Seto Ichitaka, born October 3, 1980, is a high school student marked by spiky black hair, fair skin, and dark eyes, usually dressed in his school uniform. His personality centers on profound shyness and insecurity, especially concerning romantic expression, rooted in a harsh middle school rejection that instilled a defensive reflex around girls. This manifests as frequent awkwardness, emotional withdrawal, and a tendency to misinterpret social cues, often leading to self-sabotage. He compensates through vivid daydreams and fantasies that amplify his anxieties or hopes, sometimes paralyzing him emotionally. Underneath, he possesses underlying kindness, sincerity, and a genuine desire for authentic connections.

His primary emotional conflict involves his longstanding, unrequited love for classmate Iori Yoshizuki. He admires her kindness and warmth beyond her beauty but struggles for years to confess due to crippling fear of rejection. Early interactions are marked by misunderstandings and missed opportunities, though he occasionally musters clumsy courage to bridge the distance. Their relationship evolves through shared experiences, including Ichitaka repeatedly protecting Iori from harassment and assault by the stalker "Marionette King" (Samejima) and obsessive classmate Mokichi Kida. These protective acts, coupled with gradual emotional honesty, eventually lead to mutual confession and a committed relationship, which faces ongoing challenges from Iori's rising acting career and physical separation.

Key relationships shape his journey. Childhood friend Itsuki Akiba reenters his life after returning from America, openly expressing affection and creating jealousy-fueled misunderstandings with Iori. While Itsuki encourages his pursuit of Iori, her presence complicates his focus. Later, younger student Izumi Isozaki aggressively pursues him with physical advances, contrasting his reserved nature and sparking guilt over his loyalty to Iori. Aiko Asou, a near-identical lookalike to Iori, becomes a significant complication when mutual feelings develop; Aiko ultimately selflessly exits to preserve his relationship with Iori. His friendships include Yasumasa Teratani, whose brash, often misguided advice pushes Ichitaka into awkward situations but stems from genuine support, and Jun Koshinae, who transitions from perceived rival to a trusted confidant offering emotional counsel, particularly after revealing his homosexuality and lack of interest in Iori.

Character development occurs across the narrative. Ichitaka matures from a boy paralyzed by insecurity into someone capable of emotional risk, exemplified by his pivotal Christmas confession to Iori after initial failure. This "Christmas Miracle" signifies his growth in overcoming the fear of rejection. He learns to rely less on Teratani's advice, develops greater self-awareness, and prioritizes honesty in his feelings. Protective instincts surface during Iori's stalking ordeals, where he intervenes despite personal danger. By the story's conclusion, he achieves a hard-earned, stable relationship with Iori, demonstrating increased emotional resilience while retaining inherent awkwardness. This arc reflects progression from passive yearning to active commitment in love.