Ruka Morito

**Overview**CharacterGallery

**Ruka Morito** (森戸琉夏, *Morito Ruka*) is one of the characters in *My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* series, written and illustrated by Mashiro. Prior to joining the Chocolate Rabbit Guild, he was a solo player in the game Forest of Savior. His decision to become a member of the guild was influenced by an encounter in the PVP area, where he and Akane were rescued by Yamada, Ruri, and Takezo.

## Appearance

Ruka, a recent addition to the guild, is a freshman in high school and is notably smaller in stature compared to his guildmates. Despite being male, his posture is somewhat delicate and effeminate, which is further accentuated by his long, light-colored hair. His complexion is distinctly pale, which can be attributed to his British ancestry; his grandmother is of British descent, and this may have contributed to his fair skin. It is not uncommon for individuals with British heritage to have a lighter skin tone due to the climate in that region, as well as the genetic makeup of their ancestors.

## Personality

Ruka initially admired Yamada and tried to befriend him by emulating Yamada's character style and appearance. He sent multiple friend requests, assuming Yamada disliked him for being too weak to accept them. This led Ruka to work on increasing his power in the game to potentially gain Yamada's friendship.

In various situations, Ruka displayed a degree of insecurity and inferiority complex, feeling overshadowed by Yamada's maturity and others treating him like a child. He had a belief that he couldn't compete with mature adults like Yamada, expressing a sense of discomfort around others, feeling somewhat out of place, and considering himself inferior when compared to Yamada.

Ruka felt anxious and awkward during interactions, especially when receiving attention from guild members or being caught off guard by unexpected encounters, causing him discomfort. He also shared a similar traumatic experience with Yamada concerning being groped in public transport, expressing discomfort around guild members despite their kindness towards him.

Despite his insecurities, Ruka displayed a kind and gentle nature, empathizing with Runa's struggles to adapt to new situations, and trying to assure her that she need not be overly cautious or guarded around him. He displayed concern for Runa's feelings and her potential reaction to him joining the guild, showing a desire to avoid disrupting the group's dynamics.

Ruka's interactions with Runa showcased his playfulness, responding to her comments about potential bullying with teasing remarks, indicating a budding camaraderie. He engaged in light-hearted banter with Runa, expressing his confusion over her unexpected questions about liking her and was generally uncertain about her intentions.

While feeling uncertain about his place in the guild and acknowledging that if any member opposed his presence, he'd leave to avoid causing disruptions, Ruka showed a willingness to be accepted, giving Runa an opportunity to formally introduce herself to him, indicating his openness to establishing amicable relations despite his initial hesitations.

## Plot

### Background

Luka admired Yamada deeply and aspired to befriend him in the game. Initially, he found inspiration in Yamada's top-ranking status, leading him to imitate Yamada's character style, equipment, and appearance. Despite multiple failed friend requests to Yamada, Luka believed that increasing his own power would eventually make him worthy of Yamada's friendship.

Luka faced a situation where Akane was attacked, and his inability to fight instantly due to being a wizard made him feel ineffective during the attack. This led to a rescue by Yamada and other guild members, which altered Luka's perception of Yamada's stance towards him. Believing Yamada disliked him, Luka felt relieved after understanding that Yamada might reject requests from those outside the guild. Consequently, Luka accepted an invitation to join the guild to resolve misunderstandings and put an end to his assumption that Yamada despised him.

Reflecting on Yamada's past experiences, Luka discovered similarities between himself and Yamada during high school. Yamada's past encounter with harassment on a train led Luka to question Yamada's actions, suggesting a shared traumatic experience of being groped in public transport.

During a photo session, Luka felt discomfort when Akane's tight grip drew him closer, which made him perceive women as somewhat soft and intimidating, and sought a break afterward.

Luka experienced a sense of inferiority when compared to Yamada, feeling treated like a child and acknowledging Akane's perception of him as a younger brother. However, Luka started viewing Akane as a potential partner, albeit feeling inadequate around mature adults like Yamada.

Expressing discomfort around guild members despite their kindness, Luka shared his fear of trains due to a past traumatic experience, paralleling Runa's difficulties in adapting to new situations and feeling uneasy around the guild.

Luka empathized with Runa's struggles, expressing understanding of her emotions and indicating his willingness to accommodate her guarded nature, reflecting his own shyness and unease around others.

Despite his initial intentions to leave if any member opposed his presence in the guild, Luka showed a desire to be accepted, engaging in playful banter with Runa while addressing her concerns about his potential departure. However, Runa's unexpected questions about liking her left Luka confused and uncertain about her true intentions.

Luka displayed a kind, gentle, and innocent nature, captivating Eita and Takezo, who admired his demeanor. His interactions with Runa showcased his understanding of her emotions and his willingness to create a comfortable environment for her, despite his own insecurities.

## Relationships

### Akane Kinoshita

Luka and Akane share a close online relationship within the game. They've had multiple encounters while playing the game and during crucial moments, especially during attacks. Akane seems to rely on Luka during dire situations, acknowledging his presence and support. There's a level of understanding and camaraderie between Luka and Akane, shown during moments of distress or when discussing the guild's offline meeting.

### Akito Yamada

Luka has a significant admiration for Yamada, starting with him seeing Yamada's high ranking in the game. Luka tries to befriend Yamada by sending multiple friend requests, but they're consistently ignored. He admires Yamada's character style, equipment, and overall appearance, even imitating them to a considerable extent. Their first encounter in person is a significant moment for Luka, who previously believed that Yamada despised him due to ignored friend requests. Luka joins the guild following an invitation extended by Ruri, which Yamada is a part of, clearing up misunderstandings and initiating a resolution between Luka and Yamada.

### Runa Sasaki

Luka's interactions with Runa are primarily centered around her discomfort with his presence in the guild. Runa initially expresses concern over how Luka's joining might affect the dynamics within the guild. She appears cautious and protective, setting boundaries for their relationship and mentioning her hesitations about him potentially bullying her. However, as they spend more time together, there's an attempt at understanding and acceptance between them, with Runa gradually opening up to Luka during their conversation, sharing her feelings and concerns.

## References

*My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* Manga: Chapter 91 (Page 4).
*My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* Manga: Chapter 89 (Pages 4-7).
*My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* Manga: Chapter 91 (Pages 6-8).
*My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* Manga: Chapter 92 (Pages 6-16).
*My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* Manga: Chapter 92 (Page 2).
*My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* Manga: Chapter 93 (Pages 1-14).
*My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* Manga: Chapter 92 (Pages 3-5).
*My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999* Manga: Chapter 93 (Pages 6-8).