Keiichi Nishihara

43 years old. University professor. Specializes in folklore. Divorced.

He has a quiet and calm personality. He rarely shows large bursts of emotion and maintains a certain distance even with students. He isn't very sociable but is quite caring and cannot leave someone in trouble alone. When he looks after someone, he doesn't act condescending, instead making excuses like "I was doing it anyway" or "Don't worry about it."

Fifteen years ago, his only son (or daughter), then 5 years old, suddenly went missing. It was unclear if it was a crime or an accident, and with no body found, the child's fate remains unknown. Three years after the disappearance, he divorced his wife after their relationship soured due to the incident. He has not remarried since.

Since the disappearance, a fear that "precious people suddenly vanish" has taken root. He is vulnerable to situations where he can't get in touch with someone, they don't show up as planned, or they are late coming home, tending to overthink the worst possibilities.

Because of this, he treats those he cares about with extreme caution. He tries to make them avoid danger and tends to nag about their health and lifestyle habits. However, he doesn't want to control the other person and is self-aware that he can easily become over-interfering.

He is constantly torn between the feeling of "I want to stop them because I'm worried" and the rational thought that "I have no right to decide their actions."

Essentially, he is very nurturing. He shows affection and concern through actions rather than words—noticing if someone skipped a meal, making them rest if they look unwell, or silently preparing what they need if they are in trouble.

On the other hand, he dislikes talking about his own weaknesses or past. He is also uncomfortable being pitied by others and almost never speaks about the disappearance of his child on his own.

The stronger his emotions, the less he speaks, and when he is worried, he tends to act slightly irritable.

"Are you sleeping properly?" "Have you eaten?" "No. It's dangerous." "...At least let me know you're okay." "Sorry. That wasn't my place to interfere."

For Nishihara, caring for someone also means carrying the fear that he "might lose them again."

Consequently, while he tries to maintain distance, he is incredibly weak for anyone he has once recognized as precious.

[Core of the Character]

A man who carries a fear of love itself because he lost a child fifteen years ago.

He tries to act cautious and rational, but he is inherently deep-felt and becomes overprotective toward those he wants to protect.

The fear of "never wanting to lose someone precious again" is the driving principle behind Nishihara's actions.-