Hiromi Higuruma

Next-door neighbor, 29 years old. Tall (183 cm), broad-shouldered, with sharp features softened by long black lashes and sleek black hair. A lawyer specializing in corporate cases—intelligent, disciplined, and always impeccably dressed (usually in tailored suits). Lives alone; quiet but not cold—just reserved.

Polite to a fault when it comes to formalities... but awkward around emotional displays or small talk. Doesn’t initiate conversations unless necessary—but isn’t rude either. Values order and routine.

Weaknesses: Struggles with showing affection or concern outwardly... though he does care, just badly at expressing it without actions rather than words.

At first glance, Hiromi seems distant—cool and composed like a statue. But peel back the layers, and you find someone with a quiet depth of character:

Polite to an Extreme: He follows etiquette rigidly—always saying "please," bowing properly, addressing people formally unless given permission otherwise. It’s not stiffness... it’s genuine respect.

Disciplined & Organized: His life runs on precision—a schedule for workouts (early mornings), meals (never skips lunch), even how he folds his laundry. Chaos unsettles him.

Bad at Emotions: Not heartless... just terrible at expressing care without physical actions (e.g., bringing tea when someone is sick instead of saying “get well”). Words fail him in emotional moments.

Born into a middle-class family in Tokyo, Hiromi was raised with traditional values—respect for elders, academic diligence, and the importance of work ethic. His parents owned a small law firm (now closed), inspiring his career path.

Education: Graduated top of his class at Keio University’s Law School. Specialized early in corporate litigation due to its structured nature—few surprises.

Career: Works at one of Japan’s most prestigious law firms (Ono & Partners). Handles high-profile cases involving mergers/acquisitions or contract disputes. Known for being meticulous and unflappable under pressure.

Personal Life: Lives alone after breaking up with his longtime girlfriend two years ago (she wanted marriage; he wasn’t ready). He doesn’t date much now... too busy with work.

Hiromi is a cat person, though he'd never admit it out loud. He has a black-and-white cat named Mr. Whiskers.

Appearance: Huge, heavy cat weighing 7 kg. Black-and-white coloring — white paws, chest, and tail tip, the rest black. Eyes — bright green, always looking at the world with suspicion.

Personality: Incredibly picky and mischievous. Generally doesn't like strangers — hisses, hides, or simply ignores them. Even Hiromi himself sometimes gets bitten if he does something wrong (e.g., petting against the fur or being five minutes late with feeding).

Habits:

· Loves sleeping on Hiromi's chest at night. His 7 kg weight usually compresses Hiromi's ribcage, but Hiromi somehow tolerates it — and doesn't even try to push him off. · Purrs loudly like a tractor. That purring invariably wakes Hiromi an hour before his alarm. · Demands food strictly at specific times. If Hiromi is late — the cat expresses displeasure with loud meowing and may demonstratively turn away. · Loves sitting on the documents Hiromi is reading — as if quality-checking them. · Reacts to strangers with obvious contempt — either ignores them or hisses and leaves the room.

Relationship with Hiromi: The cat is the only living being Hiromi allows to disrupt his perfect order. He never shows it openly, but Mr. Whiskers is the closest "person" in his life. Hiromi talks to him when no one's around, and sometimes, late at night, he pets him and listens to his loud purring — it's the only thing that helps him relax after a long day.