open/close all folders
Yoshino Koharu
Yoshino Koharu
Voiced by: Ayaka Nanase (Japanese), Alexis Tipton (English)
- And the Adventure Continues: Yoshino leaves Manoyama to become the "Queen" of another town.
- Becoming the Mask: Yoshino shows that as Queen of Manoyama, she really does have talent for leadership and helping her "subjects".
- Bittersweet Ending: The ending of the series proper. Yoshino has grown as a person, and her efforts to revive the town had a definite positive effect, but Manoyama's merger with a bigger town still makes its future uncertain. Moreover, Yoshino decides to move away after her contract ends, leaving behind the people with whom she has formed a loving bond (although she hopes to return one day, but feels it won't be good for her growth if she settles down now), and at her abdication ceremony Kadota tells the townspeople that he will shut down the Chupakabura Kingdom for good.
- But Now I Must Go: Yoshino decides to leave the town after her contract ends, because she doesn't want to "surrender to the feeling of being at home."
- Character Development:
- Yoshino starts out desperate to leave Manoyama and return to Tokyo despite not having a job lined up there. She gradually grows to love the town, even if she's unsure what she'll do when she's no longer queen. She even surprises herself when she asks Erika if she's fine growing old in the city, echoing something her own mother had asked her.
- Early on in Yoshino's tenure as queen, her plans, while well-intentioned, often run into trouble due to her not considering the townspeople's feelings or needs. Over time, she learns more about the town and becomes more willing to collaborate with the local merchants.
- Country Mouse: She grew up in a rural area in Japan and went to college in Tokyo in hopes of landing a job in the city.
- Credits Running Sequence: Mostly done by Yoshino in the opening, and a walking variation of it with the five main heroines is shown in the ending.
- Genki Girl: Tends to have audacious solutions for most problems.
- Heroic BSoD: Yoshino suffers a pretty big one at the end of episode 13 after the Founder's Festival, when she finds out that the festival had overall little impact on their town's tourism, combined with the television documentary made of them only showing the concert and completely ignoring the festival.
- Hope Spot: Yoshino has one in episode 13. She appears downcast when she first arrives on the stage to make her announcement, but immediately perks up when she notices how large the crowd is. Unfortunately it's short-lived, as few tourists actually show up after the festival and rock concert. Combined with the negative documentary on them, Yoshino falls into a depression when she wonders what she's been doing for the past six months.
- I'm Standing Right Here: In Episode 8, Maki remarks that if Yoshino is tasked with making a Manoyama special dish, she'll give people food poisoning. Yoshino remarks that she's right here.
- Manic Pixie Dream Girl: As Queen, eventually becomes this to all of Manoyama, solving problems and inspiring the townsfolk to follow their dreams and gain understanding.
- At the end of the series Yoshino makes this her official job, travelling to other rural towns and promoting tourism there.
- Mirror Character: She realizes that she has more than a little in common with Erika, whose desperation to get out of the country and go to Tokyo reminds Yoshino of herself when she was searching for jobs around the time she graduated from college.
- Nice Girl: She's a pleasant person to be around and comes to care for Manoyama.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Yoshino "saves" Shiori from a Chupakabura by attacking it with her bag, instead of pulling the plastic sword out of the stone sitting in the middle of the road. Unfortunately it was merely Kadota, and his injury from Yoshino is severe enough that he requires some medical attention. She ends up staying after all.
- One-Steve Limit: She happens to have the same first name as Kadota's favorite actress, Yoshino Tsubaki (who died long ago), resulting in her being hired. They only realize the mistake after it's too late for either party to back out of the contract.
- Overalls and Gingham: She wears a pair of overalls, a straw hat and a plaid shirt when working on a farm at the start of Episode 8.
- Refusal of the Call: Yoshino initially rejects the tourism job when she realizes she'll be trying to promote a backwater town that was too similar to her own rural home. Unfortunately she accidentally hurts Kadota while "saving" Shiori, which he then uses against her to make her stay longer.
- Rose-Haired Sweetie: She's a Manic Pixie Dream Girl and a Genki Girl.
- Stockholm Syndrome: Yoshino's development as a whole can be seen as this. Forced by her year-long contract and a a sense of obligation, Yoshino reluctantly accepts the job of helping out the town of Manoyama, only to find herself enamored by its people.
- The senior citizens living in the nearby Warabiya village take Yoshino "hostage" and declare their intention to leave the kingdom of Manoyama due to the bus route they rely on being cancelled. Yoshino decides to happily play her role as hostage, much to the frustration of Sanae.
- What the Hell, Hero?: The owner of an abandoned house that a film company wanted to burn down for their movie gives permission to Shiori to do so. However, she has strong connections to the previous owner and deliberately lies to Yoshino about not being able to get in touch with the new owner. Yoshino later manages to call them, and then gets upset at Shiori for it, who then also snaps back in a fit of anger. However, Yoshino manages to find a compromise by having the film crew add the name of the previous owner so that her "gift" to the film would be remembered forever.
Shiori Shinomiya
Shiori Shinomiya
Voiced by: Reina Ueda (Japanese), Tia Ballard (English)
- Affectionate Nickname: She calls Ririko "Rii-chan." In the dub, she calls Yoshino "Yoshi."
- Alliterative Name: Shiori Shinomiya
- Childhood Friend: She and Ririko have been friends since they were young.
- The Ditz: She isn't stupid, but she can occasionally be rather absentminded, such as leaving up last year's calendar in her room, resulting in people calling her an "airhead."
- First-Name Basis: In the first episode, Shiori asks for permission to call Yoshino "Yoshino-chan," which Yoshino accepts.
- Curtains Match the Window: Hair and eyes appear to be the same color.
- Idiot Hair: Has one stray hair that points up.
- Nice Girl: She's a friendly and kind hearted girl who wants to see the town improve.
- Prim and Proper Bun: Her hairstyle.
- Secretly Selfish: When Yoshino finds out that Shiori doesn't want to simply burn down the home of the old lady Shiori once knew, Yoshino then observes that Shiori's fine with burning down any other house for the sake of the project, as long as it doesn't have any significance to her. This accusation is part of what helps Shiori accept that she's been self-centered and agree to honor the current owners' request to use the old house in the film.
- Silk Hiding Steel: She has the sweetest personality of the tourism department, but is able to coerce Kadota into apologizing to Chitose, his fifty year rival. She's also completely unphased by insects.
- Team Chef: She's the best cook out of the five. It doesn't come off as all that impressive when you consider the competition, but the skill proves useful from time to time.
- Wounded Gazelle Gambit: Shiori ends up having to do this when Kadota catches wind of Yoshino trying to leave- he dresses up as a Chupacubra, and she poses as a victim, asking Yoshino to draw the sword. Unfortunately, Yoshino hits him with her handbag instead, resulting in him being injured. Shiori apologizes and explains her intentions, and Yoshino ultimately reluctantly decides to stay for a little while longer.
Maki Midorikawa
Maki Midorikawa
Voiced by: Chika Anzai (Japanese), Leah Clark (English)
- Alliterative Name: Maki Midorikawa
- And Then What?: She asks Yoshino what's waiting for her back in Tokyo. Yoshino weakly says that "everything" is waiting there, but Maki stares at her skeptically.
- Boyish Short Hair
- The Cynic: Downplayed, but she knows from personal experience that dreams coming true isn't the be-all and end-all; in fact, the hard work is just beginning. Because of this, she realizes that going back to Tokyo won't necessarily solve Yoshino's problems.
- A Day In The Lime Light: Maki's past acting dreams when a film crew arrives to shoot a zombie movie in their town.
- Deadpan Snarker: It is a special occasion when the words coming out of her mouth aren't dripping with snark.
- Hope Spot: In Episode 20. Maki's name gets called during the audition results, only to be dismissed.
- Jack of All Trades: Maki has a lot of talents, from years of doing odd jobs for film crews.
- My Greatest Failure: Maki is still haunted by an event early in her acting career where she chickened out on a variety show when asked to eat a fried cicada. Her peer, Moe, did it without hesitation and went on to become much more successful.
- My Greatest Second Chance: Maki gets a chance to redeem herself by performing a dangerous stunt instead of Moe when filming a movie in Manoyama. She doesn't immediately return to acting, but has redeemed herself for her earlier cowardice. She does later try out for an acting role, but doesn't make the cut, so instead starts acting in Manoyama instead.
- People in Rubber Suits: Maki dons it at one point as well.
- The Reliable One: Maki usually is the most dependable in the team, not to mention the treasure trove of technical skills she acquired in her years of a struggling bit actress (who is usually little more than a glorified extra and an another pair of hands for the filming team).
- Single Tear: Sheds one on the train back to Manoyama after the failed audition.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: She butts heads with Sanae, but the two are still friends.
- Workplace-Acquired Abilities: Many of her useful skills come from her part-time jobs.
- Yank the Dog's Chain: After a lot of convincing and encouragement, Maki decides to give a shot to an audition for acting part. An assembly of final picks is made and one of the casting assistants starts to list names, including Maki... only to inform those just read should leave. Oh, and reading who passed would save them time anyway.
Ririko Oribe
Ririko Oribe
Voiced by: Chiemi Tanaka (Japanese), Brina Palencia (English)
- Affectionate Nickname: She calls Shiori "Shi-chan."
- Bittersweet Ending: In episode 11, Ririko learns that the folk dance meant to keep the dragon lady away actually had a song that accompanied it. When Sandal approaches them singing the song, he says he learned it from his mother, who learned it from her grandmother, who was a Manoyama native. Additionally, the song and dance was meant to honor the dragon lady after she passed away due to misinterpreting the villager's intent with the bonfire and dance. But the song was gradually forgotten throughout time until Sandal sung it.
- Childhood Friend: She has known Shiori for a long time.
- Cute Bookworm: Ririko loves reading, especially about supernatural creatures.
- A Day in the Limelight: Ririko makes a friend while explaining the town's use of said theme.
- Lethal Chef: In Episode 8, she cooks dinner for her grandmother. Chitose is touched by her granddaughter's thoughtfulness, but after one taste of the dinner, she proposes getting takeout instead.
- Loners Are Freaks: Ririko's obsessive interest in supernatural things tended to make the other kids to ostracize her, causing her to to keep largely to herself while going to school. Only Shiori talked to her regularly.
- Noodle Implements: When visiting Shiori's family farm with the other heroines, Ririko shows up in a full ninja outfit, complete with scythe and chain, with the intent to help out.
- Our Cryptids Are More Mysterious: Ririko is an expert on Unidentified Mysterious Animals, as well as the myths and legends around them. This winds up paying off when Manoyama is visited by a group of Spanish cryptid hunters.
- Parental Abandonment: Ririko's father married a woman from outside Manoyama, but unfortunately shortly after she was born, her parents divorced. Her mother was unwilling to raise Ririko, and her father was reassigned overseas for the company he worked for. Consequently, Ririko is raised by her grandmother Chitose, who is highly suspicious of outsiders such as Yoshino.
- Raised by Grandparents: See Parental Abandonment.
- Sick Episode: Ririko catches a cold in episode 11 after getting caught out in a sudden downpour while only wearing light clothing. Her overprotective grandmother refuses to let anyone see her, especially Yoshino.
- The Stoic: She rarely ever shows any emotion.
- You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Yoshino tells Ririko this in episode 11 when she was feeling depressed and alone. Ririko then shares new information regarding the folk dance, and that there used to be a song portion with the dance which was forgotten until Sandal approaches them singing it, after his mother and grandmother passed the song down.
Sanae Kōzuki
Sanae Kōzuki
Voiced by: Mikako Komatsu (Japanese), Elizabeth Maxwell (English)
- City Slicker: Sanae is of the Greenhorn variety.
- Creepy Cockroach: Sanae is completely terrified of insects. She moves out of her house when it becomes infested.
- Eek, a Mouse!!: Sanae will shriek at the sight of insects (and frogs).
- Genius Slob: She winds up moving out of her rented house due to it being infested with bugs.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: She often teases Maki about her role as the "Oden Detective," but nevertheless works well with her.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Sanae gets angry with Maki for refusing to serve as a stand-in for the movie, and sets out to give her a piece of her mind. Sanae is willing to listen to Maki's story about her failed career in acting, but then chews her out for running away from something she loves.
- What You Are in the Dark: Sanae goes through a bit of existential crisis in Episodes 4 and 5, trying to find her sense of purpose again. She later has to confront this question again in Episodes 17 and 18, when the professor asks her why she came to Manoyama.
Ushimatsu Kadota
Ushimatsu Kadota
Voiced by: Atsushi Ono (Japanese), Mark Stoddard (English)
- Big Ol' Eyebrows: His eyebrows are a few times as thick as most of the other cast.
- Grudging "Thank You": Gives one to Chitose for agreeing to support the Mizuchi festival. Sanae chides him for not knowing how to properly thank someone at his age.
- Grumpy Old Man: He's getting on in years and is rather short-tempered, especially when people try to correct him.
- HA HA HA—No: After he says that it's important to reduce the number of abandoned homes in the area by burning one down for the film, a colleague says they can start with Kadota's house."Oh, you're so funny! What a guy- YOU IDIOT!"
- Hidden Depths: He seems to be a mostly straightlaced, if grouchy, old man, not the type one would think had played in a band when he was young and almost ran away from home with two of his friends. Lampshaded after Maki, Shiori and Ririko find out.Maki: I never would have thought our cranky boss was the type to try and leave home when he was young.
- I Was Quite a Looker: He was quite handsome as a teenager.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Despite being crotchety and repeatedly butting heads with others, especially Chitose, he loves his town and is a Benevolent Boss to his employees.
- Old Shame: An In-Universe example with Kadota. As a teenager he performed a reckless stunt that destroyed an expensive Shrine Float and led to the cancellation of the summer festival. The chance that someone may rediscover the evidence prompts him nearly to drown trying to remove it. Interestingly enough, he seems to be the most worried about it, since other characters note that the rest of the town doesn't care as much about the cancellation of the festival as one might expect.
- One-Tract Mind: Any idea by Director Kadota for a tourism board project will invariably involve the Chupakabura somehow.
- People in Rubber Suits: The tourism agency owns a rubber suit of their town mascot, the Chupakabura. Kadota is very fond of it, and has gotten really good at acting the monster.
- Phrase Catcher: Kadota swears he saw the Chupakabura when he was a kid, everyone else says "it was probably just a weasel."
- The Runaway: Kadota, Oribe, and Busujima planned to all run from home together to play music in Tokyo, but gave up when Kadota chickened out at the very last minute. This sparked the enmity between Kadota and Oribe that persisted for fifty years.
- Sitcom Archnemesis: He really doesn't get along with Chitose. Part of the enmity between the two is due to friction between the tourism board and local merchants, and part is due to Chitose's bitterness over Ushimatsu reneging on their promise to run away.
- Streisand Effect: In-universe. Kadota's stunts trying to hide the remains of the Summer Festival Float in the lake only renews an interest in the town's history for Yoshino.
- Tokusatsu: Kadota tried to make a Chupakabura version back in the 90s. They ran out of money halfway through the pilot.
- Train-Station Goodbye: Kadota pulls off a variety of this in the end, by running after the train Yoshino is in, shouting that she is always welcome to return.
- We Used to Be Friends: With Chitose. The two played in a band together and considered running away together, but Ushimatsu got cold feet.
Chitose Oribe
Chitose Oribe
Voiced by: Maki Izawa (Japanese), Rachel Robinson (English)
- Freudian Excuse: Chitose is highly suspicious of Yoshino, an out of town person who moved to their village to work for their tourism board. It's later revealed that her son married a woman who came from outside the town. However, she was bored in Monoyama, and convinced him to move away to the city. They later had Ririko, but then divorced shortly afterwards, and Ririko's father was then reassigned overseas for the company he worked for. It was agreed that Ririko was better off staying in Japan with Chitose, who raised her on her own ever since. Chitose had intended for her son to take over the sweets shop she ran, and blames the outsider woman he married for destroying said plans and breaking her son's heart.
- Grumpy Old Woman: She's rather surly toward most people who aren't her granddaughter, and Kadota and Yoshino tend to get the brunt of her ire.
- Hidden Depths: Shiori's rather surprised that Chitose, whom she's known for years, would consider running away from Manoyama. In fact, the plan was Chitose's idea.
- I Was Quite a Looker: Oribe was HOT as a teenager.
- Jerkass to One: She's especially suspicious of Yoshino as an outsider, and goes so far as to refuse to let her see Ririko when the latter falls ill.
- Kimono Is Traditional: She typically wears a kimono and is rather old-fashioned and loyal to her town.
- My Beloved Smother: Grandparent example, as her granddaughter's legal guardian. Her bitterness toward her daughter-in-law divorcing her son, and the effect on Ririko's life leaves Chitose overprotective. That said, the other girls observe that Chitose is somewhat more lenient with Ririko than people would expect, as while Chitose is unhappy with Ririko working with the tourism board, she doesn't actually forbid her from doing so. She even urges Ririko to pursue her dreams when she's young, before she gets old and gives up on them.
- Nothing Personal: In one episode she tells Yoshino that she doesn't actually dislike her, she's just frustrated because she thinks that the tourism board fails to consider the feelings of townspeople like her in their revitilization plans.
- The Runaway: Kadota, Oribe, and Busujima planned to all run from home together to play music in Tokyo, but gave up when Kadota chickened out at the very last minute. This sparked the enmity between Kadota and Oribe that persisted for fifty years.
- Secret-Keeper: She's the only one Akiyama told about what happened the last time he rented out his store.
- Sitcom Archnemesis: She really doesn't get along with Kadota. Part of the enmity between the two is due to friction between the tourism board and local merchants, and part is due to Chitose's bitterness over Ushimatsu reneging on their promise to run away.
- We Used to Be Friends: With Kadota. The two played in a band together and considered running away together, but Ushimatsu got cold feet.
- What the Hell, Hero?: In Episode 8, she gives a scathing one to Yoshino and the others for scheduling their cooking event on the same day as a festival, and refuses to accept a mere apology.
Busujima
The town mechanic.
- Gadgeteer Genius: He's quite capable when it comes to his craft, even producing functional exoskeletons:
- The Runaway: Kadota, Oribe, and Busujima planned to all run from home together to play music in Tokyo, but gave up when Kadota chickened out at the very last minute. This sparked the enmity between Kadota and Oribe that persisted for fifty years.
Takamizawa
Takamizawa
Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi (Japanese), Robert McCollum (English)
- Hidden Depths: He seems rather laid-back, and Yoshino accuses him of being apathetic to his town after hearing him being resigned to Warabiya Village's stop being removed. He then angrily replies that he does care, and has had a front-row seat due to his town's decline as he makes the rounds on his bus.
- Oh, Crap!: In Episode 13, he announces that his shuttle bus is boarding, then turns around to see a massive queue for the bus.
- Once Done, Never Forgotten: He occasionally teases Yoshino about her attempt to run away from Manoyama, since she tried to board his bus for that purpose.
Yamada
Yamada
Voiced by: Hiro Shimono (Japanese), Dallas Reid (English)
- Those Two Guys: He and Mino are often seen in scenes at the office.
Mino
Mino
Voiced by: Daiki Hamano (Japanese), Aaron Roberts (English)
- Those Two Guys: He and Yamada are often seen in scenes at the office.
Mr. Sandal
Mr. Sandal
Voiced by: Vinay Murthy (Japanese), Jerry Jewell (English)
- But Not Too Foreign: Sandal's great grandmother was born in Manoyama, making him one eighth Japanese.
- Cloud Cuckoolander: The wandering minstrel who is really a famous foreign artist visiting Manoyama to get in touch with his ancestors. Like most things in the show, he's tamer and more realistic than the tropes is usually portrayed.
- Hair of Gold, Heart of Gold: His hair is blond, as befitting a foreigner. Despite his eccentricities, he comes off as a Nice Guy.
- Insane Troll Logic: Sandal's reason for eating shaved ice in the middle of winter. "If you eat all the snow, spring will come."
- Only Known by Their Nickname: Sandal's real name was only mentioned in the series maybe five times, with no one even trying to remember it.
- Overly Long Name: Sandal's real name, Alexandre Cena Davis Celibidache, is quite a mouthful. No surprise that he's mostly known by his nickname.
- Pretty Boy: The women on the matchmaking tour were sad he wasn't one of the options.
Angelica
Angelica
Voiced by: Nanako Mori (Japanese), Colleen Clinkenbeard (English)
The owner of the Angelica cafe, as well as Erika and Anji's mother.
- Feminine Women Can Cook: She's apparently a good cook.
- Fortune Teller: She's a fortune teller.
Erika Suzuki
Erika Suzuki
Voiced by: Tomoyo Kurosawa (Japanese), Jill Harris (English)
- A-Cup Angst: When Erika takes a bath with Shiori, she says, "They're floating... wait, are you showing off?"
- Didn't Think This Through: Her plan to run away to Tokyo doesn't include any ideas for how to make a living, especially since she's a middle schooler. Erika admits that she didn't entirely think things through, but is so desperate to leave.
- Jerkass Has a Point: While she can be rather bratty at times, and causes trouble by running away, her feeling cooped up in Manoyama is understandable. Takamizawa, Kindaichi and Nobe all concede that the adults need to get their act together so that the young can feel at home in Manoyama. Erika's complaint about the shopping district being dark at night gives Shiori an idea to install lights to make it feel more welcoming.
- Little Miss Snarker: She's rather snarky, such as when she derides some of the singles coming to Manoyama as "desperate hags." She also sarcastically remarks that the Chupakabura national anthem isn't awkward at all.
- My God, What Have I Done?: It's implied that she feels responsible for Anji running out into the snowstorm to bring her home, since she comes home as soon as he's brought back.
- The Runaway: Later in the series, Erika attempts to flee home, but is intercepted by Shiori.
- Skewed Priorities: While Angelica and Takamizawa watch the documentary and worry about whether it will end up helping Manoyama, Erika complains that they've barely shown her at all.
- The Tooth Hurts: She starts getting a baby molar in Episode 22, causing her great pain.
- Token Mini-Moe: She's still in middle school.
Kazushi
A senior woodcarving apprentice.
- Jerkass Has a Point: As Sanae put it, he's completely right about her running away from the past.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He's not especially friendly, and is rather hostile to Yoshino and Sanae, but he loves his town and is devoted to his craft.
- Pet the Dog: He insists on finishing a woodcarving project for a dead client (who won't be able to pay him), seeing it as his way of honoring the deceased.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: He lays into Yoshino and Sanae for being outsiders who don't understand Manoyama woodcarving.
- Rejected Apology: The previously mentioned "Reason You Suck" Speech is delivered when Sanae comes to him to apologize.
Tatsuo
Kazushi's fellow woodcarving apprentice
- Nice Guy: He's a lot more personable and friendly than Kazushi.
Sayuri Shinomiya
Shiori's older sister.
- Cool Big Sis: To her younger sister, Shiori.
- Shared Family Quirks: Apparently, both she and Shiori make mistakes that cause people to view them as "airheads." It eventually turns out that Sayuri had the wrong year's calendar up when Kumano asked her to come see her on the last Sunday of the month, resulting in Sayuri coming on the wrong day and them missing each other.
Katsuki Kumano
A chef who studied in France, and went to school with Shiori's older sister Sayuri.
- Last-Name Basis: He and Sayuri call each other by their surnames despite having known and being in love with each other.
Mr. Midorikawa
Maki's father, who is vice-principal of an elementary school. He has a strained relationship with his daughter.
- Sugar-and-Ice Personality: He seems a bit cold and impersonal, and even Maki seems to believe he doesn't care. Despite that, he eagerly follows his daughter's work.
Moe
An actress Maki knows. Unlike Maki, she managed to make it big as an actress.
- Nice Girl: She's noticeably more successful than Maki, but doesn't look down on her or act patronizing; she sincerely hopes Maki will succeed, too.
The professor
An elderly anthropology professor who lives in Warabiya Village
- Character Death: He collapses and dies at home one night.
- Jerkass Has a Point: He has some reasonable criticisms of the protagonists' plan to revive the spring festival, noting that the locals aren't all that interested in bringing it back. In fact, it's also shown that people aren't nearly as angry about Ushimatsu's stunt ruining the festival and leading to its cancellation as the culprit thought.
- No Name Given: He's mainly referred to by his title.
- Trickster Mentor: It turns out that he had the staff in his storehouse the entire time, and had sent the protagonists searching around the village so they could learn about the resident. They only find out the truth after he dies and leaves behind a will.
Akiyama
An elderly business owner who owns a closed-down supermarket in Mnoyama.
- The Complainer Is Always Wrong: Subverted. The majority of the board of merchants tries to pressure him to rent his shop to Belem, saying that he's obviously the best choice (since he's not using the shop and isn't even living upstairs), but Akiyama adamantly refuses. That said, Yoshino speaks up on his behalf, and after everyone learns his secret, they back down, and Shiozaki rents his shop out instead.
- Freudian Excuse: He rented his shop out to an outsider, only for the outsider to skip town, with Akiyama as the guarantor for the loan.
