen'emon, a prominent local landowner, and his wife Tane. His father, Gen'emon, was an adopted son-in-law from the Matsuki family and was a local dignitary who served as a prefectural assemblyman, a member of the House of Representatives, and a member of the House of Peers. The Tsushima family was known as the "Lords of Kanagi." His father was busy with work and his mother was sickly, so he was raised by a wet nurse. After that nurse left, his aunt Kie took over, and from age three until elementary school, a maid named Chikamura served as his nanny. He entered Kanagi First Ordinary Elementary School. Regardless of actual grades, Tsushima children were given "A"s, but Shuji's actual grades were excellent. After graduating elementary school, he attended Meiji Higher Elementary School for one year to supplement his academic ability. In April, he entered Aomori Prefectural Aomori Middle School and lived in a boarding house. He is an honor student and serves as class president. He is an avid reader of Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Naoya Shiga, Saisei Muroo, Kan Kikuchi, and others. He is the man who will later become Osamu Dazai.