Kumi Sajou

Kumi Sajou *(佐条久美; Sajou Kumi)* is a supporting character in the Doukyuusei series. She is Rihito Sajou's mother.

## Bio

### Appearance

Kumi has short hair in the shape of a bob, presumably light-colored in appearance. She has prominent lower eyelashes, and her eyes are described as being similar to Rihito's.

### Personality

Kumi has an upbeat and warm personality. Even when faced with the threat of cancer, she keeps in high spirits and remains optimistic, showing a desire to return to work shortly after her surgery in Sotsugyousei. She has been shown to love her son and is accepting of his sexuality, and also welcoming to Hikaru Kusakabe. She has a love for music and played guitar in her youth.

### Background

Not much is known about Kumi's background, but it is known she used to play guitar and make mix tapes when she was younger. When Rihito was a young child, they used to play together like a mother and child do, but at some point she notices him becoming distant and closed off.

## Relationships

### Rihito 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. Despite this, they still love and care about each other very much, and all Kumi wants is her son's happiness. She confesses to Hikaru that she initially had reservations about Rihito's sexuality, wondering whether it was because his father wasn't around or she had raised him wrong, but she quickly realizes that she was wrong and that there's nothing wrong with the way things are. 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.

### Hikaru Kusakabe

When Rihito first comes out to her, Kumi asks to meet the boy he's dating, and gives a warm welcome to Hikaru, who is nervous. When Kumi is hospitalized in blanc, Hikaru immediately offers to take care of her while Rihito finishes up his university work in Kyoto. Kumi requests a mix CD from Hikaru for her to listen to while she is hospitalized, Hikaru being happy to do so. Kumi is very welcoming to Hikaru and is grateful to him for coming into Rihito's life, as he was able to smile again because of it. A few days before her death, they have a heart-to-heart about Rihito and his and Hikaru's break up, telling him about Rihito's childhood and wiping his tears after she tells him that he is the most important person in Rihito's life. she thanks Hikaru for making her son happy and says she also loves him. After her passing, Hikaru is quite shaken.

### Kumi's Husband

Not much is known about their relationship. It is presumed they loved each other. In response to being asked by Hikaru if she made mix tapes for her husband in their youth, she says it's "a secret" while appearing flustered, but quietly admits she made one.

## Quotes

> *"Rihito, do you have a girlfriend? [...] Hm? Oh, just a guess. But, well... heehee! It's been a long time since I've seen you smile like that."*
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*-"The Tears That Don't Spill Over", Sotsugyousei*

> *"This boy of mine, he can be a little aloof... but please be good to him."*
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*-"The Tears That Don't Spill Over", Sotsugyousei*

> *"Hee hee! Back when I was in school, my friends and I used to trade tapes all the time. Cassette tapes. We’d pick out songs we liked… spend hours thinking about the track order, and then put them on a tape to give each other. With tapes, you have A sides and B sides, so you’d think about the flow there. Hee hee! We’d make them all the time! Sometimes, we’d get together to make one. If you didn’t have enough songs to fill the tape, you’d panic and dig through your brother’s records."*
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*-"Blanc" Ch.5*

> *"Aah... I’m so excited. Songs I’d probably like would be great. Songs I’ve never heard of would be* amazing*. And I get to find out what kind of music* you *like, Kusakabe-kun. I really can’t wait."*
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*-"Blanc" Ch.5*

> *"It was AMAZING!! Just an incredible tape! I mean, CD! I listened to it **a million times!** Putting The Beatles as the first song was a great hook! "Here Comes The Sun"! It's such a gentle song, but it's so moving! And then Kanenobu Sachiko for the second song! I can't believe you know Kanenobu Sachiko! I loooove her! Her voice is divine! And just when I thought it was going to go in that gentle vein, Spooky Ruben? That "Wendy Mcdonald" is super funky! So's the title! So cool right from the get-go! Aaaaah! I could go on and on about every song! But the best one really is that last one. It's your song, isn't it, Kusakabe-kun? I knew right away. You have such a good voice!"*
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*-"Blanc" Ch.6*

> *"You know... I used to not really understand him myself. It's true. When we was little... Right. When he was* really *little... we had a decent relationship. He'd play with me. Cry. Laugh. But... at some point... when did it change? He... he stopped looking me in the eye. At first, I thought it was just me. He never went through a rebellious phase. I never had to tell him to do his homework or anything like that. But... but he gradually grew... what's the word? Distant? Mm. When I think about it now... he might have felt guilty toward me somehow. Even though there was no reason for him to feel like that. But... the gap grew. He was like that for so long. ...Until he met* you*, Kusakabe-kun. He started smiling and laughing again. He's so lucky you two met and grew close. Without a doubt... you're the most important person in his life."*
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*-"Blanc" Ch.6*

> *"The truth is... when he told me he was going out with a boy, I was a bit upset. I worried it was because his dad was away so often... or something. Or maybe because I wasn't there for him enough when he was growing up. Things like that. But I was completely wrong. We didn't make any mistakes. I'm so glad Rihito fell in love with you."*
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*-"Blanc" Ch.6*

## Etymology

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

**Kumi - Ku** (久) means "a long time" and **Mi** (美) means "beauty".

## Trivia

* It is stated that she works, but her career is currently unknown.
* The decision that Kumi would eventually pass away was made as early as when the *Sotsugyousei* paperbacks were being published.

## References

1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWAJxRv97iw