Kentarou Oohama

Kenta is lively, mischievous and physically expressive. Like Naru, he tends to act before worrying about how an adult might react, making him another source of chaos around Handa during the calligrapher's adjustment to village life.

He enjoys insects and outdoor activities and is comfortable with the rough-and-tumble style of play shared by the island children. His behavior toward Handa is irreverent from their first encounter, reflecting how little importance the children place on the social distance Handa expects adults to receive.

Kenta is also sensitive to Naru's attention. He becomes jealous when she focuses on Handa instead of him, suggesting a childish crush on his energetic friend rather than any mature romantic attachment.

Kenta has no extraordinary abilities. He is energetic, physically active and thoroughly accustomed to playing outdoors, giving him the practical confidence expected of a child raised in the island community.

His interest in insects is another point of contrast with Handa, who is much less comfortable with some aspects of rural life. Kenta treats creatures and outdoor environments as ordinary parts of play rather than things requiring special caution.

Kenta appears among the villagers helping Handa move into his island home and immediately demonstrates the lack of formality the calligrapher will have to endure. His first interaction with Handa is a mischievous physical prank rather than a polite introduction.

He subsequently appears alongside Naru and the other children during community activities. During the mochi-catching event at the harbor, his determination to grab mochi and his frustration over Naru's attention contribute to the commotion surrounding the celebration.

Kenta's recurring presence helps establish that Naru belongs to a larger community of children rather than existing solely as Handa's companion. Their friendships continue independently of Sensei, even though his house becomes one of their favorite places to gather.

Naru Kotoishi is Kenta's friend and frequent playmate. He keeps up easily with her energetic behavior and shows childish jealousy when Naru Kotoishi pays more attention to Handa than to him.

Sei Handa meets Kenta soon after arriving on the island. Kenta immediately treats Sei Handa with the irreverent familiarity common among the village children rather than as a distant professional adult.

Hina Kubota belongs to the same circle of young island children and regularly participates in activities with Kenta and Naru.