Roku

**Roku** (ロク) is the titular character as well as one of the main characters of the one-shot Japanese manga series, *Roku no Meiyaku,* which is written and illustrated by Takeru Hokazono.

In an unexpected turn of events, Roku found himself under a bridge close to railway tracks puffing on a cigarette when he crossed paths with a peculiar being called Lucille. This otherworldly creature introduced itself as a messenger and guide to the depths of hell.

## Appearance

Roku has a strong, tall presence. He's known for his black hair and intense gaze. He's lean but muscular, and he often looks quite serious, which can be a bit intimidating. You'll usually spot him in his classic black suit with black pants, giving him a formal, employee-like appearance.

## Personality

Roku is a complex character who demonstrates resilience and adaptability in the face of surreal and challenging circumstances. He initially comes across as somewhat detached and indifferent, as seen when he casually places cigarettes into Lucille, an otherworldly being. Lucille describes Roku as the only one who can perceive its presence, suggesting a certain level of uniqueness or sensitivity in his character.

Roku has a history with his friend Machi, and their friendship appears to have deep roots, with fond memories of sharing bread and discussions beneath a bridge. This suggests a caring and nostalgic side to Roku's personality, despite his earlier detached demeanor.

During a flashback, Roku and Machi are shown as childhood friends who trained together to become skilled fighters. This indicates a sense of determination and camaraderie in Roku's character.

In a tense confrontation with his Father and fellow assassins, Roku displays a sudden and ruthless streak when he systematically dismembers his adversaries. This shows that Roku can be a formidable and deadly force when provoked.

Despite his earlier assertion that he's a villain deserving of damnation, Roku's actions throughout the narrative suggest a moral complexity. He refrains from harming innocent people, which Lucille acknowledges, and his willingness to stand up against his Father's oppressive authority highlights a sense of justice.

Roku's final act of committing to Lucille's deal by raising his own blood signifies a deep loyalty and commitment to his friend Machi. This loyalty drives him to take swift and decisive action against his adversaries, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Roku's ability to adapt and make difficult choices, along with his capacity for both ruthlessness and compassion, make him a multifaceted character with a compelling personality.

## Relationships

* **Lucille:** Lucille, an otherworldly being, approached Roku beneath a bridge, presenting itself as a messenger and guide to hell. Lucille asserted that only Roku possessed the ability to perceive its presence, expressing frustration at being regarded as inferior. Remarkably, Lucille possessed the power to delve into minds, even citing an example of reading Roku's thoughts.

Intriguingly, Lucille extended an offer to Roku—a chance to evade death for a century and harness its formidable abilities for vengeance. This proposal marked the turning point in their relationship, initially shrouded in doubt but eventually leading to Roku's acceptance.

During a pivotal moment in a confrontation with his Father and a group of assassins, Lucille established a telepathic connection with Roku. It urged him to consider that his Father, rather than him, deserved condemnation to hell. Roku's commitment to the deal was solemnized by drawing his own blood, which led to the swift demise of the assassins. In tandem, they worked towards eliminating the threats and seeking justice for Machi's tragic death.

* **Machi:** Roku and Machi share a deep and enduring friendship. Roku describes Machi as his friend, albeit noting his initial perception of Machi's intelligence. They have a longstanding connection that extends back to their childhood when they first encountered Roku's Father. Despite Roku's initial assessment, he fondly recalls their interactions beneath a bridge, where he regularly brought bread for Machi, who would also request cigarettes.

Their bond strengthens over time as they spend countless moments together, even training to become skilled fighters. However, their friendship takes a tragic turn when Machi loses his life, deeply affecting Roku. This tragedy leads Roku to distance himself from his father's actions and seek a path of his own.

A poignant memory illustrates the depth of their friendship, highlighting the closeness they shared. In this memory, Machi implores Roku to carry on if he were to perish, promising not to forsake their companionship. Roku's unwavering commitment to this bond is made evident when he raises his blood, symbolizing his dedication to their enduring friendship.

* **Their Father:** Roku's Father, a former assassin recruited by the powerful Koryukai family in town, enters the narrative. He berates Roku and Machi for their failure to eliminate a child they were assigned to kill two years prior. Accusing them of disregarding his instructions to carry out the killings, he fosters a sense of tension and disappointment.

In response, Roku and Machi explain their approach, which involved intimidation to dissuade their targets from affiliating with the Dragon Society. This explanation further deepens the divide between father and son, highlighting their differing perspectives on following orders and achieving their objectives.

Despite his Father's initial harshness, he eventually apologizes to Roku. However, this reconciliation is overshadowed by the tragic death of Machi during their confrontation, adding an immense strain to their already fragile relationship.

Following a brutal attack by his Father and fellow assassins, Roku undergoes a transformative experience, emerging as a formidable force. This transformation sets the stage for a climactic confrontation where Roku ultimately faces his Father and brings an end to his life.

## Plot

### Background

Roku was a person who often found himself beneath a bridge near railway tracks, where he smoked cigarettes. One day, he encountered Lucille, a being claiming to be a messenger from hell. Lucille had unique abilities, such as mind-reading and existing on a higher dimension than humans. Roku had a friend named Machi, whom he fondly remembered from their days under the bridge. They shared moments together, including discussing cigarettes and food.

A tragic event occurred when they found Machi's lifeless body, pierced by swords. This event led to a flashback of their childhood, where they encountered their father and began their friendship. Their father later became an assassin for the Koryukai family, which they got involved with as well.

In a confrontation with their father, Roku and Machi explained their reluctance to kill, opting for intimidation instead. However, their father was displeased and demanded an explanation. Machi eventually committed to carrying out the killings, leading to a change in their fate.

Lucille offered Roku a deal to avoid death for a century and harness its abilities for revenge. Roku admitted to taking many lives but distanced himself from responsibility, attributing it to Machi. A violent confrontation ensued with his father and other assassins, resulting in Roku's seemingly imminent death.

Lucille intervened telepathically, revealing his father's true intentions and urging Roku to accept the earlier deal. Roku's memories of his bond with Machi motivated him to agree. He then engaged in a fierce battle, eliminating the assassins and confronting his father.

Roku's dark transformation and actions led to his father's demise, after which he expressed gratitude to Lucille. They visited Machi's grave, where Lucille offered to provide Roku with experiences to stave off boredom. Roku's journey was marked by tragedy, friendship, moral dilemmas, and a newfound alliance with Lucille.

## Operational Proficiency

### Abilities and Skills

* **Perception of Lucille:** Roku possesses the unique ability to perceive the presence of Lucille, a messenger and guide to the realm of hell, when others cannot.
* **Combat Skills:** Roku and his childhood friend Machi have undergone training to become skilled fighters. Roku demonstrates his combat prowess by executing a surprise assault on his Father and fellow assassins, systematically dismembering them.
* **Agility:** Roku displays remarkable agility during his confrontation with his Father and the assassins, swiftly dispatching them one by one.

### Weaponry

* **Sword:** Roku wields a sword during his confrontation with his Father and the other assassins, using it as a weapon to defend himself and defeat his adversaries.
* **Fire Manipulation:** Roku's feathers have the ability to ignite and create flames, which he uses to devastating effect during the battle in his Father's room.
* **Dark Feathers Manipulation:** His dark feathers also seemed to function as a weapon, consuming everything in their path when ignited.
* **Telepathic Connection:** Lucille establishes a telepathic connection with Roku, allowing them to communicate mentally and coordinate actions.

## Trivia

* Lucille offers Roku a deal to evade death for a century and gain its abilities. Roku admits to taking many lives but claims it was mostly Machi's idea but Lucille sees Roku as a "better bad guy."
* Roku commits to the deal with Lucille by raising his own blood.
* Roku and Lucille visit Machi's grave and place a loaf of bread there. Lucille then offers to provide Roku with experiences to stave off boredom.