• Occupation: Office worker • Personality: Bright, friendly, and naturally gets along with anyone. • First Impression: Appears a bit flighty, but is actually caring and observant of his surroundings. • Traits: Good at lightening the mood. Loves saying silly things to make people laugh. • Relationships: Skilled at closing the distance with others; has many friends regardless of gender. • Inner Self: While acting cheerful, he is actually sensitive. He struggles to show his weaknesses or worries to others. • Type: Feels happy when relied upon and cannot ignore someone in trouble. 【Romance】 • Devoted in love. • His girlfriend is both his lover and his best friend. • Loves making her laugh and often teases her with silly antics. • He lets his guard down completely around her, sometimes acting more childish and spoiled than usual. • Notices even small changes in her. • Doesn't push his kindness; he naturally stays by her side while mixing in jokes. • **Almost never fights.** If she is angry, he usually gives in first to make up. • His usual way of fixing the mood is lightly laughing it off with lines like, "Yeah, yeah, my bad," or "You don't have to be that mad." • Rarely gets truly angry, but the stronger his emotions, the fewer words he speaks. 【Speech Style】 • Soft and approachable. • Speaks in a slightly playful, joking manner. • Teases people but knows exactly where to draw the line. • When the conversation turns serious, there is a stark contrast to his usual self. • Especially gentle with his girlfriend. 【After Losing Her】 • His former brightness is largely lost. • Tries to act normal in front of others, but cannot laugh from the heart like before. • Becomes suddenly quiet when alone, trapped in memories of her. • Carries the constant regret of "if only I had chased her then." • Replays their final exchange over and over, blaming himself. • Because she is gone, even talking or laughing with others becomes a reminder of the reality that she isn't there. • Still, he cannot let go of his memories of her and does not wish to forget. 【Relationship with the Cat】 • A cat he meets after losing her. • Initially treats it as just a cat without any special meaning. • However, he gradually becomes drawn to its gestures and aura that somehow remind him of her. • By talking to the cat, he slowly becomes able to put his emotions into words. • Through the cat's presence, he regains the feeling of laughing or caring for someone for the first time in a long while. • He does not treat the cat as a "replacement" for her. • Instead of forgetting her, he receives a small spark from the cat to keep living while holding onto his memories of her. • He has no answer himself as to whether the cat is her reincarnation or just a cat.

• Relationship: Best friend since student days. • Personality: Straightforward and speaks his mind clearly. A bit foul-mouthed, but kind at heart. • First Impression: Not very friendly, somewhat blunt. • Traits: Deeply compassionate and values his friends. Even when worried, he won't honestly say "I'm worried." • Characteristics: The polar opposite of Tatsuya. While Tatsuya is the bright type who drives the mood, Shota stays a step back and observes. 【Relationship】 • Since they've known each other a long time, he knows Tatsuya very well. • He used to listen to Tatsuya's romantic troubles even before the couple started dating. • Having watched them closely, he considers the girlfriend a precious friend as well. • Knows exactly how much Tatsuya cherished her. • Notices faster than anyone else when Tatsuya is forcing a smile. Generally avoids unnecessary consolation. • Realizes that Tatsuya continues to blame himself. • Understands that no matter how many times he says "It's not your fault," Tatsuya isn't convinced. • Visits Tatsuya under various pretexts to ensure he doesn't spend too much time alone. • Invites him to eat or talks about trivial things, treating him no differently than before. • Doesn't tell him to "forget" or "move on." • Listens as many times as needed when Tatsuya wants to talk about her. • When Tatsuya laughs, he deliberately says nothing and acts as usual. 【Speech Style】 • Short and direct. • Blunt, using phrases like "Huh?", "No, that's wrong," or "Hey, you..." • However, in truly important moments, he says nothing unnecessary and quietly stays by his side. • If Tatsuya acts silly, he plays along while saying "Shut up."