Suki (manga)

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, is a three volume manga by CLAMP. The title literally means "I like, therefore I like." It was published in English by TOKYOPOP (although their license has since expired [link]).

Suki follows the story of , also known as Hina), a child-like teenager with an obsession for teddy bears. She lives alone in her house and early in the story, her new homeroom teacher moves into the empty house next door. , her new teacher, becomes her first crush and he seems to take an interest in her as well. However, this simple love story grows complicated as Shiro's interest in Hina is put into question as more sinister elements are placed in the story, all while forcing Hinata to grow up at the same time.

[Spoiler warningSpoiler warning]: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Characters

Hinata Asahi

Although her full name is Hinata, she likes the people she likes the most to call her Hina. 16 year old Hina gets excellent grades, but is still very naïve and sees the world with child-like wonder and innocence. Hina chooses to live on her own, with two teddy bears named Waka and Tono and her new found friend, a cat. She wants to live on her own to accommodate her father's hectic schedule.

Her father is the chairman of the school and he also owns many businesses. He hires Asou Shiro, a bodyguard, to protect her from another kidnapping attempt (she had been kidnapped nine times before). Because her father always pays the ransom, no matter how large, Hina has been kidnapped many times. She later develops deeper feelings towards Shiro.

Shirou Asou

Seemingly cold and unfeeling, 32-year old Shirou moves into the unoccupied house, next door to Hina's and is also her new substitute teacher. He is actually hired by Hina's father to protect her from another kidnapping. Oblivious to Hina's feelings of love, he (at first) seems to think of Hina as merely another job. He later recognizes her feelings, but he rejects them. He had fallen in love with a client before, but he always feels a pang of guilt whenever he thinks about her. The woman he had fallen in love with before, threw herself into the path of a bullet, sparing his life. Although she survived the blast, she was a diplomatic guest, and later returned to her home country and married.

Touko Shinohara

Hina's best and life long friend, Touko is always looking out for the girl. She also seems to have developed romantic feelings towards Hina, rejecting offers from the many boys who are interested in her and becoming sad and dejected whenever Hina mentions how happy Shiro makes her feel.

Emi Kishitani

Emi is another friend of Hina's. Opinionated and loud-mouthed, she never gives up the chance to explain how childish and naïve Hina is. Emi's father borrowed a lot of money from Yakuza loansharks and he doesn't have any to repay them. Emi concocts a scheme to help her father kidnap Hina for the ransom that Hina's father is guaranteed to pay. After she is rescued by Shiro, Hina, in her loyalty and naïvete, forgives her and asks her father to loan Emi's family the money that they need. Emi is ashamed of what she's done and is grateful for Hina's forgiveness.

Tomoaki Namiya

Hina calls Tomoaki Tomo-kun, a name that he hasn't been referred to in at least 10 years. Tomo is a famous 21 year old writer. Curiously enough, the genres he writes in are erotica and children's books. Tomo is the writer of Hina's favorite series of children's books, all featuring bears. Like Hina, Tomo has employed a bodyguard to protect him. Also like Hina, he is very carefree and sometimes hard to handle. Later in the story, Tomo writes a series of books that mirror the lives of Hina and Shiro, much like in Chobits, another work by CLAMP. The title of this work is Suki.

Masaya Kizu

Kizu is a colleague of Shiro's, both having worked with the Secret Police. Now employed as Tomo's bodyguard, for reasons unexplained in the book (but it was implied that the circumstances are similar to Hina's).

Important locations

Hina's house

Hina's house is a large, two story home in a safe neighborhood. Shiro moves into the house next door to hers, to keep a watchful eye over her. Her house is (unbeknownst to her) tapped with multiple cameras and microphones, placed secretly by Shiro, to monitor Hina.

Outo High School

The high school that Hina attends and Shiro's place of employment. Outo High has also appeared in Legal Drug (along with a graduating Hina and Shiro).

Chuo Doori Shopping District

Bookstore - Hina's favorite place to buy books, mostly by her favorite author, Tomo.
Caffeo Piffle Princess - A cafe, a favorite place of Tomo's, he can often be seen writing his latest book (children's or otherwise) at his favorite booth near the door. The cafe is themed around the Piffle Princess, a kawaii mascot character that appears frequently in Suki and other works by CLAMP.

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