Kayano

**Kayano** (カヤノ, *Kayano*) is one of the characters in the manga series *Wild Strawberry*. Kayano's Jinka, residing within her, has consistently safeguarded both her and her elder brother, Kingo, from various threats they have encountered. This protection has extended to their earlier years when they faced the peril of being almost consumed by their adoptive parents and also shielded them from the strict and unwavering Flower Funeral Force. This force enforces a stringent protocol of incinerating any humans whose flowers have bloomed, exhibit symptoms of blooming, or are in the blooming process.

## Appearance

### Human Form

In her earlier human days, at a tender age when her Jinka had not yet bloomed, Kayano exhibited distinct physical features. She had short, evenly-cut green hair with bangs and beautiful, large blue eyes. Despite her young age, she consistently maintained a serious expression, rarely showing a smile throughout the available chapters released.

### Jinka Form

During regular days at home, Kayano displays a unique characteristic where leaves with roots emerge from her back, resembling miniature branches adorned with tree-like foliage. Her right eye possesses a distinct appearance, featuring dark pink petals that give the impression of eyelashes. Despite her attempts to hide them with long-sleeved shirts, a few branches may still occasionally protrude from her back.

In her youth, Kayano faced a grave threat from their adoptive parents, who had taken them in with harmful intentions. During this time, her Jinka manifested as dark pink petals resembling eyelashes, originating from her right eye. Additionally, an inner flower, resembling Fragaria vesca (wild strawberry), with twin eye-like flowers, emerged. This extraordinary bloom enabled her to consume and eliminate her adoptive parents completely. Afterwards, the Jinka retracted back into her through the same right eye, remaining dormant within her for a significant period.

During a crucial encounter with the Flower Funeral Force at their shared residence in Inner Tokyo, Kayano found herself under attack, leading to the full bloom of her Jinka from within. Multiple stems, roots, and leaves sprouted from her body, extending like appendages throughout the nearby building. Her back became enveloped in roots due to the flowers growing from it, and her right eye underwent a transformation, turning into a darkened eye with roots connecting to her shoulder. Some of the wild strawberry flowers on her back grew exceptionally large, blooming outward. Furthermore, the flower in her right eye also blossomed into an enormous form, exceeding the size of her head and resembling that of a tulip or hibiscus.

### Official Appearance

On Kayano's official appearance design in the serialization, her right eye becomes a striking showcase for her inner Jinka's blossoming. It takes the form of a poppy anemone flower, scientifically designated as *Anemone coronaria*. This flower possesses a distinct and captivating allure characterized by its layered petal-like structures, producing an intricate and multi-dimensional effect. These petal-like sepals, also known as "petaloid sepals," are essentially modified leaves that come in an array of colors, including white, pink, red, purple, and blue. At the flower's center, a cluster of small yet prominent stamens in yellow or dark hues further embellishes its appearance. The poppy anemone's size can vary, but in this context, the one adorning her right eye is nearly as large as her head.

### Concept Art

The author recently shared a new image of Kayano on August 8, 2023. In this depiction, she carries a wild strawberry flower, scientifically referred to as Fragaria vesca, on her right eye. This choice symbolizes that the flower has already bloomed within her. The flower showcases five white petals, arranged in a circular design, resulting in an elegant and uncomplicated appearance. These petals are dainty and modest in size. Positioned at the flower's core, a cluster of bright yellow stamens takes center stage as the male reproductive components. These stamens create a striking contrast against the white petals. Encircling the petals and stamens, a group of green sepals acts as guardians, shielding the developing flower and its future fruit. These sepals provide a delicate frame for the petals and stamens. Typically, wild strawberry flowers are small, spanning about 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter. However, in Kayano's instance, as it has blossomed within her as her Jinka, the flower is as substantial as her head.

Kayano, younger daysKayano - Jinka FormKayano - Jinka Form (Colored)
## Personality

Kayano possesses a reserved and melancholic demeanor. She tends to remain silent, only opening up when in the presence of Kingo. Even when they were informed about their adoption, she displayed minimal reaction, often opting to either stare quietly or remain entirely silent. Maintaining a poker face is typical for her on most days, and thus far, in the available chapters, she has not been depicted smiling.

## Plot

### Background

During their earlier years, Kingo and Kayano found themselves among the orphans residing at Nozomi-en Orphanage. Eventually, a couple adopted them, fostering hope for a nurturing environment. However, their perceptions were shattered one fateful night when Kayano woke Kingo to overhear the couple's unsettling argument regarding their sinister intentions. The couple contemplated consuming one of the two children.

Caught in the act of eavesdropping, the situation quickly escalated, and the couple attempted to devour the young siblings. Fortunately, just in the nick of time, Kayano's Jinka, still in its early stages of development and had just bloomed, came to their rescue, averting the dire fate that loomed over them.

## Relationships

### Familial

* **Kingo:** Kayano and Kingo were raised together in Nozomi-en Orphanage, forming a deep bond and considering each other as siblings despite not sharing a blood relation. Concerned for Kayano's safety after her Jinka bloomed, Kingo dedicated himself to devising various strategies to shield her from the threat posed by the Flower Funeral Force, which posed a significant danger to her life.

* **Jinka:** While it remains uncertain whether Kayano's Jinka shares the same characteristics as others, possessing independent movement and senses, it is established that the Jinka within her played a pivotal role in saving both her and Kingo during a perilous encounter with their adoptive parents. These guardians, who adopted them with sinister intentions of consumption, were thwarted thanks to the intervention of the Jinka residing within Kayano.

## Operational Proficiency

### Abilities and Skills

* **Jinka Transformation:** Kayano possesses the ability to transform and merge with individuals, particularly her brother, Kingo. This transformation is not a typical one and involves a connection between Kayano and the Jinka (a mysterious, powerful entity) residing within Kingo.
* **Internal Communication:** Kayano can communicate with Kingo from within the Jinka, allowing them to coordinate and strategize.
* **Healing:** Kayano's presence within Kingo seems to have a healing effect on his wounds, as noted when Kingo's injuries heal after their encounter with the Jinka.
* **Combat:** Kayano's Jinka abilities grant Kingo enhanced combat skills and the ability to use Jinka roots and branches as weapons.
* **Jinka's Root and Branches Manipulation:** Kayano can manipulate Jinka roots, extending them from Kingo's left hand to provide a landing hold for himself and others. These roots can also be used for offensive purposes.

### Weaponry

* **Jinka Roots and Branches:** Kayano's primary weapons are the Jinka roots and branches that extend from Kingo's left hand. These roots can be used for various purposes, including combat and providing support.

## Etymology

The name **カヤノ (Kayano)** potentially has origins in native Japanese words or dialects. One plausible association is with the term "kaya" (カヤ) in Japanese, which pertains to "mosquito netting" or a "cage" made from such material. The suffix "no" (ノ) serves as a possessive particle, indicating possession or belonging. Consequently, "Kayano" could be interpreted to mean "belonging to the kaya" or "associated with the mosquito netting/cage."
## Trivia

* Kingo and Kayano were initially introduced as orphans residing at Nozomi-en Orphanage.

## References

*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 1 (Page 10). — Colored page of Chapter 1.
 "@ire\_yonemoto's Tweet: "Concept Art"". *Twitter*. — posted August 8, 2023.
*Wild Strawberry* Manga: Chapter 1 (Pages 20-22).