Mitsuo Aoyama, the 39-year-old Chief of Planning and Sales at Minette, hails from Kyoto Prefecture. He possesses a tall, slim frame, black hair, and a distinctive mole beneath his left lip, typically seen in black glasses and a formal black suit over a white shirt and tie. Significant personal hardships mark his past. Purchasing a house with his wife led to extensive work to clear debts and the mortgage. This relentless focus drove his wife to feel neglected, ultimately leaving him for another man. A further blow came when a new employee he mentored resigned after only one week, intensifying his feelings of rejection and inadequacy. These events profoundly eroded his self-esteem, leaving persistent loneliness and a deep-seated need for validation. Aoyama exhibits attention-seeking behavior, frequently interjecting self-deprecating remarks like "No one pays any attention to me" to elicit reassurance. Despite this, colleagues tolerate his neediness without resentment, recognizing his positive professional reputation. He is a diligent worker, an effective mentor who prioritizes subordinates' well-being, having trained Shirosaki a decade prior and currently mentoring Kinjō. To cope with his loneliness, Aoyama cultivated an intense devotion to "Kumatte-chan," a bear mascot blending "kuma" (bear) and "kamatte-chan" (attention seeker). He collects numerous plush toys, fills his home with merchandise, creates themed bento boxes, and frequently visits a remote amusement park dedicated to the character, symbolizing his emotional struggles and desire for companionship. Despite personal challenges, Aoyama remains a capable manager, balancing emotional vulnerabilities with a genuine commitment to his team's success.