Ren Nishina is a close and trusted friend of Ryuuto Kashima. Despite being in a different class, he frequently spends time with both Ryuuto and their mutual friend, Yuusuke Ijichi. Ren struggles academically due to his obsession with video games, which often distracts him from his studies. Among the trio, he is the least emotionally expressive and finds it difficult to be honest about his true feelings.

Ren Nishina has short black hair and slightly grayish-brown eyes. Standing at 161 cm, he is the shortest among his close friends, Ryuuto Kashima (170 cm) and Yuusuke Ijichi (181 cm).

Ren Nishina was originally portrayed as introverted and shy, often keeping to himself. However, his personality began to change after he fell in love with Nikoru Yamana. Motivated by his feelings for her, Ren made a conscious effort to mature and grow as a person, striving to become someone worthy of admiration in Nikoru’s eyes.

Nikoru Yamana
Ren Nishina has known Nikoru Yamana for some time due to her reputation as a well-known and charismatic figure at school, often referred to as the “Demon Gyaru.” Initially, Ren was intimidated by her intense gaze and bold presence.

Their relationship began to change in Volume 3, when Ren encountered Nikoru during a group gaming session of SAVAGE alongside Luna’s and Ryuuto’s groups. Paired on the same team, Ren found himself instantly drawn to her, developing feelings at first sight. However, complications arose with the sudden reappearance of Sekiya, Nikoru’s ex-boyfriend, who attempted to rekindle their relationship. This motivated Ren to confront his feelings seriously, resolve to improve himself, and eventually compete with Sekiya for Nikoru’s affection.

In Volume 4, Ren began interacting more confidently with Nikoru. During a playful exchange, he teased her, prompting Nikoru to ask, “Are you ready to replace my senior?” to which Ren replied, “I’ll try.” Though the moment was initially lighthearted, it marked a turning point in their relationship, as they began spending significantly more time together.

By Volume 5, their bond had grown closer. Although still officially just friends, they started addressing each other by their first names Ren calling her “Nikoru,” and vice versa which reflected their increasing intimacy. However, during a school study tour, Ren experienced emotional turmoil when he witnessed Nikoru hugging Sekiya. Devastated, he confided in Ryuuto, admitting that Nikoru meant everything to him, yet he remained determined not to give up on her.

Their relationship continued to deepen in Volume 6, and by the end of the volume, Ren and Nikoru officially began dating.

Ryuuto Kashima
Ren shares a close friendship with Ryuuto Kashima, one of the few people he connects with at school. Alongside Yuusuke Ijichi, they are known as the “three gloomy guys,” often viewed as outcasts by their peers.

Ryuuto Kashima
Initially, Nikoru harbored strong resentment toward Ryuuto, viewing him as just another “lowly nerd” unworthy of dating Runa. Having lumped him in with the rest of Runa’s past boyfriends, she was quick to judge him. However, her opinion began to shift after she invited Ryuuto to spend time with her. Although Ryuuto feared she was planning to confront or intimidate him, Nikoru simply brought him to a burger shop to talk.

Despite being in different classes, Ryuuto whom Ren affectionately refers to as “Kasshi” was one of Ren’s first friends, especially since Ren had no close acquaintances in his own class. The trio regularly gathers on the rooftop of the school building, where they eat lunch and discuss their shared interests, particularly the video game KENN, for which both Ren and Ryuuto are passionate fans. Their similar tastes and quiet personalities form the basis of their strong and steady friendship.

The given name Ren (蓮) typically means “lotus,” a flower symbolizing purity and resilience in Japanese culture. His surname, Nishina (仁志名), can be broken down into nin (仁), meaning “benevolence” or “compassion,” shi (志), meaning “will” or “determination,” and na (名), meaning “name” or “reputation.”

Together, his full name can reflect a kind-hearted person with strong resolve and a notable presence.