Mike Nekotani, a spirited high school student and lifelong friend of Karen Inukai, lives next door to Pochita’s family. Her mid-back blonde hair is styled in half-pigtails with black ties, complemented by square-cut bangs swept to the right, olive eyes, and a mole beneath her left eye. Her surname—a blend of "cat" and "valley"—hints at her love for cats and contrasting fear of dogs.

Bubbly and sociable, Mike grapples with schoolwork and an initial wariness of Pochita, sparked during a study session at Karen’s home. Tensions ease when a centipede invades her clothing, prompting Pochita’s unexpected aid. This encounter begins softening her canine phobia, forging a fragile connection.

Mike’s bond with Karen, rooted in years of camaraderie, fuels her concern for Karen’s emotional state. Before Pochita’s arrival, she tirelessly tried to revive Karen’s cheerfulness with little progress. Observing Karen’s renewed joy through Pochita, Mike wrestles with gratitude and quiet envy.

Though she once shared a classroom with pre-transformation Pochita unnoticed, animals inexplicably gravitate toward her despite her canine aversion. Gradually acclimating to Pochita, lingering discomfort remains. Her story weaves the challenge of balancing loyalty to Karen with navigating Pochita’s growing presence in their lives.