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Yukari Nejima

Yukari Nejima (根島 由佳吏, Nejima Yukari) is the main protagonist of the Koi to Uso (Love and Lies) series. He is a first-year student at Kasugayama High School and the son of Yuuji and Chisato Nejima. Yukari is also the older brother of Kizuna Nejima. As part of Japan’s government-mandated marriage program, he is officially assigned to be the partner of Ririna Sanada, although his heart remains conflicted due to his longstanding feelings for Misaki Takasaki.

Appearance

Yukari Nejima is a teenage boy with short brown hair and matching brown eyes. Physically, he is shorter than most of his male peers, giving him a more youthful and modest presence among the group.

One of Yukari’s distinguishing traits is his slightly forward-leaning posture when standing or walking, which subtly reflects his shy and uncertain personality. This detail sets him apart visually from the other characters in the series.

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Personality

Yukari Nejima is portrayed as a shy, gentle, and empathetic young man. He is thoughtful and sincere, often putting the feelings of others before his own. Yukari’s romantic nature is evident early in the story, having developed deep feelings for Misaki Takasaki after a small but memorable gesture sharing his eraser and witnessing her smile. This quiet moment left a lasting impression on him and became the foundation of his affection for her.

Despite his personal desires, Yukari finds himself entangled in Japan’s government-mandated marriage program, which assigns him to Ririna Sanada shortly after he confesses his love to Misaki. This sudden turn of events challenges his emotional integrity and puts him in a difficult position, as he struggles to reconcile his feelings with the societal expectations imposed upon him.

Background

Yukari Nejima was born into a family of four and is the eldest child, with a younger sister named Kizuna Nejima. From a young age, Yukari displayed a quiet and introspective personality, traits that would later define his relationships and emotional journey.

His first love began during elementary school, in the fifth grade, when he developed feelings for Misaki Takasaki. The two were seated next to each other in class, and Yukari noticed that Misaki struggled to erase with her worn-down pen eraser. Wanting to help, he considered lending her his own eraser but hesitated due to his shyness. It wasn’t until the fifth period that day that he finally mustered the courage to offer it to her.

Misaki, touched by the small act of kindness, gently tapped Yukari on the shoulder and softly whispered “thank you” into his ear. For Yukari, this brief exchange was unforgettable. He later reflected on the moment, saying, “With those few words, she stole my heart.” Despite the emotional impact of that day, it remained the only direct interaction they had throughout elementary school.

Relationships

Misaki Takasaki
Misaki is Yukari’s first love and eventual wife in the Misaki Route. Their connection began in elementary school when Yukari lent Misaki his eraser, an interaction that left a lasting impression on both of them. Years later, on the night before Yukari received his government-assigned marriage notice, the two confessed their feelings for each other.

Ririna Sanada
Ririna is Yukari’s government-assigned marriage partner. They first met during a formal meeting between their families. Initially, Ririna formed a negative impression of Yukari, perceiving him as uninterested and emotionally distant. However, upon learning about his feelings for Misaki, she unexpectedly supports their relationship and acts as a matchmaker between them.

Yūsuke Nisaka
Yūsuke is Yukari’s close friend and classmate. Their friendship began when Yukari stepped in to help Yūsuke during a bullying incident at cram school by calling the police. From that point onward, they developed a strong bond.

Etymology

The given name Yukari (由佳吏) is composed of the kanji 由 (yu), meaning “reason” or “origin,” 佳 (ka), meaning “excellent” or “beautiful,” and 吏 (ri), meaning “official” or “government officer.” Together, the name may symbolically reflect Yukari’s involvement in the government-arranged marriage system central to the story.

His surname Nejima (根島) combines 根 (ne), meaning “root,” and 島 (shima/jima), meaning “island,” possibly suggesting stability or isolation both of which align with themes in his emotional and societal journey.

Trivia

    • Yukari was named by his mother, Chisato Nejima, after the Yukari Law, reflecting her hope that the government would one day assign him a kind and suitable partner.
    • His surname, Nejima (根島), is made up of 根 (ne), meaning “root,” and 島 (jima), meaning “island.”
    • When Yukari initially received his government notice, the assigned partner listed was Misaki Takasaki. However, the name changed within seconds, adding a layer of mystery and tension to the story’s central conflict.