Minami Tsutsumi

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**Minami Tsutsumi** (津々見 三奈美 *Tsutsumi Minami*) is a former friend of Hitoe Madoka and Futaba Nishizawa, at a past date it is shown that she had a falling out with Hitoe when Futaba went missing, as Hitoe seemingly wanted everything that she wanted, referring to Hanabusa. This obsession causes them to cut all ties with each other. It is also revealed that Hanabusa originally picked her, and carved an image of a butterfly into her back. She is also shown to be anemic when she passes out when Sakurako Kujō questions her about Hitoe's whereabouts.

Minami is voiced by Yui Kondou.

## Plot

Minami become involved with Hanabusa, evident by the fact that he carves an image of a butterfly into her back. As she is questioned by Sakurako Kujō, it is revealed that she came upon Hitoe Madoka after she had murdered Futaba, thinking that the latter went ahead with her threat of suicide. When finding the sphenoid of Futaba Nishizawa was missing, Sakurako deduces that it was Hanabusa manipulating behind the scenes.

This revelation completely broke Minami, who could not bear the thought that she had been used and fallen in love with a murderer. She feebly insisted that she was loved, only for Kujo to tell her that was not the case. Due to her lack of social skills, Sakurako told Minami in a rather hurtful way that what she went through was not love but a nightmare. Hanabusa does not love or care about Minami one bit and never had done. The only thing he wants to do is further his murders and collection of bones.

Hearing this Minami became completely unstable. Reaching into her hoodie, Minami pulled out a painters knife. Before anybody could stop her she lunged at Sakurako and attempted to stab her. However, Shōtarō Tatewaki managed to throw himself in the way and took the hit. Panting heavily, Minami who barely seemed to register what she had just done, drew back without a word.

Minami was last seen in a hospital, separate to the one Shōtarō was undergoing treatment at. She was drawing a picture of a butterfly, identical to the one Hanabusa previously carved onto her back. She had apparently just been visited by Itsuki and Hitoe, who left her some food and a note. Given the nature of her drawing, it was clear that Minami had ignored Sakurako's advice and was still delusionally obsessed with Hanabusa. However, she was also listening to the radio, which confirmed the discovery of more bodies, thus verifying his status as a murderer. Hearing this Minami stopped her drawing. Though she continued to stare at the picture, there is hope that she may eventually recover and be able to get over him.

What happened to Minami after this is not clear, nor is it stated why she is even in the hospital in the first place. Whilst it is entirely possible that she is simply undergoing treatment for her anemia, this does not seem likely. Not only that, the police and media are not only aware of what happened at the crime scene but her involvement in covering up a murder/suicide. Therefore, the most plausible explanation is that Minami has been sent to a mental hospital and is currently undergoing psychiatric evaluation and therapy. It is also possible that she will face criminal charges in the future, both for stabbing Shōtarō and helping to conceal Futaba's body, although the former is less likely given that Shōtarō isn't the type to press charges.

## Etymology

* The name **Minami** means "three" (三) (**mi**), "apple tree" (奈) (**na**) and "beautiful" (美) (**mi**).
* Minami's surname **Tsutsumi** means "haven, port, harbor, ferry" (津) (**tsu**) and "see, hopes, chances, idea, opinion, look at, visible" (見) (**mi**).