Haruko Kamio

Haruko is first introduced when Misuzu brings Yukito home and asks if he can stay. Although distrustful at first, Haruko soon trusts him and forces him to drink with her. When Misuzu breaks down crying, Haruko explains to Yukito of her disease and Misuzu’s past with her father. She also explains her fear of Misuzu getting taken away and says that she distances herself from Misuzu to not get attached.

When Yukito leaves and Misuzu’s condition gets worse, Haruko decides to officially adopt Misuzu instead of living in fear and restricting their relationship. However when Misuzu’s real father appears to take her with him, Haruko is sent into despair after finally allowing herself to hope for a family. After Misuzu rejects her father to stay with Haruko, she begins to act more like a mother and spend more time with Misuzu, but because of Misuzu’s condition she isn’t able to do much. One day, when Misuzu asks if they can go to the beach, Haruko happily accepts; however, when they get there, Misuzu dies in Haruko’s arms, leaving her to cry at what they could have done now that they were a proper family.