Sakura Yamauchi's mother mirrors her daughter's physical traits, especially their eyes and shared habit of frequent laughter. Her gentle demeanor coexists with overprotectiveness stemming from Sakura's terminal pancreatic illness, occasionally resulting in strained efforts to preserve everyday normalcy. After Sakura's unforeseen death, she encounters Haruki Shiga during his visit to their home. In this meeting, she entrusts him with Sakura's diary, "Living with Dying," clarifying that Sakura had specifically wanted him to read it. She further shares Sakura's final written directive: Haruki must give the diary to Kyoko Takimoto, Sakura's closest friend who never knew of the illness. Before Haruki leaves, she learns his full name, Haruki Shiga. Observing the names' meanings—Sakura as "cherry blossom" and Haruki as "spring trees"—she remarks on their inherent connection, symbolizing intertwined significance.