Chika Kudō spent his early childhood with his father after his mother left, enduring neglect and emotional abuse that culminated in his father explicitly stating he could not love him. This rejection drove Chika to leave home and embrace delinquency, engaging in frequent fights that damaged his reputation and family ties. Temporary stability came through friendships, notably with elementary school companion Tetsuki Takaoka. To shield Tetsuki from his delinquent life’s fallout, Chika distanced himself and joined a group involved in misconduct, including Sei Uzuki. Uzuki later fueled targeted attacks against him. A turning point arrived when Chika moved in with his grandfather, Gen Kudo, a koto craftsman. Despite Chika’s initial resistance, Gen’s steadfast support guided him away from delinquency and sparked his interest in the koto. After Chika shielded Tetsuki’s friends from armed attackers, Gen acknowledged his inherent kindness and encouraged his musical pursuit. Tragedy followed when Uzuki vandalized Gen’s workshop and falsely implicated Chika. Gen soon died from a heart condition. At the funeral, Chika’s father repeated the vandalism accusations, prompting Chika to sever ties permanently. His paternal aunt, Isaki Kudo, took him in. While living there, Chika discovered a photo of Gen in Tokise High School’s koto club, inspiring him to enroll and join the club to honor his grandfather. Physically, Chika has blond hair, brown eyes, and a tall frame starting at 178 cm, with later growth. He often wears his seasonal school uniform casually, with unbuttoned collars. His imposing presence and past led others to misinterpret him as threatening. Personality-wise, Chika is straightforward but struggles to articulate emotions or interpret social cues due to prolonged isolation. He shows fierce loyalty to friends, though verbal gratitude embarrasses him. Childlike enthusiasm emerges in hobbies like reading manga at Tetsuki’s home and eating sweets, contrasting with his aversion to bitter flavors. He requires hugging a pillow to sleep. In Tokise’s Koto Club, Chika dedicated himself to mastering the instrument with exceptional diligence, practicing intensely despite finger injuries. He learned rapidly through observation, such as replicating techniques after watching prodigy Satowa Hozuki perform. Recognizing her talent, he deemed her his rival, driven partly by guilt over his grandfather. His relationship with Satowa evolved from antagonism to mutual respect and deep emotional attachment. Chika experienced involuntary urges for physical contact—head pats to embraces—signaling unrecognized romantic feelings. After Satowa protected him from assailants and declared her love, Chika recalled Gen’s wish for his happiness and openly reciprocated. Beyond romance, his foundational friendship with Tetsuki endured through unwavering support. Initial distrust from club president Takezō Kurata dissolved when Chika’s innocence in a bullying incident was proven, leading Kurata to defend him from expulsion. Chika also bonded solidly with fellow former delinquents in the club: Saneyasu Adachi, Michitaka Sakai, and Kota Mizuhara, united by koto dedication. Chika’s journey centered on emotional healing and self-acceptance through music and community. The koto became his conduit for expressing suppressed emotions and confronting past trauma. Club participation fostered belonging and purpose, allowing him to redefine himself beyond delinquency and familial wounds, fulfilling Gen’s wish for genuine happiness.