Yuzu Aihara is a stylish and attractive teenage girl, often noted for her distinct and trendy appearance. She has dyed chestnut blonde hair with bangs swept to the left side, and striking emerald green eyes. She also wears two piercings in each ear, further reflecting her fashion-forward personality.

Yuzu is deeply invested in her appearance and enjoys keeping up with the latest trends, often seen in fashionable outfits that contrast with the strict dress code of her all-girls school. Her natural hair color is brown, though she prefers her dyed look as part of her self-expression. In chapters 17 and 18 of the manga, she is seen wearing a jet-black wig temporarily, marking a rare moment of visual transformation that aligns with a shift in her emotional state.

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Yuzu Aihara is a bold, outspoken, and unapologetically expressive girl who identifies as a gyaru, a Japanese fashion subculture associated with rebellious style and bold individuality. She enjoys dressing up, wearing makeup, and customizing her school uniform, which frequently puts her at odds with the strict rules of the all-girls academy she transfers to. Her confident attitude often masks her inexperience with relationships, leading her to speak about romance with exaggerated certainty to hide her own uncertainty.

At the beginning of the series, Yuzu is portrayed with stereotypical “dumb blonde” traits, such as being impulsive, carefree, and occasionally clueless. However, as the story progresses, her deeper, more thoughtful nature comes to the surface. She reveals herself to be caring, emotionally sensitive, and surprisingly domestic often preparing meals for herself and Mei when their mother is away. Her talent for creative cooking is one of the subtle ways she shows affection.

Although she may act immature at times, Yuzu is capable of earning good grades through hard work, showing that her academic struggles stem more from a lack of focus than ability. Her bubbly and optimistic outlook frequently drives her actions, especially in her efforts to win over Mei. Yuzu is clumsy and brash, yet also considerate and selfless, always trying to bring happiness to those she cares about. She is more concerned with how society as a whole views her rather than conforming to elitist or conservative expectations, which sets her apart in the school environment.

Her journey toward understanding true love deeply impacts her emotional growth. When her relationship with Mei faces external disapproval, Yuzu falls into a state of depression, which negatively affects her school performance. It is only with Mei’s encouragement that she regains her confidence and sense of direction.

Following her proposal to Mei, Yuzu shows noticeable growth in maturity. She becomes more self-assured, less reckless, and more confident in her identity and in her relationship, embracing love not just as a fantasy, but as a genuine and evolving commitment.

Mei Aihara
Yuzu and Mei Aihara became stepsisters when Yuzu’s mother married Shō Aihara, Mei’s estranged father. Though Yuzu is a month older than Mei, their initial relationship was strained. Yuzu disliked Mei for her cold, aloof, and manipulative behavior, especially after Mei unexpectedly kissed her, leaving Yuzu confused and resentful. However, as their interactions deepened, Yuzu realized that she was genuinely attracted to Mei, despite the emotional turmoil it caused.

Yuzu’s protective side emerged when she discovered Mei’s arranged engagement to Amamiya, a man who mistreated Mei. Disturbed by the situation, Yuzu intervened to stop the engagement, driven by her growing concern and affection for her stepsister. She later gave Mei a tearful and forceful kiss during an emotionally intense confrontation, challenging Mei’s denial of their feelings.

While Yuzu wrestled with her emotions, she initially believed that Mei needed a sisterly bond more than a romantic relationship, causing her to distance herself emotionally. Nevertheless, her love for Mei only grew stronger, and she eventually accepted her feelings fully. After both girls confessed their love for each other, Yuzu and Mei officially began dating, transforming their complex relationship into one of mutual romantic commitment.

Ume Aihara
Yuzu shares a close and supportive relationship with her mother, Ume Aihara. Though Ume can be occasionally embarrassing, Yuzu respects and supports her, especially during her marriage to Shō Aihara. Their bond is built on trust, open communication, and acceptance, with Ume encouraging Yuzu to be herself.

Shō Aihara
Shō Aihara, Mei’s father and Yuzu’s stepfather, is quickly accepted by Yuzu despite his distant relationship with Mei. Yuzu maintains a positive rapport with Shō and is empathetic toward the emotional gap between him and Mei. Recognizing the strain in their father-daughter relationship, Yuzu actively encourages reconciliation between them, hoping to heal the emotional wounds that linger from their shared past.

Harumi Taniguchi
Yuzu and Harumi Taniguchi become fast friends after Yuzu transfers into her new school. With similar outgoing personalities and rebellious attitudes, the two develop a close friendship. Harumi frequently supports Yuzu, cheering her up during moments of self-doubt or conflict. Yuzu enjoys Harumi’s company and often relies on her for emotional support, making Harumi one of her most dependable friends.

Matsuri Mizusawa
Yuzu and Matsuri Mizusawa have known each other since childhood. Their friendship began when Matsuri moved into Yuzu’s neighborhood, and Yuzu immediately welcomed her. Over time, Yuzu came to view Matsuri as a younger sister, while Matsuri looked up to Yuzu as an older sister figure.

After years apart due to Yuzu’s relocation, the two reconnected though Matsuri’s involvement in questionable online activities caused Yuzu concern. Despite the tension, they maintain a normal friendship, though Matsuri’s tendency to tease Yuzu often leaves her flustered and uncomfortable. Regardless, Yuzu continues to care deeply for Matsuri, remaining a protective and steady presence in her life.

The name Yuzu (柚子) refers to the yuzu fruit, a type of citrus closely related to grapefruit, pomelo, and shaddock. This connection likely inspired the title of the series, Citrus. While the kanji 柚子 can also be read as “Yuzuko” with “柚” read as Yuzu and “子” as Ko—it was officially confirmed by Saburouta, the creator of the series, via Twitter that the correct pronunciation of the character’s name is simply Yuzu. This reading is consistently used in the character listings of each manga volume and chapter.

Yuzu’s surname, Aihara (藍原), is composed of 藍 (ai), meaning “indigo”, and 原 (hara), meaning “field” or “plain”, which could be interpreted as “indigo field.”

Her former surname, Okogi (小此木), is made up of the kanji 小 (o) meaning “small”, 此 (ko) meaning “this, current, or next”, and 木 (ki or gi) meaning “tree”. Altogether, the name can be interpreted as “this small tree”, which may reflect her past and more innocent identity before entering the complex world of adolescence and relationships.