Makoto Itou is a high school student characterized initially by mild manners and indecisiveness. He resides with his divorced mother, a nurse working long hours, leaving him frequently unsupervised. His largely absent father, Tomaru Sawagoe, is implied to be a womanizer, resulting in Makoto unknowingly sharing paternal half-siblings with characters like Sekai Saionji and Setsuna Kiyoura. This complex family background involves numerous half-siblings and extended relatives, though Makoto's awareness of these connections remains unspecified. His personality exhibits significant variation across adaptations. In the original visual novel, player choices dictate his path: he can become a committed partner, an indecisive figure managing multiple relationships, or an unfaithful individual facing severe consequences like death or loss. His indecisiveness, rooted in a reluctance to hurt others, often causes greater emotional harm. He consistently displays protective instincts and a moral stance against cruelty, such as defending Kotonoha Katsura from bullies. The anime amplifies his negative traits, portraying him as increasingly selfish and lust-driven. After initially pursuing Kotonoha with Sekai's help, he grows bored, pursues Sekai, and engages sexually with multiple classmates. His refusal to take responsibility for Sekai's potential pregnancy and his cruel rejection of her – kissing Kotonoha provocatively in front of her – culminates in his stabbing death by Sekai, emphasizing his moral decline. The manga offers a more sympathetic view: Makoto genuinely loves Kotonoha but succumbs to temptation with Sekai. After confessing his infidelity and attempting reconciliation with Kotonoha, he is accidentally stabbed by her during a confrontation. He survives, planning to support Kotonoha's recovery, only to discover Sekai has killed her out of jealousy. Spin-offs present divergent characterizations. *Cross Days* manga depicts him as a manipulative predator, objectifying Sekai and Kotonoha for physical gratification while attempting to coerce or force others, including aggressive advances toward Yuuki Ashikaga and an attempted rape of Roka Kitsuregawa. *Strip Battle Days 2* introduces an incestuous encounter with his mother, resulting in her pregnancy. Across all media, Makoto's relationships are marked by instability. His initial infatuation with Kotonoha evolves into manipulation and neglect, while his bond with Sekai shifts from friendship to mutual exploitation. Interactions with characters like childhood friend Otome Katou or younger sister Itaru reveal a more caring side, often overshadowed by his romantic entanglements. His development frequently deconstructs harem genre tropes, highlighting consequences of indecision and hedonism.