Identity:Enshiro Mana is a ghost, perhaps most in the way that few would care to approach her. A delinquent appearance of unkempt hair and sullen eyes speaks true of a wandering soul in need of help that any common pedestrian wouldn't give a passing glance. At an average and unassuming 5'3", she nevertheless strikes a certain nervousness in those around her; baggy, dirty clothing could always hide a knife, right? She either doesn't take particularly good care of her health, or some drugs are involved, but regardless, she maintains a pale appearance, and certainly not the sort gained by nobles who never worked in the fields. For all her downtrodden looks, Mana still stands tall and walks with a purpose and confidence. Familiarity and wisdom with her life situation keeps her head high, even if her poor chances at happiness should really keep her head down.
Psyche:As a poor and unskilled young girl living in the city, Mana lives a life paycheck to paycheck, fortunately held slightly away from rock bottom with the inheritance of her mother's death. Despite the monotonous nature of it, she has given up on something better. A turbulent childhood and poor life choices have rooted her in a mental landscape of hopelessness Capable of taking breaks from her part-time but never-ending job, she loiters to stave off the loneliness of living with few genuine friends, and fewer opportunities to enjoy life to its fullest. For Mana, simply surviving is about as much as she can do, and taking the small victories here and there drive her to at least maintain a certain level of energy and activity. A nicely-sized paycheck after a hard week of work means feeling the squeeze slightly less. Even with an inheritance to use, Mana is reluctant to do so; a certain guilt and depression keeps her back.
Background:Her father left quite early in her life. His involvement and importance meant so little to her, she's forgotten how old she even was, or if she was even old to remember for that matter. Left with her mother, a well-working middle-class woman who cared very much for her, Mana's path to adulthood had seemed as normal as could be. When she had turned fifteen, Mana's mother began to suffer from an early-onset dementia. Too often, making sure her mother was alright took precedence over her schooling. Behind and exhausted, Mana's focus on graduating with decent grades slipped through her hands, instead replaced with a desire to find peace from the nightmares of her home. She fell in with a delinquent crowd, whose disdain for the unmerciful education system meant Mana could fit right in. Their antics, aloofness, and general misbehavior only served to dig a deeper hole in hr life.
When graduation came around, Mana saw no future for herself, and quickly relegated herself to part-time work, a life she considered the only future for someone like her. No longer bound by school, but wary of the growing dangerousness emerging in her friend circle, she abandoned them in favor of simply trying to get by. Her mother soon died, but had the sense to write a will for her daughter before her mind had drifted too far gone.
Since then, Mana has been a nobody.
Quirks:Smokes often. Horror movie enthusiast, but nevertheless quite afraid of supposedly haunted locations.
Relationships:
- Koman Asahi:
"General supervisor" of the MeruMeru Konbini, Asahi is Mana's de facto "boss", though he is on paper just another employee. The absentee store owner leaves maintenance to Asahi, who schedules and manages other employees. His reasonable and hard-working nature earns him a lot of respect, and so the other employees effectively defer to his judgement. Aware of Mana's situation, he tries his best to net her as many hours as possible, and his own quiet demeanor allows Mana to interface with him more easily than others her age. Though their interactions rarely extend beyond work, Mana believes him to be someone she could rely on if things got worse for her. - Masayoshi "Kenshin" Kento:
A friend from high school, Kento eventually graduated (albeit with somewhat better marks than Mana) and ended up in limbo afterwards. Thanks to his good looks and socialite-esque personality, Kento was admitted into a Host Club where he makes an unusually substantial living for someone his age. Mana would never dare enter an establishment like a Host Club, but sometimes waits outside for Kento to finish with his shift, in which they often go elsewhere for a late night snack where Kento can sober up. - Hiritsugi Suzume:
Another friend from high school, though one that was not a part of Mana's inner circle. Herself the daughter of a relatively notable yakuza member, she didn't have the freedom to act out like Mana did. Still, they came to enjoy one another's company later in education, sparked by a quiet and empathetic moment shared when smoking in the back of the school together. Though their friendship appears mellow and empty to some, they share a kind of kinship that can be powerful even if silent. When Suzume has the time, their favorite spot to hang around is the swing set up on Shiomi Hill.
Locations:
- MeruMeru Konbini:
A convenience store located at the crossroads of a major street that leads from the outer third of Tenoroshi to downtown. Being so close to so many other convenience stores, their common customers are those living right above the store, and those who don't want to waste time at mom and pop stores where their particular favorite meal brand may or may not be sold. As far as business goes, things are steady, with booms during the mornings when commuters are headed by or out. This is where Mana works part time. - Shiomi Hill Park:
A small playground built alongside a winding hill road that leads out of Tenoroshi. It is equipped with a jungle gym and four swings, as well as a sandpit carefully maintained by an elderly lady who lives nearby, and enjoys sitting in the park. Since there are no schools nearby, and the majority of residents are older, the playground doesn't see too much use besides the occasional grandchildren coming around. The edge of the playground overlooks the hillside edge. A great view of Tenoroshi. - Niimura Street:
A winding, tight street filled with both residences and small shops selling wildly varying merchandise. A very "hole-in-the-wall" type location, and one that is often visited by "punks" such as herself, though they keep to themselves near the bike rack. As no bikes have been reported stolen in years, the delinquents are left alone by police, though some unfamiliar with the area may pass by worried that they're up to no good. Mana used to go by this place more often, especially during high school, but has since taken to only occasionally catching up with the locals. Sometimes she sells cigarettes to minors there at a higher price than she bought them herself.
Izurich
Lucid Dreaming
Theyra
