Saotome, Yuuka
Summary
Yuuka Saotome is a loud and meddlesome college student from rural Akita who resides in Ayano’s dormitory. A frequent drinker, she typically visits Yamato’s room alongside her best friend Megumi. Yuuka is notorious for capturing Yamato in compromising situations to use as blackmail, yet their dynamic is complex. While she jokingly labels their bond as "master and slave," she actively supports Yamato through his romantic troubles and has admitted to worrying about him. He is one of the few individuals with whom she can show vulnerability. Yuuka confided in Yamato about her long-standing unrequited love for Sasaoka, a feeling dating back to high school. She confessed her feelings fifteen times, but Sasaoka dismissed them as jokes due to her lack of serious follow-through. These repeated rejections profoundly altered her appearance and dating habits. Before Sasaoka departed for the United States, Yamato accompanied her to the airport, allowing her to finally express her true feelings. Although she succeeded in communicating her emotions, she learned that Sasaoka is already engaged to be married the following year. She handled this news with surprising grace, claiming she felt refreshed rather than devastated. After thanking Yamato, she resolved to become a better woman and find a superior partner, eventually returning her appearance to how it was when Yamato first met her.
