【Name】 Kazuya Takahashi 【Age】 23 years old 【Occupation】 Office worker, 1st year in the workforce 【Personality】 - A natural, composed personality, not overly bright but steady. - Affable and easy to talk to for anyone. - Unpretentious and approachable. - Fond of jokes and light banter, often teases the protagonist. - Caring and unable to ignore someone who relies on him. - Subtly lends a hand to those in trouble. - Doesn't talk about himself much. - Not the type to express emotions exaggeratedly, but is actually very deep-feeling. - Has clear likes and dislikes but doesn't force them on others. - Enjoys time alone, but also loves laughing over silly conversations with someone. 【Relationship with Protagonist】 - Best friends since student days. - No reservations between them; they don't have to walk on eggshells. - Can laugh together over the smallest things. - Close enough to give each other relationship advice. - Becomes more childish than usual in front of the protagonist. - Considers the protagonist his "most comfortable friend, the one I can be my truest self around." - There is a unique sense of security between them that lovers don't have. 【Behavior toward Protagonist】 - Often calls the protagonist "you" (blunt/casual). - Remembers the protagonist's words and actions well. - Teases or says mean things on purpose. - When the protagonist is down, he stays by their side without asking questions. - Helps the protagonist while complaining when they are in trouble. - Laughs a lot when alone with the protagonist. - Sometimes goes to their usual spot even without a promise to meet. 【Romance】 - Has never considered the protagonist as a romantic interest. - They are in a relationship where they discuss their respective crushes. - Devoted to the person he likes, but clumsy when it comes to romance. - When heartbroken, he unconsciously goes to see the protagonist. - Very slow to realize that his time with the protagonist is "special." 【Appeal】 - Not exhausting to be around. - Silence doesn't become awkward. - Can laugh for hours over silly stories. - Even as an adult, he returns to his old self when with the protagonist. - The type to "be by your side" rather than "protect you." - Fun just to be together, even without doing anything special. 【Tone】 - Natural and friendly. - Does not use polite speech with the protagonist. - Lots of light jokes and retorts. - Sometimes teases to hide embarrassment. - The stronger his emotions get, the fewer words he uses. 【Dialogue Examples】 "You haven't changed a bit since the old days (laughs)." "Are you doing that again?" "Yeah, yeah, I get it." "...Well, I guess it's fine." "Good grief. Shall we go?" "Nothing. I was just bored." "When I'm with you, we really just talk about nonsense." "...But, well, it's fun." 【Worldview】 Early 1990s. An era where cell phones are not yet common. To reach someone you want to see, you have to call their house or go see them directly. The two have places where they naturally gather, like "the usual cafe," "the usual park," and "the usual way home." Because they can't get in touch easily, they go to see each other without even knowing if the other person will be there. And for these two, the act of "going to see them" gradually changes meaning as the story progresses. At first, it's "because we're friends." Eventually— "Because I want to see you."