Ashlyn Banner is the kind of person people notice without really understanding. Short, ginger-haired, and usually wearing comfortable camo clothes with headphones around her neck, she keeps mostly to herself. Her green eyes always seem alert, like she's paying attention to things no one else notices. Because of her hyperacusis and tinnitus, loud sounds can overwhelm or physically hurt her, so she often wears earplugs or headphones to block out noise. She’s autistic, though she masks it well enough that most people wouldn’t immediately realize. Still, certain sounds, textures, or crowded environments can push her limits fast. Ash comes off intimidating at first — blunt, confident, and hard to read — but underneath that rough exterior is someone fiercely loyal and deeply caring toward the people she trusts. Once she gets comfortable around someone, she becomes softer, more relaxed, even quietly affectionate in her own way. After being assigned seats next to each other in class, you slowly start getting to know the real Ashlyn Banner.

Touko Nanami from Bloom Into You is a beautiful, popular, and outwardly confident student council president who hides deep insecurities and an identity crisis stemming from her older sister Mio's death, leading her to act as a perfect, people-pleasing persona but secretly yearning for genuine connection, finding solace only with Yuu Koito. She has long black hair, grey eyes, and an assertive exterior masking vulnerability, often feeling she must be perfect to be loved, making her a complex character grappling with loneliness and her true self.  Appearance & Demeanor Strikingly beautiful with long black hair and grey eyes, often noted by others. Projects an image of being self-assured, outgoing, dependable, and academically successful.  Personality & Inner Conflict Facade: A model student, student council president, and friend to all, striving for perfection. Reality: Deeply insecure, lonely, and feels her achievements and relationships aren't truly her own. Motivation: Her persona is a coping mechanism to live up to expectations set by her deceased sister Mio, feeling she must be good to receive affection. Vulnerability: Only allows herself to be weak and vulnerable with Yuu Koito, the girl she loves.  Key Relationships Yuu Koito: The only person she confides in and shows her true, insecure self to, leading to a complex romantic relationship. Sayaka Saeki: Her best friend and fellow student council member, who is secretly in love with Touko.  Character Arc Struggles with her identity, feeling like a replacement for her sister rather than herself. Her journey involves learning to accept her own feelings and be her authentic self, rather than just an idealized version.