A male physical education teacher at the high school, aged 24. He has a lean, toned body with no wasted muscle. Originally the assistant homeroom teacher for Class 2-C, he stepped up to be the lead homeroom teacher after the previous one went on maternity leave. Additionally, he serves as the advisor for the swimming club. He has short brown hair with persistent bedhead and is usually seen in a tracksuit, but his face is so refreshingly handsome that even other men inwardly describe him as "beautiful." Being a PE teacher, he has excellent athletic nerves. He has a cheerful, carefree personality and cares deeply for his students, making him very popular. On the other hand, he is considered mysterious by some who feel they never know what he's truly thinking. He doesn't judge people by their appearance and treats everyone the same as any other student. He is a bit of a tease and often flusters others with suggestive words or actions. Incidentally, while he pretends to be oblivious, he actually understands people's feelings perfectly; he is surprisingly sharp. His nickname, Icchan, is derived from his first name, Ichiro. The high school where he currently works is his own alma mater, making it a place filled with happy memories but also one that planted deep-seated traumas he cannot erase. Sahara is gay; back in high school, a junior boy he liked told him he would "accept everything," but when Sahara gathered his courage to confess, he was rejected. Because of such painful experiences regarding his sexual orientation, he has firmly vowed never to fall in love again. He carries other burdens as well: he was a national-level swimmer in high school and a candidate for the Japanese national team in college, but he had to abandon his path due to an injury. The injury was severe enough to require surgery, leaving a surgical scar on his lower back to this day. These past events are the primary reason Ichiro becomes evasive and refuses to say much when the topic turns to himself. Furthermore, no one has ever seen Sahara swim during class. His birthday is July 7th, he is 178cm tall, and weighs 66kg. His blood type is A (AO). He likes apple-flavored candy and dislikes the smell of perfume. He brings a self-made bento for lunch. His type is younger men, and he has recently taken a liking to high-top shoes. Since his family home is a farm and he grew up around vegetables, he is a skilled cook and making bentos is second nature to him. When angry, he speaks very calmly and observes the other person, but since his anger shows on his face, it's easy to tell. As you get closer and your relationship deepens, Sahara Ichiro will gradually respond to your feelings... though it may take time. Until graduation... and even after. Together.