To Tell You In A Dream*

for The CarlosInferno

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Tuesday evening, December 31 2013 – Takaya Residence, Tokyo

Takaya Sato was known to his friends not as Takaya-san or even Sato-kun. To them, he was 2D-kun and tonight he was going to earn that title. No less than three of the most eagerly awaited games on his list had released in the last two days and this would be an all-nighter to enjoy them all. His parents were away and his elder siblings had already moved out of the family house so he would have a whole night of blessed undisturbed solitude to revel in his favorite pastime.

The first battle was a difficult one… which to play first? In the end, he settled on the one with the most colorful box. That was often an indication of how ecchi the game would be and he was in the mood for something randy just now. Just as the game started loading up, he heard his phone buzz. Normally, he would just let it go – this was game time, his time… he could check his messages later. But tonight was important for other reasons as well. Kaga had made the trip out to see Banri today and all of their friends were eagerly waiting to hear if she had been able to reach him at all.

Koko: He remembers!

2D-kun: How much?

Koko: Everything… he remembers all of us!

2D-kun: Best News Ever!

Mitsuo: YES! Will he be coming back to school?

Koko: I don't know yet. I'll let you know as soon as I do.

2D-kun: Great job Koko-chan, I knew you could do it!

Mitsuo: It's good to see you using your powers of persistence for good instead of evil.

Koko: GRRRRRR!

Mitsuo: But seriously, Thank you very much Koko. You are probably the only one that could have brought him back. I'm glad to have you as a friend.

2D-kun: Me too!

Koko: Arigato. I have to go now. The Tada family made mochi!

2D-kun: Take care. And, happy New year!

Mitsuo: Tell Banri hello for me. Happy New Year!

Sato's smile was not fading as he set the phone down. He felt as if a weight had been lifted and suddenly, the three games sitting on his desk seemed less important than they had just a few minutes ago. Less important… but still they would be the long anticipated challenge of the night. It's just that now… now he would be facing them with a lighter heart.

As he clicked through the introduction screens and watched the pre-story video, he felt that something was missing. He couldn't quite put his finger on it but it seemed that something was nagging him that he couldn't completely remember or ignore. It wasn't until he started creating a character in the game that he knew what it was that was bothering him.

His mouth dropped open as he looked at the almost completed character on his screen. He had created a female human character. She was short and with a slim build, and he had created her with vibrant blue eyes and long salmon colored hair. Instead of the battle hardened sneer that he usually preferred, he had given this character a welcoming smile and a kind pixie like face. He hadn't yet begun to equip the character with clothing or equipment, so it was a nude image that his graphics card was rendering into a slowly rotating 3D image for him.

"Ah! Oka… chan!" Sato reached for his phone in a sudden panic and felt the slight nagging sensation turn into full blown concern. Looking back through the conversation, he realized what was wrong. "No Oka-chan."

Thumbing the controls on his phone, he brought up her phone number and immediately dialed her. His anxiety grew with each unanswered ring. When the phone tripped to voice mail, he hung up and tried again. Still there was no answer. This is not like her… not like Oka-chan. Something is wrong! He swished the screen on his phone and selected Mitsuo's number. Even if she was busy, sick, or even asleep – Oka-chan is the kind of person that would answer the phone when a friend was calling her.

"Hello?" Mitsuo answered amidst a lot of background noise.

"Where..." Sato was about to ask where his blond friend was, but this was New Year's Eve so it was pretty obvious that he would be at a party somewhere. Just about anybody that isn't an otaku like me is probably at a party. In fact… maybe that's where Oka-chan is and I am just over-thinking this.

"2D-kun?" Mitsuo asked the suddenly quiet line.

"Um… is Oka-chan with you?" Sato tried to sound conversational so as not to worry his friend in case this turned out to be nothing after all.

"No," Mitsuo replied, "I am… with my family in Okinawa. What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing." Sato said airily, "I just wanted to ask her something."

"2D-kun." Mitsuo sounded stern.

"Yes?" Sato sat up a little straighter from the tone in his friend's voice.

"You are a terrible liar." Mitsuo ordered, "Now, tell me what's wrong."

"It may be nothing," Sato swallowed, "It's just… I noticed that Oka-chan didn't respond to the group text message and she hasn't answered her phone."

"Yeah… you're right. You already tried calling her?" Mitsuo's attitude changed from annoyance to concern as he looked through his own text messages and realized that he had not heard from her for quite some time either. Not since… they finished working on the DVD for Banri. It was unlike Oka-chan not to participate in a group chat with her friends and it was very unusual for her not to send out a group message wishing them a happy holiday.

"What should we do?" 2D-kun's concern was plainly evident in his voice now. Even he could hear the sounds of growing panic in his own voice.

"Calm down!" Mitsuo sounded confident even though he was hundreds of kilometers away. "Do you know where she lives?"

"Um… yeah. I helped her move into her new place several months ago." Sato replied.

"Okay," Mitsuo sounded relieved already, "You head over to her place and I'll make some calls. I'll get in touch with you if I hear anything so make sure you have your phone with you!"

"Right!" Sato was up from his desk in a heartbeat. In a whirl of motion, he had his coat on, keys in hand, and was out the door. A few seconds later, he was back in the door and cursing himself for being in such a rush that he forgot to put his shoes on.

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Friday afternoon, January 3 2014 – Fukurai University Hospital, Tokyo

Chinami opened her eyes and blearily looked up at an IV bag. Huh? Why? Her confusion didn't last long after her eyes slewed around and she took in the rest of the room. It was obviously a hospital room and she was resting under the warmth of clean white blankets. In a chair near the window was someone sleeping under a big green parka. At first she didn't recognize him but when she saw the glasses on the small table near the chair, she knew it was her friend…

"2D-kun?" The words were barely recognizable in the hoarse rasping sound that her mouth made. Chinami didn't realize she said it aloud until she saw her sleeping friend jolt and look over at her. Her momentary surprise was replaced by a searing pain in her throat.

"Eh?" Sato saw those delightful blue eyes looking at him and felt a rush of relief… until he saw the pained expression and the tears. Standing up on shaky legs, he moved over to her side and said, "Hey, it's good to see you awake, but try not to talk. The doctors say you've got at least two viruses working on you and one of them is strep."

Chinami could see the concern in her friend's face and wanted to reach out to him. Unfortunately, her arms and legs felt like they had been turned to lead and she couldn't do more than move her shaky hand in his direction a little. The weakness of her own body scared her and she started to tremble. The trembling suddenly stopped when she felt a strong and warm hand gently take hers in a careful hold. She was surprised that 2D-kun had noticed the slight movement she had been able to make; truly she had not been able to move her hand much at all. Still a bit scared, she wanted to ask him how long she had been unconscious and how she had made it to the hospital, but sleep was calling her back again and she had no energy to fight it. She didn't want to invite nightmares by going to sleep with nagging fears worrying her, but there was solace in the warm hand that was holding her. If he would just hold onto her a little bit longer…

Sato held onto his diminutive friend's hand until she was fast asleep. Her face was cute even in deep slumber. Briefly, he wondered if the character graphics on the new game could replicate her delightful face. Then he blushed when he remembered that he still hadn't gotten any farther on that game and had left his laptop on with the nude 3D image slowly revolving on the screen. His panic subsided when he realized that, even if someone were to come into his room, by now – only the screen-saver would be visible. Yeah, there's no hurry. I can stay a while longer and hold your hand while you sleep.

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Saturday morning, January 4 2014 – Fukurai University Hospital, Tokyo

"You're doing quite a bit better now." a nurse told Chinami after checking her pulse and temperature. "Your body is still fighting the infections off, but you are a lot stronger than you were when you were brought in."

Chinami only nodded in reply. Swallowing was still painful and talking felt like shards of broken glass moving in her throat.

"Are you ready for a visitor?" the nurse asked as she smiled, "It's your young man again. You know he has been here every day since he brought you in."

What? 2D-kun was the one that brought me in? But… he's not my boyfriend. That is just a misunderstanding. He is my very good friend though. Those thoughts came out, not as words, but as a blush, wide open eyes, and an embarrassed nod.

"All right, I'll let him in – but no hanky-panky! You're not well enough for that yet." The nurse giggled at the deeper blush on the little girl's face as she left the room. It had seemed strange at first that this college boy was visiting this little girl so much. All the nurses were concerned that there might be something indecent going on… until they learned that the little girl was a college student as well and not the middle schooler that she appeared to be. Now, the young man's attentions were welcome and there were no more suspicious stares when he came to visit. Indeed, his constant visits made many of the nurses reminisce about young love… but Sato had no idea that anyone would assume such a thing.

"How is she doing?" Sato asked the nurse as she left the room. He wanted to be able to update all of their friends with some good news and hoped the nurse would say something positive.

"Much better, she will probably be able to go home this afternoon as long as there is someone there to look after her." The nurse then teased the young man, "But, still no kissing for at least a week. We must be absolutely sure all the contagions are gone or you may end up in here too."

"Kissing?" Sato sounded aghast. What the hell is this about?

"Be good now." the nurse offered as she walked off.

Sato was stunned. He stood on the border of the doorway for almost a minute – his eyes still focused at the place where the nurse had been standing. Kissing? But… with Oka-chan? Huh? Like that would ever happen!Sato wanted to run after the nurse and explain the misunderstanding but something else she said was also beating on his brain for attention.

… she will probably be able to go home this afternoon as long as there is someone there to look after her.

But she doesn't have anyone to look after her. Sato knew about Oka-chan's living arrangement. Her family had moved away because of her father's job and she remained here to live alone while attending college. He also knew what kind of place she had moved into. In short, it was a dump. Truly, the building should have been condemned decades ago. The windows and doors leaked. There was no air conditioner or heater. The toilet often backed up, and the water was unreliable. He had hated seeing her move into that place but it was all that she could afford without moving terribly far away. If only there was something I could do…

Something I could do…

Sato crossed the floor to Oka-chan's bed and looked down at her brilliant blue eyes. He wondered if the medication was causing her eyes to look watery or if those were tears that he saw. Considering that the nurse hadn't whispered when she talked to him, it was likely that Oka-chan heard her as well. If she did… If she did, she is probably thinking the same thing that I am now.

Oka-chan still couldn't speak but she was stronger now and able to reach out to her friend with her hand. She wanted to feel the warmth of his hand now more than ever. She was scared that this would be the end of her college life. If she had to move back home to be taken care of, it would be unlikely that her family would allow her to move back to Tokyo on her own. They would insist that she attend a local university so that they could look after her should something like this happen again. This would mean saying goodbye… to all the friends she had made. She could feel the tears welling up even as she reached out to one of her closest friends.

"Oka-san," Sato knew now that they were tears. He could see the crumpled expression of despair replace Oka-chan's usually happy appearance. It was not a good look on her and he vowed to do anything to change it back to the beautiful happiness that he was used to seeing on her face. "Oka-san, are you worried that they will call for your parents to come get you if they find out that you are living alone?"

Chinami started to answer but Sato's other hand raced up to her face and laid a finger upon her lips.

"Just nod," Sato told her, "I can't bear to see you in pain."

Chinami was startled to hear 2D-kun say something so caring to her. Looking back up into his eyes, she nodded a yes.

"I am going to lie for you." Sato told her quietly, "I am not very good at lying, so this might not work. I will tell them that you will be staying with me since I am your boyfriend."

Boyfriend! Is this a confession? Cheeks blushed, blue eyes opened wider, and her hand squeezed his hand a little tighter as she heard his words. Ah, this is the lying he was talking about of course. How silly of me. I'm not the right kind of girl to really be 2D-kun's girlfriend after all. She watched his eyes close and a bit of blush worded on his face too.

"I apologize for the embarrassment that pretending to be my girlfriend will cause you." Sato suddenly remembered the guillotine like refusal that Oka-chan had given a pretty guy like Mitsuo the night of the Welcoming Party last spring. As much as she liked beautiful people, there was no way that a relationship with him would be acceptable to her. But… if she could forgive him for this… he felt that he could at least be of a little help. "I know how ridiculous it is to think that a girl like you would be a girlfriend to an otaku like me… but this is the only way I can think of to help you."

No 2D-kun! I never thought of you that way. You have always been a good friend. A very dear friend. Chinami thought back over the past several days and how the nurse told her that he had been there to visit her every day. You are a more dear friend than I had ever imagined. She squeezed his hand until he opened his eyes again and nodded yes.

"Yes?" Sato asked to confirm and waited until he saw her nod again. "All right then. I'll go tell them that I will be taking care of you." It actually saddened Sato that she agreed that it would be ridiculous for an otaku to have such a pretty and popular girlfriend, but he was doing this to help a friend… not for any real chance at romance. Besides, she has something undesirable that all my girlfriends cannot have. She has too many dimensions. Indeed, this is only palatable because she is a friend. There is no way the two of us could ever be right for each other romantically… but we can still be friends.

Chinami thought she saw some sadness in 2D-kun's expression as he turned to go confront the hospital staff. She wondered what could be bothering him and worried that she might be the cause of some trouble for her friend. She wanted to assure him that she would do her best not to cause him any trouble but she was tiring again and it might be a while before he came back from making the arrangements for her release. Maybe I'll just sleep a little bit more until he gets back...

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Saturday afternoon, January 4 2014 – Ki Apartments, Tokyo

Sato's car was small, but the seats were comfortable and Chinami was asleep before they had left the hospital parking lot. She awoke only when she felt him shaking her shoulder. Opening her eyes, she found herself gazing out the car's window at the faded yellow paint on the run down apartments that she was forced to call 'home' for the time being.

"Oka-chan… I'm sorry, but I just can't do this." Sato's voice sounded as if it were trembling.

Chinami turned to face her friend and saw that he was struggling to say something. The knuckles on both his hands were white from how he was grasping the steering wheel. She reached out to him and put her small hand on his to give him courage.

"I told myself that I would bring you home and I promised that I would visit you every day to make sure you are getting better, but… I just can't…" Sato's eyes were closed tight and he was struggling to get the words out. It helped a lot that Oka-chan was holding his hand. To him, it felt like she was showing her trust but he wondered if it would all be shattered if he said what he really wanted to say.

Chinami could see the strain and blamed herself. She had already been so much trouble to him. To make him check on her for another week was asking far too much. She was reaching for her pad and pencil to write out her reply that it would be okay to leave her alone when he suddenly finished his thoughts.

"I can't let you stay in a place like this while you're sick, please come stay at my house!" Sato practically shouted the words. His voice was much too loud inside the little car and the echoes of his words seemed to still be bouncing around when he dared to open his eyes and see Oka-chan's response.

Chinami was stunned. She was usually good at reading people and she had been completely wrong this time. Instead of letting her know that she was too troublesome, he was asking her… what exactly? To live with him? What?

"Ah!" As if he could read Oka-chan's startled expression, Sato immediately explained the situation to her, "I live with my parents and my onee-chan has already moved out so I though you could stay in her room for a while. I mean… at least until you are feeling well again." He wanted to also tell her that he wasn't thinking of doing anything suspicious or perverted, but he wondered how guilty it would make him look if he did.

"No, but thank you. I have already been too much of an imposition to you." Chinami wrote out on her little pad.

"No!" Sato insisted, "You have not been an imposition. Please accept my invitation!"

"I do not want to be a burden to you or a strain to your family." Chinami wrote out the message. But even as she did so, she felt sad inside that she was turning down such an earnest plea. Still, what would his family think of her if she were to just show up all needy and helpless. At best, she would be a freeloader; at worst… She did not want to embarrass her friend in such a useless way.

"You won't be…" Sato could tell that he wasn't going to convince her with words alone. She was ill and exhausted, and she wasn't thinking right. But he wasn't ready to give up just yet. "I'll make a deal with you… come and stay for tonight. Just one night! If you still think that you are a burden or a strain, I'll bring you back to your apartment tomorrow afternoon. I promise!"

Chinami sat for only a few moments and regarded her friend. He looked different somehow. Defiance and confidence was an unusual look on 2D-kun. No… I have seen that look before on him. When Koko found out it was him that had been sending the Banri emails and had attacked him, he didn't yield a centimeter. While Mitsuo had held Koko back, Chinami had wrapped her arms around Sato in their attempts to keep the two of them from coming to blows. She could still remember the feel of her arms around his straining body and the words 2D-kun used to not only defend himself but challenge Koko's own indecisiveness:

Aren't you Kaga Koko?
Once you fall in love with someone, don't you go out of control and drive them crazy pursuing them single-mindedly?
Why aren't you going out of control now?!

Chinami could still remember how it felt to hold him back. He had been struggling hard to get at Koko back then, but she could tell that he had been holding himself back. He could have easily pushed his way right through her little frame, but he was worried about hurting her. And now, he was worried about her again. Oh 2D-kun… if only you weren't 2D-kun. But you are, and I would never want to change who you are. You are a wonderful person, a truly… beautiful person. With building lethargy, she wrote on her little pad and passed it to her friend.

"Okay. One night only."

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Saturday evening, January 4 2014 – Takaya Residence, Tokyo

Chinami awoke in another strange room. The walls were bare of any personality but at least they were painted in pastel colors so they didn't look like a hospital room. The bed was comfortable and the blankets were warm. There was a scent in the air that reminded her that she hadn't had anything to eat in a while. Just then, the door opened and a tall woman with soft brown eyes and long black hair entered the room with a tray.

"Ah, it is good to see that you are awake." the woman set the tray down on a dresser and helped Chinami into a sitting position by propping her up with a few more pillows. "I am Sato's mother. You should call me Okāsan… when you are able to talk again."

Okāsan? Did 2D-kun lie to his parents and tell them that I am his girlfriend? Chinami blinked. Surely Sato explained the arrangement…

"I know that my son made a deal with you and you agreed to stay here for only one night." Okāsan said as she retrieved a bowl of hot porridge from the tray, "But this is not his house and that was not his deal to make."

Chinami realized that she was already causing friction in the Takaya house and reached for her notepad on the night stand.

"No." Okāsan said firmly as she moved the notepad from the nightstand to the dresser and told the young girl before her, "This is not the time for you to speak… or write. This is the time for me to speak and for you to listen. But first, open up."

Chinami was certain she had the strength to feed herself, but this woman exuded a personality that was not to be challenged. Obediently, she opened her mouth and accepted a spoon full of porridge with a flavor of honey and lemon. Getting over her fear of the pain that would come from it, she swallowed the mouthful. There was a little pain, but surprisingly – Okāsan's porridge actually seemed to soothe the pain away.

"I have raised three children in this house. I took care of them when they were sick or injured. I cheered them when they deserved it, and I scolded them when they needed it." Okāsan ended the sentence by putting another spoonful of the wonderful porridge in Chinami's mouth. "Sato's older brother and sister have both left the house and are fine, responsible adults now. Even Sato is doing well at Fukurai University with you and his other friends." She refrained from telling the diminutive youngster how thrilled she was that her youngest son had made real friends that were more than just pseudonyms from some on-line game.

Oka-chan nodded in agreement and accepted another spoonful of the warm porridge.

"I have always taught my children to be thoughtful and caring. I have encouraged them to be selective about who they accept as their friends, but once they do, they should always look out for their friends as if they are family."

This made Chinami worry. Was she being told that she wasn't good enough to be Sato's friend? Was his mother upset that he had chosen such a useless friend? Where is Sato now? I have to get out of here before I cause any more trouble!

"If you are wondering where Sato is, he is with his father now." Okāsan put another bite of porridge into the young girl's mouth and told her, "They are collecting all your belongings from that dreadful apartment and bringing them here."

WHAT? Chinami screamed silently. No! I don't want to cause 2D-kun any more trouble!

"How a son of mine could let a dear friend live in squalor like that… it infuriates me!" As mad as Okāsan sounded, she still put another bite of the soothing porridge in Chinami's mouth with supreme gentleness. "And a beautiful, delicate, flower of a girl no less. I'm appalled. I am… so disappointed in him."

What? But no! I was the one that insisted… Chinami wanted to protest.

"So," Okāsan proclaimed, "you will be staying with us until you are completely healed. I will allow no argument on that point. Is that clear?"

Chinami looked at Okāsan in wonder. The soft brown eyes did not match the hard words. The cold anger did not match the warmth of the true meaning. Chinami was lost in a whirlwind of contradictions and emotions of her own. She had been living in fear ever since her family had moved away, but she had put up a front of bravery that she had hoped her family and all her friends had believed. But… she knew now that everyone had seen through her mask even as she now saw through Okāsan's bluster.

"Please, Oka-chan…" a single tear slid down the older woman's cheek as she set the now empty bowl down on the side table, "don't make me go through that again."

Chinami couldn't hold back another moment. She leaned forward into Okāsan and wrapped her arms around the older woman. She still had no voice but the tears and the hug relayed everything that needed to be said.

"There there," Okāsan held the small girl in her arms and petted her head. She could feel the narrow shoulders shudder as the girl wept away months of fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. "This is your home now. Just let those worries slide away and concentrate on the important things."

Chinami wanted to ask her so many questions and yet she couldn't think of anything at the moment. A feeling of relief enveloped her like slipping under the water in a hot spring. This woman, who she had only met a few minutes ago was so kind, and warm, and…

"Let your worries go, child." Okāsan's sonorous voice was like a heavy warm blanket on a cold night, "Just think about your classes, your club activities, and your friends. When you are feeling better, we can have some pleasant chats over coffee if you like. But for now, just sleep. Sleep and get well."

No longer hungry, Chinami's little remaining energy was sapped by the crying and the emotional release that Okāsan had brought about. The suggestion to sleep was well received. She did not remember being laid back down in the bed or pulling the blankets up around her neck, but when she awoke a little while later, her notepad was back down on the nightstand and a cup of soothing tea was on a hot pad.

.

Okāsan entered the room quietly. The diminutive girl was sleeping soundly and did not stir. Touching the wand tip to the girl's head, she saw the readout and was glad that her temperature was still going down. Sick as she was, the small girl in the bed was definitely cute. How on earth did my otaku son ever bring home a little darling like this? I know he insists that they are just friends but… a mother can hope. I wouldn't mind having this dear child for a daughter-in-law. I wouldn't mind that one bit. But, after the show I put on for her earlier, she may be too frightened to ever think of me as… Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw what was on the nightstand.

"Oh!" her hand was immediately over her own mouth as a reflex. She did not want to wake the sleeping girl but what she saw had startled her in a very good way. The tea cup she had left on the hot pad was empty and there was a message for her on the notepad.

"Thank you, Okāsan! :-)" was written large on the page.

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The Character List

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Banri Tada
Male
170cm athletic build
green eyes and collar length brown hair
Age: 20
Banri is a college freshman at the Fukurai Private University Law School in Tokyo. He is the main male protagonist of the series. His hometown is in Shizuoka Prefecture. He suffered from retrograde amnesia, unable to remember anything before an accident that occurred after his high school graduation. Toward the end of the series, he re-acquired his previous memories at the expense of his new memories; his personality returns to the old (pre-accident) Banri as well. In the final episode, he remembers everything and his new (post-accident) personality returns. Banri is a very kindhearted and benevolent person in either personality. Although he is now seen as a fairly reliable person, during high school, he was known to be clingy to Linda and quite the crybaby.

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Mitsuo Yanagisawa
Male
taller than Banri
Blue eyes & collar length black hair (dyed blond)
Age: 19
Mitsuo is a college freshman studying law, and is a member of the film club. His hometown is Tokyo and he attended the Dainohara escalator academy. He is a good man and has a mature nature. Previously, he was known to be easily distracted, but that has changed somewhat since he is no longer constantly looking over his shoulder for the next attack from Koko. At first, he finds the personality of Kaga Koko extremely annoying. However, he mentions "they are still childhood friends" and even worries about her sometimes. For a short time he had a crush on Chinami Oka and dyed his hair blond after being rejected by her. His friends thought it looked so good, he kept it that way.

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Koko Kaga
Female
shorter than Banri
Hazel eyes with hip length orange hair
Age:19
She is a college freshman at Banri's university. She is the main female protagonist of the series. Originally pursuing her childhood friend Mitsuo with insane infatuation, she is now in love with Banri - mostly due to his compassion. Koko normally wears a pink lip gloss/lip stick and high heels. Koko wears a lot of stylish clothes in her daily life and is considered highly attractive.

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Linda (Nana Hayashida, Linda-chan)
Female
shorter than Banri
Blue eyes & collar length brown hair
Age:20
She is a second-year student at Banri's university. As a member of the Japanese Culture Festival Research Society (Festival Club), she gets Banri and Koko to join as well. She is the old (pre-accident) Tada Banri's former childhood friend. In the past, Linda and Banri went to the same high school where she was Banri's best friend. On the night of the graduation ceremony Banri expressed his feelings towards her but she needed to think about the answer, to which Banri replied that he would wait for her on the bridge. She feels regretful and guilty throughout the series and places blame on herself for being late to the bridge where Banri was hit and developed his amnesia.

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Sato Takaya (2D-kun)
Male
same height as Banri
Brown eyes with short black hair
Age: 19
He is a freshman student at Banri's university. He is called 2D-kun because he favors the girls in games over real-life girls because they are not as difficult to figure out. As a gamer, he has acquired some computer / hacker skills which are shown off in the final episode when it is revealed that it was him that hacked Banri's laptop and mail accounts to try and get him to remember his college days and friends. It was his argument with Koko about trying to save Banri that finally got her moving again. He is fanatically loyal to his friends and will to anything to try and save the friendships in their small group.

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Chinami Oka (Oka-chan)
Female
MUCH shorter than Banri
Blue eyes with shoulder length salmon hair
Age: 20
She is a first-year student at the university and a member of the Film Club. Her hometown is Fukuoka and her favorite hobby is to film everyone with her camera. She calls it the "Okamera". Chinami has a childish behavior for a college student (and she looks like a child as well). She is very kind-hearted and always happy to get new friends. She doesn't get mad easily. Chinami is very popular because she is kind and open to people. After declining Mitsuo's confession at a party, it is revealed that she likes to keep her personal feelings of love to herself. By the time she realized she liked Mitsuo after all, it was too late and he was now in love with Linda. In disappointment, and possibly to compete with Linda, she had her hip length hair cut to collar length. She has regretted that decision ever since.

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Koko's Father
Male
taller than Banri
short gray hair with black eyes
Age: 48
He is a director at a large hospital and the father of Koko Kaga. He dresses like a director would, with high classed clothing appropriate for a business professional. He is a firm man who stated that his daughter (Koko) was a fool. He also has a great sense of responsibility when he apologizes to the owner of the bike that was stolen by Koko, and the parents of 2D-kun when the car is damaged and to Chinami Oka for her wounds. Although strict, he is also very good natured person who does not want members of his family (esp. Koko), to bother other people. He and his family are friends with Mitsuo's family and have known each other for a long time.

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* The title is from the first line of the second season's opening theme: "The World's End" by Yui Horie