Rin Tomioka

Rin Tomioka (Tomioka Rin) is one of the founding members and co-captain of Nero Chatte (Kuro Neko-kai).

## Appearance

Rin is a slender boy of medium height and tanned skin. He often projects intimidation upon others, even unintentionally, due to the nature of his cold features. His eyes, dark blue in colour, have a subtle downward tilt, accentuated by short, curled lashes and a singular mole beneath one eye. His white hair elegantly parts into two substantial sections, draping over his forehead with layers cascading towards the edge of his nape.

During his childhood, Rin frequently dressed in branded clothing. His dark brown hair was often styled with plenty of hair gel, slicked back, and groomed to appear perfect. However, during his period of homelessness, Rin's hair grew into dishevelled layers, entangled and unevenly cropped.

As an adult, Rin sports tousled dark brown hair cropped evenly to expose a prominent undercut and voluminous bangs that cascade right above his eyes.

## Personality

Rin appears as a boy with contagious enthusiasm and a carefree nature. He embodies the typical traits of a young teenager; finding joy in gaming, staying abreast of new media releases, and amounting to even a fan-collection of idols. Rin's talkative nature attracts those towards him, and he often speaks of feuds within international media or any new releases of popular music.

Rin takes the role of a caregiver in most dynamics, nurturing those around him with the utmost of care. While this is apparent, it is mostly noticeably founded within his relationship with Kuro Tanaka, whom he takes great care of. His knowledge of current trends expands into the domain of fashion—seen within his ability to coordinate simplistic but trendy outfits that appeal to Kuro's style.

Contrary to his usual demeanour, Rin exudes a sadistic aura in the midst of battles. Within such an environment, he's perceived as devoid of affection as a consequence of suppressed anger, often appearing indifferent or even enigmatic during fights. His lack of care makes him a dangerous component within battle. Kuro has mentioned that his fighting style stems from pent-up anger, which is subsequently unleashed through combat. Despite such explosive tendencies, his loyalty and determination to protect Nero Chatte enable better balance within himself. However, there have been numerous instances where he teeters on the brink, struggling to contain his anger and risking his integrity.

Rin's wit and sardonic humour often lighten the mood, though this might make him appear ostentatious. He effortlessly integrates sarcastic remarks into his interactions, often teasing those around him. While his sarcasm can be biting and occasionally obtuse, there's a notable exception—he has never directed this behaviour toward Kuro out of a deep sense of respect towards his pivotal role within Nero Chatte.

Furthermore, as the vice-leader of Nero Chatte, Rin showcases remarkable prowess in tactical strategy and a profound understanding of gang-related dynamics. His expertise often surpasses Kuro's, leading him to take a primary role in devising strategies and handling interactions with external gangs. Rin's adeptness in comprehending social nuances is indispensable to Nero Chatte's overall stability, a skill he effectively leverages for the gang's benefit. Because of this, it has been mentioned that he is an invaluable member of the structure of Nero Chatte.

Despite being intellectually gifted and adorning leadership qualities, Rin tends to blend into the background. He detests expectations and pressure, choosing to stay behind Kuro's shadow. His unwavering faith in Kuro as a leader supersedes almost everything else. Many refer to him as Kuro's bag or even pet due to his inclination to obediently follow and adhere to Kuro's lead. It has been mentioned by even Clown, who referred to such traits as negative; believing that Rin's reliance on Kuro as a form of stability merely makes him weaker. Furthermore, his submission to Nero Chatte as a whole has been registered by many as a parasite to his potential. Rin perceives such a pattern of behaviour as a depiction of familial structure, which is essential to Nero Chatte's foundation.

External to Nero Chatte, Rin harbours a strong aspiration to overhaul the Tomioka family's image. He has verbally discussed his wish to revamp the family structure entirely, aiming to secure a better life for his younger brother.

## Background

Rin was born out of wedlock, the offspring of his immigrant father and Narina Tomioka, the heiress of the prestigious Tomioka family, renowned for its successful business ventures in Japan. As a result, he was raised in secrecy, which led to emotional isolation. Narina, merely 16 at the time, lacked the emotional capacity and responsibility to raise a child under such circumstances. Though not neglectful in material care, she often left him emotionally deprived. She found herself unable to love him, as he was a constant reminder of her wrongdoing.

Following his mother's arranged marriage and the birth of his younger brother, Rin's neglect intensified. His mother's attention dwindled, and he found himself relegated to the care of the family's servants. Despite his yearning to be part of the family structure, he was consistently kept at a distance, a hidden and disregarded figure within the household.

Driven by anguish, Rin sought out his mother once more, timidly asking to return to live with her, even in the presence of her new husband and child. However, his plea was met with rejection—his mother treated him as a stranger, feigning ignorance toward his presence. This dismissal left Rin engulfed in a fit of anger.

Upon his return home, Rin resolved to run away, yearning to forge a new family with a father he had never known. Armed with only a name and a visual image drawn from a picture his mother once possessed, he managed to uncover an address. However, to his dismay, he discovered only remnants of an existence. His servant, who had trailed him, opted to expose what had transpired in guilt.

Rin's father, an immigrant serving under the Tomioka family, had shared a genuine love with Narina, Rin's mother, and they had planned to escape together. However, after Rin's birth, Narina succumbed to depression, shattered by the weight of her parents' expectations. To keep them apart, the Tomioka family deceitfully informed Rin's father that Narina had perished during childbirth, and Rin had not survived beyond an hour—a fabrication that led to his father's tragic suicide. He loved both Rin and Narina so deeply that he couldn't bear to live without them. His last documented note included a brief message desiring to join his wife and child in the sanctuary of heaven.

Rin's anger continued to grow, leading him to flee from home once more, adopting a false identity and surviving on the streets. To sustain himself, he resorted to illicit activities like theft and underground boxing, earning money through these means. Lost and engulfed in rage, he became labelled as a fighting monster, consumed by his street life. He used such a path as an outlet of his anger, which had blinded him of all good.

It wasn't until Kuro showed a genuine interest in him that Rin began to reconsider his ways. Initially viewing Kuro as aloof and nonsensical, Rin was surprised by Kuro's persistent desire for his company, even accompanying him to multiple fights. Over time, Kuro's influence began to impact Rin significantly, prompting him to revisit his family—but this time, in disguise. During a brief visit to his brother Kun's school, Rin realized that, much like himself, his brother suffered from their mother's neglect and the suffocating expectations of the Tomioka family. The reflection of his past self manifested in Kun, which ignited a deep-rooted fear that his brother would follow in his steps.

As a result, he accepts Kuro's proposal to establish a new gang focused on protecting others rather than inflicting harm. He sees this as an opportunity to forge his own identity and build a safer community, especially for his younger brother Kun. He held the belief that after attaining sufficient education and composure, he could re-enter the Tomioka company with the goal of infiltrating its ranks and completely restructuring the organization. That way, his brother would escape the wrath that pigmented Rin's existence and thus lead a euphoric life.

## Skills and Abilities

### Authority

Rin holds a significant role within the Nero Chatte gang as the second founding member and vice-president. As second to Kuro, his position is crucial for upholding the gang's integrity and asserting their dominance upon fellow gangs.

### Fighting Prowess

In his life, Rin heavily depended on his exceptional combat abilities and innate talent to navigate the streets. Engaging in illegal battles during his life, he honed his strengths, acquiring great combat. Moreover, his anger fuels an aggressive, straightforward, fighting style—a double-edged sword but a pivotal factor in battle. Though not the top fighter, his prowess is noteworthy enough to earn recognition from fellow gang members and even those of external groups.

### Tactician

Rin's intellect is depicted through in his approach to combat, leveraging his strategic mind for fighting. His ability to devise winning strategies is highly valued within Nero Chatte.

## Weaknesses

### Anger

Rin struggles with sporadic anger that can contradict his spoken intentions and significantly affect his fighting stance. Specific comments targeting his life or issues can trigger sudden rage despite his efforts in meditation and other practices aimed at resolving this weakness, thus engulfing himself in blind rage. Moreover, in moments of fury, he risks compromising Nero Chatte's principle of avoiding harm fueled by personal emotions—rather than fighting in defence to avoid possible routes of destruction for others.

### Emotional reliance

Rin's dependency on Nero Chatte, particularly on Kuro Tanaka, for maintaining balance could become detrimental. In an alternate life, his life becomes consumed by rage, leading to his eventual downfall following Kuro's death. Consequently, this reliance poses a significant weakness to the integrity of his own identity. Rin's sole reason of balance and structure within his life surrounds Nero Chatte; and he lives based on a concept, something mentioned by Clown. Rin's lack of comprehension for his own weaknesses builds upon his inability to confess his reliance towards Kuro Tanaka.

### Recklessness

Rin sometimes seems reckless, particularly during volatile situations. He tends to overestimate his endurance in battle compared to his actual capabilities, leading to increased conflict and potential harm to himself. While intellectually gifted, he lacks the capability to properly assess his target when fueled with rage, thus leaving himself at a greater loss.

## Relationships

* ***Kuro Tanaka***

Kuro holds immense significance for Rin, serving as a reminder of his responsibilities and providing a crucial support system to prevent further detriment in his life. Rin deeply respects, admires, and cares for Kuro. While emotionally reliant on Kuro, Rin often takes on a nurturing role in their friendship, frequently staying close to care for him and offering praise, even when it might not be required. It's rare for Rin to stray from close proximity, even amounting to being nicknamed Kuro's pet. Furthermore, Rin acts as the verbal translation for Kuro's atypical actions, amounting to wordless conversations between them. Rin claims that this is simply because Kuro openly depicts his thoughts through mannerisms, a language that he has become native in.

* ***Rei Ryūnosuke***

Initially, Rin disapproved of Rei's volatile nature. Unlike others, Rei openly addressed Rin's dependency on Kuro, a concern previously raised only by Clown. Originally skeptical, Rin anticipated her presence would bring detriment, but as they spent more time together, he found himself falling deeply in love with her. Rei's sharp wit and directness became catalysts for Rin's development, enabling further growth. After that, Rin served as a tool of communication for her, often providing advice in help of her endeavours.

* **Kun Tomioka**

Rin's younger half-brother. At first, Rin despised the existence of Kun, using his presence as blame for his mother's neglectful nature. But after deciphering the truth, he began to build a deep-rooted bond with the younger. Rin's entire future is built on the hope that he could provide a befitting life for Kun.

* ***Nanami Mihara***

Initially, Rin saw Nanami as without merit or foundation. He was excessively sarcastic and even obtuse in his interactions with her. He harboured the belief that she might "take away" Kuro from Nero Chatte. However, upon witnessing her genuine affection for Kuro, he acknowledged her as someone who truly cared for him. Gradually, he welcomed her into the family, referring to her as his sister-in-law and even offering advice in moments of difficulty.

* ***Hime Shuuma***

He depicts an overprotective nature towards her. Hime was the second person to join the gang after him, making her one of the founding members. Despite her limited fighting skills or understanding, her efforts to aid others by mending injuries, even those from opposing sides, earned his deep appreciation. Much like his caretaking role with Kuro, he orbits around her as a source of comfort. In an alternate life, she was the primary reason his sanity endured for so long after Kuro's death. Furthermore, Hime's presence is crucial for Rin's happiness.

## Etymology

* ''Rin'' (凜) means cold.
* ''Tomi'' (富) means "wealth, abundance" and 岡 (oka) means "hill, ridge".

## Trivia

* The base used for Rin Tomioka is Chifuyu Matsuno.
* Rin's favourite food is hiyashi chuka.
* His favourite dessert is anmitsu.
* Rin's favourite drink is tea.