Kanade Yuzuriha, often called Yuzu by those close to him, is a central figure in the story. As a child, Kanade was hospitalized due to an illness affecting his throat, which prevented him from singing. Despite this, his passion for music was undeniable. He would frequently sneak out of the hospital to go to the nearby beach, where he would write musical notation in the sand as an outlet for his creative energy. It was on this beach that he met Nino Arisugawa. When she began to sing the melody he had written, Kanade was overwhelmed, feeling that he had finally found his voice in her singing. He asked her to return every Wednesday to sing his songs. When a young Nino was later devastated by the departure of another friend, Momo, Kanade rushed to her side and sang to calm her down. This act of compassion came at a great personal cost, as singing caused permanent damage to his already vulnerable throat. Following this incident, he was transferred to another hospital, leaving behind only a melody and a farewell message for Nino.

Years later, Kanade is a second-year high school student who is short in stature, a trait he is notably sensitive about. He has black, unkempt hair usually tied into a loose ponytail, piercing blue eyes, and characteristically long eyelashes, which become a recurring point of teasing from others. He is almost always seen drinking a large carton of milk, a well-known personal quirk. His personality is a blend of shyness and surprising directness. When he feels embarrassed or defensive, especially about his feelings for Nino, he tends to become flustered and deny the obvious truth, a behavior that those around him find quite transparent. However, when someone is in genuine distress, he can become straightforward and offer sincere advice or support.

Kanade is an exceptionally talented composer and musician, proficient in both piano and guitar. He is the creative force behind the masked band in NO hurry to shout, for which he writes all the music and performs as the guitarist. The band adopts a gothic lolita aesthetic, and Kanade himself performs in a female persona named Cheshire or Alice, a role he fully embraces. Before reuniting with Nino in high school, he was suffering from severe writer's block and struggled to compose. Her voice, which he considers his own, is the sole source of inspiration that reignites his passion and allows him to create music again.

His primary motivation is intrinsically linked to Nino. From their childhood encounter, he became deeply possessive of both her voice and her person, declaring that her voice would belong only to him. He nicknamed her Alice, based on her surname, a name that highlights the intimate world they share. His feelings for her run deep, and he has been in love with her for a very long time. This love, however, exists within a complicated dynamic. He is intensely jealous of Momo, Nino's other childhood friend and first love, and he fears her reuniting with him. This rivalry is not just romantic but also musical, as Momo represents a direct challenge for Nino's heart and artistic attention. At one point, Kanade even had a girlfriend named Miou, but it is acknowledged that she served as a substitute for Nino, as he could only compose when imagining Miou was Nino.

Throughout the narrative, Kanade is portrayed as a steadfast and proactive figure in Nino's life. He invites her to join his band, supports her through her struggles, and becomes a constant presence at her side. His development involves confronting his own possessiveness and learning to navigate the painful reality that Nino's heart may belong to another person, even as he continues to fight for her through his music. His journey is defined by the struggle between his need to have Nino as his creative muse and his desire for her happiness, creating a central emotional conflict that drives much of his character arc.