Shuichiro Sawaki frequently visits Ai Ohto’s home to check on her well-being, stating that her house is conveniently along his route home. He maintains a polite and seemingly supportive relationship with Ai and her mother, Tae Ohto.

A flashback reveals a potentially controversial moment involving Koito Nagase, a former student. In the scene, Koito is seen crying into Shuichiro’s chest in an empty classroom, which Ai witnesses before quickly leaving. This ambiguous interaction has led to speculation regarding the nature of their relationship, with some characters suggesting the possibility of inappropriate conduct.

At one point, Shuichiro joins Tae Ohto and Ai for dinner, where he and Tae announce their intention to begin dating. While they express concern for Ai’s feelings, Ai responds with visible discomfort, telling them to do as they wish and distancing herself emotionally from the situation.

Rika Kawai later voices suspicions that Shuichiro may have been involved in Koito’s death, though she admits she has no concrete evidence. In contrast, Momoe Sawaki his niece defends him strongly, expressing faith in his character and rejecting the accusation.

Outside of his teaching role, Shuichiro aspires to be a professional painter. After winning an award, he hosts a solo art exhibition and invites Ai to attend. There, Ai discovers that the winning piece is a painting of herself, envisioned as a grown woman. Shuichiro explains that he sees her becoming a wonderful woman, like her mother, and reaffirms his feelings for Tae. While touched by his words, Ai remains conflicted and directly confronts him, asking for the truth behind Koito’s death.

Shuichiro Sawaki is a tall and well-groomed man with a lightly tanned complexion. He has dark brown hair styled with bangs swept to the left side and matching dark brown eyes. A distinctive beauty mark sits beneath his left eye, a feature he shares with his niece, Momoe Sawaki. His attire typically includes a collared shirt adorned with a brooch that features a bird-like design, adding a subtle artistic flair to his otherwise modest appearance.

Shuichiro Sawaki is portrayed as a kind, polite, and soft-spoken individual with a deep appreciation for art. As a teacher, he appears supportive and encouraging, often taking time to engage with his students and foster their growth. He demonstrates a composed demeanor and refined mannerisms, reflecting his thoughtful and introspective nature.

He is shown to be particularly encouraging toward Ai Ohto, once sketching her for a planned painting and gently urging her to develop greater self-confidence. While generally well-regarded by his peers and students, certain events in the story cast a shadow of ambiguity over his intentions, prompting differing opinions from those around him.