Mafuyu Sato is a high school student marked by profound emotional repression rooted in childhood trauma and loss. Parental absence and abuse conditioned prolonged silence, punishing him for speaking. This silence deepened after the suicide of his childhood friend and first love, Yuki Yoshida; Yuki died following a conflict where an angry Mafuyu told him to "disappear"—words he deeply regretted. Yuki's mother later gave Mafuyu Yuki's Gibson ES-330 guitar, a heavy burden yet symbolic connection to his past. Physically, Mafuyu possesses tousled reddish-orange hair, subdued green eyes, a delicate, youthful face, and a pale complexion. His clothing reflects a subdued, practical style: school uniforms feature light cardigans over white shirts and dark pants, while casual wear includes oversized tops, slim pants, and occasional bold accessories like red high-top shoes. In colder weather, he wears structured coats and scarves, consistently favoring a muted color palette mirroring his reserved nature. Mafuyu's personality blends quiet introspection with startling directness. Typically withdrawn and verbally inexpressive due to trauma, he speaks bluntly when he engages, often unsettling others with his perceptiveness. He accurately discerns hidden emotions, like Haruki's feelings for Akihiko or Shizusumi's affection for Hiiragi. Despite his stoic exterior, he shows subtle humor and flirtatiousness, particularly with his romantic partner Ritsuka Uenoyama, and demonstrates loyalty through actions like mediating band conflicts. His emotional complexity encompasses guilt, grief, and fear of vulnerability, alongside a capacity for deep empathy, making him a confidant for characters like Ugetsu and Shizusumi. His development focuses on processing grief through music. After encountering Ritsuka, who repaired his guitar, Mafuyu joined the band "The Seasons," later renamed "Given" in tribute to Yuki's guitar. Initially unable to articulate his pain, he channeled it into singing, revealing an impressive vocal ability during the band's first live performance where he publicly expressed his anguish over Yuki's death. This marked a shift from emotional denial to acknowledgment, though he continued navigating stages of anger, bargaining, and depression. His songwriting evolved to address not only personal grief but also others' emotions, reflecting his growing empathy and artistic maturity. Music became his primary outlet for emotions he couldn't verbalize, symbolizing his gradual healing. Mafuyu's relationship with Ritsuka began with guitar lessons and deepened through shared musical collaboration. Their romance developed cautiously, with Mafuyu initiating a direct confession. Insecurities surfaced when Ritsuka temporarily played with Hiiragi's band "syh," triggering Mafuyu's fear of abandonment—a parallel to Yuki prioritizing music over him. This led to communication breakthroughs, including Mafuyu admitting his anxieties. Their bond strengthened through mutual support, with Ritsuka encouraging Mafuyu's musical growth while respecting his emotional boundaries. Family dynamics further shaped his character. Lacking stable parental figures, Mafuyu viewed the band as a surrogate family, prioritizing its cohesion during interpersonal tensions. This contrasted with bandmates from stable homes, highlighting his deep need for belonging. His commitment to "Given" symbolized a rejection of past isolation, with later arcs showing him actively nurturing its unity, like supporting Haruki and Akihiko through conflicts. In later storylines, including the spin-off films "Hiiragi mix" and "Umi e," Mafuyu reconnects with childhood friends Hiiragi and Shizusumi, confronting shared traumas related to Yuki. These interactions reinforce his emotional growth as he moves from avoidance to open dialogue about their past. His journey concludes with ongoing reconciliation between his love for Yuki and his present relationships, emphasizing that healing is nonlinear but anchored in artistic expression and chosen family.