Nishikata is a middle school boy in his third and final year of junior high, serving as the main character of the story. In the film, he spends the last summer before high school alongside his seatmate and classmate Takagi, who constantly teases him. His personality is defined by nervousness, agitation, and an easily flustered nature; his thoughts often show plainly on his face, making him an easy target for Takagi’s pranks and jokes. Despite his frequent embarrassment, he remains persistently determined to one day turn the tables and make Takagi blush, a goal that drives many of his actions. He devises various schemes and physical challenges, yet his plans consistently fail because Takagi can anticipate his moves and exploit his weaknesses. This dynamic extends beyond mere competition, as his underlying care and affection for Takagi become increasingly evident throughout the film. When the pair discover an abandoned kitten near a shrine, Nishikata takes the lead in caring for it, demonstrating a responsible and compassionate side. His motivation shifts from a simple desire for revenge to a deeper wish to make Takagi happy, culminating in a heartfelt promise to her during the summer festival. Over the course of the movie, his relationship with Takagi evolves from playful rivalry into a mutual, though unspoken, romantic bond. He develops by learning to express his feelings more openly, offering comfort and reassurance when they are forced to part with the kitten. His notable abilities include physical fitness and persistence—he is an active individual who trains earnestly—but his most defining trait is his honesty and straightforwardness, which paradoxically make him vulnerable yet deeply endearing to Takagi. The film also implies his future path: he eventually becomes a physical education teacher and marries Takagi, with whom he has a daughter named Chi.