OVA
Description
Masamune Takano, originally Masamune Saga in high school, grew up in a moderately wealthy yet emotionally cold family. His lawyer mother and surgeon father provided financial support but neglected him emotionally, frequently leaving him alone. This neglect fostered a bleak worldview where he believed kindness stemmed only from self-interest. During high school, he rarely showed emotion, spending significant time reading in the library to escape his parents' arguments and caring for a cat named Sorata to combat loneliness. Despite his reserved nature, he was popular among classmates, though he seldom engaged socially unless approached.
His perspective shifted upon meeting Ritsu Onodera, a younger student who noticed and genuinely cared about his underlying sadness. Initially irritated by Ritsu's sincerity, Masamune gradually warmed to him, bonding over shared literary interests. He developed genuine feelings, confessed his love, and entered a romantic relationship. However, it ended abruptly due to a misunderstanding: Ritsu misinterpreted Masamune's nervous laughter as mockery and vanished. This breakup, combined with his parents' divorce and the revelation that his father wasn't biologically related to him, triggered a severe emotional breakdown. Masamune moved with his mother to Kagawa Prefecture, adopting her maiden name "Takano."
In college in Tokyo, Masamune entered a self-destructive phase of drinking and promiscuity. He formed a close friendship and brief sexual relationship with Takafumi Yokozawa, who aided his emotional recovery. Professionally, he first worked at Shuudansha Publishing as a shounen editor but resigned due to creative constraints and workplace sabotage by a resentful colleague, Arata Haitani. Haitani exposed Masamune's personal struggles and sabotaged his professional relationships, prompting his move to Marukawa Publishing. There, Masamune became editor-in-chief of the shoujo manga department, known for his strict, demanding leadership and exceptional results, earning respect despite his tyrannical reputation.
A decade after high school, Masamune encountered Ritsu Onodera again when Ritsu joined Marukawa's shoujo department. Though Ritsu initially failed to recognize him due to his changed name and appearance, Masamune suspected Ritsu's identity and confirmed it. He reignited his pursuit, vowing to make Ritsu fall in love again despite resistance. Masamune's relationship with Ritsu remains his emotional vulnerability, exposing his insecurity about their fragile dynamic. While publicly composed and authoritative, he privately displays affection and vulnerability around Ritsu, such as revealing his rapid heartbeat during intimate moments. His persistent efforts gradually rebuild their relationship, culminating in a marriage proposal.
Masamune rarely smiles except around trusted individuals like Yokozawa or authors. He wears glasses for nearsightedness, attributed to extensive reading, and prefers powdered medication over pills. Though he smokes regularly, he reduced this habit in later years. His favorite foods include beef and lean tuna sushi.
His perspective shifted upon meeting Ritsu Onodera, a younger student who noticed and genuinely cared about his underlying sadness. Initially irritated by Ritsu's sincerity, Masamune gradually warmed to him, bonding over shared literary interests. He developed genuine feelings, confessed his love, and entered a romantic relationship. However, it ended abruptly due to a misunderstanding: Ritsu misinterpreted Masamune's nervous laughter as mockery and vanished. This breakup, combined with his parents' divorce and the revelation that his father wasn't biologically related to him, triggered a severe emotional breakdown. Masamune moved with his mother to Kagawa Prefecture, adopting her maiden name "Takano."
In college in Tokyo, Masamune entered a self-destructive phase of drinking and promiscuity. He formed a close friendship and brief sexual relationship with Takafumi Yokozawa, who aided his emotional recovery. Professionally, he first worked at Shuudansha Publishing as a shounen editor but resigned due to creative constraints and workplace sabotage by a resentful colleague, Arata Haitani. Haitani exposed Masamune's personal struggles and sabotaged his professional relationships, prompting his move to Marukawa Publishing. There, Masamune became editor-in-chief of the shoujo manga department, known for his strict, demanding leadership and exceptional results, earning respect despite his tyrannical reputation.
A decade after high school, Masamune encountered Ritsu Onodera again when Ritsu joined Marukawa's shoujo department. Though Ritsu initially failed to recognize him due to his changed name and appearance, Masamune suspected Ritsu's identity and confirmed it. He reignited his pursuit, vowing to make Ritsu fall in love again despite resistance. Masamune's relationship with Ritsu remains his emotional vulnerability, exposing his insecurity about their fragile dynamic. While publicly composed and authoritative, he privately displays affection and vulnerability around Ritsu, such as revealing his rapid heartbeat during intimate moments. His persistent efforts gradually rebuild their relationship, culminating in a marriage proposal.
Masamune rarely smiles except around trusted individuals like Yokozawa or authors. He wears glasses for nearsightedness, attributed to extensive reading, and prefers powdered medication over pills. Though he smokes regularly, he reduced this habit in later years. His favorite foods include beef and lean tuna sushi.