Sawako is a petite, slender girl known for her striking beauty and unique appearance among her high school classmates. Her fair skin, thin lips, large brown eyes, and long, straight jet-black hair with bangs evoke a resemblance to Sadako, the iconic character from the horror filmThe Ring. Despite her often serious expression, her rare and captivating smile is rumored to bring good luck. Her friend Chizuru Yoshida observes that Sawako’s facial features and figure resemble her mother, Youko Kuronuma, while her petite stature and other traits are inherited from her father, Kitao Kuronuma.

In school, Sawako typically wears her standard high school uniform, pairing it with a blue blazer in winter and a short-sleeved blouse in summer. Unlike many of her female peers, she abides strictly by the dress code, keeping her skirt at knee length and showing little interest in makeup or accessories.

Outside of school, Sawako’s style is conservative, modest, yet subtly feminine. She often opts for long dresses in pastel shades or winter coats that fall below her knees, aligning with her reserved nature. When comfort is key, as on a school trip to Okinawa, she dresses more casually, choosing a T-shirt and pants for ease. Sawako is also self-conscious about revealing skin; on her first official date with Shouta, she wore a dress that fell just above the knee—a length she found surprising and a bit daring. In a shy attempt to appear more attractive, she unbuttoned her uniform’s collar slightly, only to become flustered when Shouta noticed her change.

At first glance, Sawako appears shy, reserved, and even a bit eerie due to her resemblance to a character from a horror film. She has a tendency to take things literally and often overthinks social interactions.

Beneath this exterior, Sawako is genuinely kind-hearted and honest, with a strong desire to connect with others. She is diligent and responsible, ranking 3rd in her class and ultimately graduating as valedictorian, though she finds social interactions challenging.

Sawako’s selflessness often leads her to prioritize others’ needs over her own. This trait, while admirable, sometimes leaves her unaware of her own situation, as shown when she initially misses Shouta’s feelings for her and doesn’t realize her friendship with Ayane Yano and Chizuru Yoshida has already taken root. Shouta even has to gently remind her that isolating herself to protect others isn’t a healthy way to live.

Despite these struggles, Sawako has a natural gift for offering objective social advice, especially in situations where she can focus on others’ problems. This skill becomes particularly evident when her class hosts a “consultation cafe” based on her knowledge of medicinal plants during their second-year festival.

Sawako’s worldview is harmonious and open-minded; she sees the interdependence in all things and values balance. Her character is often described as pure and innocent, which others find endearing. With support from Shouta, Ayane, and Chizuru, she learns to deepen her friendships. By graduation, Sawako has formed meaningful connections with her entire class, earning her a reputation as one of the most popular and respected students in the school.

Sawako possesses notable abilities that add depth to her character. One unique skill is her remarkable speed in running and jumping, which is so swift that her movements appear almost like teleportation. This talent is highlighted during a soccer match at the school sports festival in her first year, though it’s not a recurring focus in the series. It’s hinted that Sawako maintains her fitness by jogging as part of her neighborhood cleanup routine each weekend.

Another of Sawako’s talents is her skill in cooking. She often prepares meals for friends and family, who enjoy her dishes so much they frequently ask for seconds, showcasing her talent and dedication to caring for others through her cooking.

In addition, Sawako is skilled in crocheting, a craft she uses to create thoughtful handmade gifts. She has made various items, including hats, scarves, tea coasters, slippers, andharamaki(belly warmers), which she gifted to her loved ones for Christmas. This skill reflects her attention to detail and the personal touch she brings to her relationships.

Shouta Kazehaya
Sawako and Shouta first met on their high school entrance day under cherry blossoms. Shouta was the first person to treat her kindly, and Sawako quickly admired his warm and open nature. Inspired by him, she gradually became interested in forming a closer relationship. Shouta greatly influenced Sawako, encouraging her to open up socially and explore new experiences. As they grew closer, Sawako began to see Shouta as someone special. When Kurumi sought Sawako’s help in pursuing Shouta romantically, Sawako found herself unwilling to assist, though she didn’t yet understand her own feelings. After encouragement from friends and a defining conversation with Ryu, Sawako recognized her romantic affection for Shouta.

Initially, she idolized Shouta but later came to appreciate him as an ordinary yet special person in her life. Aware of her feelings, Sawako grew nervous around him and even avoided him temporarily, fearing she might become possessive. However, she ultimately worked up the courage to confess, and they began dating. Being with Shouta felt like a dream to Sawako, and with his reassurance to be herself, she became more comfortable. Despite moments of tension, especially during a Christmas misunderstanding, Sawako and Shouta openly communicated and strengthened their bond. In their final year, they supported each other’s future goals—Sawako aiming to become a teacher and Shouta to pursue sports training. Before parting for college, they committed to a long-distance relationship, symbolized by a ring he gave her on her 18th birthday.

Ayane Yano
Ayane was one of Sawako’s first friends and a steady source of support, often offering thoughtful advice. She helped Sawako with makeovers and navigating relationships, almost like an older sister. Although generally calm, Ayane is fiercely protective of Sawako and quick to confront anyone who upsets her friend. She even uncovered Kurumi’s rumors about Sawako and reassured her of her innocence. Sawako’s growing feelings for Shouta also encouraged Ayane to reflect on her own relationships.

Chizuru Yoshida
Chizuru, another of Sawako’s close friends, is supportive and fiercely loyal, often moved to tears by Sawako’s kindness. Chizuru and Ayane help Sawako build friendships and even subtly encourage her relationship with Shouta. In times of doubt, Chizuru challenges Sawako to believe in herself, deepening their friendship. When Chizuru faced heartbreak, Sawako, following Shouta’s advice, simply stayed by her side, offering quiet support and ultimately helping Chizuru express her true feelings.

Ryu Sanada
Ryu, a quiet and straightforward classmate, shares a deep mutual understanding with Sawako. They support each other’s romantic pursuits, with Sawako being the first to learn of Ryu’s feelings for Chizuru, while Ryu subtly assists Sawako in realizing her feelings for Shouta. When Sawako struggled to express herself to Shouta, Ryu’s calm guidance helped her act. Their friendship is built on trust and respect, and Ryu values her loyalty, unaffected by the superstitions that isolated her from others.

Ume “Kurumi” Kurumizawa
Initially an admired role model, Kurumi later revealed a more competitive side when she sought Sawako’s help to win Shouta’s affection. After Sawako’s hesitancy to assist, Kurumi’s true feelings surfaced. Despite learning about Kurumi’s past rumors, Sawako never harbored resentment. Kurumi eventually acknowledged Sawako as a rival and thanked her for challenging her to confess to Shouta. The two eventually grew closer, finding common ground as they both aspired to become teachers, even studying together. Kurumi’s eventual support, especially on Valentine’s Day, solidified her bond with Sawako.

Shino
Shino, Sawako’s elementary school friend, was one of the few who interacted with her in the series’ beginning. Unintentionally, Shino contributed to Sawako’s isolation by calling her “Sadako,” sparking rumors due to Sawako’s appearance. Out of guilt, Shino remains concerned about Sawako’s social life in high school, although Sawako is too modest to consider her a close friend.

Kento Miura
Kento, Sawako’s classmate in her second year, developed feelings for her and initially tried to distance her from Shouta. Ironically, his attempts led Shouta to confess his feelings, although a misunderstanding prevented Sawako and Shouta from fully understanding each other at first. Ultimately, Kento realized that Sawako only viewed him as a friend, accepting their friendship without further pursuit.