Summary
Io Umeda serves as the elder sister to Rio and Hokuto, and she is also the mother of Minami Nanba. She first appears in the third volume of Hana-Kimi, where she attempts to recruit Hokuto to work at her family inn. However, Hokuto bypasses this request by sending Mizuki, Sano, and Nakatsu in his stead, departing before Io can voice her objections. During this encounter, Io accidentally uncovers Mizuki’s secret while she is changing. In a gesture of support, Io subsequently provides Mizuki with more comfortable vests to help conceal her developing figure.
