Ayaka Usagida is the main protagonist of the story and a young office worker who falls deeply in love with her senior team leader, Hiroko Kano. She serves as Hiroko’s junior colleague, referred to as her kouhai, and her role in the narrative is defined by her determined pursuit of a romantic relationship with her superior.

In terms of background, Ayaka initially presented herself as a serious and stone-faced employee before developing feelings for Hiroko. After falling in love, she consciously changed her dress style and appearance in hopes of catching Hiroko’s attention, adopting more fashionable or alluring outfits to make her interest known. Her infatuation began with what appears to be a strong, almost instantaneous attraction to Hiroko, driving her subsequent actions throughout the story.

Ayaka’s personality is characterized by her determination, persistence, and emotional transparency. Unlike the more guarded Hiroko, Ayaka is described as being lighthearted yet resolute in her goals. She does not hesitate to express what she feels and shows little concern for the opinions or comments of others regarding her pursuit of a same-sex relationship. Her love is described as open, persistent, and even stubborn. She is not portrayed as a passive or bumbling romantic lead; instead, she actively works to make her relationship with Hiroko succeed and does not give up easily when faced with setbacks. This persistence often leads to comedic situations, as her advances are frequently misunderstood or rationalized away by the object of her affection.

Her primary motivation is straightforward: she wants to conquer the heart of her cool and admired senpai. This desire fuels most of her actions, from changing her wardrobe to seeking advice from friends and even visiting a lesbian bar, where she unexpectedly discovers that Hiroko is a regular patron. While her primary defining trait is her love for Hiroko, her motivation is rooted in genuine affection rather than mere whim.

Regarding her role in the story, Ayaka is the driving force of the plot. Her relentless, often comedic attempts to confess her feelings and make Hiroko notice her create the central conflict and comedic misunderstandings that define the series. She represents a new, more open approach to queer identity, contrasting with Hiroko’s closeted and cautious demeanor. Ayaka’s willingness to be vulnerable and public about her emotions forces the more reserved Hiroko to confront her own fears and past traumas related to being a lesbian in a professional environment.

Ayaka’s key relationships are central to her character development. Her relationship with Hiroko Kano is the heart of the story; it is a dynamic where Ayaka constantly pursues and Hiroko constantly deflects due to her own insecurities and past negative experiences at work. Ayaka also shares a significant friendship with her close coworker, Risa. Risa acts as Ayaka’s confidante and supporter, helping her navigate her feelings for Hiroko. However, this relationship becomes complicated when Risa develops her own romantic feelings for Ayaka, creating a love triangle. Ayaka also interacts with other coworkers, including Yuya, a senior staff member whose professional relationship with Ayaka is often misinterpreted as romantic by others.

Throughout the story, Ayaka experiences notable development. While she begins as someone who simply loves loudly and openly, she is forced to evolve as she learns about the complexities and risks of being queer in a corporate setting. Through her interactions with Hiroko and her visit to the lesbian bar, she gains a deeper understanding of why Hiroko is so resistant to her advances. Her journey is not just about winning Hiroko over, but also about learning to navigate the gap between her own carefree expression of love and the more cautious, survival-based approach of an older lesbian who has been hurt by the professional world. She endures significant emotional pain and rejection as she tries to break through Hiroko’s defenses, which demonstrates a resilient and forgiving nature.

In terms of notable abilities, Ayaka possesses no supernatural or physical powers. Her most significant ability is her emotional resilience and her talent for using her appearance to communicate her feelings. She skillfully changes her wardrobe and style to create tantalizing yet professional outfits specifically designed to capture Hiroko’s attention and desire, a tactic that often works to fluster the otherwise composed senior employee.