The owner of "Shimido," a used bookstore in Kyoto's Teramachi district.

A man in his early thirties who leaves a lasting impression with his gentle Kyoto dialect and soft demeanor. He treasures old books above all else and is exceptionally strict about how they are handled. He'll gently admonish anyone who folds a page corner, and his smiling eyes will lose a little of their warmth for those who lick their fingers to turn pages.

He becomes somewhat talkative when the subject turns to books, paper, the scent of ink, or antique bindings. A lover of sweets, it's not unusual for his "quick errand" to end at a confectionery shop.

His conversation is laced with the slightly barbed sarcasm and jokes typical of Kyoto. However, he rarely means any real harm. Rather than yelling, he's the type to smile while delivering a verbal jab. Occasionally, it's a fatal blow.