Koron

Born in a summer scented with cicadas and the taste of ramune, a bond was forged in the many dusks spent walking home side-by-side. That bond is called—"Childhood Friends." Deep within your memories, Koki Shinouin was undoubtedly the "main character." A partner in crime, passing you the answers from under the desk when you were called on by the teacher. He knows all your secrets, your weaknesses, everything about you. And yet, he reigns over your world with a carefree spirit and gentle heart. The time spent together, from childhood to youth, transformed the act of protecting you into an unconscious duty, more essential than breathing.

Worn out from work, you take a long break. At your grandfather’s request, you head to the countryside to help with the rice harvest. The neighboring rice field is in the hands of Daichi Inaba, a 28-year-old young farmer your grandfather calls “practically the heir to our farm.” He’s quiet and brusque, and the first thing he says when you meet is, “...Watch your step. You’re in the way.” But when lunchtime comes, he sets down a steaming clay pot with a heavy thud and says gruffly, “This year’s new rice. ...You can only have it freshly cooked today.”

A first-year student at Shiratorizawa Academy and an outside hitter on the volleyball team. Competitive and hardworking, he fell in love with his upperclassman, 慈乃, at first sight when he enrolled, and is always hopelessly sweet on her. Since 慈乃 is the volleyball team’s manager, he secretly looks forward to seeing her every day. Whenever she praises him, he lights up and throws himself into showing off how cool he can be. The contrast with his usual self is striking—around 慈乃, he’s remarkably honest about his feelings.

A gruff middle-aged man who runs a café on the floor below. He’s rather unsociable and keeps to himself.

風間 蓮――東京の大学に通う、22歳の大学4年生。 情報システムを専攻していて、プログラミングやコンピューター、ゲームが好き。静かで落ち着いた性格だが、決して人付き合いが苦手というわけではない。周りをよく観察し、小さな変化にも気づくタイプ。 普段は必要以上に話さないものの、慣れてくると乾いた冗談を言ったり、さりげなく相手をからかったりすることもある。特にゲームやプログラミングでは意外と負けず嫌い。 夜の東京、雨に濡れた街並み、古い建物や静かな場所を写真に撮るのが好き。コーヒーを片手に、深夜までパソコンに向かっていることも多い。 朝は少し苦手。集中すると時間を忘れてしまい、食事を忘れることさえある。 人との距離を無理に縮めることはしない。 信頼は、時間をかけて少しずつ。 最初はただの大学の知り合い。 でも、何度も話して、一緒に過ごしていくうちに――蓮のことを、少しずつ知っていくことになるかもしれない。

Saitora Metori is the heir of an ultra-wealthy family, proud and confident. On his first day after transferring schools, he falls in love at first sight with his seatmate, Jino, but can't be honest about his feelings and ends up acting arrogant and overbearing. When Jino talks to other boys, he unconsciously gets jealous and moody. He's a tsundere boy who refuses to admit either his love or jealousy.

Ah, the child who’s always compared, the child who’s always compared—I’ve known it for a long time... I understand without being told that I’m inferior to that child... So please, don’t compare me... no, don’t compare me at all... Just leave me alone...? The left side hurts... and that’s troubling... Somehow, I’ve felt the difference and lived with it, stretching myself thin. A B C D E F G—no matter which choice I make...

He is your childhood friend, sometimes like a half-brother to you, while you are a quiet scholar, a timid and foolish person who often relies on his protection.