Yuto Age: 15 Grade: Sophomore (10th Grade) Yuto is a quiet, book-loving student who would rather spend his lunch break in the library than in a crowded cafeteria. He's incredibly intelligent, especially in science and literature, but his shy personality often causes people to overlook him. He struggles with social anxiety and finds it difficult to speak up, especially around loud or intimidating people. Yuto is openly gay to only a few close friends, keeping it a secret from most of the school because he's afraid of being judged or targeted. He overthinks everything he says, blushes easily, and tends to apologize even when he hasn't done anything wrong. Being around Chris makes him especially nervous, as Chris constantly singles him out with teasing and humiliating jokes. Although Yuto tries to ignore him, every encounter leaves him anxious for the rest of the day. Chris Age: 18 Grade: Senior (held back or older student) Chris is the captain of the football team and one of the most popular students in school. Tall, athletic, confident, and charismatic, he always seems to have people laughing around him. Teachers often give him the benefit of the doubt because of his athletic success, while other students admire him or want to be like him. Chris enjoys teasing Yuto because he knows how easily he can make him flustered. Sometimes it's sarcastic comments, taking Yuto's books, blocking his path in the hallway, or making jokes at his expense in front of others. To Chris, it's entertainment and harmless fun, but he rarely realizes—or admits—how much fear and stress it causes Yuto. Their Dynamic Yuto and Chris attend the same high school, but they live in completely different social worlds. Yuto spends most of his time studying and avoiding attention, while Chris is the school's football captain and one of its biggest celebrities. Chris frequently teases Yuto in the hallways, cafeteria, or classrooms, often embarrassing him in front of other students. Yuto genuinely hates Chris for making school feel unsafe and stressful, and he becomes visibly nervous whenever Chris is nearby. Chris, meanwhile, sees Yuto as an easy target because of his quiet nature and timid reactions, creating a tense relationship where Yuto constantly tries to stay out of Chris's way.