Naoki Shimizu

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Naoki Shimizu (清水直树)
Alias(es)	General Shimizu 29
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Advanced Nurturing High School; Class 1-A; Literature Club 7 21
Occupation/Role	Student
First Appearance	Chapter 7

Appearance

Naoki is described by Satoshi Satonaka as having an ordinary, average-looking appearance, a point that visibly bothers him. He sometimes lets his hair cover half of his face for dramatic effect. 7

• Has bangs that can obscure half his face. 7
• Is sensitive about being compared unfavorably to more conventionally handsome classmates. 7
• Frequently adopts exaggerated chuunibyou-style poses and speech. 8 24

Personality

Naoki is energetic, quick to become familiar with others, and eager to turn casual encounters into friendships. He immediately treats U Amakusa as a “brother from another mother” after discovering their shared anime- and manga-influenced humor. 7

He is highly competitive but a poor loser, responding to defeats in games and physical challenges by demanding rematches or inventing new contests. His rivalry with Amakusa remains playful, often escalating into mock Naruto-style battles. 24 27

Naoki is earnest but deeply insecure in romance. He has a crush on Ryoko Nishikawa, joins the Literature Club because she is a member, and repeatedly seeks help from his friends because he freezes when trying to speak to her. 11 21 43

Interests and Habits

• Advocates for a “13-in-1” shampoo over Amakusa’s 5-in-1 product, arguing that a higher number of functions must be superior. 7
• Shares Amakusa’s interest in anime and manga references, particularly Naruto-themed roleplay. 7 24 28
• Is enthusiastic about any proposed game or group activity. 27 28
• Often puts his arm around others’ shoulders or catches them in headlocks as a sign of familiarity. 24 29
• Has been single his entire life and believes his attraction to glasses stems specifically from Nishikawa wearing them. 11

Background

Naoki first approaches U Amakusa at a supermarket, where he recommends a 13-in-1 shampoo and debates Amakusa over whether it is superior to a 5-in-1 alternative. He quickly becomes attached to Amakusa after interpreting his comments about remembering attractive classmates as proof that they are kindred spirits. 7

Satoshi Satonaka joins their conversation and bluntly calls Naoki average-looking. Though offended, Naoki’s exchange with Satonaka reveals that the two already have a teasing familiarity rather than genuine hostility. 7

The three later go out together. At a bus stop, Naoki tries to invite Ryoko Nishikawa to an amusement park, but she does not initially recognize him and leaves on her bus before he can meaningfully advance the conversation. Amakusa and Satonaka mockingly reenact the failed exchange afterward. 8

Naoki later admits that he has a crush on Nishikawa but lacks the confidence to confess. Following Amakusa’s advice to learn more about her first, he joins the Literature Club because Nishikawa belongs to it. 11 21

Relationships

• U Amakusa — Close friend and frequent gaming rival. Naoki calls him “Godfather” while asking for romantic advice and eagerly teases him about Kamuro. 11 29 43
• Satoshi Satonaka — Friend and regular sparring partner in verbal banter; Satonaka teases Naoki about his appearance and romantic prospects but also provides Nishikawa’s contact information. 7 24
• Kosei Sanada — Member of Naoki’s expanded friend group. They eat together, play Truth or Dare, and share domestic tasks with Amakusa and Satonaka. 27 28 43
• Ryoko Nishikawa — Naoki’s crush. His awkward first attempt to ask her out fails, but he later asks his friends to help him pursue her. 8 11 43
• Masumi Kamuro — Classmate whom Naoki repeatedly associates with Amakusa due to rumors and his observations of their interactions. 7 29 30

Story Role / Major Arcs

Formation of the Friend Group

Naoki’s chance meeting with Amakusa at the supermarket leads to the formation of a three-person friend group with Satonaka. The group later expands to include Sanada through their shared meals, games, grocery trips, and time in the dorms. 7 8 27 28

Pursuit of Ryoko Nishikawa

Naoki’s infatuation with Nishikawa is a recurring source of both comedy and personal frustration. He fails to approach her smoothly at the bus stop, seeks Amakusa’s guidance, joins her club, and eventually recruits his friends to create an opportunity to speak with her during lunch. 8 11 21 43

Truth or Dare Incident

During a Truth or Dare game, Naoki relentlessly pressures Amakusa to complete his dares involving Kamuro. He records Amakusa’s confession and warns him not to avoid the second dare, acting as the most active instigator among the watching “Three Scoundrels.” 29

Notable Quotes

“Amakusa, so you are my brother from another mother!” 7

“Holy crap! Father, please accept this child's bow!” 24

“Help me pursue Student Nishikawa.” 43

Trivia

• Naoki initially recommends shampoo that is described as having thirteen uses, including functioning as gasoline. 7
• He calls Amakusa “Godfather” after receiving relationship advice. 11 43
• He is one of the students neither faction in Class 1-A appears interested in recruiting. 24
• His friends refer to themselves as the “Three Scoundrels” when watching Amakusa’s confession to Kamuro, with Naoki acting as their recorder. 29