Shinobu, Mariko
Summary
Mariko is a strikingly beautiful girl and a classmate who sits near Nanako, feeling an immediate attraction to her. Like many others, she aspires to join the Sorority and takes great pride in her appearance. Her primary goal is to become Nanako’s best and closest friend, which fuels intense jealousy toward Nanako’s bond with Tomoko. Consequently, she attempts to sabotage their relationship by spreading lies about Tomoko. Although she passionately defends Nanako on numerous occasions, her actions can sometimes become excessive and strange, behaviors that stem from serious family troubles. With her parents’ relationship in crisis and her father’s influence, Mariko harbors a deep distrust of men. She faces the risk of permanently losing Nanako’s friendship, while also developing profound feelings for Kaoru. In the anime adaptation only, she eventually becomes friends with Tomoko.
