TV-Series
Description
Akihiko Nirei is a first-year student at Furin High School, attending class 1-1 where he serves as the class co-delegate and is a member of the Bofurin's Vaisravana Unit. His birthday is September 21st, making him 15 years old, and he stands 163 centimeters tall with a weight of 57 kilograms. Nirei has a small physical build and is notably shorter than many of his peers. He has messy short blond hair and wide, dark brown eyes.

Nirei's background is defined by a difficult middle school period during which he was constantly bullied, often being treated as an errand boy and suffering physical violence. In a critical moment, a student from Furin High School saved him, an act that left a profound impression on Nirei. Filled with admiration for his savior's strength and sense of justice, he resolved to enroll at Furin himself, hoping to become a hero who could protect the town.

In terms of personality, Nirei is generally calm, cheerful, and approachable, though he can come across as candid and clumsy. Despite his friendly demeanor, he becomes visibly stressed and frightened when confronted with danger, a reaction rooted in his history of being bullied and his acknowledged inability to fight effectively. He initially feels somewhat pathetic for joining a school renowned for its strong fighters without any combat skill of his own. However, he possesses a strong sense of justice and a determination that his classmates come to recognize; most notably, he has a policy of never running away, a trait that earns him the respect and trust of others. While he may not be able to throw a punch, he refuses to abandon his allies and remains steadfastly by their side.

Nirei's primary role in the story is that of a support and intelligence specialist for his class and the broader Bofurin group. He is not a front-line fighter, but his contributions are vital in other ways. He has a remarkable memory, demonstrating the ability to memorize the names and faces of all students at Furin High School in a single night. He also carries a notebook marked "Top Secret," which he uses to compile information on people he considers "cool" or admirable, creating a personal directory of strong fighters that includes details on their personality, fighting style, and anecdotes. This knowledge allows him to act as a guide and informant, providing crucial intelligence and situational awareness to his teammates.

Nirei shares several key relationships. His most significant bond is with his classmate, Haruka Sakura. Nirei meets Sakura at a cafe called Cafe Pothos and quickly takes a liking to him, offering to help guide him to the top. He becomes Sakura's right-hand man and a constant source of support, handling information and coordination while Sakura focuses on direct combat. Although initially intimidated by Sakura's rough way of speaking, Nirei views him as someone strong and impressive, and as he gets to know him, he becomes aware of Sakura's underlying loneliness, which only strengthens his resolve to stay by his side. He also has a friendly relationship with Kotoha Tachibana, a waitress at Cafe Pothos whom he visits regularly. Additionally, he trains with his classmate Suo to learn self-defense techniques.

Throughout the story, Nirei undergoes notable development. He grows from a timid bystander who was a victim of bullying into a vital member of Bofurin who actively contributes to the team. His character arc is driven by his own agency; rather than being forced to contribute, he decides for himself that he wants to be more useful to his group. He understands that he cannot fight like his peers, so he focuses on his strengths in intelligence and strategy. Recognizing his physical limitations, he takes proactive steps to improve himself by training in self-defense. Even though he remains a non-combatant, his willingness to face danger without running away and his desire to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his comrades showcase his significant inner growth.

While Nirei is not a skilled fighter, he does possess notable abilities outside of combat. His exceptional memory and information-gathering skills are his greatest assets. He is a quick thinker with strong emotional intelligence and situational awareness, allowing him to provide reliable backup and act as an effective coordinator from behind the scenes. After training with Suo, he learns two specific self-defense moves: the "Duck" technique, where he ducks down to trip a charging opponent, and the "Beetle Throw," where he grabs an opponent around the waist and tosses them to the side. While not offensive in nature, these techniques allow him to protect himself in dangerous situations.