Ryuichi Higa

**Ryuichi Higa** was initially a minor antagonist in Part 2 of the Pumpkin Night manga before becoming a main supporting character in Part 3. He was a graduate of a university and a skilled doctor. He was the one who discovered Naoko Kirino who rose from her grave at the end of part 1 and was walking alongside his dog. He used his skills and surgery to full heal Naoko but she was suffering amnesia as a result. After Naoko went off on her own and being chased by Matsui, Higa was concerned for her and that her face was giving a deformity which he considered another failure.

However, Naoko did not care for her face she is happy to just be alive and gives the doctor a kiss on the lips which the doctor thanked God, and if not God then the devil as he is aware of her status as the pumpkin night.

## History

Ryuichi Higa was a skilled doctor who graduated from the Imperial University of Medicine and is a "bonafide doctor of medicine". He lives in a large mansion deep in the woods with his dog. He had a goal of "cleansing the rot" and "purifying the world", by means of killing criminals (for example the yakuza).

A year ago, Ryuichi was exploring the woods with his dog when he found Naoko Kirino deepy injured and close to death, however she was miraculously still alive. Ryuichi brought her back to his mansion and nursed her back to health by operating on her for over 10 hours, using all the blood he had stores and his expensive chemicals, though he didn't regret it one bit. Ryuichi had a premonition, that Naoko would help him achieve his wildest dreams. Since Naoko had outstanding physical abilities, a violent aggression and a lack of a conscience, she would do anything for Ryuichi, which meant that he had an easier way of achieving his goals. He also stated to have "fallen in love" with Naoko, as did other criminals who knew about her, in fact of the fact that she kills other criminals too.

When Naoko gained her memories back, including memories of Kazuya Makino, she was bent on rescuing him from the Hirayama Clinic where he was being held. Ryuichi tried to stop her, claiming that she was sent to him by God to help him purify the world, however Naoko already made up her mind and ran away, running Ryuichi over in the process. Ryuichi thought that he was in the wrong all long, that Naoko was a force not to be tamed, and he let her go. Even after being hospitalized, he still talked and fantasized about Naoko, which shows his admiration for her. It was there he reveals to police investigators that Naoko has some "supernatural" abilities including coming back from the dead and being able to talk to dead spirits (although they might possibly be exaggerated given his devotion to her). He then escaped with an unnamed associate who managed to knock out the investigation team and drive away, with him watching the action at the clinic and giving up on his love for Naoko.

After the battle at the clinic, he has settled in with her ironically, at a remote house in Okinawa, where he seems to have restored Naoko's face once again, once again becoming a father figure to her. He does know that Kazuya's health would deteriorate to the possible point of death and how miraculous it is for him to be alive in spite of the brainwashing program. He did hint of a way to keep both him and Naoko alive "forever" but was interrupted by a dinner.

He fought alongside Naoko and Shingo in holding off the PMCs and drones sent by Farms to kill them, using a PSG-1 sniper rifle and an RPG-7 respectively. In between the battles, he explains to Matsui that Naoko, in spite of her demonic nature, is supposedly mankind's hope in defeating oppression by forces big and small. However, when Larry sent missiles upon the house, he got his left leg severely injured, most of the lower half blown off save for his foot, to the point of possible amputation, all while trying to help Naoko.

## Personality

Ryuichi appears to be very intelligent though eccentric. He is dedicated to his craft of medicine. He also has a goal of getting rid of the rot in the world in order to purify it, by means of killing criminals, and will do anything and everything to achieve his goal. Ryuichi is also proud of having Naoko come into his life, as she helped him achieve his goals and realized her potential. He also seems to be religious, often mentioning God and the devil.

## Appearance

Ryuichi appears to be an adult man with a defined face with short, middle parted hair and glasses. His clothing consists of a laboratory coat with a black shirt underneath, paired with black pants and shoes. In Chapter 38, he is seen wearing a rhinoceros mask with the word "BLEACH" written on its forehead.

He also bears a close resemblance to Ryuichi Sakamoto, a famous Japanese pianist.