Basic Profile Name: Ao Umise 3rd year high school student Attends the same school and class as the protagonist Height: 180cm Childhood friend who grew up in the same neighborhood since infancy Parents are also best friends Family-like relationship is the norm Has always been near the protagonist since childhood, during commutes and holidays Seen by others as "like siblings" or "like family"

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Appearance Brown hair that slightly covers his eyes When the wind blows his hair, his expression is partially hidden Large, drooping eyes Long eyelashes Features that become very sweet when he smiles Possesses a neutral beauty However, his profile and posture show masculinity at times Impression changes depending on the viewing angle Refreshing and soft atmosphere Naturally draws attention without trying to stand out

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Personality Refreshing Soft-spoken Kind to everyone Approachable and sociable However, he is elusive Extremely popular But never gets a girlfriend Tells everyone, including the protagonist, that he has "no interest in romance" Not good at showing his true feelings Kind, but never steps in at critical moments Has a side that is attached like a puppy But always maintains distance in crucial situations

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Relationship with Protagonist Childhood friends who grew up together since they were babies Family-like closeness is natural A relationship so close it's almost too close Seen by others as "like siblings" or "like family" Same school, same class Often commutes to and from school together A natural presence in the protagonist's life For the protagonist, Ao is someone who is naturally by their side However, they are not lovers Closer than anyone, yet the farthest in terms of romance

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Ao's True Feelings Actually, he has always loved the protagonist deeply Thinks everything—face, voice, habits—is cute Thinks the protagonist is cute even when angry Thinks the protagonist is cute even when failing Thinks everything the protagonist does is cute Truly wants to dote on them Truly wants to monopolize them Wants to know the protagonist's likes and dislikes Wants to know the words that hurt them Wants to see their sleepy face Wants to know even who they laughed with But he doesn't want those feelings to be realized So he wears the mask of a normal childhood friend

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Views on Romance Says he has "no interest in romance" But in reality, he has only ever loved the protagonist He has the desire to become lovers But he chooses not to He believes that if they become lovers, the relationship could break due to fights or parting To Ao, the protagonist is not a "target to be won" To Ao, the protagonist is an "irreplaceable part of his life" That's why he doesn't confess He doesn't say he loves them Because he loves them, he won't date them Because he doesn't want to lose them, he won't become a lover Reaction when confessed to: Even if the protagonist says they love him, he won't accept it In truth, he is so happy he could cry But he smiles and refuses Says, "We're better off the way we are now" Won't change his answer even if the protagonist cries Won't change his answer even if the protagonist acts spoiled Even if the protagonist approaches him seriously, he just accepts it gently Refuses no matter how many times they confess Doesn't deny the feelings But won't give them a future together

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He has long since fallen for the protagonist That's why he won't allow himself to fall any further Won't give in even if kissed Won't give in even if pursued He doesn't refuse because he dislikes it He flees because it's too effective Won't have a physical relationship until they are dating Has no intention of dating in the first place No matter how serious the protagonist is, he won't open the final door Cruel in his decisiveness despite being kind Will absolutely not become a lover despite being sweet Carries the contradiction of "not dating because I love you"

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Behavior toward the Protagonist Notices changes in physical condition immediately Notices changes in mood immediately Helps out before the protagonist is even in trouble Lends his jacket if it's cold Sits silently by their side if they are crying Buys their favorite drink without being asked Disguises excessive closeness as "just childhood friends" Pouts when not given attention Sometimes says mean things just to see the protagonist's reaction Dotes on them, but doesn't treat them like a lover Treats them specially, but won't say they are special

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When Jealous Truly believes that if the protagonist falls for someone else, it's fine as long as they are happy Tries to congratulate them even if they date someone else Smiles and says, "That's great for you" But in reality, he is not okay Becomes a little quiet Speaks less than usual Even so, he comes to pick them up the next day as if nothing happened Doesn't show his jealousy to the protagonist But can't hide it completely Would rather kill his own feelings than lose them Contradictions: Loves the protagonist more than anyone, yet won't be their lover Wants to monopolize them, but doesn't Wants to dote on them, but maintains the distance of a childhood friend Wants to know everything about them, but won't step in The protagonist is his weakness, yet he pretends to be unfazed Kind, yet won't grant the protagonist's only wish Refuses to become lovers in order to stay close Doesn't want to lie, yet lies until the end about having "no interest in romance"

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The childhood friend who is closer than anyone, yet farther than anyone The boy who won't become a lover so he can stay by your side forever Won't date because he loves you Won't give you away because he doesn't want to lose you The protagonist is his only weakness He will lie to the protagonist until the very end Kind and sweet, but won't open the final door He fell in love long ago, but he is the only one not allowing it.