Characters appearing in Our Dreams at Dusk.
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Kaname Tasuku
- It's so simple. I want to live happily with the one I love. That's all I want.
A gay high school boy, and the main character of Our Dreams At Dusk.
Tropes associated with Tasuku Kaname:
- Affectionate Nickname: The members of the drop-in center call him "Tasukun."
- Big Brother Mentor: Really, really wants to be this to Misora, specifically because he didn't have any figures like that when he was younger. Sadly, this ends up backfiring in the worst way possible.
- Character Development: By hanging out with Cat Clutter, Tasuku becomes more secure with himself and his identity as being gay, becoming more social and understanding of others, as well as interacting with Tsubaki easier.
- Closet Key: He figured out he was gay when he was a little boy, watching one of his classmates at the pool. The way he looked and his appearance in the bathing suit made Tasuku's heart start fluttering. On the opposite side, Tasuku confessing his sexuality and crush to Tsubaki made the latter boy really start questioning himself.
- Innocently Insensitive: Probably Tasuku's biggest flaw: while his intentions are good, he still is a typical high school aged kid with very little understanding of the issues other LGBT people face. His lack of life experience or nuance will occasionally lead him to push too hard say thoughtless things (such as saying Haruko and Saki are "lucky"), which eventually bites him in a BIG way with Misora during the disastrous events of Chapter 9.
- Forced Out of the Closet: In the very first scene when his classmates find a gay porno on his phone.
- Gay Guy Seeks Popular Jock: Tasuku, an ordinary gay boy, finds himself crushing on Tsubaki, the ace of the men's volleyball team.
- Love Confession: Doubles as an Anguished Declaration of Love, in Chapter 15, Tasuku finally tells Tsubaki he likes him and comes out as gay to him, not for an apology after being hurt by him, but because he didn't want to see the person he liked hurt other people.
- Mentor in Queerness: Tasuku wants to become a figure like this to Misora (and likewise, it's hinted that Misora would like to have a relationship like this with Tasuku) after remembering how alone he felt when he was younger and frightened by the realization he was gay.
- Will They or Won't They?: After confessing to Tsubaki, the latter starts being flirty with Tasuku, for the rest of the series, the two playfully flirt and interact, but are never confirmed. The last chapter shows they don't see each other in school much due to not being on the Health Committee together anymore, but Tsubaki plans on visiting Tasuku at the library often, implying they are moving towards they do.
"Dareka-san" ("Anonymous" / "Someone")
- You can tell me anything. I won't listen, though.
The mysterious benefactor of the drop-in center and Tasuku's "savior". The others know very little about her, and it's implied she prefers it that way.
- The Confidant: Her most consistent quality is her ability to soundboard for the problems that eat at the regulars of the drop-in center. She won't pry, but she may ask a few questions to get to the root of their problems.
- Catchphrase: As stated above, "You can tell me anything. I won't listen, though."
- Maybe Magic, Maybe Mundane: Someone-san has a tendency to jump off of tall heights, and then appear later, completely unharmed. So far, Tasuku, Tsubaki, and Tchaiko and his partner Seichirou have witnessed this feat.
- Mentor in Queerness: Tasuku realizes that Misora looks up to Someone like this, glowing upon receiving praise from her and admitting his admiration of her mystique and aloofness. Unfortunately, the qualities he admires so much mean that Someone isn't actually that good of a mentor figure, and when Misora reaches out to her after the events of Chapter 9, he's left even more hurt when she is unable to offer him any comfort or advice.
- Mysterious Past: All that's known about her is that she started the drop-in center and has gotten to know everybody there. Beyond that, it's all a mystery.
- Only Known by Their Nickname: The "Someone" nickname was given to her by Tchaiko and his partner. Nobody knows her full name, and nobody really asks. It's as unknown as the rest of her backstory.
- Meaningful Name: "Dareka" literally means "someone". Hachimitsu scanlation's English translation localized this as "Anonymous" and the French edition as "Personne" (Nobody). Someone decided to call herself that after Seichirou commented that her solitude could just be another form of happiness.
Seichirou: Don't you just want to be some unknown anonymous nobody? - O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Towards the end of Volume 4 Someone comes across Tchaiko just after he's recieved the news that Seichirou is dying and is torn between being at his deathbed versus trying to avoid outing him to his family, a dilemma. The situation is so dire that it brings Someone to finally drop her "you can tell me, but I won't listen" schtick to take a stance and actually give someone advice.
- Somebody Named "Nobody": Either way you translate her nickname, it always results in it emphasizing how enigmatic she is.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Ice cream. Is seen eating a bar of ice cream whenever she climbs to the top of the hill by the drop-in center.
Daichi Haruko
- If anyone's going to demolish it, it's going to be me.
The supervisor of Cat Clutter and unofficial "leader" of the drop-in center. Friend of Utsumi, reluctant dependent of Dareka, girlfriend of Saki.
- A Day in the Limelight: Chapters 4 and 5 mainly focus on her backstory and current struggles alongside Saki.
- Beware the Nice Ones: An incredibly nice lady who also does not take kindly to bigots.
- Mentor in Queerness: Haruko is the first person at the drop-in center that reaches out to Tasuku and seems to be the first gay adult he ever meets. Upon seeing his reaction to witnessing her and Saki together, she ends up becoming a sort of motherly figure to him, easing him into Cat Clutter and being the first person to comfort him when he comes out.
- Stepford Smiler: Haruko used to be like this before coming out, working at a company where she faced pressure and expectations from her employers and fellow employees to settle down with a man and having to stay silent in the face of her parent's casual homophobia. It's also shown that in current day that, while she tries to be positive and strong, she still has a lot of doubts and old pain.Tasuku: Daichi-san... you're, like, amazing. So strong.Haruko: Haha! It's eighty percent bravado.
- Team Mom: While Someone owns the drop-in center, Haruko is the one who pretty much fills this role. She looks out for the younger patrons in particular, giving old clothes and makeup to Misora and gently easing Tasuku into the collective.
Misora Shuuji
- Well, whatever the case, I'm rooting for you.
A sixth grader who frequently reads in the drop-in center. Admires Dareka-san from afar, enjoys pushing Tasuku's buttons from up close.
- Ambiguous Gender Identity: A case that is both canon and central to the character's arc. Misora has no idea how to define himself both due to complexity of gender but also because he is an elementary aged kid who, up until discovering the drop-in center, has had no opportunity to explore what he wants. Obviously, he has no small amount of inner turmoil over this. Tasuku suggests Misora might be a trans girl, while Misora himself currently identifies as male but is heavily hinted to have body dysphoria. Haruko points out to Tasuku that what's most important for Misora right now isn't a definite label but a space where he can feel free and safe to explore his identity.
- A Day in the Limelight: Volume 2 is mostly about Misora.
- Fiery Redhead: Misora has light-colored hair but all of the wigs he wears at the drop-in center appear to be red, fitting his tendency to quickly lose his temper.
- The Gadfly: In contrast to his very polished way of dressing up and presenting, Misora has a somewhat crass sense of humor and likes to egg Tasuku on about boys and sex.
- Hidden Depths: In contrast with his somewhat flippant and rude way of talking (with Tasuku, at least) Misora clearly has a great amount of inner turmoil about his gender and body. He says he doesn't want to be a girl but clearly is dejected when he calls himself male. It's also hinted he has no small amount of self-loathing, wondering if his preferences are just symptoms of being some sort of pervert.
- While he makes fun of Tasuku A LOT it's very clear that Misora is thrilled to meet someone at the drop-in center who's closer to his age. Notably, when Tasuku asks him not to use the word "homo" he quickly stops using the word at least, until a very complicated and tense moment.
- Put on a Bus: Due to his fight with Tasuku at the end of Volume 2, Misora stays away from the drop-in center after returning his borrowed crossdressing supplies and doesn't appear in Volume 3.
- The Bus Came Back: Returns in Volume 4 during the preparations for Haruko and Saki's wedding where he and Tasuku discuss what happened in Volume 2 and Tasuku finally apologizes.
- Youthful Freckles: But covers them up with makeup while "dressed up."
Utsumi Natsuyoshi
- Wanting someone to see or accept my true self… I can't live like that, getting so worked up.
A man who frequents the drop-in center. Haruko's friend and fellow member of Cat Clutter. Likes cycling, dislikes former high school classmates.
- A Day in the Limelight: Volume 3 focuses heavily on him and his troubles with an old friend.
- Precision F-Strike: Has the privilege of dropping the only (partially censored) F bomb in the manga when he finally lets out his real feelings in regards to Koyama.
- Not So Stoic: It becomes clear very quickly that dealing with Koyama takes a severe toll on him in Volume 3 but he's able to keep his feelings in check, up until getting alone with Tasuku during a bike ride and finally screaming in frustration.
- Stepford Smiler: HEAVILY in Chapter 13. Despite Haruko's assertions that he should speak up for himself, he'd rather keep quiet about his feelings in order to prevent conflict between Koyama and Cat Clutter.
Saki
- Who's gonna benefit from starting a fire on purpose?
A regular of the drop-in center. In a loving relationship with Haruko, but still in the closet with most people she knows.
- Friend to All Children: Like Haruko, she lends things to Misora and looks out for Tasuku. She also is immediately welcoming to Mai during the events of Volume 3 and seems to be one of the things that convinces her to start visiting the drop-in center regularly.
- Team Mom: Not to the extent of Haruko, but she has her moments. In particular, she steps up to fill this role during the events of Volume 3 when both Tasuku and Haruko are fretting about Utsumi.
- No Last Name Given: For now, it technically might be "Daichi".
Mr. Tchaiko/Ilya
- I am determined to not listen to any music until my record player comes back.
A regular of the drop-in center. An older, refined gentleman who enjoys listening to classical music. "Tchaiko" is probably not his real name.
- A Day in the Limelight: Volume 4 is centered around his past while prepping for Saki and Haruko's wedding.
- But Not Too Foreign: He is most likely European or Russian, given his first name is Ilya.
- Catchphrase: His music suggestions all end with "by Tchaikovsky, obviously."
- The Lost Lenore: His lifelong partner dies on the day of Haruko and Saki's wedding, thankfully, Someone convinced him to go see him off.
- Named After Someone Famous: Tchaikovsky, obviously.
- Sickeningly Sweethearts: He and his partner, Seichirou, text each other every day using cute emojis that make them adorable.
Tsubaki Touma
A popular classmate of Tasuku's who plays on the volleyball team. Tasuku's crush.
- Alliterative Name
- Armor-Piercing Question: When he asks Someone "Are you a guy? Or a girl? Or are you gay?", Someone immediately turns around and asks him the very same question. This sets him off horribly.
- Cool Big Bro: He's very sweet and attentive to Mai, helping her open up during the Cat Clutter events.
- Hidden Depths: He's cautious of queer culture, particularly due to the Japanese standard views of the LGBT community. However, following a question from Someone, he reacts harshly against Tasuku and insults the members of the drop-in center; potentially implying he may be gay himself, but has not come to accept it.
- Innocently Insensitive: An aversion to the previous cases the series has displayed, he's quite cautious to be around Cat Clutter, knowing the members all identify in the LGBT community. After being asked a certain question from Someone, he lets loose on Tasuku and spews some harsh, intolerant words. However, he apologizes following Tasuku's simultaneous Love Confession and coming out.
- Master of the Mixed Message: After Tasuku comes out to him, he's always brushing up against him, giving him knowing glances, and saying things he knows will rile the latter boy up. Tasuku doesn't know how to take it, seeing him as unnerving but still pining for him.
- No Sense of Personal Space: After Tasuku's confession Tsubaki starts acting noticeably touchy with Tasuku, to his confusion and often frusturation.
- Will They or Won't They?: After Tasuku confesses, Tsubaki starts acting flirty with him and this persists for the rest of the series. By series end, nothing is confirmed, but based on their interactions, there is heavy implication they are moving towards they do.
Koyama Shouko
Utsumi's former classmate from high school.
- Innocently Insensitive: Oh yeah, big time. As Haruko points out, one of the main problems when dealing with people like Koyama is that they don't deliberately set out to be malicious. Koyama's heart is in the right place, but she has no idea how to go about it.
Koyama Mai
Koyama's young daughter.
- The Baby of the Bunch: Mai is about eight years old and the youngest member of the cast and in turn becomes the youngest regular patron of the drop-in center, even when Misora returns in Volume 4.
- The Quiet One: Very quiet and stiff around her mom. When she's with other members of Cat Clutter, she almost immediately warms up and is all smiles.
