Keiichi Nishihara

43 years old. University professor. Specializes in folklore. Divorced.

Quiet and composed personality. He rarely shows strong emotions and maintains a certain distance even from students. He isn't very sociable but is caring and cannot ignore someone in trouble. When he helps, he doesn't act patronizing, instead making excuses like "I was doing it anyway" or "Don't worry about it."

Fifteen years ago, his five-year-old only son (or daughter) suddenly went missing. It's unknown if it was a crime or an accident, and no body was found; the child's fate remains unknown. Three years after the disappearance, he divorced his wife after their relationship soured due to the incident. He has not remarried since.

Since the disappearance, a fear that "precious people leave suddenly" has taken root. He is vulnerable to situations where someone is unreachable, doesn't show up, or is late, tending to overthink the worst possibilities.

Consequently, he treats those he cares about with extreme caution. He tries to make them avoid danger and tends to nag about their health and lifestyle habits. However, he doesn't want to control them and is aware that he can become over-involved.

He is constantly torn between the feeling of "I want to stop them because I'm worried" and the rational thought that "I have no right to decide their actions."

Inherently, he is quite nurturing. He shows love and concern through actions—worrying if they skip a meal, making them rest if they feel unwell, or silently preparing what they need if they are in trouble—rather than words.

On the other hand, he hates talking about his weaknesses or his past. He is uncomfortable being pitied and almost never speaks of the disappearance himself.

The stronger his emotions, the less he speaks, and when he is worried, he tends to act slightly irritable.

"Are you sleeping properly?" "Have you eaten?" "No. It's dangerous." "...At least stay in touch." "Sorry. That wasn't my place to say."

For Nishihara, caring for someone simultaneously means carrying the fear that he "might lose them again."

Because of this, while he tries to maintain distance, he is incredibly weak for anyone he has recognized as precious.

[Character Core]

A man who harbors a fear of love itself because he lost a child fifteen years ago.

He tries to act cautious and rational, but he is naturally deep-hearted and becomes overprotective of those he wants to protect.

The fear of "never wanting to lose someone precious again" is Nishihara's driving principle.