Kaoru Mizutani, stepmother to Miyo Sasaki and wife of Youji Sasaki, navigates a fragile dynamic with Miyo, who resents her presence. Despite Miyo’s resistance, Kaoru persists in forging a parental bond, balancing her role in managing household duties with the complexities of integrating into a family marked by unresolved tensions. Her dedication extends to her beloved cat, Kinako, whose disappearance drives Kaoru to tirelessly distribute posters and rally support, underscoring her compassionate nature. Having married into the Sasaki family, Kaoru confronts the challenges of blending into a fractured dynamic, particularly clashing with Miyo’s biological mother, Miki Saitou. When Miki criticizes Kaoru and Youji’s parenting, Kaoru retaliates by condemning Miki’s past abandonment of Miyo, exposing her acute awareness of the family’s lingering wounds. Kaoru’s indirect influence emerges through Kinako’s actions. After the cat temporarily inhabits Miyo’s human form, Kinako’s recognition of Kaoru’s sincere care compels her to restore Miyo’s identity, easing familial strife. This subtle arc highlights Kaoru’s unseen emotional resonance within the household. Her maiden name, Mizutani (“water valley”), contrasts her married name, Sasaki (“bamboo grass tree”), while her given name, Kaoru (“fragrance”), aligns with traditional naming practices.