DDD Application.

Player nickname: Kasumi Rose
Player DW: dreamoftheroselin
Way to contact you:
Email: rosethornli@gmail.com
Plurk: dreamoftheroselin
Are you at least 15?: Very much yes!
Current Characters: Kasumi Tendou, Yuca Collabel

Character: Akira Sakamoto
Fandom: Princess Princess (manga)

History:
My Anime List page.
Family Complex synopsis, the short story collection focusing on Akira and his family before the events of Princess Princess.
Princess Princess series background, and his portion on the Wiki page.

Personality:
 ➵Feels distant from people outside of his family.
Since a young age, Akira has been surrounded by the gossip of the neighborhood. He comes from an incredibly good looking gene pool but only inherited average looks. The local housewives have murmured that he must be adopted, it's such a shame he isn't like the others, doesn't he feel left out? His family, on the contrary, is nothing but loving and supportive. However, he still expects people to judge him and find him lacking when they know about his family. He isn't ashamed of them, but he is still self conscious about their differences.

He is more relaxed around his family than anywhere else. They love him, support him, depend and dote on him. He is his sibling's clear favorite to be around. He feels supported by them, when they offer him advice or get him things, and supportive of them, when they come to him with their problems or just because they need a hug. He can't be as open or honest with anyone outside of his family.

That's not to say Akira is without friends. He has people he is cordial with at schoo, but they are more classmates than best friends. Akira longs for that deep of a connection with other people. He loves his family, but he wants to make good, loyal friends, too. He knows they can't always support him in the ways that he'll need. However, he wonders who would want to be his friend like that. Really, they'd be a lot more attracted to his siblings. He's only an ordinary guy. It would be nice to be able to talk to other people, though.

 ➵Goes with the flow, like a reed in the wind.
Akira isn't demanding; he bends to the needs of others. He is not a lazy person, and is, in fact, diligent, but he doesn't look past his comfort zones. He takes things as they come and doesn't cast judgment until he's sure he knows the whole picture. He is soft spoken and unassuming, and tends to avoid conflict with others.

He seems destined to attract a number of passionate people with his easygoing, supportive attitude. When his schoolmates began to call him Sakamoto-sama, in deference to his brother who had graduated the year before, he protested the treatment meekly but soon grew used to the respect. When they bow to him in the hallway, he bows right back. When the student council president asks him to take on more responsibilities than was usual for a class representative, he completed them to the best of his ability. When people cling to him for comfort out of the blue, he lets them without a spare protest.

The only thing he interferes with is conflict between his friends, and even then meekly. Akira strives to keep a calm and peaceful atmosphere between everyone. He is often a placating influence, and can be firm when it calls for it.

 ➵Kind, comforting and honest.
He wants the best for all of his friends, which include his classmates and the school at large. Akira radiates a tranquil aura that draws in the conflicted. He's known to give honest, encouraging words at any opportunity. In those cases, his voice is strong and sure. He has more confidence in himself when he's supporting other people than any other time.

He knows when to speak and when to leave things to other people. When his friend Kouno is contemplating leaving the school, he gives a friendship speech that boils down to support of his friend's decision either way but a preference that he stay. When his friend Kouno has trouble with an unexpected visitor, he stays quiet and lets the situation plays out until a course of action is clear: they need time alone. So, he suggests way for them to step away from the school in a quiet place where no one will disturb him. He later checks up to make sure everything's okay, but doesn't try to pry. He respects other people's capabilities as well as their secrets.

In his family, Akira is the comforter. His siblings come to him with their conflicts or when they feel lonely. He makes them feel better just by being himself. He speaks honestly with them. His clear, nonjudgmental gaze is a secret weapon to win anyone over.

 ➵Diligent, reliable and dutiful; capable, but doesn’t seek out responsibility. Has leadership postential - but unsure of himself.
Akira may take things as they come, but he is also very serious about his work. If it's his responsibility, he's going to do it right. He gets good grades and is able to manage his time well.

When he entered high school, the student body began to call him the second coming of Sakamoto-sama, in reference to his older brother whose charisma and good looks attracted a cult following. Because of this, he was nominated and elected class representative. He didn't ask for the position, but when thrust upon him, his abilities shone. He organized everything well, collected assignments and worked with the teachers and other council members easily. This brought him further under the gaze of the student council president, who would go on to groom him for his position. After watching a handful of organization meetings and behind the scenes planning for the school festival, Akira was ready to take to the field. By the end of his freshman year, he knew what needed done, could calm and direct a large crowd of people,  and break up arguments between his high spirited friends.

Akira is a natural born leader. He listens intently, can process quickly, and honestly cares about what he is doing. What he lacks is experience and self confidence. He hasn't proven to himself the potential others see in him. He seems himself as a normal student, nothing special at all. He really can't see why other people think he stands out. He's not at all like his family. But as it's pointed out, isn't he abnormal for being so normal in a family of good looking people?

 ➵Low self esteem around others means he is teased and easily flustered, if not for long.
Akira speaks softly and uses a passive voice. Often, he'll become lost during a conversation or by an aside and ask, "w-what?" This usually causes his friends to tease him until he flushes. However, he doesn't get angry or protest for long. Akira is, at heart, an accepting person, and calms down after a chance to process what they've said. It's just their way to show they care, even if he isn't used to it. Well, not out side his family, at least.

Akira will speak up on other's behalf, but not for himself. He doesn't protest very strongly when people show him respect or put him in a position of responsibility or even outright insult him. In fact, he values honest feedback because he can understand it better. While he does ask them not to call him Sakamoto-sama, he quickly gives in when they don't listen. He's protested the treatment of his friends on numerous occasions. He has broken up fights and shown honest concern for a rival's physical and mental well being. His care knows no bounds.

 ➵Ordinary high school freshman - really!
Akira doesn't understand why he stands out so much. Honestly, he's just a normal high school student! Sure, his grades are good but he has and average face and average athletic ability. What happened to his ordinary high school life?

Other: I'll be taking Akira from the week before he starts high school. That way, I can play through the first few months of school and into canon.
Additional Links: Akira is a snazzy young man, but you can tell by his body language that he can't see it in himself.

First Person:

1> text }

Um, how do you get people to listen to you? No one seems to hear me...

2> video }

[Akira scratches his cheek sheepishly.] I guess I'm getting used to this. It's nice that I can talk to you guys, but it's also kind of strange how many of you there are. I know I've met a lot of you already, but. Hi, I guess?

There are a lot of people who organize parties here, right? I was wondering if any of you had some advice for me. Specifically, what, er, difficulties you had. I mean, people are wiling to help, but I'm not sure if I'm doing it right. Uh, the planning, I mean.

[He trails off self consciously.] So, thanks.

3> In response to the question, One of your greatest secrets has just been exposed to the people close to you. What do you do?

voice }

[He starts off slowly, carefully, hesitation clear but more convicted with every word.]

I would ask them what they thought. If we're really close, I would trust them with it anyway. I don't think it's good to keep important things from the people we care about. Even if they can't understand right away, I'd hope they'd listen to what I had to say. I know I would if something like that happened to me. If it's really really bad, if it hurts them, then I would give them space. Or stay, if they need that. You respect the people you're close to. Whatever they need to feel comfortable, I'd do that. And if we couldn't be friends anymore, which, maybe is what you're asking? It's scary to think about, but I'd still trust them. I can wait however long it takes for them to trust me again. Because we were really close once, and those feelings don't go away that easily.


Third Person:
It was warm enough for a summer uniform the day before but this morning he really does need the scarf his mother, on her tip toes, carefully winds around his neck in the entry way. "Have fun at school," she says, smiling happily. Akira smiles back, a little embarrassed, mostly touched, and heads out into the chilly air. He sniffs slightly, body still adjusting to the change. His brother had left for morning classes much earlier than normal, mentioning a study date with his friends. Actual friends, he said, tearing up. It was nice that his older brother was making some. If only he hadn't left his followers behind at school...

Akira sighed deeply, shoulders slumping. He liked it here, but really, did they need to, every morning--

"Good morning, Sakamoto-sama," shouted an upperclassman, also headed to school. He bowed deeper than he should have and stayed there until Akira (hands fluttering uselessly in the air because really, he didn't need to do that, but if he insisted, well, all right) returned it.

"G-good morning." He clutched his bag tighter than usual, honestly hoping that he wouldn't offer to carry it, and when he didn't, sighed in relief.

"It's a very brisk morning, isn't it?" the upperclassman said. Akira looked up at him, surprised. Did he want to make conversation? But, he was really too stiff postured to be genuine. Maybe he just wanted to set him at ease?

"Uh, yeah, it is." No further efforts came, and they walked in silence toward the school. Akira could feel avid gazes on him, and, as they neared the gates, the chorus of 'Sakamoto-sama' grew ever louder. Akira bowed back and waved self consciously. It was nice that people admired his brother so much, but, really, this wasn't necessary...

He sniffled loudly in the schoolyard, and sneezed, not once but twice. Weather change like this was irritating. Akira was whipping his nose with his handkerchief when the concerned cries came: "Sakamoto-sama is sick!" "Call the doctor!" "Call the hospital!" "Quick, someone take him to the nurse's office!" "Inform the teacher!"

Akira opened his mouth to protest, but another sneeze came before he could. Before he knew it, hands were grabbing him and carrying him gently indoors until he found himself covered in a blanket and a thermometer stuffed in his mouth. "This really isn't necessary. I'm fine!" he said, or at least, tried to say, but his mouth was full.

The thermometer beeped. "Thirty-seven degrees Celsius. You're fine, young man," pronounced the nurse. "Still, make sure to rest. No need to spread a flu around the school." And Akira was sent off to class, mortified, under the concerned gaze of everyone around him. It was nice that they cared, but really, why did they have to act like this?

When the fourth person to leave a can of orange juice on his desk at lunch left with a kindly smile, he despaired, 'What happened to my ordinary high school life?'