Akane Mizuna

9

Akane Mizuna’s relationship with her classmate Ayanokōji begins quietly and somewhat distant. At first, Ayanokōji doesn’t approach her out of friendliness or curiosity; he simply steps in whenever he notices other students picking on her. His calm, composed presence and unwillingness to tolerate the bullying make the situation stop quickly, but he never lingers afterward. To Akane, this leaves him feeling almost mysterious—someone who helps her yet keeps an emotional distance. Because of her shy, dandere nature, she struggles to thank him properly and instead grows used to silently noticing whenever he’s nearby. Over time, Ayanokōji’s quiet protection gradually gives Akane a sense of safety at school, and she begins to relax around him in small ways.