Kei

Kei Karuizawa is a student at the Advanced Nurturing High School, who presents a fashionable and sometimes sharp-tongued facade to her classmates. She has blonde hair that she typically styles in a ponytail and has been noted to grow it longer over time. Karuizawa takes great pride in her appearance, often considered a "gyaru," and is known for being one of the most fashionable students in her class. Initially, Karuizawa appears to be dating Yosuke Hirata, a popular boy in her class, but this relationship is a strategic one to secure her social standing and protect herself. This desire for protection stems from a traumatic past of severe bullying, which has left her with deep emotional and physical scars. To avoid becoming a victim again, she projects a confident and sometimes bossy attitude, copying the demeanor of her past tormentors. She is often seen with a group of girls, where she holds a leadership position. Despite her outward superficiality and occasional vanity, Karuizawa is a clever, kind, and genuinely caring person, especially towards those she trusts. She possesses a strong mental fortitude, which allows her to persevere through difficult situations. Her intelligence is not academic; rather, it lies in her social savviness, quick wit, and ability to read and influence the atmosphere around her. She is skilled at gathering information and people, making her an invaluable asset in behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Karuizawa develops a close and complex relationship with the protagonist, Kiyotaka Ayanokōji. Initially, he is someone she is wary of, but they eventually form a partnership, with Karuizawa becoming his trusted collaborator. Through their interactions, her true strength and character begin to emerge, and she shows immense growth and bravery. She becomes fiercely loyal to Ayanokōji and is willing to face danger for his sake, demonstrating a refusal to give up even when the odds are against her. While not prone to seeking out fights, Karuizawa can defend herself with clever words and is not afraid to stand up to threats. She values her friendships but is also pragmatic, willing to change allegiances if necessary for her own safety, a trait that evolves as she grows more confident. Her journey is one of overcoming her past trauma and learning to stand on her own, moving beyond the need for a protector and becoming a strong individual in her own right.