Sasae Mochibaru

Mochibaru is shy, soft-spoken and easily intimidated. She often avoids eye contact and becomes nervous even around comparatively calm people such as Kouki Akune.

Her most distinctive habit is keeping one or both hands pressed against her head. Mochibaru sincerely fears that removing both hands will cause her head to fall from her shoulders, and she becomes extremely distressed if circumstances force her to let go.

Her timidity does not prevent her from standing up for other club members. Mochibaru cares deeply about the Shogi Club as a social space and is willing to oppose Natayama when the latter's treatment of younger players threatens that atmosphere.

Mochibaru is a competent shogi player and understands the game well enough to recognize the quality and value of equipment such as boxwood pieces.

She is not the strongest player in the club. Natayama possesses greater competitive skill, while Mochibaru views shogi primarily as a hobby to be enjoyed rather than an activity that must be pursued relentlessly.

No Abnormality, Minus or Style is established for her.

Mochibaru first appears in the anime before her eventual manga introduction, participating in the Shogi Club conflict involving Natayama and the club's younger members.

Although Natayama is the more talented player, Mochibaru is selected as captain because her tolerance and concern for the entire club make her better suited to leading it. She wants members to enjoy shogi instead of being driven away by excessive competitiveness.

She later appears during Medaka's farewell. Mochibaru's message during the 100 Flowers Run is for Medaka to treasure her friends, advice that reflects the same values that make her a suitable Shogi Club captain.

Miri Natayama is Mochibaru's more forceful and more talented fellow Shogi Club member. Mochibaru is intimidated by Miri Natayama but still stands up to her when the club's younger members need protection.

Kouki Akune makes Mochibaru nervous despite behaving much more calmly toward her than Natayama.

Medaka Kurokami later encounters Mochibaru during the 100 Flowers Run, when Mochibaru offers her a farewell message centered on friendship.