TV-Series
Description
Sayaka Kotegawa is the mother of Nanaka and Chisa Kotegawa, residing in Palau where she works as a diving instructor. She shares a roughly similar build to her eldest daughter, Nanaka, and is depicted with long dark hair which she typically ties into a ponytail, complemented by parted bangs. Due to the consistently hot climate of Palau, she has developed tanned skin, is seldom seen without her sunglasses, and is often characterized by a lollipop in her mouth.
Her personality is defined by a serious and straightforward demeanor. Sayaka rarely speaks more than what is necessary and generally remains emotionless regardless of the situation, though she is also described as being prone to acting physically rather than verbally expressing herself. Despite her stoic exterior, she is motivated by a genuine, if understated, care for her family, particularly her estranged younger daughter, Chisa. The central motivation behind her actions is a quiet protectiveness; she endures a personal hardship in silence to avoid causing distress to her daughter, who loves diving deeply.
Within the story, Sayaka serves as a supporting figure primarily connected through her family ties. She is the wife of Toshio Kotegawa, though little is shown about their direct interaction. As the mother of Nanaka, she is fond of her eldest daughter. Her most significant narrative role concerns her strained relationship with her youngest daughter, Chisa. The estrangement stems from a misunderstanding where Chisa believed her mother was ignoring her. It is revealed that Sayaka has become deaf in her left ear due to accumulated ear pressure from her extensive years as a diving instructor. Her inability to hear from that side led Chisa to feel neglected. Sayaka could not bring herself to admit the truth because she knows how much her daughter loves diving and did not want to be the reason Chisa gave it up. Despite the distance, she demonstrates her care through subtle actions. The salary she provides for Chisa consistently includes a set of specialized earphones for divers, accompanied by a short note encouraging her daughter to keep up her good work. She also has a friendly relationship with Iori Kitahara, who is her adopted nephew.
Her personality is defined by a serious and straightforward demeanor. Sayaka rarely speaks more than what is necessary and generally remains emotionless regardless of the situation, though she is also described as being prone to acting physically rather than verbally expressing herself. Despite her stoic exterior, she is motivated by a genuine, if understated, care for her family, particularly her estranged younger daughter, Chisa. The central motivation behind her actions is a quiet protectiveness; she endures a personal hardship in silence to avoid causing distress to her daughter, who loves diving deeply.
Within the story, Sayaka serves as a supporting figure primarily connected through her family ties. She is the wife of Toshio Kotegawa, though little is shown about their direct interaction. As the mother of Nanaka, she is fond of her eldest daughter. Her most significant narrative role concerns her strained relationship with her youngest daughter, Chisa. The estrangement stems from a misunderstanding where Chisa believed her mother was ignoring her. It is revealed that Sayaka has become deaf in her left ear due to accumulated ear pressure from her extensive years as a diving instructor. Her inability to hear from that side led Chisa to feel neglected. Sayaka could not bring herself to admit the truth because she knows how much her daughter loves diving and did not want to be the reason Chisa gave it up. Despite the distance, she demonstrates her care through subtle actions. The salary she provides for Chisa consistently includes a set of specialized earphones for divers, accompanied by a short note encouraging her daughter to keep up her good work. She also has a friendly relationship with Iori Kitahara, who is her adopted nephew.