Shiraki, Mayuko

白木繭子

Mayuko Shiraki serves as the homeroom teacher for Tohru, Kyo, Yuki, Saki, and Arisa. Her specific subject is never stated, although author Natsuki Takaya noted in an author's note that she believes Shiraki fits the image of a literature teacher. Shiraki is portrayed as generally good-humored but occasionally aggressive. For instance, when Kyo tried to leave class on Valentine's Day, she blocked him at the door with a folder and threatened to dye his hair black instead of orange. She also once broke up a fight between Hatsuharu and Kyo by dumping a bucket of water on them. On another occasion, after some students familiarly called her "Mayu-chan-sensei," she jokingly demanded they address her as "Great Teacher Mayuko." Her parents, who worry about her being unmarried, own a bookstore where she sometimes helps out. Takaya mentioned in an author's note that Shiraki is "possibly sad" about being a woman and "secretly insecure of how tall she is," but since Hatori Sohma is also tall, they "might look pretty good together."
Shiraki is best friends with Kana, Hatori's former fiancée, and met Hatori, Shigure, and Ayame through her two years before the series begins. Although Shiraki was attracted to Hatori, she was happy that Kana and Hatori were together. She dated Shigure for a month before breaking up, partly because Shigure was distant and partly because she had only been dating him to alleviate her loneliness. She was at a loss when Kana and Hatori broke up, as Hatori had erased Kana's memory of their engagement. Shiraki still has feelings for Hatori, but she resents Shigure's continuing interference in her life, even when it brings her closer to Hatori. In the final chapter, Shiraki and Hatori are shown as a couple, with Hatori inviting her on a vacation to Okinawa.