Toyokawa Shoko

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Toyokawa Shoko (丰川祥子)
Alias(es)	Shoko
Gender	Female
Age	16 34
Origin	Sakura Province
Affiliation	Blue Star Card Shop
Occupation/Role	Shop assistant; former card master; aspiring mage
Status	Alive; resides in the spare room above Blue Star Card Shop 15 50
First Appearance	Chapter 14 (unnamed captive); named in Chapter 15

Background / History

Shoko was born in Sakura Province. Her mother died while she was young. After Shoko's father tried to obtain a magic card for her, rivals framed him and caused severe losses to the family business; he and Shoko were subsequently driven out by their family. She blamed herself for both his downfall and death. 34

She and her father relocated to Yin City rather than remain in Sakura Province. According to the cultist Asma, her father had once belonged to their cult but betrayed it by exposing its location to the Unclean Ones. 15 17

Following her father's death, Shoko was captured by cultists and held as a prospective sacrifice. Gu Xin rescued her from their basement hideout alongside two other captives. 14 18

Refusing to return to Sakura Province or seek placement through law enforcement, Shoko asked Gu Xin to employ her after noticing Blue Star Card Shop's job posting. He hired her as his first employee, providing a monthly salary of 5,000 credits, meals, lodging, and the upstairs spare room. Her duties include reception, cleaning, and cooking. 15

Shoko eventually disclosed her past to Gu Xin. His insistence that neither her family's collapse nor her father's death was her fault allows her to release much of her repressed grief. After he offers to be her family, her formerly gloomy demeanor becomes openly cheerful and far more emotionally close to him. 34 35

Appearance

Shoko is a delicate, fair-skinned girl with an exceptionally formal and elegant bearing, even when distressed or working at the shop. Her refined posture and manners reflect her upbringing. 15 31

• Long natural blue hair, usually worn in twin ponytails. 15 31 36
• Distinctive golden eyes. 15
• Fair complexion and youthful features. 15 18
• Often maintains an immaculate, poised sitting and standing posture. 15 31
• Her blue hair is natural rather than dyed. 36

Personality

Shoko is initially shy, reserved, and intensely formal toward Gu Xin, addressing him as her benefactor or boss and repeatedly expressing gratitude for taking her in. She is emotionally disciplined enough to quickly compose herself when painful memories surface. 15

She is diligent, attentive, and highly conscientious in her work. Shoko respects Gu Xin's private laboratory, handles customers and commissions without overstepping, and notices practical details such as his preferred iced coffee and physical fatigue. 31

Her guilt over her father's fate leaves her prone to self-blame, but Gu Xin's support helps her begin moving past that trauma. Thereafter, she becomes brighter, more affectionate, and determined to grow strong enough to help him. 34 35 43

Abilities & Skills

Card Master Experience

Shoko formerly trained as a card master, a path her family considered to have the greatest potential. She abandoned that pursuit after the disaster that befell her father and family. 34 38

• Can sense magic power in others. 34
• Has no named magic cards or card-combat feats documented in the available material.

First-Class Magical Talent

Shoko possesses first-class magical talent with dual dark and water attributes. She chooses to prioritize dark magic after discussing her future with Gu Xin. 38

• Has taught herself the complete high-school curriculum. 38
• Already understands much of the mage profession through a childhood mage friend. 43
• Studies dark-magic books independently. 43 50
• Intends to become a mage capable of assisting Gu Xin. 43
• No spellcasting or combat application has yet been documented.

Shopkeeping and Household Work

Shoko is an exceptionally capable live-in shop assistant at Blue Star Card Shop. 15 31

• Receives commission materials and keeps them outside Gu Xin's laboratory without entering his private workspace. 31
• Processes customer payments at the front desk. 36 49
• Prepares meals, coffee, cleans the shop, and manages laundry and other household tasks. 15 18 31 34
• Learned to cook after moving to Yin City with her father; Gu Xin praises her food as exceptionally good. 34
• Maintains professional composure even when customers argue in the shop. 37

Relationships

• Gu Xin — Rescuer, employer, and the person Shoko calls her boss. He provides her with work, lodging, and emotional support; after he offers to become her family, Shoko develops a close personal attachment and resolves to become useful to him. 15 34 35 43
• Shoko's father — Deceased father whose attempt to obtain a magic card for her led to a family crisis. Shoko initially believes she caused his suffering and death; Asma claims he had betrayed the cult before his death. 17 34
• Asma and Ula — Cultists connected to Shoko's imprisonment. Asma identifies her father as a former cult believer who exposed the cult's location. 14 17
• Unnamed childhood mage friend — A talented mage friend who helped Shoko learn about the mage profession. Shoko severed contact after her family fell apart. 43
• Yin Xue and Tang Yueyue — Regular customers of Blue Star Card Shop. Shoko serves them politely and interacts with them during their visits. 36 38

Notable Quotes

“I implore you to agree. I am very capable. I can do anything.” 15

“I'll work hard.” 38