Maki Maehara is the male protagonist and central character of this story. He is a first-year high school student whose background is marked by instability, having moved to a new town with his mother following his parents' divorce. This family rupture occurred when he was a child, as he witnessed a growing rift between his parents that eventually led to his father frequently leaving and not returning. When his parents formally announced their divorce and asked him which parent he wanted to live with, Maki expressed no preference, though he secretly wished for his family to stay together. He ended up living with his mother, and their relocation was driven by her job, which often kept her working late on Fridays. Consequently, Maki grew accustomed to spending those nights alone, having to buy and eat dinner by himself, a routine that reinforced his solitary lifestyle.

Physically, Maki is a young man of average height. He has brown hair that is unstyled and hangs down to his eyes in the front, almost reaching his shoulders in the back. His eyes are a bright green. He is typically seen in his school's male uniform, which consists of a gray blazer with dark blue accents and gold buttons, worn over a white button-up shirt and a slack red tie, paired with blue-gray pants and brown dress shoes.

His personality is that of an introverted and somewhat socially awkward individual. Often perceived by his classmates as having a gloomy or quiet demeanor, Maki has a tendency to blend into the background as an outsider. This social isolation is partly a consequence of his past; his repeated transfers between schools left him ill-equipped at forming new friendships, leading him to keep a low profile. He is characterized by a deep and genuine passion for a broad range of niche hobbies, including films, television, and video games. Rather than being bitter or self-pitying about his loneliness, he is quietly content with his own company and is not desperately seeking to be rescued from his situation. Beneath his reserved exterior, he is a sincere, honest, and considerate person, whose caring nature becomes more apparent to those who get to know him.

Maki's primary motivation is not an active goal for popularity or social validation. Instead, his actions are driven by the unexpected connection he forms with his classmate, Umi Asanagi. His interests, particularly in B-movies, inadvertently become the bridge that connects him to Umi, leading to a secret friendship that transforms his high school experience. Despite his growing feelings, he struggles to express his love directly, yet he finds the confidence to ask Umi on a date, showing a quiet determination to nurture their relationship. Within the story, he serves as the narrative's anchor, showing how a seemingly isolated individual can build a meaningful bond that challenges both his own expectations and the rigid social hierarchies of the classroom.

Key to his development is his relationship with Umi Asanagi, the girl regarded as the second prettiest in class. Their friendship begins secretly, built on shared interests, and through their time together, Maki's genuinely caring and honest nature shines. He becomes a supportive figure for Umi, and in turn, she provides him with the emotional support he needs when confronting his own past, such as when he encounters his father and is forced to reflect on his parents' divorce. Another important relationship is with Yū Amami, the prettiest girl in class and Umi's best friend. Maki's growing closeness to Yū becomes a source of subtle tension for Umi, revealing the complexities of her own insecurities. His development throughout the story is marked by a gradual opening up. He moves from a state of passive isolation to actively building and protecting a friendship with Umi, learning to navigate not only the joys of companionship but also the vulnerabilities and emotional challenges that come with caring for someone else.

One of his most notable abilities is his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for what might be considered niche media, including anime, games, and B-movies. This broad range of hobbies provides the common ground upon which his friendship with Umi is built. Furthermore, his status as an observer from the margins of his class has perhaps honed his ability to be attentive and thoughtful, as he often picks up on Umi's moods and provides a stable, non-judgmental presence for her. His strength lies not in any extraordinary talent, but in his capacity for genuine connection and his quiet resilience in the face of personal hardship.