Karuizawa

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Karuizawa Kei (轻井泽)
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Class D, Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School
Occupation/Role	Student; influential figure among Class D's girls 12 47
First Appearance	Chapter 1

Background

Karuizawa carries lasting trauma from severe middle-school bullying, including physical abuse and emotional manipulation. A jagged scar on her left flank remains as a physical reminder, and she privately resolves not to let the past repeat itself 25.

On her first day of high school, she identified Hirata Yosuke as a likely class leader and asked him to act as her boyfriend for protection from future bullying. Their arrangement lets her project strength within Class D, though she later emphasizes that they are friends rather than a real couple 13 19 25.

Her past shapes several defensive reactions. She becomes distressed when photographed by Manabe Shiho, freezes or panics when confronted with threatening situations, and reacts strongly when Chiba Yu unexpectedly handles her clothing or touches her while she is frightened 32 39 45 67.

Appearance

Karuizawa is a blonde girl whose hair is commonly worn up, including as a high ponytail. She presents herself with a fashionable, carefully maintained image.

• Blonde hair, described as a high golden ponytail 37
• Later seen with blonde twin-tails 64
• Jagged scar on her left flank from past bullying 25
• Has a visibly injured, scraped knee after falling during the island exam 41

Personality

Karuizawa is outwardly proud, bossy, and sharp-tongued. She has strong influence among the girls in Class D and dislikes being dismissed, particularly by Horikita Suzune. Her confidence can turn confrontational when she feels belittled or challenged 11 12 38.

Behind that persona, she is sensitive, fearful of being exposed or abandoned, and prone to defensive aggression. She is notably vulnerable around threats connected to bullying, Ryuen Kakeru, photographs, ghosts, and intimate misunderstandings 25 38 45 67.

She is also capable of self-reflection. During the island exam, she admits underestimating Ike Kanji and later seeks to understand the gap between herself and Horikita so that she can improve 36 60.

Abilities & Skills

Social Influence

Karuizawa holds considerable sway among Class D's girls and can quickly rally their sympathy and support.

• Her missing-underwear claim is readily accepted by the girls, aided by her influence and convincing distress 47
• Takes a leading role among the girls during the dispute and search for the supposed thief 47 48
• Is recognized by classmates as having leadership within the girls' group 12

Observation and Practical Reasoning

Though she struggles academically, Karuizawa can connect useful clues when prompted.

• Correctly infers that Katsuragi's apparent leader card and an occupied cave could reveal Class A's leader 33
• Understands Chiba Yu's explanation that a spy would need to obtain a class leader card to provide Ryuen reliable information 46
• Questions Chiba about Horikita's strategy because she wants to identify her own shortcomings and improve 60

Resilience

Karuizawa repeatedly regains her composure after fear, humiliation, or conflict.

• Recovers from Ryuen's intimidation and resumes her usual assertive behavior 39
• Maintains her “queen” persona despite being distressed over the stolen-underwear incident 48
• Reasserts her usual detached expression after arriving dejected to a special-exam discussion 68

Academic Weakness

Karuizawa has difficulty with schoolwork and needs tutoring.

• Struggles with problems even after Chiba has explained the type more than once 10
• Participates in Hirata's library study sessions and seeks Chiba's help directly 9 10
• Her diligence increases when she feels challenged or wants to prove herself 10

Relationships

• Chiba Yu — Initially judges him as gloomy, lazy, and unremarkable, but gradually recognizes his intelligence and feels unsettled by how clearly he seems to understand her. Their relationship develops through tutoring, shared outings, island scouting, mutual support, and frequent rumors that they are dating 3 25 37 41 60 68.
• Hirata Yosuke — Her friend and protector under an arrangement formed to shield her from bullying; she repeatedly clarifies that they are not dating 13 19 25.
• Horikita Suzune — A tense classmate relationship. Karuizawa resents Horikita's dismissive attitude, while Horikita's indifference provokes her into arguments 38 39.
• Ayanokoji Kiyotaka — A Class D peer who observes her interactions and circumstances, including the conflict with Manabe; he notices her growing closeness with Chiba 46 67 68.
• Ryuen Kakeru — His violent reputation and provocations frighten Karuizawa, though she later tries to conceal that fear and refuses to openly rise to his bait 38 39.
• Manabe Shiho — A Class C student who confronts Karuizawa over an alleged prior conflict with Rika and attempts to photograph her for identification 67.
• Ike Kanji — Karuizawa initially underestimates him but apologizes after seeing his survival and camping skills during the island exam 36.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Early School Life

Karuizawa begins as a Class D girl who reacts with disgust toward Chiba and Ayanokoji's frugal behavior. She later joins Chiba's tutoring sessions, reluctantly adds his contact information, and begins relying on him for academic help 3 9 10 11.

Hirata's Arrangement and Her Past

Hirata confides in Chiba about Karuizawa's history and their protection arrangement. A later chapter from Karuizawa's perspective reveals the depth of her bullying trauma, her scar, and why she sought Hirata's protection at school 13 25.

Island Special Exam

Karuizawa joins Chiba on scouting trips despite her unease. She helps discover Class A's occupied cave, accompanies him to investigate Class C's base, and is shaken by Ryuen's presence before gradually recovering 33 38 39.

After injuring her knee, she accepts Chiba's first aid and his offer to carry her back to camp. The incident deepens her trust in him and challenges her earlier view of him as merely ordinary 40 41 42.

Underwear Theft Incident

When her underwear is stolen, Karuizawa initially believes Chiba may be responsible and panics. After he explains his suspicions of a Class C spy, she works with him to preserve the deception and investigate the situation rather than immediately expose it 45 46 47.

The incident triggers conflict between Class D's boys and girls, with Karuizawa's standing among the girls becoming central to the accusations and searches 47 48.

VIP Exam Conflict

Karuizawa becomes guarded when Manabe confronts her over an alleged bullying incident involving Rika. Chiba prevents her from striking Manabe's phone and proposes bringing Rika to confirm the accusation, after which Karuizawa asks him to protect her if Manabe returns 67.

Notable Quotes

“Hirata and I are just friends, not the couple you're making us out to be.” 19

“Who... who would go on a date with this idiot! We're out scouting, scouting!” 38

Trivia

• Karuizawa is the only boy other than Hirata whom she initially allows into her contacts, though she frames it as a reluctant practical decision 11.
• She is afraid of ghosts, despite maintaining a fierce front when frightened 45.
• She enjoys cosmetics and worries about losing the points needed to buy them 47.
• Classmates frequently misinterpret her partnership with Chiba as romantic, a rumor neither has formally clarified 20 28 40 68.