Haruo Inomoto

**Haruo Inomoto** (猪 (いの) 本 (もと) ハルオ, *Inomoto Haruo*) is a supporting character in *Kindergarten WARS* series, written and illustrated by You Chiba.

Haruo is an assassin from Asakusa along with his brother. After trying to escape with his brother from Asakusa, he was intercepted by Leo and killed, however some time later it was revealed that Haruo was saved by Erina, which is why he is currently in a coma.

## Appearance

Haruo is a petite individual with lengthy hair pulled back. He dresses in a traditional happi adorned with the kanji characters **"金魚"** (Kingyo), which translates to **"goldfish."**

## Personality

Haruo approaches his role as an assassin with earnestness, yet he carries a compassionate nature, especially towards his elder brother whom he dutifully cares for. He holds profound admiration for his brother, viewing Natsuki as a highly respectable figure whom he looks up to wholeheartedly.

## Plot

### Background

A while back, when Natsuki and Haruo were young, their family had been running the goldfish shop for generations. At night, they'd tend to their side business, leaving just the two of them behind. Whenever their parents headed out for this second job, Natsuki would wish them safety while fist-bumping, almost like casting a protective spell. Despite not being wealthy, they were content. One night, Natsuki fell ill, and while advised to rest and take medicine, his parents left Haruo to care for his older brother. That night, he couldn't bid his customary farewell to his parents. The following day, their parents never returned, prompting Natsuki and now exhausted Haruo to frantically search for them.

During their search in an alley, they tragically discovered their parents' lifeless bodies. In the assassin's world, the vulnerable are often the first to fall—that's an unyielding rule. With just the two of them, they held a funeral ceremony for their parents. Understanding the need to survive, Natsuki resolved to enter the same line of work, initially met with resistance by the Asakusa boss due to his young age. However, he insisted, promising Haruo to take care of him and their shop, vowing to protect everything. Consequently, he engaged in numerous killings, all in the hope of one day seeing their parents return home.

## Relationships

### Familial

* **Natsuki Inomoto:** Natsuki Inomoto and Haruo were raised in their family's goldfish shop, deeply intertwined with its operations. When their parents left for their roles as assassins, the siblings were left alone at home. One fateful day, when their parents failed to come back, Haruo was compelled by his brother to search for them. Tragically, they discovered their deceased parents. This event led both siblings to enter the world of assassination while also managing their parents' store.

## Etymology

* The full name **"猪本ハルオ" (Inomoto Haruo)** creates a full name that signifies a person associated with the origin of the boar and potentially embodies characteristics related to spring or clear weather.
	+ The name **"猪本" (Inomoto)** consists of two kanji characters: "猪" (ino) meaning "boar" and "本" (moto) meaning "origin" or "base." When combined, "猪本" (Inomoto) forms a surname that could be interpreted as "origin of the boar" or "base of the boar."
	+ The given name **"ハルオ" (Haruo)** is written in katakana, a Japanese script used primarily for foreign or loanwords. "ハル" (Haru) means "spring" or can also represent the idea of "clear weather," while "オ" (o) is a phonetic sound. When combined, "ハルオ" (Haruo) translates to a name that could imply traits associated with spring or clear weather.

## Trivia

* Despite being a man, Haruo is mistaken for a woman.

## References

*Kindergarten WARS* Manga: Chapter 31 (Pages 8-13).
*Kindergarten WARS* Manga: Chapter 33 (Pages 5-17).
*Kindergarten WARS* Manga: Chapter 31 (Page 8). — Doug mistook him being a woman.