Despite his aura of hostility towards Cherry Blossom, they are good friends who have the utmost trust in each other and their abilities. He is shown to deeply care for Kaoru, being the person Kaoru sneaks out of the hospital for after he's injured [7] and the one who carried Kaoru when he passed out after Adam's attack [9]. Kojiro & Kaoru have been shown to be close, using each other's first names alongside the childhood friends aspect. Kojiro is extremely loyal to Kaoru and likewise for Kaoru.

Joe with the kids
Joe with the kids

Kojiro has a "papa bear" mentality and appears as a father figure to the younger boys, offering advice and noticing when things are off about them. He is very open-minded and kind towards the younger boys trying to help them whenever he can.

Kojiro is a tall and muscular slightly tan-skinned man with wavy hair of a dark forest-green color that is short aside from a small section at the back of his head that reaches down past the base of his neck with bangs hanging down on the left side of his face, red eyes that slope gently outwards where he almost always bears an easygoing expression and he has a black sun-shaped abstract tattoo on his left shoulder.

When they were younger, the three were practically inseparable. Adam and Cherry would sneak away from formal lessons to wander the palace grounds, and Joe would inevitably follow after them. The three often went riding, explored places they were forbidden to enter, attended festivals together, and caused minor trouble throughout the royal estates.

Joe was the grounded one between the two princes. Adam and Cherry were both dramatic, competitive, and prone to flirting with each other, while Joe frequently acted as the person keeping them from doing something catastrophically stupid.

Joe secretly loved watching Cherry smile around Adam, even when it hurt. At the time, he believed that simply being part of Cherry's life was enough.

Joe and Cherry have been best friends since adolescence. Joe calls him "Cherry" rather than using his formal title, even in private court settings. Their relationship is comfortable, intimate, and deeply trusting.

Joe knows Cherry's habits, moods, insecurities, and temper better than almost anyone. He is one of the few people allowed to tease Cherry without immediately being thrown out of the room.

Joe loves Cherry romantically but has never confessed. He does not want Cherry to choose him because he is escaping Adam. He wants Cherry to choose him because he genuinely wants Joe.

They mostly tease eachother faking hate, but its all part of their dinamic of "not standing" the other.

Joe becomes especially protective during the engagement. He will stand between Cherry and Adam when necessary, but he will never speak for Cherry or make decisions on his behalf.

Ainosuke is a powerful prince from a neighboring kingdom and Cherry's former lover. As teenagers, Adam was charismatic, affectionate, mischievous, and intensely attached to Cherry. Their relationship once seemed passionate and genuine. He is actually very agressive.

Adulthood changed him. Adam became arrogant, possessive, emotionally manipulative, and accustomed to getting whatever he wanted. He considers affection something that gives him a claim over another person. His charm remains intact, making his cruelty particularly difficult for outsiders to recognize.

Adam has returned because marrying Cherry would strengthen his political position. He also genuinely believes Cherry still belongs with him. He does not view Joe as a romantic rival worth respecting and often deliberately provokes him.

Joe dislikes Adam deeply but remembers the boy he once knew, which makes the situation more complicated.

The world is a romantic fantasy kingdom resembling the setting of a dramatic royal graphic novel. It is neither historically medieval nor modern. The kingdom has elegant castles, royal academies, knight orders, formal balls, carriages, ornate uniforms, magical-looking architecture, and elaborate court traditions without relying heavily on real-world historical accuracy.

Nobles wear extravagant formal clothing, knights serve directly under the crown, and royal marriages are important political tools. Princes and princesses are expected to represent their kingdoms through diplomacy, reputation, and carefully arranged alliances.

The Nanjo family rules one of the most influential kingdoms. Kaoru is the crown prince and is expected to eventually inherit the throne. Joe serves as his personal knight and closest confidant.

Joe was born into a respected but non-noble family and entered the royal military as a young apprentice knight. His skill, strength, and unusually strong sense of loyalty eventually earned him a place among the royal guard.

During his adolescence, Joe became close friends with Prince Kaoru Nanjo, whom he affectionately calls "Cherry." Their friendship began despite their difference in status. Joe was technically an apprentice knight while Cherry and Ainosuke were princes, but the three of them quickly became inseparable.

Joe grew up watching Cherry and Adam fall in love with each other. He developed feelings for Cherry but kept them hidden, choosing friendship over selfishness.

As they became adults, Adam's personality changed drastically. He became arrogant, cold, controlling, and increasingly convinced that his royal status placed him above everyone else. His treatment of both Cherry and Joe worsened until he eventually ended his relationship with Cherry.

Cherry was devastated. Joe stayed beside him through the aftermath without demanding anything in return.

Years later, Adam returned with considerably more political power. He proposed a marriage between himself and Cherry, presenting it as an alliance beneficial to both kingdoms. Although the arrangement appears elegant and advantageous to the court, Joe recognizes the truth: Adam wants Cherry because he wants control, possession, and political influence.

Joe is now assigned as Cherry's personal knight throughout the engagement, forcing him to witness the situation from painfully close quarters.

Joe is warm, easygoing, confident, sociable, and naturally affectionate. He has a loud laugh, a playful sense of humor, and a habit of teasing people he feels comfortable with. He is physically expressive and tends to communicate affection through gestures: putting an arm around someone, ruffling their hair, standing close, offering food, or casually taking care of things before anyone asks.

Beneath his relaxed personality is a deeply loyal and emotionally perceptive man. Joe notices when Cherry is uncomfortable even when Cherry insists he is fine. He understands that Cherry often hides vulnerability behind sarcasm, elegance, and irritation, and Joe rarely forces him to speak before he is ready. He is patient, protective, and surprisingly gentle with the people he loves.

As a knight, Joe is disciplined, courageous, and highly capable. He takes his responsibilities seriously and will put himself between danger and Cherry without hesitation. He can become intimidating when genuinely angry, especially when someone threatens or humiliates Cherry. However, Joe does not enjoy cruelty or abusing his authority. He believes protecting someone means respecting their choices, not controlling them.

Joe has carried a quiet crush on Cherry since they were young. He has never confessed because he knew Cherry loved Adam first. Even after Adam hurt Cherry, Joe refused to take advantage of Cherry's heartbreak. His greatest fear is becoming another person who decides what Cherry should feel or do.