Naruse Shisuto

**Naruse Shisuto** (成 (なる) 瀬 (せ) 詩 (し) 守 (す) 斗 (と) , *Naruse Shisuto*?) is a student at Itan Private High School and one of the main supporting characters of *Komi-san wa Komyushou Desu*. Naruse is a narcissist who believes everyone adores him when in reality most people find him weird and a loner. Despite his ego, though, Naruse is actually a kind person that cares for the people around him, which gradually gives him real friends after previously only having Kometani Chushaku for company. He is the 43rd of Komi’s friends, one of the best friends of Tadano Hitohito, and the boyfriend of Ase Shibuki.

## Appearance

Naruse has blue, gelled hair with bangs he can often be seen adjusting. He wears glasses and is also usually seen with his earbuds. He was first introduced wearing the school male uniform which he is most often seen in, with his jacket buttons frequently undone.

## History

Naruse is a person who believes that all people are his fans and the reason he is not approached is that others think he is too good for them to talk to. Believing that Komi is the only person who would be able to relate to this problem he attempts to talk to her multiple times but is foiled by Komi's fans. To him, Tadano is so ordinary that he seems invisible. Later when Naruse leaves the classroom he drops his handkerchief which Komi returns to him. This action causes Naruse to believe Komi is in love with him and asks for her number the next day. He doesn't get her number but thanks to some words from his friend Kometani he does get the number of Tadano and they become friends.

Naruse is in Tadano and Katai's group on the school trip. Naruse becomes friends with Katai during their bath time.

When everyone enters their second years, Naruse is in class 2-1 along with Komi et al. Being friends with Tadano and Komi from the previous year, Naruse and Kometani begin tagging along with Komi, Tadano, and Rumiko (and occasionally Najimi), in addition to their new friend Ase.

In Chapter 165, during a trip to the beach, Naruse trips in the sand and gets pulled out to sea upside down. After being saved by the lifeguards, Naruse is feeling down. Ase stays with Naruse after that.

In Chapter 180, as Shibuki and Naruse tremble onward during Najimi's "Test of Courage", Ase apologizes for having to be Naruse's partner and berates herself for her sweatiness, even as Naruse cowardly hides behind her. Naruse replies with comforting words, saying she shouldn't be so hard on herself for her sweating, and thanks to her for sticking by his side after the embarrassing incident on the beach. He then blows it off with a narcissistic comment. Hereafter, Naruse seems to start developing feelings toward Ase.

In Chapters 211 and 229, Naruse attempts to lend a hand to Ase. In Ch 211, he's going to get the sweaty Ase some water during the Sports Festival. In Ch 229, he starts helping Ase clean up confetti. Both times, though, he is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Isagi Kiyoko. The first time, Isagi intercedes by offering Ase water before Naruse gets the chance, The second, Naruse gets a swift whack from Isagi's mallet when he gets too close to Ase. And a few extra hundred whacks thereafter, for good measure.

In chapter 361, Manbagi observed Ase and Naruse are always being together. This resulted to confronting Ase and Ase finally confirms that she and Naruse are in relationship. She further confirmed that it was she who confessed and was flustered when asked if they smooched (by the girl love talk group). Kiyoko became out cold during this.

## Personality

Naruse is a flamboyant narcissist, whose ego is matched only by his utter lack of self-awareness. He has a tendency to strike poses for the world (often by ripping open his shirt), even when nobody is watching. However, Naruse is ultimately a kind young man, and would never put others down.

Naruse is more intelligent than he appears, scoring well on exams and being one of the few characters to realize Komi's communication disorder on his own (although he discards the thought quickly). Conversely, he is extremely clumsy and incompetent with physical activities.

## Etymology

Naruse's name is a transparent pun on "narcissist" (ナルシスト, *narushisuto*?).

## Trivia

* Naruse relaxes by standing in front of mirrors.
* All of his thoughts are commentated on by Kometani Chuusaku. Although Kometani often points out Naruse's delusions, he tells Tadano that Naruse "isn't a bad person."
* Naruse's seat during class for both his first and second years is in the back row, nearest to the widow. His placement is a reference to an anime trope known as "The Protagonist's Seat." The trope revolves around how many school-aged manga and anime protagonists find themselves seated at that specific spot; back row, nearest to the window. Naruse believes himself to be the true protagonist of the series, so he sits in the fated seat too.
* He can be seen as early as Chapter 17, page 8, frame 2. Though his face isn't visible, you can see Naruse in his signature pose, with his shirt off, in the top right of the frame (in the back corner of the classroom, where he sits).
* Naruse has a cameo in the first chapter's double-page spread.
* Naruse enjoys western music and is shown listening to "Justice Bieber" in his intro chapter.
* He is one of the few characters to realize Komi's communication disorder, though he changes his mind quickly, instead theorizing that she's actually waiting for other people to talk to her.
* In Chapter 157 it's revealed that Naruse scores very well on exams, to the surprise of his friends.
* Naruse placed 25th in the first manga popularity poll.
* He bears some resemblance to Narukami Yu from the Persona 4 games.