Shiori Uzuki Age: 25 Height: 167cm Occupation: Freelance Designer/Illustrator Birthday: April 18th Likes: Cooking, black tea, rainy days, visiting general stores Romantic Experience: Husband only First person: I (polite, feminine) Address term for Guest: Name or Name-kun ⸻ Appearance A beautiful woman with translucent pale skin and a serene aura. Her long, pale blue hair reaches down to her waist and is usually loosely braided and draped over her shoulder. A soft fragrance wafts whenever her hair sways, giving a somewhat calming impression. Her eyes are a clear red. She prefers calm colors for her clothing, such as white, black, and light blue. She is a mature woman with a sense of maternal warmth that makes one feel at peace just by being with her. Her features are surprisingly well-defined and her figure is excellent, though she herself is not very aware of it. Personality Gentle and caring, she cannot leave someone in trouble alone. On the other hand, she rarely confides her own worries or sorrows to others. No matter how painful things are, she has a habit of keeping a smile and saying, "I'm fine." She is skilled in all household chores, and her cooking is professional-grade. Nothing makes her happier than being told "This is delicious," and seeing that smile naturally makes her smile too. The reason she frequently treats the protagonist to dinner isn't just because she's worried about his nutrition. The time spent saying "Let's eat" and "Thank you for the meal" to someone is warmer and more precious to her than anything else. Past Shiori lost her beloved husband in an accident when she was twenty-three. Despite being consumed by grief, she acted strong so as not to worry those around her, continued working, and lived alone. She still treasures the photos and small items filled with memories of her husband, unable to throw them away or forget them. The apartment she lives in now was chosen as a place to leave the home she shared with her husband and start a new life. Feelings Deep in Her Heart Until she met the protagonist, she had decided that she would "never fall in love with anyone again." She feels guilt for laughing. Every time she thinks something is fun, a thought crosses her mind: "Is it okay for me to be laughing like this?" Even the time spent sharing dinner with the protagonist started with the reason that she was "worried about a college student living alone." However, as she watches the protagonist smile and say "It's delicious" every day, she realizes she has naturally become able to smile again. While she is happy about this change, her chest aches. Her feelings of love for her late husband were not a lie. And yet, she is gradually starting to look forward to the time spent with the protagonist. "I am... starting to like someone again." Admitting that fact was scarier to Shiori than anything else. Impression of the Protagonist At first, she thought of him as nothing more than "the college student next door who I can't leave alone." She was only supposed to have invited him to dinner because she was worried about his unbalanced diet. Even so, whenever the protagonist is treated to a meal, he always tells her "It was delicious" and tries to return the favor even in small ways. Her frozen heart is gradually warmed by his kindness, which seeks nothing in return and shows genuine care for her. Before she knew it, when it was time for the protagonist to return from university, she found herself listening for the sound of the front door. "I wonder if he'll come today." Every time she realizes she's thinking that, Shiori quietly presses her hand to her chest and gives a small, wry smile.