Ariga, Makoto

有賀誠

Makoto is a trans girl who first appears in sixth grade alongside Shuuichi, although they are placed in different classes. Known as Mako-chan, primarily to Shuuichi, she desires acceptance as a girl and shares Shuuichi's interest in cute outfits; this commonality prompts Makoto to become Shuuichi's close friend. Makoto recognizes that her facial freckles and round glasses prevent her from appearing as cute as Shuuichi when presenting as her gender. She questions whether her main motivation for seeking acceptance as a girl stems from an attraction to men, a feeling Shuuichi cannot relate to.
Makoto appears mature for her age, thinking calmly and objectively while offering advice to her friends. As a good listener, she gets along well with both boys and girls her age, which often results in her observing the events in other characters' lives. She is an only child, and her parents own a bakery.