Botan Kamiina is the title character of the story, a twenty-year-old university student who has just begun her independent life away from home. Originally from Nagano Prefecture, she lives in a dormitory in Chichibu, Saitama. Unlike most of her peers, she entered university a year later than usual, having spent a year as a ronin, a student who did not pass her initial entrance exam and had to study for another year to try again. This background makes her a first-year student who is already of legal drinking age in Japan, setting the stage for her entry into the world of alcohol. Her given name, Botan, means peony, a flower that, like her, is said to bloom fully under specific circumstances.

In her daily life, Botan is described as an earnest, cheerful, and generally reserved young woman. She has a few specific quirks that stem from her upbringing in a landlocked prefecture, including a strong fondness for seafood, a food she did not have easy access to while growing up. She also harbors a dislike for drinking carbonated beverages because they make her burp, and she has a pronounced fear of thunder, which originated from an incident when she was ten years old. These small, relatable traits ground her character in a realistic portrayal of a young adult adjusting to new freedoms and environments.

The central and most distinctive aspect of Botan’s personality is the dramatic shift she undergoes when she consumes alcohol. As a complete novice, her first drink is a highball offered to her by her dormitory’s leader, Ibuki Tonami. From the very first sip, a marked transformation occurs. Her usual quiet and reserved demeanor gives way to a much bolder, more forward, and uninhibited version of herself. This "blossoming" is characterized by a newfound assertiveness and a tendency to speak in flirtatious double entendres, often catching her drinking companions off guard with suggestive comments that leave them flustered. While it is initially unclear whether she fully understands the impact of her drunken words, the confident smirk that accompanies them suggests her intoxicated self is very much aware of the effect she is having on others. This Jekyll-and-Hyde dynamic is the core conceit of her character, as alcohol serves as a key that unlocks a hidden, more daring side of her personality.

Botan’s primary motivation and her role in the story are intrinsically linked to her discovery of drinking. Her journey begins out of simple curiosity after she observes Ibuki drinking alone. Upon tasting alcohol for the first time, she is not only intrigued by the sensation but also discovers that it allows her to act on impulses she normally suppresses. Her actions are driven by a desire to connect with others, particularly Ibuki. By becoming her secret drinking partner, Botan helps to assuage Ibuki’s self-consciousness about the hiccups she gets when she drinks, providing the senior with a judgment-free companion. As Botan explores different kinds of alcohol, from Japanese sake and shochu to whiskey and wine, she also serves as a catalyst for the other residents, using her uninhibited state to break down social barriers and draw out hidden feelings and dynamics within the dormitory.

Her most significant relationship is with Ibuki Tonami, the third-year student and dorm supervisor who becomes her first drinking partner and close friend. Ibuki, who is knowledgeable about alcohol but avoids drinking in public due to her hiccups, finds an unexpected sense of relief and companionship in Botan’s accepting nature. Their bond, formed over shared drinks, is the emotional heart of the story. Botan’s newfound boldness directly challenges Ibuki’s reserved personality, creating a dynamic where the younger student often takes the lead, much to the surprise of her senior.

This new friendship, however, creates a point of tension in Botan’s relationship with Kanade Gujō, a first-year graduate student who harbors feelings for Ibuki. Kanade is disappointed and somewhat jealous to see how quickly and closely Botan has become with the object of her affection. Unaware of the full extent of Kanade’s feelings, Botan’s drunken, forward behavior around both women inadvertently adds complexity to the social web of the dormitory. Despite this, her overall role is not one of a rival but of a friendly and disarming presence who, through her drinking, brings underlying emotions and relationships to the surface.

In terms of development, Botan’s character arc revolves around her journey from a complete novice to an enthusiastic connoisseur. She starts with no experience or knowledge of alcohol, but through her interactions with Ibuki and the others, she begins to appreciate the nuances of different drinks and the social rituals that accompany them. More importantly, she is learning about herself. The contrast between her sober shyness and her drunken confidence suggests a young woman who is gradually finding her voice and learning to be more assertive, even if she currently needs a catalyst to do so. Her development is tied to her growing comfort with her new environment and her deepening relationships, with alcohol serving as the lens through which her personal growth is viewed.

Notable abilities are not supernatural but behavioral. Botan’s primary ability is her drastic personality shift upon consuming alcohol, transforming from meek to bold in a matter of moments. While in this state, she possesses a sharp tongue for flirtatious and provocative language, often speaking in layered statements that can be interpreted as either innocent or risqué. This ability to disarm and surprise those around her, particularly the more reserved Ibuki, is her most potent trait. Beyond this, she does not possess any special skills or powers, with her charm lying in her genuine, if chemically altered, interactions with her friends.