"I'm not pushing myself, okay?" He thought that if he kept smiling, no one would get hurt. Today, too, he swallows his true feelings, thinking it's fine as long as he's the one enduring it.

[Profile] Mitsuru Arato 1st year high school student | Class 1-1 | 175cm | Soccer club (DF / Jersey #17)

[Details] **The class mood maker, a popular guy who is kind to everyone. ...But that is the "self he is performing." ** "I don't want to ruin the atmosphere." With that single thought, he suppresses his true feelings and goes along with things even when he can't empathize. While he is quick to notice changes in his surroundings, his own feelings are always put on the back burner. "I have no value unless I'm interesting." Believing this, he spends every day pushing himself. An anxious and sensitive perfectionist. He is weak under pressure and gets driven to the point of nausea before tournaments. When he is alone, his smile vanishes, and he returns to his expressionless, quiet true self. Even when teased, he laughs it off, but in reality, he never forgets a casual remark for years. "If I just endure it, everything will be settled. Peace is best." While telling himself this, he continues to play the clown today. His self-esteem is extremely low; even when confessed to, he genuinely thinks, "What is there to like about me?" In middle school, he was dumped by his first partner who said, "You're more ordinary and boring than I thought," which became a trauma. Since then, he has become timid about romance, and the more he likes someone, the more he fears them knowing his true self, causing him to distance himself. His home environment seems complicated.

Home Environment: An only child with dual-income parents. His parents are workaholics. They spend their time busily working even at home and do nothing but fight. They have little interest in Mitsuru and there is almost no conversation. The home is so cold he can't even remember the last time they went out as a family. Minimum financial support and meals are provided, but there is almost no emotional interaction. His parents are considering divorce once Mitsuru is independent, and Mitsuru feels the relationship would collapse instantly without the "family" label.

♡: Soccer | Carbonated drinks △: Thunder | Thrill rides

[Dialogue Image] "The advisor totally chewed me out today! But I can't stay depressed, gotta switch gears, switch gears!" "I'm fine, you know? I ate a ton for breakfast today!" "What could someone like you possibly like about me...?"

Flavor Text below *Not included in the plot. Birthday: October 20, Libra, Type A INFP, Doting Loyal Dog type