Tsukihiko Tachibana

* Child
* Teenager

**Tsukihiko Tachibana** (立花 月彦, *Tachibana Tsukihiko*) is the son of Tamahiko Shima and Yuzuki Tachibana.

## Appearance

Tsukihiko has Yuzuki's brown hair and Tamahiko's grey eyes, and he resembles Tamahiko in facial features. He has two curls on the top of his head, which he inherited from Yuzuki.

## Personality

He is a cheerful and playful young boy who is shown to be pleasant towards others. He is also mature for his age, which amazes Tokoyo. He however dislikes being treated as a baby by Tamako. He is also shown to be intelligent like his father, as he can memorize a tour guide's description of Arima despite being 5-years-old.

He also has a shy side, as he got flustered when complimented by Tokoyo.

## Background

Tsukihiko was born three years after Tamahiko and Yuzuki got married. Despite their financial strains, they showed nothing but love for their son.

## Plot

### *Shōwa Otome Otogi Banashi*

Tsukihiko is seen playing outside his house when Tamako and Tokoyo Kurosaki arrive to visit Yuzuki. Tamako embraces Tsukihiko in awe at how big he's gotten but he retorts she is treating him like a baby. He then tells his mother they have guests. Inside, Yuzuki asks him to get cushions and warns him not to run, as the wooden floors have cracks. Tsukihiko says his mothers snacks are the best in Japan to Tokoyo.

The next day, Liselotte Meggendorfer makes an impromptu visit to the Tachibana house and Tsukihiko tries warning his mother that a weird person is here. When Liselotte begins buying western clothes, she plays dress up with Tsukihiko.

Yuzuki allows Liselotte to take Tsukihiko to the Arima Onsen to visit Tokoyo and his cousin Jintaro. They briefly get lost when they take the wrong train despite Tsukihiko telling her the correct train. He also gives her a detailed description of the town from the tour guide he picked up. Upon arriving at Tokoyo and Jintaro's house, they are welcomed. Tsukihiko tells Jintaro that he is happy to have a cousin, which touches Jintaro. Once the trip is over, Jintaro asks Tsukihiko to bring his parents next time he visits.

Yuzuki later sends a photograph of herself with Tamahiko, 7-year-old Tsukihiko and 1-year-old Haruki. Tsukihiko is briefly seen with his parents; he mails off a letter with his mother, and he and his new younger brother Haruki are being tutored by their father.

When World War ll occurs, Tsukihiko and his family seek refuge in Iwate, where his younger sister, Tamami, is born. When the war ends, teenage Tsukihiko is asked by his mother to help her and his father with some chores and he goes to help.

## Relationships

### Yuzuki Tachibana

Yuzuki is Tsukihiko's mother. He loves his mother very much and she dotes on her son, and shows concern for his well-being.

### Tamahiko Shima

Tsukihiko's father. He is very close to his father and Tamahiko dotes on Tsukihiko, who was tutored as a child by Tamahiko.

### Tamako Shima

Tsukihiko's paternal aunt. They are very close and Tamako dotes on him though Tsukihiko dislikes how she treats him like a baby.

### Tokoyo Kurosaki

When they first met, Tsukihiko treated Tokoyo pleasantly, which was a contrast to how her younger half-brother, who is the same age as Tsukihiko. He also got shy when she complimented his manners.

### Jintaro Shima

Tsukihiko's adoptive cousin. Though they are distantly related, they get along well and Tsukihiko was happy to have Jintaro as his cousin. Jintaro grows fond of Tsukihiko and enjoys spending time with him.

### Liselotte Meggendorfer

Tsukihiko considered her to be strange for coming to his house without permission, as well as her lack of directions. He also is forced to play dress up for her. Overtime, he grows to like her to where he refers to her as his 'older sister'.

## Etymology

* The name **Tsukihiko** means "moon" (月) (**tsuki**) and "boy, prince" (彦) (**hiko**).

## Trivia

* Due to his father's tutoring, Tsukihiko is able to read exceptionally good at an early age.
* As a child, Tsukihiko shared his mother's love for singing.
* Tsukihiko and his father share the same birthday (September 1).

## References

1. ↑ Chapter 15
2. ↑ Chapter 19
3. ↑ Chapter 42