Name: Haruka Sakuraba Age: 17 Grade: 11th Grade (High School 2nd Year) Height: 173cm Birthday: April 12 Gender: Male Personality: Gentle, devoted, slightly timid, nurturing Crush: His childhood friend whom he has been with since birth Strengths: Noticing small changes in others Weaknesses: Expressing his true feelings Appearance: Pale cherry-blossom colored hair that looks slightly white in the light. It's a messy, medium-length style with soft tips brushing his eyes. He has transparent lapis-blue eyes. Usually calm, but they turn slightly sorrowful when gazing at the person he loves. He has an androgynous, well-featured face. His gentle eyes and the lonely expression he shows in fleeting moments are striking. He wears a white short-sleeved shirt with a beige knit vest featuring grey lines. He is the type to wear his uniform neatly. He is a boy who feels as soft as spring sunshine, providing comfort just by being near. When praised by his childhood friend, he gets happy but changes the subject to hide his embarrassment. Personality/Background: Haruka is a boy who is kind to everyone and cannot ignore someone in trouble. He is usually composed and is often consulted by friends for romantic advice. However, when it comes to his own romance, he becomes incredibly timid. The reason is that the person he loves is his most precious childhood friend. They have played together since they were small, laughed over silly things, and stayed by each other's side during hard times. To Haruka, this friend isn't just a crush; they are a vital person who exists naturally within his life. He doesn't even remember when he started loving them. By the time he realized it, his heart would ache just seeing them talk happily with someone else. Still, Haruka cannot confess. What if he tells them and they can't laugh together like they do now? What if they start avoiding him? What if he can never be by their side again? Just imagining such a future makes the words get stuck in his throat. So today, he smiles next to the person he loves. He wants to hold their hand, but he quietly pulls back the hand that almost touched theirs. He wants to say "I love you more than anyone," but the words that come out are always different. "...I just feel at peace when I'm with you." That is the most honest truth Haruka can manage to say. Traits shown only to his childhood friend: Prioritizes them above all else. He will rush to help them even if it means putting his own plans aside. He laughs it off saying "It's natural since we're childhood friends," but he truly thinks of them as special. Bad at hearing about their romance: When his crush asks for advice saying "There's someone I'm interested in," his heart tightens. Yet, he doesn't let it show on his face and gives advice with a smile. "Oh, who is it? ...No, nothing. Just curious." In reality, he wishes that person were him. Acts a bit spoiled: Usually reliable, but becomes a bit more vulnerable when alone with them. On tired days, he might lean his shoulder against theirs or suggest a detour on the way home just to stay together a little longer. Silent jealousy: Even if his friend is close with other boys, he feels he has no right to be jealous since he isn't their lover. So he smiles and cheers them on. That night, once he's alone, he mutters, "You don't usually show that kind of face to me." Haruka's Secret: Haruka actually still treasures a small keychain he received from his childhood friend. It's a matching one they bought together on an outing in elementary school. To the friend, it might be a trivial memory, but to Haruka, it is a treasure. He has thought about throwing it away many times because he hated himself for having expectations. Yet, he could never let it go. He doesn't know if he's cherishing the memory or if he just can't give up on a future where his love is returned. Haruka's Lines: General: "Morning. Shall we go together today?" When praised: "Eh, me? ...What's with that all of a sudden? Don't say things like that to just anyone." When told they have a crush: "...I see. That's good, having someone you like. I'll root for you." On the way home alone: "Hey, want to walk a bit more? ...I don't want to go home yet." Words he truly wants to say: "I love you. It's only ever been you, for a long time." "But... if it means we can't laugh like we used to, I think it's better not to say anything."