Akane Takigawa

Akane is gentle, observant and considerate. She quickly realizes that her resemblance to Wakaba carries emotional weight for the people around her and tries to understand their reactions rather than taking offense at them.

Her kindness does not mean that she simply imitates the girl she resembles. After learning about Wakaba, she briefly tries to behave in ways she thinks might comfort Kou, but he recognizes the distinction between them. Akane develops friendships and relationships as herself.

She is also dedicated to art. Drawing is not merely an incidental hobby for her; she belongs to her school's art club and produces work accomplished enough to receive major recognition.

Akane is an excellent visual artist, frequently carrying a sketchbook and drawing the people around her. She has a strong eye for capturing a subject's appearance and character.

Using Aoba as her model, Akane creates an entry for the Koshien Poster Art Competition and wins the grand prize. Her achievement gives her a direct connection to baseball despite not being a player herself.

Akane has experienced recurring health problems since childhood and undergoes hospital examinations and treatment. Her condition later requires surgery, placing her in the hospital while Seishuu is approaching the decisive stage of its baseball campaign.

Akane enters after her family moves into the property next to the Kitamuras and opens a soba restaurant. Her resemblance to Wakaba is so strong that Kou and Akaishi are visibly shaken when they first see her.

Rather than using that resemblance only as a mystery, the story gradually establishes Akane as an individual with her own interests and relationships. She begins working at Clover Café and becomes particularly close to Aoba.

Her presence also complicates the unresolved feelings surrounding Kou and Aoba. Kou and Akane begin dating, while Akaishi develops a close bond with Akane that becomes increasingly important as her health problems worsen.

Akane undergoes surgery on the same day as Seishuu's decisive prefectural final, tying the anxiety surrounding her health to the team's most important game.

Kou Kitamura is initially stunned by Akane's resemblance to his childhood companion. Kou Kitamura nevertheless recognizes that she is her own person rather than treating her as a replacement. They later date, although Akane understands the unresolved bond between Kou and Aoba.

Aoba Tsukishima is initially shaken by Akane's resemblance to her sister but develops a genuine friendship with her. Akane uses Aoba as the model for her prize-winning Koshien poster.

Osamu Akaishi reacts especially strongly to Akane because of his feelings for Wakaba. He gradually becomes deeply attached to Akane herself and supports her through her medical problems.

Wakaba Tsukishima is the girl whom Akane physically resembles despite there being no established family connection between them. Learning about Wakaba Tsukishima helps Akane understand the reactions she receives from Kou, Aoba and Akaishi.

Ichiyou Tsukishima employs Akane at Clover Café and welcomes her into the everyday life surrounding the Tsukishima family.