Charm

Obi held an inexplicable charm that draws in people of all walks of lives and ages, even animals. Perhaps it was because of the dangerous yet warm aura that he possessed...

Shirayuki

Her first encounter with Obi was when he was in the midst of informing the guards of her requested departure and subsequently, him chasing after her to threaten her to get out of Zen's life. She can't deny that he did scare her then but her determination shone through and all she could think of was getting to Zen so as to iron things out.

However, now that she thought back on it, the immediate second encounter was when he helped her in the herb gardens. He made her feel comfortable in his presence and even gave her the sense that he was rather shy, covering his face with such discretion. She couldn't help but find his actions rather endearing, and Ryuu's warming up to him made her unconsciously relax as they picked the requested herbs.

Shirayuki was kind but by no means gullible or ignorant, the fact that he managed to gain her favor so quickly after the assassination attempt, showed that he held something that managed to buy her heart. And that something she realized was his kind heart.

The aftermath of the attempt showed just how of a freelancer he was, merely working under orders with no personal allegiance or motive. However, unlike the typical mercenaries he was willing to step up to take responsibility for the lord he served even temporarily. It seemed that he had noticed the importance of his employer's status as well as understood his misguided attempts to do his protection of the prince.

As such, his kindness was something Shirayuki saw and was able to personally experience the more she interacted with him.

Ryuu

Ryuu is a young boy who has lived a rather secluded life apart from his herbs and medicine. Still a fresh face but not so innocent as one might think as he is exposed to relied upon for his medical expertise in life threatening illnesses. Obi's addition into his life made his life that much more colorful and interesting.

Obi was mysterious, with his undisclosed past, his rather eccentric mannerisms and yet his genuine interest and curiosity in even Ryuu's herbs placed him in Ryuu's good books. Obi had a sense of curiosity that made him a wonderful listener, also he was smart and able to keep up with Ryuu in a way that even he was challenged with the angles that Obi took on many problems.

Besides, having Obi as an intellectual companion, he gave Ryuu a window of opportunity to see the outside. Before, Ryuu had not travelled much even outside of the apothecary, now even if he did not Obi would bring him little trinkets of the places he visited.

Ryuu was in fact rather conflicted over the fact that he was now very much attracted to the outside whereas he was uninterested previously. He seemed as a rather apathetic individual, and perhaps that was not so as he was starting to find interest in many of the stories Obi had shared and the trinkets he brought back. Ryuu started the habit of keeping and cleaning and also researching on all the Obi brought back.

Obi was mysterious but maybe not so as he shared his present adventures enthusiastically to Little Ryuu. His fond hair ruffles and teasing just cemented the fact that he was a brother figure that he have not had before.

Kiki

Kiki was a very vigilant and guarded aide even among the elites as those in her line of jobs should be. However, for some reason even she was swayed by Obi's genuine care of Zen, Shirayuki and his acquaintances. Such a dangerous force he was not to be reckoned.

At first sight, Kiki felt his domineering presence, he was silent when he wanted to be and at the first instant she sensed him, she was very much alerted by the threat he posed. She came to be more guarded as she realized that even Mitsuhide was warming up to him, wanting to the person of reason and not emotionally compromised she became more guarded around him.

With his affable attitude, cheerful gestures, it made him more dangerous and unsuspecting. However, she realized that her worry was almost unnecessary (preventive measures were for safety precaution regardless). Obi protected those that he worked for as fiercely as he could, with his life for those that he cared for.

His sense of loyalty brought her a sense of safety, she still has no idea what impressed upon her so deeply but for now she was going to go with it. Despite, the fact that she might as well be walking into a insidious trap, she believed that his loyalty will draw her acquaintance to him. The methods he will go to protect, the blood and sweat he will shed for them and the scars she see inflicted on him will draw the whole party's affection to him.

With her intuition, she realized this development was was inexorable and she was not stupid enough to defy it to no avail.