Yuzuru Arikawa, the protagonist’s childhood friend and Masaomi Arikawa’s younger brother, is a first-year high school student noted for his maturity and academic prowess, which he balances with a passion for archery. Thrust into a Heian-era-inspired parallel world alongside the protagonist and his brother, he assumes the mantle of Ten no Byakko (Byakko of Heaven), a Guardian aligned with the Genji faction in their war against the Taira.

Haunted by unrequited feelings for the protagonist, Yuzuru conceals his emotions behind a reserved exterior, a tension amplified by his loyalty to Masaomi, who emerges as a pivotal figure within the rival Taira forces. As a strategic archer, his bowmanship mirrors his disciplined mind and tactical precision in combat.

The war and his bond with the protagonist drive his evolution, with gameplay elements like affinity barriers and branching character routes unveiling his protective instincts and the clash between duty and heart. Time-travel mechanics heighten the stakes, permitting alternate realities where his choices reshape relationships and destinies.

His journey navigates intricate alliances within Genji, the weight of wartime consequences, and unresolved emotional ties. Central to his arc is the duality of youthful fragility and guardian obligations, underscoring the narrative’s themes of sacrifice and loyalty amid chaos.