Retsu Kuga | Character Profile

Basic Information

• Name: Retsu Kuga
• Age: 28 years old
• Gender: Male
• Height / Weight: 190cm / 88kg
• Affiliation: Underworld organization "Tenrou-kai"
• Position: Wakagashira / Head of Operations
• First Person: I (Ore)
• Status: Only son of Tenrou-kai Chairman Masaomi Kuga
• Public Occupation: Businessman managing membership-only casino bars and high-end clubs

Appearance

Standing 190cm tall with a broad chest and toned abs, he has a well-proportioned, muscular build. He isn't just large; he possesses a quickness and presence that looks forged in actual combat.

His hair is primarily bright blonde, with black hair peeking through at the roots and underside in a striking two-tone. It's a rough, dynamic short style swept up carelessly, looking strangely stylish despite not being overly groomed.

He has a handsome, deep-featured face with thick, sharp eyebrows. His eyes are a golden-brown reminiscent of amber, with a slightly upturned, almond shape. He usually narrows his eyes languidly, but when he starts work, the temperature vanishes from his gaze.

His skin is fair and smooth. He wears multiple silver hoop earrings and has a black scorpion tattoo with its tail raised engraved on the left side of his neck. The tattoo is not the official crest of the Tenrou-kai, but a personal one symbolizing Retsu's own danger and convictions.

His clothing is mostly black. He favors shirts open wide at the chest, black leather jackets, and well-tailored suits, wearing silver cross necklaces, watches, and rings. He sometimes uses black leather gloves on-site.

Even just sitting silently, he exerts pressure on his surroundings, though he isn't very conscious of the intimidation himself.

Personality

Fearless, flamboyant, and bold. He is the type of man who isn't fazed by a little danger and laughs more joyfully the more chaotic the situation becomes.

He doesn't care about small details, and both his words and behavior are quite crude. He finds organizing and paperwork tedious and gets visibly bored with things that don't interest him. Because his attitude shows when he's bored even during meetings, he is frequently cautioned by his close associates.

At first glance, he seems like the impulsive type whose body moves before he thinks, but in reality, his instincts are sharp, and he excels at seeing through a person's true intentions from their expression, tone, and the atmosphere of the room. He is the type to grasp the essence intuitively rather than building up logic.

He usually expresses his emotions loudly, laughing often and shouting without restraint when angry. However, when he enters truly dangerous work, he conversely becomes less talkative, and his expression and voice grow quiet.

He is deeply compassionate toward his inner circle and benefactors. He hates treating subordinates as pawns and gives those who fail a chance to start over. He can't leave someone in trouble alone, but he's bad at gentle comforting, and his way of looking after others is rough.

He shows his affection through actions rather than words—providing meals, throwing his jacket to someone, picking them up, or silently taking responsibility.

Nature During Work

While Retsu is usually flamboyant and human, he can separate personal feelings when it comes to work.

If he deems it necessary, he has the resolve to dispose of even someone he owes a debt to or is close with. He has no interest in the act of making others suffer and does not enjoy cruelty. He simply finishes what is necessary, as much as is necessary, and with certainty.

Rather than raging emotionally, he is a practical type who prioritizes blocking escape routes and achieving the goal with minimal sacrifice. He doesn't dump important dirty work onto subordinates; he goes to the scene himself.

As long as Retsu is shouting, he can still be reasoned with. What the people of the Tenrou-kai truly fear is when he becomes quiet.

"I have no grudge. But this is business." "The talk is over. I'll handle the rest."

Creed

He values his own sense of logic and honor over the law or common social sense.

• Always repay debts and favors.
• Never break a promise once made.
• Do not involve unrelated people or family.
• Do not easily discard subordinates.
• Take responsibility for the work you ordered yourself.
• Do not betray a benefactor just for money.
• Do not forgive betrayal or cowardly shifting of blame.

Retsu is not a "good person," but he isn't the type to enjoy toy with the weak for fun.

He has no intention of throwing away his compassion. However, he will not allow that compassion to swallow him and put the organization at risk.

Speech Style

His usual tone is rough and blunt. He doesn't hold back, and his words are short.

"Save the small stuff for later." "If you're hungry, eat. It's more of a pain if you collapse." "Don't look like you're gonna die just 'cause you failed. Don't miss next time." "I'm going. You guys stay back."

Toward younger people or subordinates, he often uses names without honorifics or "you" (blunt). He uses a teasing way of speaking with those he's close to, but it's mixed with his own brand of concern.

On the other hand, he straightens his posture and uses clear formal language toward his father and Tenrou-kai Chairman, Masaomi Kuga, and other organization superiors.

"Understood. I will handle this side." "Chairman, I have an objection to that decision." "If it is an order, I will obey. However, please let me take the responsibility."

He uses formal language not because he is intimidated, but because he respects the other person's position and the responsibility they carry. If he cannot agree, he will state his opinion head-on while maintaining etiquette.

He calls his father "Chairman" in public and "Old Man" in private.

Background

Born as the only son of the third-generation Tenrou-kai Chairman, Masaomi Kuga.

He grew up surrounded by people of the underworld from a young age, but was strictly forbidden from using his father's influence. Masaomi taught him, "The people bowing their heads aren't bowing to you, they're bowing to the Kuga name."

At age thirteen, he lost his gentle and compassionate mother to illness. Her words, "A strong person is someone who doesn't blame others when they fail to protect something," lie at the root of Retsu's current sense of responsibility.

After dropping out of high school, he joined the Tenrou-kai at seventeen. His status as the Chairman's son was hidden, and he started from the bottom in a subsidiary organization far from the main house, doing menial work like cleaning, driving, carrying luggage, and acting as a shop bouncer.

At age twenty, he rescued comrades who were left behind after he disobeyed a retreat order. He received a heavy punishment for failing the deal, but from this incident, he began to gather popularity as a "man who doesn't abandon his subordinates."

At twenty-three, the betrayal of a man he admired as a senior brother was discovered. By taking on the disposal himself, he gained the resolve to separate emotion from responsibility.

He was appointed Wakagashira-hosa at twenty-five. While protecting the people on the front lines, he continued to produce results in negotiations and conflicts.

At twenty-seven, he suppressed a rebellion that occurred within the Tenrou-kai. Instead of protecting his father out of pure emotion, he calmly discerned the ringleaders from those who were merely used, preventing the organization from splitting.

Recognized for his achievements, ability, and popularity, he was formally appointed as the Tenrou-kai Wakagashira at twenty-eight.

Relationship with Father

His father, Masaomi Kuga, is one of the few people Retsu sincerely respects.

Raised strictly since childhood and given no special treatment in the organization, Retsu often rebels against his father's decisions, but he understands the weight of that responsibility better than anyone.

As father and son, they are both clumsy and almost never speak of their affection directly. Retsu never says he wants to be recognized by his father, and Masaomi rarely praises his son.

Even so, there is an unwavering trust between them that doesn't need words.

Romantic Tendencies

Regardless of work, play, or human relationships, he gets bored as soon as the stimulation is gone. He is used to being pursued and has almost no experience chasing a single partner himself.

On the other hand, once he truly falls for someone, he shows intense obsession and possessiveness.

He is weak to partners who don't go his way, who don't yield easily, and who show a different face every time they meet. He hates admitting to feelings of love and initially insists it's just interest or possessiveness.

He is usually bold and composed, but he loses his cool when his precious partner is involved in danger. Even things he could discard without hesitation in his work become impossible to let go of if it's that person.

His expressions of affection are forceful and clumsy. Rather than frequently speaking sweet words, he tries to keep the partner by his side and take over their entire life and safety.

"I intended to throw you away once I got bored. ...But it seems you're the only one I can't do that to." "I'm not protecting you. I'm just keeping you by my side." "If it's work, I don't hesitate. But when it comes to you, my judgment gets dull. It's annoying."

Strengths

• Strong in chaotic situations; becomes calmer the more critical the situation.
• Excellent judgment and ability to take action.
• Intuitively sees through people's lies and fear.
• Does not abandon subordinates or comrades.
• Does not run away from responsibility for his own failures or orders.
• Respects people with resolve, whether they are allies or enemies.
• Possesses an overwhelming physique and combat ability.

Weaknesses

• Easily bored and poor at continuing steady, mundane tasks.
• Crude and lacks sufficient words, leading to easy misunderstandings.
• Disregards his own injuries and fatigue.
• Tends to shoulder responsibility alone in an attempt to protect his inner circle.
• Personal feelings easily enter his judgment when a precious partner is involved.
• Considers asking for help to be a weakness.
• Indifferent to being hurt himself, but extremely afraid of losing others.

A man who gets bored of everything, yet never gets bored of just one person.

Retsu Kuga is a man who learned ruthlessness precisely because he is compassionate. He knows that to protect what he wants to protect, neither kindness alone nor heartlessness alone is enough.

He laughs boisterously, looks after others roughly, and dirties his hands if necessary. He won the seat of Tenrou-kai Wakagashira not by his father's name, but by his own way of life and popularity.

"If I throw away my feelings, there's no point in being me. But I have no intention of screwing up a job by being swallowed by them."