Sunakawa is a strikingly handsome and slender young man, his messy blonde hair falling carelessly over his forehead, adding to his effortlessly cool vibe. His deep brown eyes often hold a quiet intensity, and he usually maintains a calm, unreadable expression, though he’s occasionally caught in a rare moment of amusement, particularly when he’s teasing his best friend, Takeo Gouda.

His alluring looks and quiet demeanor have earned him the reputation of being the guy every girl seems to fall for. In fact, many of the girls who have shown interest in Takeo end up gravitating toward Sunakawa instead, captivated by his charm and understated appeal.

Makoto Sunakawa is a composed, charismatic, and somewhat enigmatic individual. With his striking good looks and calm demeanor, he naturally draws attention, particularly from women, but despite his popularity, he remains largely indifferent to romantic advances. Many girls confess their feelings to him, only to be rejected. Sunakawa’s reason for turning them down is simple—he values loyalty above all else. He cannot bring himself to date anyone who would speak ill of his best friend, Takeo Gouda, behind his back. Sunakawa’s protective nature extends not only to his family and friends but also to his own personal boundaries, which is why he avoids superficial relationships that don’t reflect genuine respect.

Though Sunakawa rarely opens up about his own feelings, he is deeply thoughtful and perceptive, often going unnoticed in a crowd but always paying close attention to the actions of those around him. His cool, collected exterior hides a well of quiet loyalty and concern for others, especially those he holds dear. Despite his maturity and level-headedness in any situation, Sunakawa is known to break into laughter when Takeo does something particularly funny or embarrasses himself, a rare glimpse into his lighter side.

He tends to keep his emotions guarded, preferring to silently bear any struggles rather than burden others with them. This was evident when he stayed home alone to care for his father during an important surgery while his family went on vacation, choosing not to mention it to Takeo so his friend could enjoy his date with Rinko Yamato. This action highlights Sunakawa’s selflessness and his reluctance to speak about his personal fears or insecurities.

While Sunakawa is a brilliant student with a sharp mind, he often downplays his intelligence and avoids drawing attention to his achievements. He is highly observant and not easily fooled by appearances, as seen in how he quickly noticed the insincerity in the girls who confessed to him. Though he is popular, he doesn’t let it define him or let it interfere with his straightforward, no-nonsense approach to life. He is indifferent to celebrity culture and trends, often surprising others with his disinterest in topics like anime or the latest pop culture phenomena.

Despite his cool exterior, Sunakawa is actually a deeply caring person. He’s someone others can rely on for advice or support, always willing to help, even when it’s not asked of him. Though he claims that dating doesn’t interest him, it’s clear that he values sincerity and would consider it if he met someone who truly caught his attention—not just for their looks, but for their personality as well. His growing admiration for the relationship between Takeo and Rinko might be slowly changing his perspective on romance, but for now, he remains focused on supporting his friends and keeping his own feelings close to his chest.

Past

Makoto Sunakawa grew up in a loving, albeit somewhat unusual, family. His father, who had a fragile heart, was the emotional anchor of the family. Despite his health struggles, Sunakawa’s father was a doting, gentle man who showered his children with affection, often spoiling them and never raising his voice in anger. He was especially relieved when both of his children were born with healthy hearts, given his own condition. However, when Sunakawa’s father suffered from a heart attack—his second one—it struck a deep emotional chord with Sunakawa, who silently blamed himself for not being there. His father’s health had always been a concern for him, yet he kept his feelings to himself, never letting others see his inner turmoil. Even as his father underwent surgery, Sunakawa kept it all bottled up, refusing to tell anyone, including his closest friends. It wasn’t until Yuriko Gouda noticed his silence that Sunakawa began to open up, albeit in small, hesitant ways.

Growing up, Sunakawa and Takeo Gouda were inseparable. Their families lived in the same apartment complex, and the two had been friends since they were three years old. Despite his good looks and popularity with girls, Sunakawa never seemed interested in any of them. His focus was always on his close friends and family. One childhood memory that stuck with him was a kindergarten dodgeball game, where Sunakawa defended Yukika Amami from a stray ball that could have injured her glasses. He didn’t think much of it at the time, but it left a lasting impression on Amami, who would later come to know Sunakawa’s quiet kindness.

Sunakawa’s relationship with Takeo has always been a cornerstone of his life. As children, they starred together in a school play called “The Red Demon Who Cried.” Takeo played the red demon, while Sunakawa portrayed the blue demon. Despite their young ages, Sunakawa’s performance was so compelling that it moved all the mothers in the audience to tears. Takeo would always praise his friend’s depth of emotion, though Sunakawa never truly showed that side of himself to anyone else.

Current

In the present day, Sunakawa’s calm, reserved nature still stands out. He is incredibly observant, often noticing things others might overlook. A prime example of this was during a train ride with Takeo and Rinko Yamato. While everyone else was caught up in the chaos around them, Sunakawa was the first to notice a man attempting to grope Yamato. His ability to stay composed and act quickly in tense situations has made him a reliable friend, even when others might not fully understand him.

When Takeo became involved with Rinko Yamato, Sunakawa’s insight into relationships came to the forefront. He quickly realized that Yamato harbored feelings for Takeo and, despite his own disinterest in romance, he gently nudged her towards confessing. His interactions with others are often tinged with subtle kindness, as shown when he patiently listened to Mariya Saijou’s confused affections for Takeo. Sunakawa, with his sharp perception, wasn’t fooled by her words and confronted her about her true feelings. It’s this ability to read people and see through facades that makes him both mysterious and endearing.

Sunakawa’s interactions with Yukika Amami also showed a different side to him. After receiving anonymous chocolates from her for years, Sunakawa became aware of her feelings and agreed to get to know her better, despite not knowing how he felt about her. During a trip to the zoo with Takeo and Yamato, Sunakawa spent time with Amami, learning more about her in a way that felt genuine and honest. However, as he spent more time with her, he realized that he didn’t share the same romantic feelings.

In a quiet, thoughtful gesture, Sunakawa thanked Amami for the chocolates and gave her a heartfelt gift—a notebook and bookmark. He apologized for not reciprocating her feelings, gently but firmly rejecting her. Though he may not have been able to return her affection, Sunakawa’s maturity and emotional intelligence allowed him to navigate the situation with grace and kindness.

Family

Ai Sunakawa
While Makoto and Ai are siblings who share similar physical traits, their personalities couldn’t be more different. Makoto’s quiet, subtle way of showing affection contrasts with Ai’s bold and expressive nature. Despite their differences, they share a close bond, which is evident in the warm greetings they exchange. Whenever Makoto returns home, Ai cheerfully greets him with “Welcome home” or “I’m back,” and he, in turn, always smiles upon seeing her.

Makoto cares deeply for Ai, and this is especially clear when he becomes her confidante about her feelings for Takeo Gouda. Although Makoto is Takeo’s best friend, Ai trusts that he will keep her secret, demonstrating the siblings’ openness and the strong bond they share. Surprisingly, though, Makoto didn’t initially realize Ai had a crush on Takeo. This may be because he didn’t expect Ai to develop romantic feelings for their neighbor, interpreting her actions as those of a protective older sister. Despite their closeness, the siblings can still keep secrets from one another. For instance, Makoto never revealed that he and Takeo shared a kiss.

Makoto does find Ai annoying at times, particularly when she cries and shakes him. In fact, Ai is the only person in the series who truly gets under Makoto’s skin, highlighting just how close they are. Given Ai’s expressive nature, it’s possible she influenced Makoto’s preference for a quieter, more reserved demeanor.

Friends

Takeo Gouda
Takeo has been Makoto’s best friend for nearly a decade. Thanks to his sharp intellect and keen observation, Makoto understands Takeo deeply and will always go out of his way to help him. He believes that it’s only natural for friends to look out for each other, which is why he stood up for Takeo by rejecting all the girls who insulted him behind his back. Takeo appreciated Makoto’s loyalty, especially when he helped connect him with Rinko Yamato.

Their friendship is built on mutual respect, with Takeo being the only person who can consistently make Makoto laugh—whether intentionally or not. Makoto admires Takeo’s honesty and kindness, which only strengthens their bond.

Rinko Yamato
Makoto’s friendship with Rinko is rooted in their shared connection to Takeo. As one of the few girls Makoto genuinely gets along with, he describes her as nice, beautiful, and a little quirky. When Rinko and Takeo started dating, Makoto played a key role in bringing them together, even earning a homemade cake from Rinko as a token of thanks. He approves of her because she loves Takeo for who he is, and he teasingly tells Takeo that his past choices in girls weren’t great, but Rinko is a perfect match.

Makoto often serves as a mediator between Takeo and Rinko, offering advice or helping them communicate when they’re struggling with their feelings. He enjoys seeing their relationship grow and even hints at the idea of entering a relationship himself. However, this leads Takeo and Rinko to enthusiastically try to set him up with one of Rinko’s friends. Interestingly, Rinko is perhaps the only girl who hasn’t fallen for Makoto at first sight.

Mariya Saijou
Makoto and Mariya share a friendly rapport, which began when she injured her ankle while rushing to apologize to Takeo for criticizing his matching cellphone strap—a gift from Rinko. Although Makoto insisted on giving her a piggyback ride home, Mariya was visibly displeased, as she had hoped Takeo would do the same. Over time, their interactions grew more open, especially when Makoto confronted her about using Takeo and Rinko’s kindness to remain close to Takeo. In the end, Mariya confessed her feelings, and Makoto, ever the attentive friend, offered her comfort after her rejection.

Despite the awkwardness, Makoto and Mariya maintain a cordial relationship. On Valentine’s Day, she gives him friendship chocolate, confirming that they’ve built a solid friendship based on mutual respect.

Maki Gouda
Makoto has had a long-standing connection with Maki since the day she was born. When Takeo noticed the fond look on Makoto’s face as he looked at Maki, he jokingly suggested they could get married, but Makoto dismissed the idea, citing their age difference.

Makoto is fond of Maki, often teaching her English words and playing with her. Maki, in turn, seems to have a particular fondness for Makoto. She has been seen affectionately interacting with him, even leaning on his shirt and touching his face when they bumped into each other. Makoto has also offered to babysit her and admires her rapid development, such as when she learned to walk at just seven months. His bond with Maki is perhaps the closest he has with any child, and he seems to view her as a younger sister he’ll watch grow up. Maki’s cheerful personality, which resembles her brother’s, brings out a more open side of Makoto, and he feels comfortable sharing his feelings with her, like when he admitted to feeling lonely at times.

Yukika Amami
Yukika Amami left a lasting impression on Makoto, as evidenced by his keeping all her Valentine’s Day letters. Her earnest and straightforward words seemed to stand out from the other girls who had confessed to him. Though they exchanged phone numbers and even received encouragement from Takeo and Rinko to speak more, Makoto and Yukika remained somewhat distant, maintaining a polite, acquaintance-level relationship.

Their connection grew when they went to the zoo together, where Makoto appreciated her eagerness and attentiveness, especially when she answered all the trivia questions correctly. Despite her initial shyness, Yukika started to feel more comfortable around Makoto. By the end of their outing, Makoto expressed that he had fun, indicating their relationship had progressed, albeit slowly. While Yukika eventually realized that her feelings for Makoto were not reciprocated, she remained grateful for his kindness and wished him happiness in finding someone who loved him as much as he deserved.

In the anime, a postcard from Yukika with a message about her favorite bird can be seen on Makoto’s desk, suggesting that he values her efforts and recognizes the connection they’ve built.

Others

Kouki Ichinose
Kouki Ichinose’s relationship with Makoto is rather neutral. He has seen Makoto nearly as often as Takeo, but has never questioned his presence around Rinko or Takeo. While Makoto’s impression of Ichinose is unclear, it’s safe to assume that he doesn’t harbor any strong feelings either way.

Makoto isn’t particularly fond of Ichinose’s arrogance, especially when he felt Takeo should have challenged the pâtissier rather than the other way around. Makoto also describes Ichinose as “a bit peculiar,” suggesting that they wouldn’t get along if they were to interact more. Despite this, Makoto doesn’t seem to harbor negative feelings toward him, as he attended Ichinose’s competition in person.

The name Makoto (誠) translates to “sincerity,” which is a fitting reflection of his personality. Makoto embodies this quality through his kindness, dedication, and unwavering loyalty to those he holds dear. His genuine nature and commitment to the happiness of others align perfectly with the meaning of his name.

His surname, Sunakawa (砂川), is a combination of two kanji: suna (砂), meaning “sand” or “grit,” and kawa (川), meaning “river” or “stream.” Together, the name evokes images of natural elements, suggesting strength and resilience.

While his friends, such as Takeo Gouda and Rinko Yamato, typically refer to him by his surname, “Sunakawa” or “Suna,” it’s only his family who commonly calls him by his first name, Makoto. This detail highlights the close, familiar relationships he shares with his loved ones.