Shiho Izumi

**Shiho Izumi** (泉(いずみ) 志(し)帆(ほ), *Izumi Shiho*) is a supporting character of the manga series *Whisper Me a Love Song*. She is a third-year high school student and the main vocalist and guitarist of the band Lorelei.

## Appearance

Shiho is a slim teenage girl of average height with dark blue hair, falling to just below her chest. She usually styles it with a short side ponytail on the left side of her head, tied together with a ribbon.

## Plot

### Early life

As a child, Shiho was very passionate about the violin, to the point where she described any day she wasn't practicing painful. She always won first place, whether it be class or recital, Kyou and explained how she, like Shiho, also played the violin, only that she had just moved into the area because of her father's work and that was why she hadn't been able to participate in recitals yet.

It is later that they meet again, realizing they're attending the same school. Though being in separate grades, Kyou and Shiho became once again. Kyou compliments Shiho's dedication, confessing that she only played the violin for her father and had always wanted to play guitar; to which Shiho replies by saying she wouldn't be able to beat her if she were any less serious. She would later be disproved, however, as it was only after watching Kyou's performance that Shiho realizes her inferiority. In frustration, she yells at Kyou, mired, and gave up on her, she dedicates herself to her new profound passion, claiming it should be able to quell her feelings.

## Relationships

### Aki Mizuguchi

From the very beginning of Shiho's introduction, her relationship with Aki had been that of tension, hostility, and seemingly competitiveness. There was a visible dislike for one another which stemmed from their past in SSGIRLS, wherein Shiho left the band; though it's greatly implied it has to do with her unrequited crush on Aki, who seemed to have feelings for Yori at the time.

Aki and Shiho first became friends during their first year of high school, when Aki suggested that they form a band together after she discovered Shiho crying about once again falling out with her bandmates. SSGIRLS was soon formed, with the addition of both Mari and Kaori.

Though often arguing about different music tastes, Aki found herself loving being in a band with Shiho. They were very close, Aki's little sister Miki mentioned how Aki referred to Shiho as her best friend and often invited her to their house. Over time, Shiho realized that she had fallen in love with Aki. To this end, she wrote a love letter to Aki with the intention of giving it to her. However, she instead found Yori singing a song for her as she blushed over it. Realizing that Aki did not reciprocate her feelings in favor of Yori, she shredded the letter and ran away in tears. Their relationship soon enters a rift after Shiho decided that they weren't being serious about becoming professionals, to which Aki protests by criticizing Shiho's singing. A fight broke out between them wherein Shiho admits to having hated performing with them, in turn leading Aki to grow frustrated, slapping her. Shiho then quit the band and somewhere after formed Lorelei.

Later in the event of Himari's taste-testing party, Shiho finds out about Yori and Himari's relationship. After realizing "how everything was taken away," she offers Aki a wager in which, if Shiho loses, she will tell her side of the story with the condition that Himari will become Lorelei's manager.

After unintentionally revealing her feelings for Aki and the true reason she left the band to Himari, Shiho decides to cut all ties with Aki after the concert in an attempt to spare them both from their fractured relationship. One hour before the concert starts, Himari leads her behind the bleachers and unwillingly runs into Aki, who asked Himari to get Shiho there. Aki asks her if she really hated her this much to make a decision that drastic, to which Shiho responds that her feelings had no part in her decision, just believed that it was best to not get involved anymore. Shiho then questions her on why she insisted on meeting, assuming it was out of cowardice. While Aki doesn't deny that she wished to know the truth, she refused to believe that all the good memories they made together were all a lie and suggests that they start over again.

### Himari Kino

Shiho is seen to be very friendly with Himari, even trusting her enough to tell her about her past. Shiho is first introduced to Himari with Hajime after barging into one of their club meetings, later being revealed as a ghost member. Shiho about to leave with Hajime was forced behind by Momoka and Himari begging her to help them, being a club member. Himari later praises Shiho's humming, to which the latter denies, but remarks she was the best nevertheless. Himari expresses her desire to hear Shiho sing and promises to come to their audition, all the while Shiho comments on how honest she was. In a later discussion, Himari compliments Shiho and calls her cool, who in return calls her a weird girl, but admits she doesn't dislike Himari. Shiho calls her "Hima."

They later meet again, coincidentally, with Shiho working in a cafe, Himari decided to wait. The two decide to have cake as a break when Himari calls Shiho out for not talking about herself that much. Shiho reveals since she doesn't bother to ask about people, she doesn't say anything about herself either. Himari interjects and claims that she does care, admitting that she wants to know Shiho more. Shiho notes she never met someone persistent as Himari is, and decides to tell her about her past. She later tells her that she never told anyone about it before, telling Himari that this remains a secret between them.

### Momoka Satomiya

Fellow bandmate, Momoka is Lorelei's bassist.

### Hajime Amasawa

Fellow bandmate, Hajime is Lorelei's drum.

## Etymology

* The name **Shiho** means "will, purpose" (志, *shi*) and "sail" (帆, *ho*).
* Shiho's surname **Izumi** means "spring, fountain" (泉).