VISUALIZATION

High-schooler!Kazuha

Ten Years Later!Kazuha

BACKGROUND STORY

Kitamura Kazuha is the youngest and only daughter of Kitamura Saitou and Shirayuki Yamaya, as well as the younger sister of Kitamura Minoru. Their family was not poverty-sticken, but also not the most wealthy. In other words, they're just an ordinary family. Saitou and Yamaya made a living by being an elementary school teacher and setting up a bakery business. Their lives weren't exactly blessed with abundant wealth, but being grateful with what they got is the only way to make themselves feel content.Ever since she was little, Kazuha had always had an interest in exact sciences, but her grades were never far above average. No matter how hard she tried, even though she was completely interested in those subjects, her grades are still disappointing. This was very different from her brother, who was busy taking parts in science olympiads here and there and always came home with either a medal or a trophy. Kazuha's parents never actually saw this as a problem, because they were certain that their daughter also had talents in another field; one that could be the most unexpected, probably the complete opposite from their son who was four years older than Kazuha. Therefore, Yamaya enrolled Kazuha to take various courses, one of which was a dance lesson. Little Kazuha started to learn tap dance, but then, she only thought of dancing as a hobby.The root of Kazuha's problems was her mother's extended family, who never got tired of comparing Kazuha's academic achievements to Minoru's. They were indeed very different, but never once Kazuha had envied or hated her elder brother. The siblings remained close, but that didn't mean the unpleasant words from their extended family didn't affect Kazuha's feelings. As a result from being compared too often, Kazuha who was originally cheerful and optimistic gradually turned into an insecure and shy person. Kazuha was forced to grow up with her fear to open up to others. The lass was afraid that after opening up, she would only disappoint them because she didn't live up to their expectations.It was a day that somehow felt different than usual. Saturday afternoon, Kazuha had just finished her dance lesson. Kitamura Saitou, who was relaxing in the TV room, seemed busy switching channels. He finally decided on a TV station whichㅡat that timeㅡwas broadcasting a dance performance. As if the 42-inch screen had a magnet, Kazuha (13 years old then) who had originally intended to go back to her bedroom was glued to her spot, immediately paying a close attention to the show. Several exclamationsㅡfull of praises and admirationㅡcould be heard from Kazuha's small mouth as her eyeballs followed the movements of the woman who was dancing to nihon buyo. The father who had been eyeing his daughter's behavior carved a smile, then asked, "Kazu-chan, would you want to be able to dance like that?". Enthusiastically, Kazuha nodded her head.From then on, Kazuha decided to increase her training hours and learn traditional dance diligently. Although she was haunted by the fear of failing in a field she was completely interested in and was afraid of being compared again, she tried to gather the courage to join the school's dance club. Kazuha's confidence easily grew back every time she danced. Another thing that Kazuha liked the most about dancing was, she would put her whole attention on her performanceㅡso that dozens pair of eyes watching her on the stage were no longer a burden to her mind. Kazuha turned into a completely different person on stage; she seemed to have forgotten all the fears and traumas that made her uncomfortable. The more she danced, the more her life began to feel easier and exciting. Even though Kazuha often felt inferior still, because she didn't excel in academics, at least she found what she was looking for on the stage.Days, months, and years had passed. The day of Kazuha's junior high school graduation had finally arrived. Saitou and Yamaya began to discuss the best option for their daughter to continue pursuing her education. A few days before the graduation ceremony took place, Minoru told Kazuha about a school called Tenjin Kokusai High School. Minoru said, that school was probably the most suitable place for someone like her. Kazuha doesn't have to be a bright kid in academics just to avoid being looked down by other people and of course, she can practice her dancing skills in order to become a better dancer. Kazuha was very interested and wanted to tell their parents as soon as she could. Slowly, she approached her father and mother, before explaining detailed information about Tenjin Kokusai High School and expressed her wish without the slightest hesitation, "Chichi, Haha, I want to continue my education to Tenjin Kokusai High School. I've finally found what I like the most, and I want to do it for as long as I can."At first, Saitou and Yamaya were worried because complying to Kazuha's wishes would result to letting their daughter live in the dormitory, far, far away from them. But thanks to Minoru's help to persuade their parents, and considering how dancing can restore Kazuha's enthusiasm and optimism, the two decided to give their permission.

TURNS OUT THAT TEN YEARS IS A REALLY LONG TIME

What happened to Kazuha after she graduated from Tenjin Kokusai High School? Once again, her life-saver a.k.a Kitamura Minoru, stepped up. Minoru who was pursuing his master degree in California while working as a software engineer asked her if she wanted to live together with him and continue her study there.Kazuha, whom apparently has grown an interest in theatre after she attended Stella sensei's class during her second year of high school, saw this as an opportunity. Although Kazuha refused at first. thinking that she would only disappoint her brother because getting accepted into college is not easy especially with her lacking english skill, Minoru managed to convince Kazuha to move in.As she had already predicted, it was not easy; Kazuha had to take a year off because she didn't succeed at her first try. But they said there will be rainbow after rain and thunder, and Kazuha could guarantee that the cliche statement was true. She graduated from Department of Theater and Performance Studies (TAPS) Stanford University four years later, and began to actively working in that field aftewards. When Minoru already finished his study and went back to live with their parents in Japan and of course, getting married, Kazuha decided to stay.Has the thought of going back to Tokyo ever crossed her mind? Once or twice, yes. Not for now, though. Not in the near future as well, Kazuha is still unsure. However, the moment she received an invitation for Tenjin Kokusai High School's reunion, a strong surge of memories flooded her mind.Is this the time?

PERSONALITY

Polite and doesn't talk much would be your first impression of Kazuha. However, she turns into a chatterbox once she grows comfortable around someone. Kazuha acts like a child sometimes (no wonder, she is the youngest in her family), but she is undoubtedly a good listener and often gives a good advice, too. She has this pessimistic nature which is hard to get rid of (although it has already gotten so much better now, thank God). To her closest ones, she is known as a loving, caring, and loyal person.

Strengths and weaknesses

TRIVIAS

• Her MBTI type is ENFP-T

• Specializes in tap dancing. Kazuha has learned it since she was 8, although she focused on traditional dance later during her high school years

• Favorite cartoon character: Gudetama

• Spicy foods are her favorite foods

• Has a habit of playing music from her MP3 device at a loud volume

• Her caffeine tolerance is quite high

RELATIONS
(TYL VERSION)

細川平日

Kazuha's childhood best friend, but somehow they stopped talking to each other after he moved out from Tenjin Kokusai
⠀

石原姫華

Kazuha's roommate for three years in Hideyoshi dormitory, practically they've gone through a lot of things together
⠀

清水らいら

Kazuha's roommate and Alpha Reader club member, just like Kika: practically they've gone through a lot of things together

赤嶺英夫

As far as she recalls, they weren't that close at school. Things changed when Kazuha moved out from Japan (Hideo did, too) <3

日番谷大輝

Former Alpha Reader club's President and Hideyoshi's Vice Prefect, a.k.a Kazuha's partner at *work

篠原慎次

The oldest of the Shirayuki cousins. Shinji is only a few months older, but Kazuha calls him by niichan

宮崎美帆

The youngest of the Shirayuki cousins. Shinji and Kazuha always tried their best to take care of Miho