Rihito Sajou

* Manga (Color)
* Manga (B&W)
* Anime
* Young

**Rihito Sajou** *(佐条利人, Sajou Rihito; Also known as **Licht**)* is one of the main protagonists of the Doukyuusei series. Having graduated from Kyoto University, he is currently living together with Hikaru Kusakabe in Tokyo, working in a lab at a pharmaceutical company. He formerly attended and graduated from Toufu Daiichi High School, along with Hikaru.

## Bio

### Appearance

Rihito has dark black hair with side-swept bangs. He has upturned, angular eyes and wears slim, wire frame glasses. In high school, he wore his uniform very neatly and could often be seen wearing a wrist watch. His fashion style is quite plain, usually opting for a more conservative look. He seems to favor turtlenecks, button-ups and long coats. He can be often be seen wearing a thin yukata around his Kyoto home.

### Personality

Rihito is usually stoic and reserved. Initially, he appears quite gloomy and doesn't speak up often, preferring to keep to himself. He is a hard worker, even trying to practice for his class's recital on his own when he couldn't read the board, despite his worst subject being music. He is also prone to overthinking. He aimed to please his parents and authority figures by doing well in his studies, possibly to the point of anxiety. He also initially has quite low self-esteem. Despite his smarts, he does not look down on others, such as Hikaru, for not being academically minded, nor does he view them as lesser for striving for the things they love. He has a stubborn streak, a trait he shares with his father. He can also be quite snarky at times.

Rihito initially hides strong emotions, particularly crying, repressing them in front of others. Rihito also struggles with internalized homophobia, to the point of self-loathing at times. These aspects of his character are where much of his conflict with Hikaru throughout the series stems from, clashing with Hikaru's laidback nature and indifference to the opinions of others. As the series goes on, he gradually overcomes it, becoming more open with Hikaru and worrying less about what others think.

In O.B., blanc (after reuniting with Hikaru), and Home, he is considerably more happy and upbeat than he was initially. He becomes more openly affectionate, often being the one to initiate physical affection. He is also more willing to stand up for himself to authority figures, as seen in blanc when he yells at his father after being rejected for coming out to him. As of Home, he is also now much more open with showing his emotions and feelings, specifically in front of Hikaru, whom he will embrace in the middle of the night and seek support from after having bad dreams.

### Background

Rihito grew up in Tokyo, being raised primarily by his mother while his father worked overseas. He was named by his paternal grandfather, a Christian former university professor (the name "Rihito" being homophonous to Licht, which means "Light" in German). His eyesight deteriorated in Kindergarten, and he has been wearing glasses ever since. He appears to have had a lonely childhood, being shy and reserved. He has his first love in first grade, a crush on a sixth grader boy at his local youth organization. Rihito has always known he was gay from a young age. Academically gifted, he always had perfect grades growing up and has been going to cram school ever since he was in the third grade. He has an aversion to public trains, worsening into anxiety after encountering a molester on a train when he was in middle school. during his high school entrance exams, he collapses on the train and fails the exams for all the schools he wants, only passing the exam to Toufu Daiichi High School, where he meets Hikaru.

## Relationships

### Hikaru Kusakabe

Rihito's husband and former classmate. Rihito considers Hikaru to be his most precious person. Before they officially met, Rihito took notice of Hikaru during class and seemed to be curious about him. After Hikaru offers to tutor him in music for their class's recital, they gradually become closer, spending every day after school together. In the early stages of their relationship, Rihito is closed-off and insecure because of his fears and internalized homophobia, but as the series goes on he gradually becomes more open and confident. Due to his lack of experience, he's also initially easily embarrassed when it comes to physical affection, but gradually becomes more romantically forward until more often than not, he's the one making Hikaru flustered. Due to their different worldviews and experiences, they tend to clash over some things initially. Nevertheless they both care for each other deeply, openly supportive of each other's endeavors and dreams, and will do whatever they can to be there for each other. Rihito is deeply in love with Hikaru, admiring how carefree and passionate he is. Rihito hates the thought of Hikaru limiting or changing himself to meet the expectations of others, such as when Hikaru shaves his hair off in blanc to appease Rihito's father. He also worries about Hikaru's well-being, such as when he asks Hikaru to take the bullet train instead of his bike to Kyoto, and scolds him when he *does* get into a bike accident. Rihito's favorite habit of Hikaru's is his slouch and he thinks the way he falls asleep quickly is cute.

### Kumi Sajou

Rihito's relationship with his mother appears to be slightly strained. Kumi mentions that they used to play together like a normal mother and son, but over time he became distant and quiet. After her passing, Rihito mentions that he's never been good with talking to his mother. Despite this, they still love and care about each other very much. Kumi is quickly accepting of Rihito's sexuality and his relationship with Hikaru, supporting them both and urging Rihito to make up quickly with Hikaru in blanc. After her passing, Rihito is sad and regretful, but honors her memory by having a framed picture of her at his wedding.

### Rihito's Father

Rihito's relationship with his father is very strained. Not much is known about his relationship with him when he was a child, but it appears as if his father was emotionally distant and never around, bordering on neglectful. Rihito's father is very conservative and old-fashioned, going as far as to hit him after he comes out to him, devolving into a shouting match. After blanc, Rihito seems open to reconciling with his father, but stating that he isn't going to apologize anymore and that he's finally found happiness.

As of Home chapter 3, his father seems considerably more open to the idea of Rihito's sexuality. His father asks when he became the way he is, and after initially ignoring the question, Rihito eventually responds that he's always been gay ever since he was born, with a smile. His father seems accepting and responds that he never noticed. They also share a moment of laughter as his father adds too many tea leaves when making tea, causing Rihito to remember how he did the same in Sotsugyousei. In Home, he buys the married couple a new refrigerator and two feather quilts.

### Maya Miyamura

One of Rihito's university friends. They are good friends who care about each other. Miyamura is attracted to Rihito, but she is aware and respectful that he is gay and in a committed relationship. When Rihito and Hikaru break up in blanc, she's the one who forces Rihito to leave his house and actively encourages him to reconcile with Hikaru. Miyamura tends to tease Sajou sometimes, particularly about his relationship. In *Home*, Miyamura accidentally states her feelings for Rihito, but apologizes the next morning while stating that she feels a weight has been lifted after finally saying it. Rihito responds that out of the girls he knows, he likes Miyamura the most, causing her to scold him comically.

### Kinosaki

One of Rihito's university friends. Kinosaki was the first friend Rihito made at university, and they appear to be good friends. Kinosaki is briefly attracted to Rihito, but it is unknown if he still holds these feelings. When Rihito's mother is in hospital during blanc, Kinosaki keeps him company while Sajou makes preparations, and also lightly encourages him to make up with Hikaru. Kinosaki tends to tease Sajou sometimes, particularly about his relationship.

### Manabu Hara

Rihito's relationship with Hara is strange. He appears to be uneasy around him at times, but is also oblivious to when Hara makes advances on him. Being his teacher and an authority figure, he trusts that Hara is looking out for him. After graduating high school, he still has a good opinion of Hara.

## Quotes

> *"You're too optimistic! You don't get how hard it is to stick out! How hard it is to not be "normal"!!"*
>
>

-"In Kyoto", Sotsugyousei – Spring–

> *"Well, yeah. This is your chance, isn't it? In the music industry, these kinds of connections are important. And... you still don't have a contract. Plus, them asking a student, that doesn't happen every day, right? You should go."*
>
>

*-"Graduation", Sotsugyousei – Spring–*

> *"I want you... to be able to go after... the things you want to do, and get to do them... that...* that's *the you... I... the you that I* love!*"*
>
>

*-"Graduation", Sotsugyousei – Spring–*

> *"I love you... I love you... Kusakabe."*
>
>

*-"Graduation", Sotsugyousei – Spring–*

> *"When we turn twenty... please marry me. I... I just kind of wanted to say it, too, so I did!"*
>
>

*-"#7: Hikaru and Rihito", O.B.*

> *"I'm glad you came today. I wish we could have talked sooner. If we had... maybe... Mom might have been able to come with you. I'm sorry for not being able to say "thank you." I'm also going to stop saying sorry all the time. Thank you. I... I'm happy."*
>
>

*- "Epilogue", Blanc*

## Etymology

**Sajou - Sa** (佐) means "assistant, help" and **Jou** (条) means "article, item".

**Rihito - Ri** (利) means ”favorable, successful, sharp" and **Hito** (人) means "person". **Licht** means "light" in German.

## Gallery

*Main article: Rihito Sajou/Image Gallery*

## Trivia

* His zodiac sign is Scorpio.
* His birthday is the same day as his and Hikaru's wedding anniversary, October 28.
* He uses the Japanese pronoun "Boku" (僕).
* He has known he was gay ever since he was a young child.
* Rihito's name in German has the same meaning as Hikaru's name, "Light".
* The reason his family nickname is "Hii-chan" is because his cousin Ritsuko already had the nickname of "Ricchan".
* According to the 2010 Fanbook Timeline:
	+ His best subjects are Mathematics and Physics.
	+ His worst subject is music.
	+ He's not a good cook.
	+ He rarely catches a cold.
* According to the 10th Anniversary Q&A:
	+ He has never tried wearing contact lenses.
	+ His favorite movie genre is suspense.
	+ His favorite dish Hikaru has made for him is pasta.
	+ If he could have one request granted by Hikaru, it would be a massage.
	+ He thinks the way Hikaru falls asleep easily is cute.
	+ His favorite habit/gesture of Hikaru's is how he slouches and walks bowlegged.
* According to the 2022 Q&A:
	+ His favorite color is blue.
		- He also likes yellow for "personal reasons."
	+ His favorite flowers are ones that grow on branches, like Plum Blossoms.
	+ His favorite subjects are Science and Mathematics.
	+ He is clingy to Hikaru when he wakes up in the morning.
	+ His dream is to live a normal life together with Hikaru.
* According to Asumiko Nakamura, if she had to pick a flower to represent Rihito, it would be Forget-me-not.
* His name has been romanized a number of different ways in official merchandise, including "Richt", "Lihito", "Lichit", among others.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gf6Nii0CTs
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://ikezuyawa.tumblr.com/post/646348874937679872/timeline-of-sajou-rihito-a-bespectacled-honor
3. ↑ https://ikezuyawa.tumblr.com/post/656062930917441536/doukyuusei-10th-anniversary-qa-translation
4. ↑ https://ikezuyawa.tumblr.com/post/682858896527966208/translation-doukyuusei-series-special-feature
5. ↑ https://ikezuyawa.tumblr.com/post/615981117589389312/sajou-kusakabes-flowers-from-the-10th