TV-Series
Description
Ai Mie is the central female character known for her severe nearsightedness and her habitual forgetfulness regarding her own glasses. She is a middle school student who often arrives at school without her corrective eyewear, not out of malice, but because she has adopted a unique personal philosophy; rather than training herself to remember her glasses, she strives to adapt to a life where she cannot see clearly. This leads to many everyday challenges, as she struggles to distinguish objects and people, often needing to lean in very close to see them properly.

In terms of personality, Ai Mie is frequently described by her peers as absent-minded or dreamy, possessing a calm and gentle manner of speaking that is distinctly her own. Despite her struggles, she does not easily become frustrated. She is stubborn in her quiet way, preferring to endure the difficulties of blurry vision rather than rely on contact lenses, which she finds uncomfortable. She has an honest and straightforward emotional core, even if she is initially slow to recognize her own romantic feelings. Her sweet nature is complemented by specific joys in life, including a deep love for cocoa, visits to the aquarium, and a particular fondness for a type of Japanese pancake octopus. She has a birthday of November 29.

Ai Mie’s role in the story is intrinsically linked to her classmate, Kaede Komura, who sits next to her and secretly harbors feelings for her. Because of her forgetfulness, she frequently relies on his assistance, and he often finds himself captivated by her large, expressive eyes when she looks at him without her glasses. She comes to find immense comfort and safety in his presence, even remarking that he reminds her of a father figure due to the security he provides. She often gazes at his face intently, sometimes startling him, as a direct result of not being able to see him clearly from a normal distance. Her home life is quite sheltered; she is treated like a princess by her family and operates under a strict 6:00 PM curfew, a rule she once broke during a school festival. The punishment for violating this rule is being denied cocoa, a penalty from which she was forgiven after Komura defended her.

Throughout the narrative, Ai Mie undergoes a gradual emotional development. Initially unaware of Komura’s romantic interest, she begins to realize the truth after observing a friend, Asuka Kawato, who is experiencing love herself. This recognition brings her happiness as she understands that Komura’s feelings are genuine. She is also shown to be considerate of his efforts; seeing him turn down plans with his friends to help her, she resolves to become more independent so as not to be a burden. This journey culminates the day before her birthday, when she and Komura confess their feelings to one another and officially begin dating. Their relationship progresses to sharing a first kiss during a Valentine’s Day date. Looking toward the future, Ai Mie eventually advances to high school, where she joins the Art Club.

Ai Mie’s most defining characteristic is her high level of nearsightedness, which is the primary driver of her daily interactions. Aside from forgetting her glasses, she has a habit of accidentally breaking them. She keeps spare glasses, but her forgetfulness extends to them as well, as she sometimes confuses her real corrective pair with fake, non-prescription glasses. Her ability to navigate her life is not based on superhuman skills, but on a resilient and adaptive attitude, learning to cope with a blurry world while maintaining her gentle and affectionate disposition.